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The waitress returned bringing the fried green tomatoes, plates and utensils with her. Callie didn’t wait to dig in. She took her fork and placed a few on her plate.
“I’m not sure to be honest. Daddy was supposed to help me find something in the company so I could get my foot in the business world.” She shrugged. “I need to refocus my efforts. It’s time I got a job.” She took a big bite of fried green tomato followed by a sip of her drink.
“If I can help you, Callie, just let me know. I do have a lot of business contacts in Savannah. It would be my pleasure.”
Callie locked gazes with him. “Thank you. I’m hoping something comes of these interviews I have this week.”
“You asked me earlier if I was preoccupied. I was,” he said in a curt tone. “I owe you an apology. The other day I tried to convince you to forgive your father.” He made a tutting sound. “I’ve been thinking about it ever since. How can I ask you to do something I haven’t even been able to do myself?”
“An apology isn’t necessary. You spoke without knowing the circumstances. Mac said forgiveness is like a mountain. Everyone has to climb it in their own time.”
“Your brother seems like a really cool guy. And I can see that the two of you share an incredible bond.”
“We do,” she said, her expression softening. “As kids we went through the fire together. Serious dysfunction. Nightmarish stuff. It’s a blessing that both of us came out the other side as whole and healthy individuals.”
“I had no idea,” Jax said. Growing up Callie had never discussed the fact that she’d been an adopted child, although a few rumors had swirled around about it. He had certainly never imagined she had been a victim of an abusive family.
Just then Mary Alice returned with their platters. “One shrimp and grits. And one jumbo crab cakes. Let me know if y’all need anything else.”
Jax and Callie enjoyed their meals in the relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant. Everything was tranquil between them. He knew better than to bring up the topic of her father. That would shatter the positive vibe that flowed between them. His association with her father and Duvall Investments didn’t work in his favor.
After enjoying their meals, they ordered coffee while resisting the dessert menu. Despite a wide selection of desserts—everything from cheesecake to key lime pie—they were both way too full from the meal to indulge.
Once they were finished, Jax led Callie outside, his hand resting on the small of her back.
“Do you want to take a walk? There’s a little jazz place down the street. They have some amazing musicians there.” A quick glance at his watch showed it was only a little after nine o’clock. The night was still young.
“I’d like that,” she said with a nod. She graced him with one of her radiant smiles.
He’d done something right this evening. Callie seemed to be enjoying herself. She wasn’t prickly or standoffish. She seemed to be living in the moment and giving him a shot.
Jax let out the breath he’d been holding. More than anything he’d wanted this night to go smoothly. For some reason he and Callie often ended up bickering over the most ridiculous things. It was a residual effect of their childhood. Both of them had been strong-willed and determined to rule the world. They had butted heads all the time.
Those days should have been long gone. Rather than quarrel with Callie there were so many other things he wanted to do with her. Hold her. Kiss her. Spend a day at the beach with her. He wanted to be the last thing she thought of before she closed her eyes at night and the first thing she thought of when she arose in the morning.
Jax wanted her to be his. He had his work cut out for him!
**
So far, the evening had been relaxed and enjoyable. The rapport between her and Jax flowed beautifully. The fact that they shared a history had made it nice. They hadn’t fumbled for conversation or asked each other invasive, random comments. They knew the important facts about each other. Where they’d grown up. What schools they had attended. Family dynamics. So far there hadn’t been even a single moment of awkwardness, which Callie appreciated. Lord knows she had endured a few terrible dates over the past few years. She cringed just thinking about them.
This evening had flown by. And now they were heading to a romantic little jazz club. Callie loved jazz music. Had Jax known that? Or had his suggestion been mere serendipity?
Her phone vibrated in her purse. She took a quick look inside, noticing the unfamiliar number that flashed on her screen. She dug in her purse and pulled out her phone. Four missed calls. She frowned at the screen. Who in the world could it be?
“Is everything all right?” Jax asked.
“I’m not sure. Someone keeps calling me.”
The phone began to ring again. The caller ID displayed the same number.
Callie looked over at Jax. “Do you mind if I answer it? I keep getting buzzed by this number.” She squinted at the screen. “I don’t even recognize it.”
“No problem. Go ahead and take it,” Jax urged. “It might be important.”
Callie answered the phone. As soon as she said hello, a distraught sounding voice came over the line. It took her a few seconds to realize it was Pearl’s voice saying her name.
“Pearl! Are you okay? Your voice sounds funny.”
