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“Elliot Daxton.”
Daxton. Jamie.
I reached my hand down, placing it in my pocket to feel for my phone. Did I miss a notification during this?
“I know you hate it when I use your middle name.” My mom laughed, reminding me that checking my phone was the least of my worries. “But it got you to shut up.”
“What happened to the sweet mom I had five seconds ago?” I asked sarcastically.
“Elliot, even though Jacob stormed off, you have my blessing to do whatever you want—or need—to do with the company.”
I stood, feeling a weight lift from my chest, and walked around the counter, wrapping my mom in my arms. I was just tall enough that my chin could rest on the top of her head as she nestled herself into my arms.
I stayed a while longer and we talked, mainly about the company now that I had her go-ahead to sell, and, after we decided it was happening, we both agreed I would be the one to tell Dad.
“I’ll be leaving in a few weeks for a vacation”—maybe—“I need to figure out the plan though, and then when I get back I’ll finalize all of the plans. I'm not expecting all of this to happen fast—we have plenty of time. I can visit dad this Sunday and talk to him.” I rubbed the back of my neck as I made my way to the door, with Mom following me every step of the way.
“A vacation? You haven't taken a vacation in a long time,” she said as she grabbed my left arm, taking a look at my tattoo. “Aren’t you ever going to finish this thing?”
I looked at the unfinished guitar on my arm and smiled. “I like it like that. Sunday? Visiting dad?”
She hummed. “Sunday, around noon.”
I inhaled. “By then I’ll have my vacation figured out. Like I said . . . I have time.”
I stepped out onto the porch and grabbed my keys from my pocket, unlocking the Jeep as I turned back to my mom. She leaned against the door frame and folded her arms.
“Where are you going?”
“Um . . . not sure yet,” I admitted. “Wherever she wants to go.”
“She? Elliot Daxton, are you hiding someone from me?”
I laughed and shook my head. “Not yet, Mom. But don’t worry, she’s one I’d want you to meet if I can ever get her to answer me.”
Turning the Jeep on, I waved goodbye to my mom, then checked the clock on the dash. Almost five—I knew exactly where to go. One obstacle was out of the way, now onto the other.
I pulled up to the building, knowing very well it was closing time. If I played the clock right, I could be walking in as soon as Jamie was walking out. And if she was still in the office? Well . . . I needed a teeth cleaning anyway.
I swung open the glass doors, hearing voices as I came close to the stairs. One of them I knew belonged to just the person I wanted to see. I stuck a hand in my coat pocket and slowed my stride. Casual. Cool. Collective.
“Ah.” I smiled as soon as Jamie and Madeline came into view. “Just who I wanted to see.”
Jamie’s eyes grew wide as she froze in place, while Madeline came up and gave me a quick hug.
“Elliot! Good to see you,” she said into my shoulder.
“Good to see you too, Mads.” I hugged her back, taking her in for a moment before releasing her and turning back to Jamie. “But I really came here for Jamie.”
Madeline laughed as she turned to face her friend, who was still frozen.
“Oh I know,Daxton.Milo got a kick out of that by the way.” Madeline patted my shoulder. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Jamie. Have fun. Bye Elliot.”
“Bye, Mads, tell Milo I’ll call him.” I waved as Madeline left, leaving just Jamie and I in the lobby. I gave Jamie a smile. “I had to get a hold of you somehow.”
“By stalking me?” Jamie finally said.
“It’s not stalking if I simply came to make an appointment.” I smile.
