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“What?” I thought I was going to come unglued. I took a step toward Eric and fisted my hands—this couldn’t be happening. I finally find someone worth dating, and he turns out to be the boss’s son. I couldn’t have a relationship with him now. Could I? “What are you talking about?”
“I was young when we had him, and things didn’t work out with his mother, but I don’t want to get into that. I only wanted to warn you. He’s special, I know, but don’t get hung up on him. He’ll be gone. He doesn’t seem to stick around long.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“I like you, respect you, and I don’t want to see him hurt you.”
I opened my mouth, but the words weren’t there. What was I supposed to say anyway? I shook my head, trying to get a grip on this situation.
Eric held up a hand to stop anything that I might have come up with. “You don’t have to say anything. I know it’s strange. You’re an adult. Do what you want, but you seem the type to get attached, and that’s simply not a great idea with Jax.” Eric gave a curt nod. “That’s all.” Then he turned and left.
I stood there and stared at the doorway.
Jax was my boss’ son.
Why hadn’t Jax mentioned that? I wasn’t so sure I wanted to date Jax after that revelation. More so because of the wholeboss’ sonthing rather than theJax-will-hurt-youthing.
But I really liked Jax.
Chapter five
Neil Deals With Conflict
Isatinthetower, almost finished with my shift. As I stood looking out over the ocean, only a couple of people were actually in the water. Many came and walked the sand, waiting to watch the spectacular sunset Cambria Bay was known for. The colors started streaking across the sky with the day nearly done.
Then I’d get to go home and spend all night questioning my feelings for Jax. I had a big date with the man the next morning, and I needed to figure my shit out before then. My dad had always been my go-to for advice. What would he have said? Something likefollow your heartorknow your mindor something more practical like…take one more date to figure out where Jax stands and what you both actually want out of it. Don’t make decisions for someone else.
Yep, definitely that.
I sure didn’t want to date the boss’ son, and I wasn’t sure if my feelings for Jax were because of Jax’s supposed strange abilities, despite them, or if they mattered at all. Did he even have some kind of command over the water—I could have invented that whole thing. Though Jax admitted I wasn’t crazy. Dating Jax seemed adventurous and fun, but was it more than that? Did I want it to be more?
I checked my watch, and it was time to go. I climbed down and hooked the chain across the front of the stand, closing it for the night. It wouldn’t stop anyone from climbing up there. It seemed more of a tradition than anything else. But I always did it anyway and expected my staff to honor the ritual as well.
The sand, not yet losing the sun’s heat, warmed my bare feet as I headed back to the office building. At the curb that separated the beach from the parking lot, I ran into Jax.
“Neil, uh, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Yeah, so, about tomorrow. Maybe we should forget it,” I blurted out, choosing to ignore my father’s imaginary advice and go with Jax’s father’s advice instead. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision brought on by seeing him here at work.
“Why? Is it because of my abilities? Fine, I’ll tell you. I’m half water-nymph. Happy?”
“It’s not that.” I wasn’t quite sure if I believed what he said or what it meant exactly. “But that’s actually pretty cool.” And if it was true, wouldn’t that be something? It still didn’t change the way I felt. But how did I feel?
“Why then?” Jax’s eyes looked sincere and hurt, and they’d turned a warm ultramarine.
“Your dad is my boss. You failed to mention that.”
“I didn’t realize it would make a difference.”
“It does, though, Jax.” I put his hand on Jax’s shoulder, wanting to comfort him even though we were breaking up—sort of.
“That sucks, you’re kind of a prick.” Jax shoved my hand off and stormed across the sand toward the water.
My heart ached. Did it really make a difference, or was I only protecting my heart? Why had I listened to what Eric said? Would my dad have actually given better advice? Would I have followed that?
Chapter six
Neil Man’s Up
