AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She sniffed. “I think I’m going to revoke both of your brownie privileges.”
“Fighting words,” Xavier teased.
“Or spanking words,” Brick added.
She gave a theatrical gasp. “I don’t think so, mister.”
Brick grinned at her. “I’m going to work in the study. You’re in charge of her for a while, Doc. Good luck.”
“I’ll need it.”
Juliet huffed and stormed off towards the kitchen while Xavier found himself in the weird position of sharing a grin with the man who was with the woman he loved.
The world was a weird place.
Xavier couldn’t help but moan as he took a bite of brownie. “You make the best brownies I’ve ever had, Twink.”
She let out a pleased giggle. He loved that sound. She didn’t laugh enough. Or she hadn’t laughed enough in the past. If Brick could get her to smile more, then Xavier would be forever indebted to him.
It was difficult to do. He’d rather hate the bastard. But seeing Juliet happy could never be something he resented.
Didn’t mean it wasn’t hard. Was he going to be able to do this? To stay in this town while she was with someone else? To see them together?
It would be torture.
But he only had two choices. Stay here and somehow survive seeing them together. Or leave. And never see her.
Fuck.
“Delicious as always, sweetheart.”
She gave him a shy look. “Thank you. You want more? Better eat it now before Elias sees it.”
“I’m fine.”
“I’ll box some up for you to take home. Are you all right? You look tired.” She studied him with worry.
“I should ask the same about you,” he said. “It sounded like you gave Brick a fright last night.”
“I know. Stupid night terrors. I wish they’d go away.”
“Maybe you should talk to someone about them? It might help.”
“I don’t know,” she whispered.
“Think about it, for me?” He put his hand over hers.
“All right. I’ll think about it.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
Brick walked into the kitchen just as Xavier placed his hand on his girl’s hand. He saw the way Xavier looked at Juliet. With a mix of desperation and hunger.
But Xavier wasn’t his priority. Juliet was. He waited to see what would happen, but all they did was smile at one another.
Then she turned and saw him. And her gaze lit up. Her face practically shone with happiness. And the knot in his stomach unraveled. Because there might be a part of her that loved Xavier. But she loved Brick too.
“Came in for some brownie,” he said in a gruff voice. As he grew closer, she launched herself off the stool at him.
