Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 178

Xena's POV

"Yes," I said, the single word hanging in the air between us.

Logan leaned against the counter of my shop, his expression softening. "That's all

I care about. I've spent seventeen years of my life making sure you're as safe as possible. I love you, but you've taken mouth quirked up in that familiar teasing smile.

a pretty significant chunk of my time." The corner of his

I fought the urge to smile back. "Jeez, you're so gracious."

"Knowing you're safe and happy here lets me do what I need to do. Yes, I was frustrated, pissed off, and stressed, but as you can see, I'm fine now. Twelve hours later, I'm back to my old self. All problem solved. You just need to worry about yourself, and passing your test on Thursday."

A flicker of annoyance rose in my chest, though I,knew it was just our familiar banter. "I could have passed those tests when I was

ten."

"If you had passed them then, you wouldn't have met Ryder," Logan pointed out, his eyebrows lifting meaningfully.

My mind flashed back to the moment I first saw Ryder, that instant acceleration of my heartbeat that still happened whenever he walked into a room. "I met him here, not at school," I reminded him.

"But it was at school where he heard about you."

"That's stretching it, but I'll accept it since my grades will be better than yours anyway." I gave his arm a light punch, my words sharp but my heart warm.

"Such a good little sister!" Logan ruffled my hair and then pulled me into a proper hug. His familiar scent surrounded me, bringing with it a deep sense of security I'd never admit to needing.

I pretended to gasp for air. "Can't

me but kept his hands on my

the cloud

having more faith in me." Logan gave me a mock-wounded look. "I get upset once, and this is how

happened in

I need you to be strong in publie, but in private, it's okay not to be

inside me. I didn't

don't want to talk about this

0

Logan's voice was gentle,

"Yeah, I know, you'

a look. "I thought you were past

dumb, though I knew

1/2

Chapter 178

you don't

in genuinely sincere moments."

to tell you

isn't a sincere

always the emotional one between us." I

you, but

you too," I said sarcastically, drawing out

take it."

that's all

bro hug before Logan walked out of

now?"