Page 75 of Stuck with my Brother's Firefighter Besties

A moment to breathe, to untangle the mess in my head.

The sky was clear now, stars scattered like glitter on black velvet. It was beautiful, but the cold bit at my exposed skin, making me shiver.

I pulled the wrap tighter around my shoulders, wishing I’d brought something heavier.

My nerves were still frayed from the dances.

Each of them had left an impression I couldn’t shake.

What the hell was I going to do?

I took a shaky step forward, feeling the uneven stones beneath my feet. My heel caught on something, maybe a crack or a loose edge, and before I could steady myself, I stumbled forward.

“Whoa, easy there.”

Strong hands caught me before I hit the ground, steadying me with an ease that only made my heart race faster. I didn’t need to look up to know who it was.

Jaxon.

His all-too-familiar scent wrapped around me like a safety net as I straightened, his hands still firm on my arms.

“Thanks,” I said, trying to laugh it off. “Guess I’m not as graceful as I thought.”

His lips quirked into that infuriatingly charming smile, the one that always made me feel like I was the only person in the world he cared to look at. “You looked pretty graceful on the dance floor. Must’ve used up all your luck there.”

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled up. It felt good to laugh, especially with him, even if it was dangerous. “Yeah, well, maybe next time I’ll leave the heels at home.”

“Not a chance,” he said, his tone light but his gaze heavy. “You look too good in them.”

The air between us shifted, the teasing giving way to something deeper, something I wasn’t sure I was ready to face. I looked away, focusing on the stars instead of the intensity in his eyes.

“What are you doing out here anyway?” he asked, his hands finally dropping from my arms, though he didn’t step back.

“Needed some air,” I said honestly. “It’s a lot, you know? Being in there, pretending everything’s fine.”

Jaxon didn’t say anything for a moment, but when he spoke, his voice was softer. “You don’t have to pretend, Lila. Not with me.”

The words hit me hard. There was something about the way he said my name, like it was sacred, like it meant something more to him. I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry.

“Thanks,” I said quietly, unsure of what else to say.

Jaxon studied me for a moment, his piercing blue eyes searching mine like he was trying to find something I wasn’t ready to give. Then, just as I thought he might say something else, he stepped back, his hands slipping into his pockets.

“I’ll see you inside,” he murmured, his voice low.

Before I could respond, he turned and walked away, his broad shoulders disappearing into the shadows along the path. I assumed he was heading back inside, but something about the way he moved made me wonder if he’d found his own escape route.

Either way, I was left standing there, the ache in my chest unfamiliar and unwelcome.

I let out a shaky breath, leaning back against the cool stone railing of the garden’s low wall.

The night was quieter now, the muffled sounds of the party inside seeming far away. I closed my eyes, trying to pull myself together, but the whirlwind of emotions wouldn’t settle.

“You’ve got that look again.”

I jumped slightly, my eyes snapping open to find Samantha standing a few feet away, a knowing smile on her face.

She had an espresso martini in her hand, and her emerald dress sparkled faintly in the moonlight. She looked like she lived for this night. Maybe the whole of Medford did.

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