Page 45 of Middle Ground

This amuses me further, and I let out a laugh. “Disconcerting, huh?”

“Yes.” She frowns. “You’re not supposed to be nice to me.”

“What? Why not?”

“Are you not listening? Because it’sdisconcerting!”

I take a step closer, almost daring her to take another step back. “You want to know what I think?”

She glowers. “When have I ever given you the impression I want to know what you’re thinking?"

I lean in. “I think my buying you flowers contradicts the narrative you’ve constructed about me in that pretty head of yours, and you find that disconcerting because it means you might bewrong.”

Based on the annoyance in her eyes, I’ve hit my mark. Slowly but surely, I’m beginning to understand my business partner. Try as she might to box me out, she can’t—not fully. Because something about me gets under her skin. I won’t lie and say that I mind it.

“Wrong about you?” She scoffs. “Never.”

Igrin. “We’ll see.”

“Meyer!”

We both turn and find a blond-haired man waving as he weaves through the crowd. Meyer smiles at his approach, and I wonder for a moment what he had to do to earn that.

“Hey, man,” he says, holding out his hand. “We haven’t had the chance to meet yet. I’m Declan, Pippa’s brother.”

“Jackson,” I reply, shaking his hand. Then I throw an arm over Meyer’s shoulder. “This one’s new business partner.”

Meyer sidesteps out of my hold. “Don’t touch me.”

The amusement in Declan’s eyes is hard to deny, but I also see a softness there. I’m not sure why that causes a burning feeling to erupt behind my ribcage. Nowthatis disconcerting.

The affection gives way to concern as Declan studies Meyer. “Have there been any more issues with Reggie? Pippa said there hasn’t, but she likes to hide things she thinks I need protection from.”

Judging by his facial features, Declan is maybe in his early twenties. From what little I know of Pippa, I can see her taking on the role of protective older sister.

Meyer shakes her head. “Nothing new. Which is a good thing, even if that means he gets away with it. I’d rather that than have him do something worse.”

I have no interest in thinking about whatsomething worsecould be.

Declan doesn’t seem to either because he clears his throat. Then he changes the subject entirely after checking his watch. “I’m supposed to be meeting someone in a few minutes. I’ll see you later.”

At this, Meyer grins. “Who’s the lucky girl this time?”

A blush coats his cheeks. “Alicia. She works down at the hardware store.”

Meyer pats his arm. “Bye, Dec. I hope the date goes well. Tell Alicia I say hi.”

“Thanks, will do,” he says. Then he nods to me. “Nice to meet you, Jackson.”

Declan waves, and we turn away from him, heading the opposite way.

“I’m going to get some food,” Meyer says. “Keep up, Hotshot. I’m not waiting.”

With a shake of my head, I start to follow after her, but goosebumps rise on my arms as a shiver runs down my spine. The hair at the back of my neck stands on end. When I turn around, I can’t find anyone that seems to be looking in my direction, but I could have sworn I felt a pair of eyes on me.

“Jackson?”

I shake myself from my stupor and jog to catch up. “Thought you said you weren’t waiting for me?”