“Or he could be wrong.” Cleo sent her friend a pointed stare.
She didn’t want Robyn siding with Jax. She wanted her friend to say his logic was flawed. Because deep inside, her gut was screaming that they belonged together...no matter how her mother felt. And she certainly wasn’t going to let the worry of cancer dictate her future. Life didn’t come with guarantees. If only she could convince Jax of that.
Robyn shrugged and sipped at her coffee. “You said he couldn’t have children. You know that’s different than him not wanting children. Does he want children?”
“I—I don’t know. We never really discussed it.”
“If it’s a matter of him not being able to father a baby, you must realize that in this day and age you have so many options to choose from.”
“You’re right.” Hope bloomed in her chest. “I wish I’d thought of that before.”
Cleo honestly didn’t know if he was interested in having children or not. She’d been so caught off guard by his abrupt turnaround regarding their relationship that her mind hadn’t been able to string two thoughts together much less ask intelligent questions. But Robyn had brought up a valid point and Cleo wasn’t about to let him off the hook until he gave her an honest answer.
She refused to stand by and let him make a unilateral decision about their relationship. He needed to hear her thoughts on the matter. And there was no time to waste. If she had to follow him all the way to New York, she’d do it. This was too important to let the moment slip by. If there was even the slightest possibility they could make this relationship work, she wanted that chance—they deserved it. And she wouldn’t be dissuaded by a truckload of what-ifs.
“I’ve got to go. I have a pocket watch to return.” With the aid of her crutches, she stood. “Thanks for the coffee.”
“I wish I could see this.” Robyn let out an exaggerated sigh. “I miss all of the good parts. Just promise me you’ll fill me in on the details later.”
“Maybe.”
While Robyn sputtered and spurted over her noncommittal answer, Cleo rushed out the door. There were some things that didn’t need to be shared even with her closest friend. She just hoped there would be some special memories created today.
With a quick change into a red-and-white-flowered sundress, she felt more feminine and confident. Nothing like a beautiful outfit to bolster one’s nerves. She tramped the gas as she zipped across town to the Glamour Hotel and Casino. She just hoped she was in time. She knew that Jax had booked his flight for home today, but she had no idea when it would depart. If she had to, she’d track him down at the airport and buy a plane ticket if that’s what it took. They weren’t finished talking. Not by a long shot.
She hustled up to his bungalow. Ignoring the Do Not Disturb sign, she knocked. When he didn’t answer right away, she pounded harder on the door.
The door swung open. “What’s all the racket about?”
Jax stood in the doorway. His hair was rumpled. His torso was bare, revealing his rock-solid abs. And his khaki shorts were wrinkled and hung low as if he hadn’t been eating. She didn’t have to ask. She could see he wasn’t any happier with this separation than she was.
She drew her gaze back to his unshaven face. “You’ve had your say, now I’m going to have mine.”
“Don’t, Cleo. Everything has been said.” He started to shut the door in her face.
She moved quickly, angling her crutch in the way. “What gives you the right to speak for me? And to make up my mind for me?”
She pushed him aside and entered the bungalow, which looked as if it hadn’t been visited by housekeeping in days. Clothes were strewn about. Pillows and blankets littered the couch. And through all of the mess, she didn’t see any signs of food. This whole mess was so unlike the clean-up-after-himself Jax who she’d been living with for the past month.
She turned to him, finding that he’d closed the door, giving them some privacy. “I’ve had time to think things over and you’re wrong.”
His brows drew together into a dark line. “I’m not wrong. You just want to believe the impossible.”
“What’s impossible? Us being together?” When he nodded, she rushed on, “I disagree.”
He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Cleo, you’re just making this harder on both of us.”
“Good. It should be hard to walk away from someone you care about, especially when you’re doing it for all of the wrong reasons.”
“I’m doing what is best for you.”
“But see, I don’t want you deciding what’s best for me. I already went through that back in Hope Springs. It was why I left. And now you’re trying to do the same thing. It’s time people listen to me and respect my feelings.”
“I’ve always respected you and your feelings.”
At last, she felt as though she was making some progress. “Then it’s time you stop talking and listen to what I have to say.”
“Can I at least put on a shirt?”