Page 91 of The Jaded Notes

“I don’t know.” My mind goes straight to Jax, and warmth spreads through my chest. “I’m still working with The Vault mentorship program and have a few months before that’s over.”

“That means you’ll be home by March or April?” My mom rests her arms on the table.

“No. I hope to extend my mentorship.” I sit straight with my defenses going up. “I’m staying in Paris.”

“What?” My dad’s voice hardens. “For how long?”

“Like I said, I’m not sure. But I’m not going to move back until my brand is where I want it.” I swallow hard when Jax’s words replay in my head.

“Livianna, you need to speak to your parents if you want your business to succeed.”

My mom taps the top of the table, getting my attention. “How is your company doing?”

“It’s growing daily and getting back to where it was before I had to rebuild.” I shrink into myself at my past failure.

My dad analyzes me for a moment. “So Jaxon’s program is helping?”

“Yes.” My gaze shifts between them. “I’m learning more than I expected to.”

The server interrupts and goes over the specials for the day. Thankfully, she’s speaking English, so I don’t have to pay close attention. I still struggle with the French language.

While they’re all talking, I drift into the truth of Jaxon’s advice. My heart pounds harder. It may feel scary and like he’s pushing me, but he’s right.

If I want my fashion house to explode and own one sector of the market, I need to confront my parents. Adrenaline shoots up my spine, and I want to scratch at my wrists.

Stop it, Livianna. Be brave.

Once my dad orders a bottle of wine and the server leaves the table, he brings his focus back to me.

“Livianna, I know living here may seem like an enjoyable break from home, but you’re too far from your family. Once Jaxon’s program is over, it’s best if you come back.” There’s sadness in my dad’s eyes.

I ache for him because it’s clear he misses me. “Daddy, Idon’t plan on living here forever, but I want to be established before I move back to California. Paris holds more opportunities?—”

“Well, look who’s here.” Jax’s voice cuts in over my shoulder. “Lorna and Greg Hemings. What a surprise.”

My jaw drops. What the hell is he up to?

“Jaxon Crowne.” My dad stands. “We were just talking about you.”

My dad clasps Jaxon’s hand with the grip reserved for men he respects. “Sit and have dinner with us.”

Jax’s gaze flicks toward me before he answers, and my ribcage tightens. He doesn’t even need to say yes. I know he will because something tells me he planned this “run-in.”

“That would be nice. The woman I was meant to be with let me know last minute she had other plans for the evening.” His confidence bends the air around us. It’s nothing like someone who was stood up.

For a brief second, I want to scream at him about this other woman, but he gives me a look that tells me to trust him. I hold my breath and wait.

When he finally slides into the chair beside mine, I swear the room exhales. And so do I.

Maybe this is his way of showing up without saying the words I want to hear. Maybe this is his apology disguised as a crash landing in the middle of my birthday dinner.

Warmth coils low in me, reckless and uninvited. It’s frightening how much softer I go just because he chose this table, this moment, me.

I hide behind the rim of my water glass, but I can’t drown how my pulse betrays me every time he glances my way. If I’m not careful, my parents will pick up on my attraction to him, and neither of us wants that.

“Jaxon, this is such a delightful treat.” My mom smooths her napkin across her lap, her smile wide and genuine.

She’s in awe of him. It makes me want to crawl under the table and hide.