Page 81 of Bloom

“And complicated.”

Too weak a word, honestly. “That too.”

“You think he's a man scorned or something? Got his heart broken and swore off love?”

I warble a weak laugh. “I think he just doesn't want me.”

Lux scoffs like that’s the most preposterous thing she’s ever heard. “That man likes you as a hell of a lot more than a friend, Line.”

“I think he made it pretty clear tonight that he doesn't.”

“I think he's made it pretty clear in the past that he does,” Lux counters. Holding up her hand, she uses her fingers to count off items on an imaginary list. “Hikes. The wedding dance. The creek.Honey.” Dropping her hand, she shakes her head. “I thought he was gonna sucker-punch Cass that one time. And don’t even get me started on the dog.”

I frown.“Herc? What about him?”

“He practically lives at Hunter’s place. I told Eliza I was gonna bring them to the pound—don’t give me that look, I wasjust riling her up—if I had to dodge a piss puddle on the porch one more time. Hunter overhead and offered to take your runt.”

I snuff out the warmth fizzing in my chest real quick. “To helpyou.”

“Oh,please.” Deep brown eyes roll. “He likes you, Line. I think that scares him as much as it scares you.”

I snort—scared? Hunter? Ofme? Yeah, right. That’s almost as ridiculous as him liking me to begin with. Which I don’t believe he does. And even if he did… “I don't wanna be that girl again.”

“What girl?”

“The one who sits around waiting for a boy to like her.”

“So, don't be.”

“What?”

“Don't sit around. Your first post-Jackson kiss is out of the way.”

I'm glad Lux cringes as she mentions her brother, finding comfort in the fact I’m not the only one who feels incredibly awkward at the sound of his name.

“Why don't you try a first date next? Think about it before you shut it down,” she anticipates my brewing refusal and cuts it off sharply. Flopping down beside me, she curls into a ball, smoothing a hand over her son’s shock of dark hair. “You might have fun.”

“Doubtful.”

Lux chuckles through a yawn, and I silently thank Alex for the sleep-aversion that prevents his mother from staying up all night tormenting me about boys. Before she can pass out on me, though, I nudge the knee digging into my thigh. “Thanks for coming over.”

Smiling lazily, Lux pinches the back of my hand gently. “I'm glad you called me.”

Wriggling a little closer, I lean my head against hers. “I’m glad I can call you.”

24

He doesn’t know exactly how to break someone’s arm, but he thinks he could figure it out.

“You could totally fire him.”

My head snaps up just in time to catch Lux nodding thoughtfully at Luna’s suggestion. “What?” I whisper-hiss, casting a cautious glance towards the men gathered only a few feet away. “You can’tfirehim.”

“She’s the boss.” Eliza grins at her big sister over the edge of the stall she’s mucking out. “She can do whatever she wants.”

My loud groan echoes around the barn. It’s bad enough that the youngest Jackson sibling, ever the eavesdropper, knows about The Hunter Incident—I really don’t need her entertaining any vendetta against him, no matter how playful said vendetta might be.

No matter how twistedly sweet it might be.

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