Page 57 of Falling for the Grumpiest Protector

"Depends on what you're good at."

"Emma has established I can hold a leash."

"High-demand skill."

"I'm also excellent with knives."

He glances sideways at me.

"We've heard."

I laugh.

"Seriously."

"So am I."

"Good. We can duel later."

His laugh catches me by surprise. A real one. Low and warm. And suddenly I understand why the almost-smiles have been so irritating. The full version is considerably worse. For me. I look ahead.

"So if I wanted to help..."

"You don't have to decide today."

I glance at him. He doesn't know it, but he's echoing my mother.

"What do you want to do?"

That's harder.

"I don't know yet."

"Then don't pick something."

"That's your advice?"

"Look around. See what needs doing. See what you're good at here."

I think about Lily. She always found something. Maybe I can too. Not her something. Mine.

"I can do that."

"I figured."

Again, the confidence in his voice catches me.

"You don't know me very well, Martinez."

"No."

His eyes meet mine.

"I'm starting to."

The air changes. Not dramatically. Nothing happens. Atlas walks between us. Someone starts a tractor in the distance. A hammer strikes wood from inside the shop. But something changes anyway. I feel it. Judging by the way Javier looks away first, he does too.

I clear my throat.