“Protective. Sure, we can call it that,” I laugh. It’s more than protective but it’s also sweet and I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t find the way Kade worried over his wife endearing. I’m surprised he’s left her alone this long as it is.
“You want to get something to eat?” Collins pushes to her feet and I nod my head. I’m starving and I’m always down to eat.
“We don’t have to if you’re busy,” I offer, not wanting her to ask me because she’s just being polite.
“Are you playing hard to get or something?” She smirks at me.
“What?” I ask, confused by her question.
“I’m trying to make friends with you and you’re running away.” She reaches out and grabs my hand. She’s got one of those smiles that lights up a room and you can’t help but return it. “You’ve been hanging out with X too long.” She squeezes my hand.
“What? No!” I panic for a moment wondering why she would she ask me that. It feels like I’ve been caught with my hand in the cookie jar. “He can’t stand me. He stomps from the room when I enter or stares a hole into me if he has to be in the same place I am. You haven’t noticed?”
“I’ve noticed,” she laughs. “He’s like a bear with a thorn in his paw. You can’t miss him.”
Isn’t that the truth? He’s always lingering somewhere close but he can’t get away from me fast enough. He’s never far and it’s weird.
She gives my hand another squeeze, “That’s what I mean though. You’re always running from me so I wondered if you picked up Xander’s bad habits.”
I snort a laugh, understanding what she’s saying. “I’ll be honest with you. I’m an only child and I’ve spent my life invested in school and work. My social skills aren’t always on point.”
“Ahh, finally an imperfection. I dig it.” She loops her arm with mine. “I didn’t think you had a single flaw.”
“I have tons of them.”
“Me too. I’m a clinger, although Kade enjoys that one. At least when I’m the one doing it to him.” She winks at me. Yeah, they cling to each other all day every day which is still kind of adorable.
“So not an imperfection?” I tease her back as she leads us down the hallway.
“You’ll have to let me know.” She nudges me.
“I don’t think your clinginess will bother me either,” I admit. “If you’re okay with someone who often gets lost in their own head and will forget someone is talking to them.”
“Is that why X’s staring doesn’t bother you? You’re lost in your head and don’t notice him.” I don’t know if she’s joking or being serious. “Because I would have smacked him by now if I was you.”
“I’m a healer.” I lace my tone to be extra sweet, making her throw her head back and laugh. I’ve thought about smacking him a few times, but he stays out of reach.
“What’s so funny?” My stomach flutters at the sound of his deep voice.
“Not you.” Collins tries to hit Xander right in the stomach as she walks past him, but Kade grabs her and pulls her to him. Her arm untangles with mine as she lets him take her. “We’re getting food, put me down.” Her protest is half-hearted.
“I can be funny,” X responds, actually sounding offended.
“Ha.” Collins barks a laugh. “Wait, that was kind of funny. You thinking you can be funny.” She wiggles to get away from Kade, but he doesn’t let her go. “Food.” She elbows him but he doesn’t budge.
“I can cook,” X offers.
I shrug at Xander before I go to the kitchen. He’s not funny but I have a whole list of things he is. I wrote them down so I wouldn’t forget and the list was confusing. I balled it up and threw it away because it made my head hurt. The same things I dislike about him are the things I like about him. It makes no logical sense in my head. How can I like that someone is grumpy? How can I still find it adorable?
“I’m serious.” X stomps behind me. I don’t have to look to know he’s following me. Those stomps are always hot on my heels.
“I’m starting to think you like me, X,” I throw over my shoulder. “I can’t turn around without you being up my ass.”
“I am not,” he defends, and I stop suddenly as I turn to face him. He almost runs right into me, proving my point.
“Show me how serious you are and make me something to eat. God knows I can’t cook.” I walk back toward the kitchen and smile to myself. “Try not to assault any fruit this time.”
He follows.
Chapter Five
Xander
I look over my shoulder and see Kade walk with Collins out to the golf carts. Once the door closes behind them and we’re alone, I turn my attention to Lula.