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“If we’re still going to talk about my size, I think we should be on a first name basis, don’t you, Grace?”
Lawd have mercy! I walked right into that one. Against my will, however, I found myself grinning.
“Touché, Jax.”
“Much better.”
"So, Jax, what can I do for you?" I continued to emphasize his name.
"You played me earlier today."
"I didn't play you. I followed the rules. I just didn't play by your set of rules. There's a difference."
He chuckled. "Well played. But you still can't deposit the check."
My heart stalled. I dropped all humor to plead my case. "What? Why? Please don't do that, Jax. It's for such a worthy cause. Those kids need a place—"
"Grace! Take a breath!"
"Sorry. My mama always tells me my mouth runs away from me when I get nervous."
I heard him chuckle. "I wonder why I make you nervous," he murmured.
My cheeks relit, and for once, said mouth remained closed.
"I'm not reneging on my promise for the money. I just wanted to inform you that you ran out the door before I could sign it."
"Oh." Crap! "I don't suppose you could leave another check with your secretary? I could stop by and pick it up."
"I'm leaving tomorrow morning and will be out of town for the rest of the week."
"Oh. Well, how about your accounting department?"
"It was a personal check."
"The mail?"
"Dinner."
"I'm sorry, what?"
"You said I got dinner out of the donation. I'll be back late Saturday. Have dinner with me on Sunday. Bring the check, and I'll sign it."
I blew out my breath. Was this another game? He was tenacious, I'd say that for him. No wonder he was so successful. But I was not an acquisition to be negotiated.
"I meant that you get dinner at the charity gala. You plus any nine people you want since you bought a full table's worth of seats. Besides, I can't. Sundays are family dinners." Too late, I realized my mistake and wanted to kick myself for offering him an excuse instead of a firm “no.”
"Lunch then."
"I have church."
"Monday works for me."
"I'm sure I'm busy."
"You have to eat sometime, Grace. Even the bible says, 'Man cannot live by bread alone.'"
Oy! I rolled my eyes. "First, I'm impressed you know that passage, even if it is a corruption of the true meaning. Second, why is it so important to you that we get together to exchange a check?"
