Page 31 of Golden Ruin

This is his house, after all.

I nod, trying not to feel completely exposed, but it’s not every day a girl has to ask her ex’s permission to hang out with someone she’s interested in.

“Thanks.”

“No problem.”

I sense that heaviness again, but now I’m not sure if it’s caused by whatever was already bugging him or if it’s because I asked about Matt. Either way, I can’t exactly call him out on it, so I just stop talking altogether.

Sterling puts two pancakes and a strip of bacon on a tiny plate with a dog face etched into the middle for Jax, then he slides a plate to me. It’s easier to focus on the pancakes than the tension that’s suddenly crept into the room, so that’s what I do, digging in as he cleans up the mess he and Jax made.

I’m halfway done when he dries the last dish, then sets the trash by the back door to take out when he leaves.

“I’m gonna go change and head out,” he says.

I hold his gaze for a second, then look away as I nod. “Okay. See you tonight.”

In my peripheral vision, I see him nod back. “Call if you need something. I’ll keep my phone just in case.”

“Okay,” I say quietly.

My eyes trail him as he heads toward the stairs, and I don’t look away until he disappears from view.

I can’t explain why I’ve suddenly lost my appetite, but it’s gone.

Completely.

CHAPTER NINE

Lexi

My heart’s racing. Partly because I’m excited to see Matt, but I’m also nervous that he’s visiting me… here.

Unless I missed the memo about it being totally normal for a girl’s situationship to visit her at her ex’s mansion. Where she’s temporarily living.

Yep, perfectly normal.

Maybe I should just cancel.

Jax’s hearty laughter floats down from upstairs, and as my gaze drifts in that direction, I’m more than a little bummed I’m missing his nighttime routine. I know Sterling has it handled, but I’d still like to be there.

Helping with his bath, watching him brush his teeth, reading him a bedtime story.

I’ve always cherished the little moments, but they’re even more meaningful now.

I catch Matt’s shadow through the frosted glass before he rings the bell, and I pull the door open. He’s already smiling, that lone dimple in his right cheek deepening. My plan was to hug him, but his hands and arms are full. In one arm, he’s clutching a gigantic stuffed animal that looks almost identical to his dog, Goose. And in his opposite hand, a huge bouquet of flowers.

At least two dozen roses.

“I–hey,” I greet him, and his smile grows.

“Hey. I come bearing gifts.”

“Yeah, I can see that.”

I take the dog to lighten his load a little, but he’s distracted, staring at me like it’s our first time meeting. It has my mind going back to the weird look Jax gave me at breakfast, but the thought that immediately follows is Sterling’s response. His compliment and reassurance that the cut suits me.

“Your hair,” he says. “It’s… I love it.”