Page 155 of Burn Like An Angel

Xander is obsessively arranging something on the coffee table while Lennox supervises. The pair are trading arguments, their entire attention focused on whatever they’re doing.

“Guys?”

At Raine’s prompt, both snap upright, wearing sheepish looks. It’s a change after Xander’s aggressive approach to caring for me. They’ve drawn the curtains and lit a handful of cheap tea lights throughout the room.

“Um, ta dah?” Lennox spread his muscular arms wide.

Xander smacks the back of his head. “Have a bit more showmanship, for fuck’s sake.”

“You want to take over?”

Clearing his throat, Xander gestures around the room in a weird, awkward way. “Well, we realise that none of us had a real first date with you.”

I take in the candles, the dimmed lights and an array of different snacks that have been laid out. Including several of my favourites and a multipack of chilled beer. An old sci-fi movie is already loaded on the paused TV.

“This is a first date?” My hand flies up to cover my mouth.

“Safe house edition.” Lennox shrugs. “We realise it isn’t much.”

I’m too surprised to fathom a response. Xander curses while studying my reaction. Raine shuffles on his feet. Hell, Lennox’s chest is heaving so hard, it looks like he’s on the verge of a fucking panic attack.

“You hate it. Shit, Xan! She hates it!”

“I told you to get the double chocolate chip cookies, not the plain kind!” Xander snarls at him. “You had one job, Nox.”

“You’re the one who chose the shit movie!”

“You’re both useless.” Raine shakes his head.

“Hey! We got beer!”

“Guys!” I shout above them, trying hard not to laugh. “This… This is everything. It’s the best first date I’ve ever seen.”

Their arguing halts, all fixing their attention on me. Xander visibly relaxes. Lennox runs a relieved hand down his face. Raine chuckles, nudging me forward with a touch to my lower back.

“My idea,” he whispers proudly.

I take a seat on the sofa before they can start bickering again. Lennox hands out cracked open beers, fighting to hold back a grin. I study his neckline, finding his silver chain is indeed absent. It really is gone.

“Guys?” Raine clears his throat. “The first date gift?”

“Fuck.” Lennox fists his hair agitatedly. “Xan!”

“Chill out. I’ve got it.”

Plucking a small box off the coffee table, Xander presents it to me. Eyeing him, I accept the wrapped gift, feeling all kinds of confused. They’re really not the type to go in for grand gestures.

“We figured flowers are average,” he says with a slight smile. “And not your style.”

Looking down at the box, I slip the lid off. Inside rests a delicate, black bracelet made of miniature chains welded together. I finger the smooth metal. It’s lightweight and totally unique. I’ve never seen a bracelet like it.

“This is for me?”

Lennox stares at me. “Do you like it?”

“Yes.” I lift the light chain, finding it’s the perfect size. “This is so beautiful.”

Xander snags the seat next to me, a huge pile of snacks stacked in his arms. He dumps them on the side of the sofa, finding a comfortable position where he can lay his head in my lap.

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