"You're not making a commitment by having one dinner with the guy. As long as you know that going in, you'll be smart about it."
Going into what, though? Jax was charming and oozed sexiness that broke through my defenses every time I was near him. I'd already broken my rule about no kissing other than to the cheek or a quick peck on the lips until at least a second date. He was the kind who could sensually overpower a woman who wouldn't know what hit her until her back hit the mattress. It would be so easy to give into him but after that? I'd want more, and he wouldn't.
As if she could read my mind, Jade said, "Grace, I know you. You're trying to plot out in your head where this could go with Jax. You're a planner, it's what you do. And that is perfect for your business. It doesn't work in a relationship. If you're attracted to him, see what happens. You're going in with eyes wide open. Who knows? Maybe he'll be different with you. He knows who your father is and is still asking. In the meantime, it's okay to have a little fun. Let him shake up your world a little. Let him rattle your bed frame and dust off your hoohaa."
I coughed, spitting my mouthful of water back into the glass that I was drinking from.
Jade’s nose wrinkled. "Ew."
"Well, stop saying stuff like that to me." I couldn't keep my frown, though. I loved that she didn't treat me as if my ears would melt if anyone mentioned sex in my presence. Like Travis had. Like Jax does. I got lucky with Jade, but not with Travis. As for Jax, he was a mighty big question that I half wanted, half feared.
"Okay, I'm sorry. I might be just a little jealous I sent you there instead of going myself."
"Sometimes I wish you had. We'd both probably be happier." I left enough money plus a good tip for Charlotte on the table and stood. "Come on. Let's get back to planning."
At least that was something I could control. Maybe I'd have a better sense of what to do after Friday dinner –if he even showed up.
15
Jax
What the fuck was I doing?
The question was becoming as redundant as Elizabeth Taylor's wedding marches. I reached for the bouquet of colorful flowers and the wine bottle in my passenger seat. Wait. Did her parents even drink wine? Anyone else and I wouldn't give it too much thought or care. But this was a pastor's family. Would I offend them? Were the flowers enough?
Why does it matter?
I knew I should have canceled. It would have been so easy to call Anne Hart with a kindly worded excuse about something coming up with work. But I couldn't do it. Not after Grace gave me a way out and I'd rejected it. Grace would see right through it and call me on the cowardly act. And for reasons that I still didn't want to explore, her opinion mattered to me. So here I sat parked in my car in front of her house, behaving like a nervous schoolboy sitting outside the principal's office.
Oh, fuck it. I grabbed the wine and the flowers and started up the sidewalk. I could hear laughter and playful shrieks coming from behind the house. Before I could knock, the wood door swung open.
"Well, hello there, handsome. I was wondering if you were expecting curbside delivery." A stunning blonde leaned against the frame, arms crossed.
I grinned, liking her straightforwardness. She had to be another of Grace's sisters. "I figured that option was off the table when I didn't see a squawk box to talk into."
She laughed and stepped aside to let me in. She spied the wine in my hand. "Oh, it's like you know me or something! That's one of my favorites! I like you better already. Would you find me rude if I opened it before dinner? After the day I've had, I could use it."
Laughing, I handed her the bottle. "As long as you don't get me in trouble."
"I promise I'll take all the blame. I'm Angela." Her pretty blue eyes scanned me up and down. "My sister said you were good-looking." She winked at me.
Hmm. Interesting. "Grace said that?"
She laughed again. "No, Faith did. Grace said you were more of an ass."
I shook my head, amused and disappointed at the same time. "Yeah, that sounds like her. She seems a little fond of that word concerning me." I darted my eyes around, looking for her.
"If I were her, I'd be more interested in looking at your ass." Angela's voice dropped, sounding flirty, even a little seductive. She laid her hand on my bicep and angled herself to look behind me at the topic of discussion. "Maybe after dinner, we can spend some more time getting to know each other better."
I tried to step away, but her hand tightened its grip as she moved closer still, enough her generous breasts hugged my arm.
"Faith said she thought Grace was maybe into you. I love my sister, but between you and me, she's pretty straight. Doesn't like to party. A bit boring, actually. And you definitely won't get her to have the kind of fun I bet you're interested in." She winked at me.
Holy shit! Was she coming on to me? In her parent's house? To her sister's friend, for lack of a better word? Did she even know her sister? Her description of Grace was way off.
I firmly removed her fingers from my arm and took a step back. "I think Grace is perfect the way she is. She's fun, witty, and has a warm and caring nature like no one I've met before. And I have to say I think she deserves more loyalty from you."
Her narrowed eyes focused on mine. Things certainly weren't off to the best start. I wondered if it was too late to make my excuses and leave.