The Quit List

by Katie Bailey

“No” is my favorite complete sentence, and in my opinion, people don’t utilize it enough. Other people, that is. I have no problem saying no at any given time, for any given reason.

“Future wife?” I raise a brow at her, and she sticks her tongue out at me. “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” my sister grouches. “Marriage isn’t for you and commitment sucks, and so on.” “Exactly.” I point from her to Seb. “You two are an exception, of course. Because I would have happily married Seb myself.” He claps my shoulder with a grin. “Feeling’s mutual, my man.”

Whoa. This guy’s good. His dazzling stare would put Edward Cullen to shame. I need to ask him to give me some pointers.

“I… I want sparks. Fireworks. Adventures.” I swallow. “Romance that makes me feel like I’m on a rollercoaster, but with someone safe next to me, holding my hand.”

“I am a pacifist.” She puckers her lips. “Unless hot, rugged, athletic men are ice-wrestling like this. Then I’m all for a good smack of violence.”

He can dance. Jaxon Grainger, the tattooed, barbed-mouthed bartender can freaking dance. And I am here for it.

I like her in pants. Dresses, too. Damn, I like her in everything.

The entire world is spinning and all I can see is Jax. The anchor at the center of it all, grounding me. Holding me steady with that gaze of his, carefully trained on my face in a way that suggests blinking would unravel this spell. If I’m fire, he’s gasoline. And the blaze of heat and color that lights up my darkness is simultaneously casting new shadows.

I start to walk away, but I’ve barely taken a step before Jax lets out a long exhale… Mutters two little words: “Screw it.” His hand is suddenly on my arm, and his fingers dig roughly into my bare skin as he spins me around and pulls me towards him in one swift motion. Then, his mouth is on mine.

Hello from the cabin - which now has internet! Welcome back to this century :) It’s been a minute. Is Taylor Swift still famous? Justin and Hailey still married? The fact that you know who Justin and Hailey are is very… interesting. My brother-in-law is Canadian. I can speak it almost fluently now.