Chapter 18
Jaxson
She doesn’t remember me.The guy she bumped into at theairport.
Why are you even surprised,dude?
I mentally put my conscience in a chokehold.
After I removed my sunglasses, Icy Hot Princess didn’t flinch. Not one bit. Apparently I’ve been wasting time trying to shield my identity from her. Because to her Istilldon’t really exist. She didn’t even seem impressed about me beingme—JaxsonMalone.
Whatever.
I’ve been playing up this role as driver so well, I’ve even convincedmyself.
Who the hell are you,dude?
Maybe I should sell this limo business. Call my agent back. See what kind of work he can line up for me here inParis.
Hell, maybe I should just go back to NewYork.
Nah. I like Paris way toomuch.
Gramps and Nana will officially be moving the last of their things out of the housetoday.
Before I drove back here to HC Headquarters, I was back at the villa working in the office, occasionally peering out the window, watching the truck being loaded up. The house is practically empty now, waiting for me to spruce it up. Jaxsonstyle.
I’ll leave the guest apartment as is—for guests. Not that I’ll ever have visitors anytime soon. Making friends lately has been a slow process for me. My only best friend for years, since grade school, passed away a few years ago. Motorcycle accident. He was like a brother to me. Since then, I haven’t really let anyone in. Until Dixie Lane. I spilled everything out to her. My hopes, dreams, failures, successes. Oh yeah, I suppose I spilled all of that to all of Americatoo.
Anyway, with the house practically empty, I’ve ordered a ton of furniture. King-sized bed. Couches. TVs. Maybe, I want to paint it. Brighten it up. No offense to the grandparents, but I plan to make it more hip. Young.Me.
“Hey there, sorry I kept youwaiting.”
It’s Icy Hot—just now getting into the car, carrying a box full of little teddy bears. An hour after our lunch conversationended.
“No worries. Are you going straighthome?”
She nods. “Yes. I have that datetonight.”
Oh yes, her date.Yippee-fucking-do.
“Cool. I hope you have a superbtime.”
Liar.
As soon as I pull onto the road, she seems to slip deep into thought, her eyes fixed to all the things out thewindow.
I can’t help but wonder if I would have run after her that day at the airport, would things be different? Would I be the one she’d be going out on a datewith?
“Jaxson, tomorrow morning I’ll be working from home, so no need to pick me up. I just thought I’d let you know so perhaps you can schedule in anotherclient.”
Another client?I roll myeyes.
Sheis the only one I drive around. And quite frankly I can easily assign someone else to do that now, while I focus on running the business. Chad. Miguel. Steven. Any one of those dudes shouldwork.
Besides, I was driving her around as a favor to Gramps. But Chic Limos is my business now. If I assign another driver she doesn’t like, then she can goelsewhere.
I don’tcare.
