Page 40 of Fierce-Jax

It was the first she’d brought something that personal up about her life.

So far they’d been talking about him being a nice guy, his job, her practice, the building, and even the Fierces.

He didn’t expect to get too personal and was glad she took that step.

Seemed to him she was walking steadier on her feet than he was.

“That had to be hard,” he said. “I know how tired Roni was and she got little help from her ex. They were together and she tried to make it work. It wasn’t working for her though. It was hard for her to leave, but she had my parents and me. I shouldn’t be talking about this either.”

“You can trust me,” she said. “So often you think it’s the man that leaves the woman or the woman has to do it because the guy is a jerk. That no one in their right mind would try to raise a child on their own if they had a choice.”

He snorted. “Roni had it hard. She co-parents Eli with her ex. He’s an asshole. First class ticket and all. Narcissistic prick.”

Dillion burst out laughing. “Tell me how you feel, Jax.”’

His face flushed. “Sorry. I need to keep my opinion to myself.”

“No one would accuse you of being a nice guy right now. Keep it up.”

She was grinning and he wondered if it was a joke or if she wanted to see more of this side of him.

Which sucked because then he’d think it was the start of everything else with his dating history.

That he was too soft.

But the truth was, the only time it came out was when he thought of what his sister went through.

Nothing else ever worked him up enough to say what he did.

“It’s Roni’s life,” he said. “Things have gotten better since she met and married Trent.”

“I’ve got to imagine knowing your ex’s new spouse is an attorney could put a wrinkle in a jerk’s plans to make someone’s life difficult.”

“There is that,” Jax said. “I stepped in a lot and got my hand slapped. Roni is very independent, but she didn’t need to deal with what she had. I’m sorry for being out of line and saying what I did.”

Dillion’s hand reached over and lay on top of his. “Stop. I like that you’re nice. I like you can fiercely stand up for those you love. You don’t need to justify any of it. I’m not judging you one way or another, other than you appear extremely loyal. It’s a noble trait to have. A sexy one and any woman who thinks otherwise is an idiot.”

“I’m not dreaming, am I?” he asked before the words slipped foolishly from his lips.

“No,” she said. “I might feel as if I am though. I told you I haven’t dated since Alec. That was Gianna’s father. You’ve been great at not asking questions.”

“I imagine you’ll tell me when you’re ready if you want to.”

“I will at some point. Not tonight.” Their slices of cake were brought out and placed in front of them. She picked her fork up to glide through the rich frosting and put it between her lips. Maybe he was paying more attention to that than her words that were coming out. “Jax,” she said.

“What?” he asked.

She laughed. “I said that I haven’t dated because it’s hard to balance being a single mother and my career, but it had more to do with the fact that I can’t stand to be hit on. Or leered at.”

Like he was just doing while she ate her dessert.

Yep, there he was, ruining it.

“Well,” he said. “You are nice to look at.”

Might as well try to make a joke out of it at this point.

“Only nice?” she asked. “I spent a lot of time stressing over what to wear today.”