Page 107 of Love Unspoken

"Everyone, I'm so thrilled to have Jaxon Caldwell here. As you all know, and saw our young man from Charleston win the PGL, the Professional Golf League Championship last year, finishing 12 under par with a stunning final round of 65," Rena announced.

A flurry of introductions were made.

I didn't know golf from my ass, so all I heard was winner and championship.

Once everyone settled down and the servers topped off everyone's drink, including mine, because the hell with it, I was going to loosen up a little and have some fun, I decided.

"Amara, Rena speaks very highly of you," Jax informed me.

"Rena does?" I quirked an eyebrow and turned to see Rena speaking with Bobby, not interested in my companion or me.

Jax had broad shoulders, easy charm, and a sexy smile. He leaned close when he spoke so I could smell his cologne—musk and leather, very sensual. And when he grinned, it was nothing short of dazzling. I may have been nursing a broken heart, but I wasn't blind.

"Rena mentioned that you'd be here tonight and that she really wanted me to meet you."

I frowned uneasily. Why on earth would Rena want that?

I was conscious of Lucas watching me, his expression unreadable, while Kath leaned across him to speak to a woman sitting on his other side. There was a physical ease between them, and I just knew that they'd already had sex. How long did it take for him to stop thinking about me and start fucking her? A week? Two? Or maybe right after I told him I'd moved out?

"Am I making you uneasy?" Jax's voice was warm and teasing, and I smiled, grateful for the distraction from the tension simmering just across the table.

"No, of course not." I gathered my reserves and pulled on my mask of calm and cool, the one I had to in front of students and when I presented. "I'm just surprised that Rena would mention me. I don't know her very well."

"She knows me very well." He leaned in a little closer, his eyes locked on mine. "And she was right when she said I'd enjoy meeting you."

I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks. It was flattering, and I found myself relaxing, the tension from Lucas and Kath's presence fading into the background. Jax was easy to talk to, his charm effortless and disarming.

"Jax, I hear you're moving out of your place at Myrtle Beach," Lucas interrupted, his voice cold, and I saw Kath all but jump, her focus on him and then on Jax and me.

"I'm moving to Charleston," Jax declared. "How long have you lived in Charleston, Amara?"

I felt caught between the two men, and I didn't like it one bit. Lucas had no business inserting himself into my conversation with Jax. He had dumped me for his new girlfriend, who was sitting next to him.

"About four years. I came here to do my post doc and then stayed."

Rena noticed the exchange and smiled, clearly amused. "You should ask Amara to show you around, Jax. She recently was in the market for a place, so she's done her research." She turned to Lucas then, "You know, now that I think of it, Jax, Lucas might be selling his townhouse; maybe you'd be interested. I know Amara loved the place."

I felt the heat of embarrassment rise, and my ears burned. Lucas was selling our home? Of course, he was. Why wouldn't he? He never wanted to live in South of Broad. He wanted something fancy and big in Battery close to the Covington Estate, if not on the estate.

"Where is it?" Jax wanted to know.

"South of Broad on Church Street," I said at the same time Lucas barked, "Not selling nothin' right now, Grandma."

Kath stiffened. "I thought you were done with it." She looked at me, unflinchingly. "You know, fresh start and all."

I wanted to ask her not to talk to me. She'd stolen my man, and now she thought she could have a polite conversation in society about her new boyfriend selling the house that he and I shared? Christ! Just put me on Jerry Springer already!

Jax chuckled a deep, warm sound that made me feel even more at ease. "Are you sure, Lucas? I am looking for a place on South of Broad. I find the rest of Charleston either too modern or too stuffy." He flashed me another one of his killer smiles. "Maybe you could help me find a home, Amara; Rena says you have excellent taste."

Rena was up to something because I had no clue why she'd say these things to Jax. I didn't like being used but I had a feeling I was by the Covington matriarch. But I wasn't going to give her or Lucas the pleasure of seeing me fumble or falter.

"Certainly, Jax." I tilted my head. I was a twenty-eight-year-old woman. I wasn't an ingenue. I knew how to flirt. "Maybe we could spend some time over a weekend, and I'll show you around."

"I'd love it," Jax replied. "Now, I have another question. How's your golf handicap?"

I quirked an eyebrow. "Darlin', I've never played golf."

"Now, sugar, you've got to let me teach you," Jax flirted right back. "You find me a home, and I'll show you how to get a hole-in-one."