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JAXON
Jaxon tapped the side of his water glass impatiently. Condensation cooled his fingertip and he took a deep breath.
Colin was late. Not by five minutes or ten but by thirty-seven minutes. He glanced at his watch again. Thirty-seven minutes... nope, thirty-eight.
Second Avenue Pizza, the pizza place she’d texted him to be at was small but popular. He’d ordered a pitcher of water and had staked out a table but the seats were filling fast and he worried he would have to fight someone to keep his table with no food and no order tent insight.
The waitress arched an eyebrow as she did her rounds again. She paused beside his table, thrust a hand on her hip and scanned the restaurant. “Still no sign of her?”
He grimaced, shifting in his seat. “No, I’m worried she stood me –"
Colin walked through the door, her hair wind-tossed and her cheeks slightly flushed. She narrowed her eyes when she saw him and strolled toward him.
Relief flooded through Jaxon and he sighed. “There she is, thank you. We’ll order in a few minutes.” Jaxon motioned toward Colin. Finally, she’d arrived. Now he didn’t have to try to convince the waitstaff that he wasn’t delusional.
The waitress turned, then furrowed her brow as she looked back at Jaxon. “Sorry, but do you mean Ms. Davies?”
He nodded, perplexed at the woman’s confusion.
Colin arrived before the server could say more.
“Hi Beth. How are the kids?” Colin’s cheeks grew pinker by the minute and Jaxon couldn’t figure out what she was so embarrassed about.
He scanned her outfit, but she looked well put together. Why was she flustered?
“Colin, it’s nice to see you in here with someone, well, at least a guy – especially one so good looking.” The waitress said the last part behind her hand but loud enough Jaxon could hear.
Jaxon’s confusion would be comical later, but right then, he just wanted to fill in the blanks so he knew what was going on. “You don’t bring your husband in here?” She’d said she was married and that the man was out of town. Jaxon had been frustrated, but he figured a woman like Colin would have been snatched up quicker than a stack of hundred-dollar bills sitting idly in the street.
Colin laughed uncomfortably, draping her jacket on the seat.
Beth laughed, reaching out to push on Colin’s chair. “Colin’s not married. Have you ever been married?” She put her finger up to her mouth as she thought. “You know what? I don’t remember you ever being married or ever dating.” Beth turned her gaze to Jaxon. “You must be a special guy.” She winked and patted the table. “I’ll be back in a few to take your order.”
Beth walked away after patting Colin on the shoulder. Colin sank into the chair across from Jaxon. She reached a shaky hand for the water he’d set at her place but she pulled back, tucking her hands in her lap. Hanging her head, she sobbed, softly. “I’m sorry. I don’t...”
Colin wasn’t married. She didn’t date. Judging from the way the waitress spoke, Colin’s activity was local gossip. For whatever reason, Colin had lied to Jaxon about being married. He didn’t know why, but he didn’t care. She probably felt she had to protect herself from him. He understood that.
She was obviously upset and that’s what mattered. What could he do to help her? “Hey, what’s going on?” Jaxon didn’t know what was going on, but he did know that Colin seemed to be a woman with pride and crying in front of a strange man wasn’t her idea of a good time. He reached across the table as if to offer support, even though his hand sat there and did nothing.
Colin sniffed, wiping at the upper parts of her cheeks. A soft derisive laugh burst from her. “Well, that’s uncomfortable. I lied and I’m late. I’m sorry. Quite honestly? I find you... disturbing.” Her eyes widened as she realized what she said. Jaxon pulled his hand back, a side-smile at her words his only reaction. Colin continued in a rushed tone as she hastily shook her head. “I don’t mean it like you’re crazy or something, I just mean, I’m uncomfortable around you.”
She sighed and closed her eyes. “I... I don’t have any acceptable excuse for being late. The other one I’m not even going to try to explain.” She lifted sad eyes toward him and her brave attempts at a smile broke his heart. “Please, tell me you didn’t wait to order.” She lamely lifted her hand and motioned toward the menu sitting askew on the table.
He motioned at the plastic-covering as if to say he knew it was there, but he wasn’t sure what to do with it. “I have no idea what’s good here. Plus, it’s impolite to order without the rest of the party.” He might have had a humble upbringing, but his mother had made sure his manners and etiquette were in place.
“Well, before I walk you through everything here, please, do accept my apology. I... I’m usually not so rude.” Brushing aside her sadness, Colin reached for the menu and pulled it open. She pointed at the items as she spoke. “Okay, so if you like meat, the Jukebox – amazing. It’s seven pounds of pizza and worth every calorie. My favorite is the Garden Pizza, but I adore vegetables. Do you like Hawaiian? They really don’t mess up their pizza here. They know what they’re doing. Even their calzones are worth an extra run or two.” She leaned over the menu, pointedly avoiding his gaze.
Jaxon didn’t know which he liked more – the fact that he did disturb her, make her uncomfortable, or that she was there and at least trying to get over it. Without telling her, he had to agree, being around her was decidedly different than being around other women. He could tell there was something different about her. He wasn’t sure what it was yet, but he couldn’t help being interested in exploring further.
Beth walked up, trailing her fingers along the edge of the table and smiling warmly. “Did you get a chance to decide what you’d like Tom to get started?”
Jaxon studied Colin. What did she want? What did she need? He didn’t look at Beth, just Colin.
Colin glanced at Jaxon and handed the menu up to Beth, a smile hiding the pain she’d sat down with. “Beth, can you bring a medium Garden, a medium Jukebox, a pitcher of Coke, and two garden salads, please? Put it on my tab and let Tom know I said hi. Oh, and extra sauce, too?”
Beth smiled and claimed the menu, without writing anything down. She returned to the kitchen and Colin watched her as if she had nowhere else to look.
Jaxon waited for Colin to look at him. She avoided that with a stubbornness he recognized in himself.
He leaned forward. “Colin, please, tell me what’s going on. Let’s set aside our differences. You can talk to me. I’m discreet.” Something in his gaze must have convinced her she could talk or she needed to talk so bad she would combust, because she started haltingly at first and then faster and faster.
“I’m late because I got an email from one of the sponsors for the site. They don’t want to be below the fold anymore and are even willing to pay the premium fee, but I have my main sponsor who isn’t budging. The first one who contacted me said if they can’t get above the fold, they want out.” She lowered her voice. “I can’t lose them. They’re my second biggest account. They keep the app going.”
Rolling her head to the side to stretch her neck and then the other way, she sighed and looked around. An immense sadness filled her eyes and she finally met his gaze. “Then, I told you to meet me here and I forgot what this place was to Ma... I mean, to me. Not that I haven’t been here, but I didn’t... I mean, I didn’t mean to have you be here with me. Not that it’s like a date or something, I mean, I don’t date. It’s just, I don’t know why I had you meet me here, in this spot, if you...” She fluttered her hands in front of her and then again at her sides. She blinked back tears of frustration. “I’m not married and I don’t date. But this is my spot.”
Jaxon refused to acknowledge the sympathy inside him. She wasn’t the type of woman who would respond well to pity. Not that he pitied her. Something about her tugged at his insides and he wanted to reach over and pull her into his arms, promise to protect her from whatever or whoever had caused her pain. The sensation was oddly all-consuming. He didn’t feel that way about women. Usually because most women wanted from him had nothing to do with comfort and everything to do with things.
Watching Colin for a minute, Jaxon dragged out the silence as she composed herself. She used a napkin from the table-top napkin dispenser to wipe at her eyes.
She lifted her hands and shook her head. “You probably think I’m stupid. I don’t –"
Jaxon held up a hand and pierced her with his gaze. Once she was completely silent, he spoke softly. “Let me be clear. I do not think you’re stupid. I don’t think you have any reason to apologize. If you want to leave, we can leave. I don’t want you uncomfortable around me. Our order just went in, they probably haven’t even started it. We can cancel and stop at the store and get some sandwiches or something.” He wanted her uncomfortable, but not in a bad way, not in a way that drove her to tears.
Did she sense his attraction to her? Did she know that she’d captured his interest from the beginning with her quiet service to him in the coffee shop? How could she not realize how engaging she was? Even as she tried to be offsetting, there was a quiet warmth about her that pulled one closer.
“It’s not that I don’t want to be here with you. It’s that... I don’t want to be here with anyone.” She offered a half-smile that was drenched more in sadness than humor. “When I come here, it’s for takeout. I never sit here and eat. I only know Beth because I’ve had to wait for my pizzas and on slow nights you get to talking.”
Time for a topic change. Jaxon cleared his throat. “Well, if you’re okay with continuing, let’s make this less of a date and more of a business meeting.” The fact that date had crossed her mind regarding him did something funny to his stomach, especially when he’d already considered it a date and had wanted to pursue more with her.
Colin considered his words and then nodded slowly. Lifting her chin, she scooted her chair in, putting her hands in her lap.
Jaxon didn’t ease into the conversation. She needed to be jarred from the personal connection to the pizza place and thrust into a different scenario altogether. “I know I told you I wanted to buy ClickandWed-"
Colin shook her head. “She’s not for sale.”
Jaxon smiled at the use of she regarding the business. He did that himself, anthropomorphized his businesses as if they were friends. “I know. I’m fine with that. I do want to apologize though for the way I assumed you would sell. I’m sorry that I referred to you as a man and that I insinuated you were anything but a brilliant businesswoman.” He inclined his head, his apology whole-heartedly sincere.
She blinked rapidly as she took in his words. “I’m... okay, thank you. I’m shocked, I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting that. You’re not known for compassion. Your reputation precedes you as a shark-like businessman.”
Jaxon knew what his reputation was. He hadn’t gotten rich by being known as a softy. “What can I do to help you, Colin? That’s why I’m here.” Jaxon leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and studying her.
She shrugged slightly, meeting his gaze head-on. “Honestly? I’m just looking for a silent partner. I don’t want anything else. Even better? Someone to invest in the company and leave me alone with it.” She laughed. “Is that horrible?”
“You’re the first woman to blatantly admit she only wants me for my money.” Jaxon smiled softly. Would she be equally shocked, if he told her she was the first woman he wanted to like him for him and want nothing to do with his money at all? He could tell her, boldly, right there, that he was interested and that she had just become his reason for existence. He didn’t love her, of course. He didn’t know her. But getting her to see him as a potential possibility for the future was something he determined would take perseverance – much like a business he wanted to acquire.
Too bad he couldn’t write that into a contract.
Colin tilted her head to the side. “Nah, there’s got to be more to you than just dollar signs. I’m sure you have plenty of women lining up to date you. Money or not.” The tender moment between them was interrupted by the waitress showing up with the pitcher and glasses. She set plates down with forks and an order number on a small plastic tent on the edge of the table.
“Well, you might want me for something else.” Jaxon wiggled his eyebrows as Beth walked away.
Colin laughed and poured a drink. “No. Sorry, but I really do only want you for your money.” Her laugh was genuine and Jaxon had to snap himself out of the trance and stop staring at her.
He sat back, trying not to feel challenged but willing to step up and see just how far he could push her. “You’re really not attracted to me?” He didn’t believe it was possible. Not when he was as attracted to her as he was. He narrowed his eyes and grinned. “Come on, Colin, you have to admit that you’re almost completely in love with me already.” He winked.
Smirking, Colin took the napkin in her hands and twisted it. Glancing up at Jaxon, she tilted her head the other way. “I’ve been in love, Jaxon. I’ve been in love with my whole soul. There’s not enough money to replace that. I don’t believe in second changes and I’ve already had my happiness.”
Jaxon moved forward as if to argue her point and Colin arched an eyebrow and held up her hand. “I’ve enjoyed our truce, so, please, don’t take this as rude. If I was ready to seek a connection with another man, it wouldn’t be with one who has no respect for me or where I’m from.” She gave him a sad smile and leaned her elbow on the table, threading her fingers through her hair. She dropped the hand with the napkin into her lap and looked around the restaurant as if that was all that needed to be said.
“What are you talking about?” Where had the moment gone? He’d suddenly been accused of something and he had no idea what had spurned the suggestion. Hadn’t he just apologized for the things he’d said?
“You wiped your fork with a napkin after she walked away. You still have your coat on. The disdain is rich. I don’t think I would notice as much, but I did overhear you call us Podunk. As nice as you are, it’s hard to forget, right?” She fell quiet, looking at him with a pointed gaze.
She was sharp and Jaxon found it unnerving. He hadn’t realized his bias was that apparent. He hadn’t known he was judgmental. Cynical, sure, judgmental? He hadn’t considered it an option since he wasn’t exactly born with a silver spoon.
Colin stood to go. “I’ll take care of dinner, but it’s probably better that I go.” She moved to pull her coat on, as she looked for the waitress.
Jaxon stood, holding out a hand. His interest in her broke out into alarm as he realized he wasn’t going to get to enjoy her company after he’d waited so long to meet her. “No, please. Don’t go. I’m sorry.”
Boy, was he sorry.