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I just start laughing. Gemma strides over like she was born in stilettos.
“Jax, this is Gemma.”
“Ah, the best friend,” Jax says, taking Gemma’s hand and then pulling her in for a hug.
Gemma fans her hand in front of her face and mouths, “Hot!” though Jax can’t see.
“I’m sure Cailin told you everything about me and I can’t wait to get to know you. That is, if you’re sticking around a while.”
Insert awkward moment. Made only more awkward by my mom coming in from the yard with Hope.
“Jax, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Patty. I’ve heard so much about you over the years between Cailin and the tabloids. I feel like I already know you.”
“It’s an honor to meet the woman who raised Cailin. She’s amazing and you should be very proud.” Jax takes my mom’s hand and kisses it.
“He’s a keeper,” my mom says. Points for making Mom swoon. By now, I’ve already given Hope 500 kisses and belly rubs to make up for leaving her. Jax bends down to pet her and Hope leaps into his lap and begins licking his face.
“Looks like you’ve got another fan,” I observe.
“Safe to say I’m pretty fond of the ladies in this town,” Jax says.
* * *
JAX
Cailin’s best friend, Gemma, is a trip. I can only imagine the two of them being classic 5 Leo Hearts fans. And her mom, despite Cailin’s warnings, is harmless and very welcoming. Pretty sure I won them both over as we ate some pastries from the local bakery. The bagel I had far surpasses LA bagels. I’m starting to really like Jersey.
Now, we’re walking Hope at the lake where Cailin grew up. She’s letting me hold the leash. I’ve missed having a dog and now that I’m with one, I decide I need at least one dog or more in my life from this point forward.
“So, this is where you spent your summers.”
“Not just summer. There were activities here every season. In the winter, the lake freezes and we have a festival, burning firewood and making s’mores. Everyone is dressed in layers because it’s frigid, but it’s so much fun.”
“Can you believe I’ve never really experienced winter?” I say.
“What do you mean? Not even on tour?”
“Not really. I grew up in Florida, joined the band and toured the world, and then moved to California. Sure, we toured places in the winter. But the most I did was walk from my bus to the venue in a puffer jacket. When it was cold, we never ventured out on the town. We were divas in that sense, I suppose.”
“Wow. I can’t imagine not having a white Christmas, or playing in the snow, or any of the fun winter activities. But you had other experiences just as a special.”
Hope stops to sniff some bushes. “I want to make winter memories with you,” I tell Cailin. “I want to get snowed in and drink hot chocolate and do all that basic stuff.”
“Does that mean you want to stay a while?” she asks. We have yet to really talk about our next step.
“I was thinking that we can stay here for a few weeks and then go to Florida for my birthday. You can meet my mom. After that, I should go back to LA to check on my house. But I want you to come with me. I know that’s asking a lot. We haven’t talked about you going back to work.” This has been an issue for us, so I am a bit apprehensive as to how she will respond.
“I’ve actually been thinking a lot about work and I’m pretty sure my days in music PR are over,” Cailin says.
Part of me is relieved. One obstacle is out of our way, but I know Cailin won’t be happy until she finds a job she loves—and I want that for her, because what’s important to her is important to me.
“Was working with me that bad?”
“Tour was great because I was with you, but I don’t see myself touring for work long-term. I have Hope now, and you.”
“We do have Hope,” I say as I pat the dog’s head.
“We?” Cailin asks.
