“There was a family emergency, actually. We didn’t exchange numbers, so he couldn’t call.”
For a long moment, he goes perfectly still. Quiet. Too quiet. I can almost hear the gears turning behind those stormy eyes. “What?” I finally ask, voice low, wary.
“If that’s the case… if you have his attention, maybe the rest of this is all for nothing,” he says, waving a finger back and forth between the two of us.
“First,” I started, wanting him to see how much I actually do need him. “You came to my rescue in front of my work colleagues when I really needed it. Lord knows I don’t want to be set up with Billy’s divorced friend. Second…” I hesitate, fidgeting with the hem of my dress. “…Matt might be interested, but again, it’s the whole inexperience thing I’m dealing with. So this isn’t all for nothing.”
Okay, Rowyn, be honest, are you really talking about “inexperience,” or is it that Lumber-Jax effect that’s making your heart thump like a drum?
The thought hits me, and before I can stop myself I blurt out, “Are you… still game? Or do you want to end this right now?”
“No,” he says instantly, his tone firm, unwavering. That fast, confident response melts the knot in my stomach. His eyes lock on mine, and I suck in a sharp breath when I see it—hunger. Pure, undeniable hunger. The kind that made it clear he wants this… wants me… as much as I want him.
Alrighty then…
“Okay, good.” Relief washes over me in a warm, dizzying wave. I buckle my seatbelt and he does the same, the subtle brush of his hand on my shoulder sending a jolt of electricity through me.
He backs out of my driveway, the engine rumbling beneath us like a heartbeat. I try to steady my racing thoughts. “How was practice today?” I ask, genuinely curious, but also because talking might keep me from overthinking everything else.
“Brutal,” he admits, a tight nod accompanying the word. “But good. We have a real shot at the cup this year.”
“That’s amazing, Jax. I can’t wait to watch the games.” I grin, trying to sound casual. “Billy’s been all over it. He even pinned the schedule up at work. He’s a huge fan.”
Jaxon’s face goes tight for a second, like I’d said something wrong, and my stomach twists. Then he speaks, the tension inside me easing a bit. “Penn was saying that Jaylynn wants to get to know you better. They invited us for dinner tomorrow night.”
“Oh.” Surprise flickers through me, quickly replaced by delight. “I’d love to.”
“We don’t have to pretend around them,” he adds, voice softening. “They know the truth. So it should be… a relaxing night.”
“Sounds great,” I say, smiling, feeling a genuine warmth bloom in my chest. I like the idea of not pretending, of just Jaxon and I hanging out with another couple. It feels…right somehow. “I’ll text her to see what I can bring.”
And just like that, the conversation shifts to… normalcy. But that low, humming tension between us hasn’t gone anywhere. Not even close.
He nods. “How’s the city council investigation going?” he asks, like he’s genuinely interested in my work, and even though I’m sure it will sound all boring to him, I explain where I am in the investigation. By the time I’m done, we’re pulling into his driveway and I’m once again reminded why I’m here. My heart beats a little faster and I work to slow it as I open my door.
He holds his hand out and I take it, grabbing my purse as I step out. I’m not sure why I can’t remember how to walk as he puts his hand on the small of my back and leads me to his door.
“Hungry?” he asks.
Oh, he has no idea.
“Yes, but you didn’t have to go through the trouble.”
“No trouble. I like being in the kitchen, remember?”
“Good hands, right,” I mumble under my breath as I watch him use those ‘good hands’ to unlock his door. He pushes it open and I step in. Even though his house is huge, too big for one person, I instantly feel that warmth again when I walk in. On the side table, I set my purse down next to his keys and follow him into the kitchen.
“I’m making your favorite,” he says.
I put one hand on my hips as he gestures to the seat at the island. I drop down. “How do you know my favorite?”
“It’s scallop linguine.”
My eyes go wide and my heart wobbles a bit that he remembered. “That is my favorite.”
“I know.”
We never had scallops growing up. They were too expensive for a single mom to buy, but that one time in high school when Jaxon and I were working on a group project, and had to finish it at the inn, I stayed for supper. His mom made scallop linguine, and I must have talked about it for a week.