Page 71 of Switch

I roll my eyes, taking a slow sip of my soda. “Enjoy it while it lasts, B. You still have another round.”

Brooke, however, is barely paying attention. She’s curled up on the hard plastic seat, scrolling through her phone with the kind of smirk that only means one thing—she’s talking to a guy. Again.

“You’ve been smiling at your phone all night,” I point out, tilting my head. “Which poor guy are you stringing along now?”

Brooke finally looks up, flipping her dark hair over her shoulder. “Oh, he’s not poor.”

I groan. “Of course he’s not.”

Bri, suddenly intrigued, leans in with wide eyes. “Okay, spill. Who is he?”

Brooke’s grin stretches wider as she sets her phone down. “His name is Nathan. He works in finance—very successful, of course. Drives an Audi, owns a lake house, and—wait for it—he took me to a five-star restaurant on ourfirst date.”

Bri whistles, dramatically fanning herself. “Damn. Sounds like a keeper.”

I, on the other hand, just shake my head. “Brooke, I swear, you have atype.”

She shrugs, completely unbothered. “What? I like a man with ambition.”

“You like a man with money,” I counter, arching a brow.

Brooke smirks, sipping her wine like she’s completely fine with that accusation. “Same thing.”

Bri laughs, shaking her head, while I just sigh. It’s nothing new. Brooke is gorgeous, independent, and smart as hell, but she always chases guys with thick wallets, big egos, and jobs that require them to wear overpriced suits.

“Look, I’m just saying,” Brooke continues, flipping her hair back. “It’s nice to be with someone who has their shit together.Someone stable. Someone who isn’t, you know, wrapped up in—”

She pauses, waving her hand vaguely in the air before locking eyes with me.

“—club stuff.”

I stiffen slightly at that last part.

Bri gives her a look. “Brooke—”

“No, IlikeJax,” Brooke clarifies quickly, holding up her hands. “I do. He’s hot, he treats you well, and from what I can tell, he’s crazy about you. But… does it ever bother you that his entire life revolves around the club?”

I wrap my fingers around my soda cup a little tighter. “No.”

Brooke raises an eyebrow. “No?”

I exhale, shoulders tensing. “Fine.Sometimes.”

Bri stays quiet, her sharp eyes flicking between us.

“I mean, yeah, it can be frustrating,” I admit, shifting in my seat. “He works a lot. And when the club calls, he has to drop everything. But it’s not like he’s out robbing banks or doing shady shit.”

Brooke leans back against the seat, arms crossed. “Still. You don’t worry about getting stuck in that world? About always being second to the club?”

I exhale slowly, rolling my shoulders. “I knew what I was getting into. And I trust Jax.”

Brooke studies me for a second, her expression unreadable, then lets out a dramatic sigh. “Well, I guess as long asyouknow what you’re doing.”

Bri snorts. “Wow. Such confidence in your sister’s choices.”

“Idohave confidence in her choices,” Brooke says, tossing a piece of popcorn at Bri. “Except when it comes to men.”

“Wow, thanks,” I deadpan.

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