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Boy, what would Jaxson say if she responded with yes?
The word “love” flittered through her mind—and heart—constantly. It never left her mouth, though. Her relationship was going smoothly so far. She didn’t want to do anything to upset the delicate balance it was on.
She pushed on his cheek to turn his head forward. “Eyes ahead. You know I hate it when you don’t keep your eyes on the road. That’s why I wanted to drive. Sure, I hear it in his voice, too, but I hear it from your voice first.”
He slammed his hand on the steering wheel. “Damn it, Gabby, that’s not fair. You’re making me into the bad guy here. It’s like he’s a damn saint and can’t do anything wrong. But, oh, no, one little wrong tone coming from my mouth, and you gotta lay into me.”
He turned left, then rubbed his hand on his thigh from hitting the steering wheel so hard. “You’re my best friend, and I feel like I’m losing you to him. You’ve never spent so much time with a guy before. I hate it. And I—”
“Please, Jaxson, don’t say you hate him,” she said with a firm voice.
“You hate when people interrupt you. You shouldn’t do it to others.”
“I’m sorry.” She glanced out her window, afraid that he would see the swirling emotions embroidered on her face. “I don’t think I can hear you say you hate him. He’s become an important part of my life. I see the tension between you two and don’t know how to fix it. I see the stress on his face from work, or perhaps me wanting him not to work. That’s what he’s used to, and I’m making him stay with me. Sometimes I think I’m demanding too much of his attention, but I don’t know how to back off. I enjoy spending time with him. I’m not blinded by love.”
Wow. When had she become such a liar?
He sighed. “Come on, Gabs. You’re not acting like you normally do with a guy. Maybe you’re afraid to say it—hell, even think it—but you’re starting to feel the L-word.”
When did she ever think she could get anything by Jaxson? He knew her too well. Still, she wasn’t ready to admit it out loud.
“It’s only been a month. We’re still in the early stages of dating.” She pulled her attention away from the window to look at him. “I know you two don’t get along. And yes, I hear the attitude from Dane as well. But if you started trying harder, he would, too. You’re an important part of my life. You always will be, Jax. He knows this, and it makes him feel threatened. But I think if you tried harder, then he would, too. Is that so much to ask of my best friend?”
He slowed down to a stop at a red light, turning his full attention to her. “A little bit, yes. I don’t want to see him hurt you. I have a feeling he could do a lot of damage. I don’t want that to happen.”
“So, you won’t be nicer to him? You won’t try to be the bigger person in the situation?”
He rubbed a hand down his face, groaning in despair. “I hate being the bigger person.”
“Pouting does not become you.” She laughed to lighten the serious tension starting to fill the car. She hated the tension. When those two were together, it came in spades.
Jaxson thankfully laughed with her, reducing the tension some more. “For you, Gabs, I’ll be nicer. I’ll drop the attitude.” He smiled sheepishly. “Or at least try.”
She placed a tender hand on his shoulder, smiling in return. “Thank you, Jaxson. I know I can always count on you. You’ll always be my best friend.”
Gabby dropped her hand when he smiled wider and turned his attention back to the road. She didn’t miss the frown that replaced his smile. Perhaps he didn’t believe her that he would always be her best friend. Nobody could take him out of her life. Not even Dane. She also knew Dane would never ask her to do that. But his attitude could use some adjusting as well. Jaxson was right. Dane wasn’t any better when it came to conversing with Jaxson. Put two raging dogs in a pit and sit back and watch them duke it out. That’s what it was like when those two were in a room together. The testosterone filled the room, just waiting to be unleashed in a meltdown of great proportions.
Four hours later, after finding no new leads in the death of a real estate agent murdered while showing an apartment, Gabby unlocked her apartment door. The moment she stepped inside, a wonderful aroma wafted around her senses.
She flipped the lock on the door, then walked into the kitchen where Dane stood in front of her pantry.
“You cooked?”
Dane jumped, turning his attention her way. “You’re home. I missed you.” He shut the pantry doors and, with quick steps, had her in his arms, kissing her like he truly had missed her. “I hope it’s okay I let myself in. I decided after you called to tell me you had to work late that I still wanted to see you. I thought you might be hungry when you got home.”
She rested her head against his chest. She took in the small mess littering the counter. It was the first time Dane had cooked for her. What a wonderful sight to see. “It’s more than okay. I’m so happy you’re here. I missed you, too. And I gave you a key, it’s okay you use it.”
Funny how she was afraid to say the L-word yet she had given him a key to her apartment. Although he had also given her a key to his apartment, so it seemed right. Yet, they did find themselves at her apartment more often than his.
He kissed the top of her head. “Is everything all right? Was it a bad day?”
“A tiring day. Sometimes it’s not easy doing this job. I had to tell a husband and a four-year-old little girl that her mommy wouldn’t be coming home tonight. And the worst part for us, we have no leads yet. It breaks my heart sometimes.”
He leaned back, cupping her cheeks with tender hands. “You have a heart of gold. I can imagine how difficult that job is for you. You want to help people so much. Sometimes more than you should.”
He kissed her again, then walked over to the small wine rack hanging on the wall. “How about a nice glass of wine to unwind from the hectic day?”
She nodded and leaned against the counter, watching as he prepared their glasses. “What do you mean that I sometimes help more than I should?”
