“This place is so cute,” Lina whispers to Piper and me.
I scan the interior. It looks a lot bigger inside than it did on the outside. We’re seated at a round table in the corner. Jax quickly takes the seat to my side.
Lina to my left, leans in toward me. Keeping her voice low, she asks, “Are you okay with this? Because of the history between you and Jax?”
I sigh. “Yes, thanks, love.”
After a while, the wine is flowing, and the food continues to come. This restaurant serves family style, so we end up all sharing the large portions. About two hours into dinner, my phone vibrates on the table.
Mason: When are you home?
When I see it’s from Mason, my stomach flutters. Why do I let him do this to me? We aren’t dating.
Lina sees the grin on my face and leans in again to whisper in my ear. “Who was that from?” she asks, cocking an eyebrow.
I put my phone back on the table, face down, without replying. “No one.”
Later that evening, we all say our goodbyes as everyone separates for the night. It’s just Jax and I left, walking alone down the hall headed to our rooms.
Jax’s hands are shoved into his pockets, and his shoulder brushes mine as we move. A few loose strands of his dark hair fall to the side of his forehead. “It was nice hanging out with you tonight,” he says as we approach the door to my room.
“It was nice hanging out with you too. You didn’t have to walk me to my room, though. I’m a big girl,” I say.
He chuckles. “I know you are.”
We stand in silence for a few seconds. I wonder if he wants me to invite him in. I really want to, but my mind keeps circling back to the text from Mason. It’s distracting me. I have this gnawing urge to text him back, that I don’t want to keep him waiting.
I can sleep with Jax, though. Mason and I aren’t dating and I can have sex with whomever I want. I just have to tell him first. That was our agreement. When I had a moment of jealousy afterThe Poppy’sgrand opening, he reminded me that if and when he does want to be intimate with someone else, he’d tell me. It stung a little hearing that thoughts of being with someone else aren’t far from his mind and knowing Mason the way I do, he probably wouldn’t hold himself back.
I glance up at Jax. ”Where is your room?”
His eyes widened. “Three doors down.” Then his lip curves into a half smile. “Do you want one of my keys?”
“I think so. But I’m going to freshen up first.”
Jax digs into his pocket and takes out his key card, holding it between two fingers. “Whenever you’re ready. I’ll be there.”
I get a lightness in my chest as I slip the key from between his fingers and into mine. Jax walks the short distance between our rooms before turning back to wink at me.
I let out a deep sigh, then head inside. If I’m going to tell Mason, I should just get it over with now. Why am I so nervous? I suddenly feel like I’m betraying him in some way. Home is a couple of hours behind, so I’m sure he’s still up.
Me: Hi, Mason. I just got your text. Are you still up?
As soon as the message goes through, I see the three little dots indicating that he’s already typing out a reply. The little flutters from dinner return.
Mason: How is your trip?
I guess we text each other now when I travel.
Me: It’s going well.
Mason: That’s good. Where are you tonight?
Me: In Chicago. How was your day?
Mason: It was busy. I wasn’t able to make it to the gym until around eight.
Before I have a chance to respond, keeping this pleasant conversation going, another text comes through.
