“Hol?”
I look back over at him tentatively, knowing that tone is more serious than my light-hearted Jaxon.
My?Shut up, brain, you know what I mean.
“Jaxon?” I ask in like.
“Will you tell me about him?”
“Who?” Even though I know.
“Michael.”
“Which one of them gave you his name?”
“Doesn’t matter. They didn’t tell me anything. They just wanted me to know that the source of your distrust and anger was more about him than me.”
I curse under my breath and look back out the window.
“Hol?”
When I don’t answer, he reaches out and grabs my empty hand. I try to ignore the way that feels. I look back toward him, and damn it, he’s not going to let this go.
“Michael’s my ex-fiancé.”
“Here’s your food. Smells good. I’ll bring back some syrup. Can you think of anything else you’d like me to bring back? Need refills? Water?” Allie rambles as she sets the fooddown for us. She can probably feel the tension between us. Jaxon lets go of my hand.
“I think the syrup and two waters should be sufficient. Thanks, Allie,” he replies smoothly, and Allie’s got stars in her eyes.
“I’ll be right back with that.”
She all but skips away, and I feel the insane urge to yank on her ponytail. Petty. I know. He’s not even mine. When my eyes turn back to the table, I notice he’s gazing at me intently as if he could literally see my thoughts.
“Are you feeling territorial?”
“No,” I sputter a little too quickly.
“Don’t worry, Darlin’, I’m not interested in anyone except for the woman I’m sharing a meal with.”
I bite down hard on my lip, and he chuckles because he’s pushing me with the nicknames.
“Okay, no Darlin’.” He points his fork back at me, then pauses while Allie sets down the syrup and waters. He smiles in thanks. I don’t look at her. “But back to Michael.”
“I don’t want to talk about Michael. Michael’s not ruining my French toast.”
Jaxon raises his hands in surrender.
“Okay.”
I sigh with exasperation.
“They were right though. It’s more about my past than you.”
“So you don’t hate me?”
“I don’t hate you, Jaxon.”
“Do you have a crush on me?” He toys with me, a hint of dimple distracting me as he tries not to smile too wide while he chews.
