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We’d almost made it to the back of the church when Mrs. Wordsworth, flanked by two other BAGs, stepped in front of us. “I see you’ve brought another one of your friends here. I do hope you’ll keep a closer eye on him than the last one,” she said, her mouth forming a sneer.
Blood rushed to my face. I stood speechless, humiliated that they would call out not just me, but Jax as well. Words I wanted to say lodged in my throat.
Jax squeezed my hand and took his time studying the women blocking our path. “Time has a way of outing all of us for who we really are, don’t you think?” Jax wrapped his arm around me. “I’m far from perfect, but then, I doubt anyone here is”—he cleared his throat—“except you lovely ladies, of course. He squeezed me. “And Grace.”
I could only imagine the face I made as I fought to control my laugh. Mrs. Wordsworth’s face turned even more sour, probably from being lumped in the same category as me.
“Fortunately for me, Grace lives up to her name,” Jax continued. I looked up to see him smiling at me. “She sees the good in me and forgives me when I fall short of the man she deserves. We should all be so lucky. I think I heard something about that in the sermon today. A good lesson we all need reminding of sometimes, wouldn’t you agree ladies?” He tipped his head. “Have a good day. And thank you for the, um, friendly welcome,” he said, emphasizing the word “friend.”
He didn’t even have to push past them; they parted like the Red Sea before Moses. I looked back at them. All three were standing there looking as if someone had just trampled their prize rose bushes.
I smile brightly at them. “Hope you have a good week,” I called over my shoulder as I kept pace with Jax. Faith and Mama were waiting on the other side, beaming. Daddy stood behind them, not smiling.
Mama winked at me, and Faith smiled before they turned and left the church. Jax didn’t budge his arm. If anything, it tightened beneath Daddy’s stare. This had to be how a western stand-off felt.
I was just about to say something to break the silence, but Daddy beat me to it. “See you at dinner tonight?” he said to Jaxson.
Jax nodded. “Definitely.” He guided me past my father out into the sunshine.
“Jaxson?” My father’s voice called.
We both turned and waited.
“You’re not the only one who’s lucky.” He looked at our clasped hands and smiled.
Jax grinned as if he’d won the lottery.
33
Grace
Cocky Guy: Have to work late tonight again. Sorry.
That made the third night in a row. I knew Jax had something going on at work that was taking a lot of his time. And while I didn't know exactly what it was he was working on, I could tell something about it was bothering him. He would come over to my apartment late, and I could see the stress lines creasing his eyes and forehead. I tried to be there for him, with a smile and a meal as he'd been for me in the days leading up to the dinner.
Me: Is it worth telling you not to work too hard?
Cocky Guy: probably not. But I'll try.
Me: I'll wait up for you.
Cocky Guy: That's a good incentive to get me out of here
Cocky Guy: Don't bother wearing anything you like or risk having it torn off.
I felt my face flame. After everything Jax had touched, licked, and done to me, I still blushed when I heard him talk like that. But I enjoyed trying to dish it back to him.
Me: Hurry, then. Maybe wearing nothing will lessen the risk...and the wait ;)
There was no reply for a few minutes.
Cocky Guy: Damn. Now I'm hard and forgot what I'm still doing here.
Cocky Guy: I'll be home as soon as I can. Be ready to be ravished. It's been too long sin
ce I had you.
Me: it's just been twelve hours!
