Page 103 of The Scientist

"Hadley, it's not your fault that he came here uninvited, put his hands on you, and then tried to guilt you into something you didn’t want."

"I know," I said softly. "I just didn't want things to end like this. He’s not a bad person, Lex. He's just... lost. And I feel responsible for that.”

Lex stepped closer, his hands brushing my arms before settling gently on my waist. "Garrett isn't your responsibility," he said intently. "I know you care about him, but you can’t set yourself on fire just to keep someone else warm."

His words hit their mark, unraveling something inside me. "You're right," I whispered, closing my eyes and resting my forehead against his chest as he wrapped his arms around me.

As he held me, the contrast between these two men became glaringly obvious—Garrett was a storm, unpredictable and consuming, while Lex was the calm after, steady and grounding, like the earth beneath my feet.

"You okay?" he asked when I finally pulled away.

"Yes, I'm fine," I said, quickly wiping a stray tear from my cheek.

He put a finger under my chin, tilting it up to his face as he scanned my features for any sign of distress. "I'll stay if you want me to."

I shook my head. "I'm okay, I promise." I gave him my best reassuring smile.

He stared at me for a moment longer then pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. "I'll be back. I just need to make sure Stuart’s okay with Garrett crashing at our place.”

I nodded. "Okay."

He turned to leave, pausing with his hand on the knob. “Lock this behind me. I won’t be long.”

I felt the urge to defend Garrett, to push back at the implication that he was dangerous, but I realized Lex was right. Garrett wasn't my responsibility anymore, and I didn't owe him protection or defense.

After Lex left, I threw myself into making dinner, using the steady rhythm of chopping and stirring to distract myself from the storm of thoughts swirling in my mind. By the time I started plating the chicken Florentine, Lex had returned to pick up Garrett, who had indeed stayed outside on my porch as instructed.

Once the food was ready, I carried a couple of plates over to Stuart and Garrett. Guilt pricked at me for leaving Stuart toplay host, but I thought it was best that we not all have dinner together for obvious reasons.

Stuart didn’t seem the least bit bothered as he was practically doubled over, laughing his ass off at the absurdity of the whole situation.

"You're going to owe me big time for this one, Betty," Stuart said, still trying to catch his breath from wheezing with laughter.

I sighed, rubbing my forehead. “I know. I’m really sorry I had to ask you to do this.”

"Hey, what are friends for if not to babysit your ex-boyfriend while your new boyfriend channels his inner hall monitor?"

I shook my head. "I think you need new friends."

"Never," he said with a wink. "Not when my old onesare so endlessly entertaining."

"Ready?" Lex's voice interrupted as he walked down the stairs, a small overnight bag slung over his shoulder.

I nodded before turning to Stuart. "You sure you're okay with this?"

"Don't worry, Betty. I used to babysit my three-year-old nieces all the time. Tears, tantrums, and full-blown meltdowns are all well within my wheelhouse. If he shits his pants, though, he's all yours."

With a shake of my head, I followed Lex out the door.

When we got back to my place, I grabbed our plates from the kitchen, and we sat down to eat together. The room was quiet, the only sound coming from the faint clink of utensils against plates. Lex sat across from me, barely touching his food, his gaze fixed on some distant point beyond his plate. I could almost see the wheels turning in his head, the quiet intensity of his thoughts filling the space between us.

I shifted uncomfortably, trying to read his expression, but it was too guarded, too thoughtful. Was he upset? Did I push him too far? I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d done somethingwrong, that he was angry with me for letting Garrett back into my life in any capacity. The thought gnawed at me as each passing second amplified my uncertainty, until I couldn't stand it any longer. I had to say something.

“Are we okay?” I finally blurted out.

Lex’s eyes snapped to mine, surprise flickering across his face. “Always,” he answered without hesitation. “Why would you ask?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged, unable to meet his eyes. “You seem... distant.”