And I’m the one who talked him into it. The sadness in her eyes completely undoes me. I’ve put tears in her eyes twice tonight. I skim the hair away from her forehead and kiss her lightly.
“You’re not to blame for that night.”
I am.
Kissing her to chase away the dark memories is an asshole move, but I don’t want to talk anymore. And when it’s not enough to chase away the demons in my mind, I pull her leg up, sliding my thigh between her legs and wrapping my arms around her like I can hold her safely.
Stupid fool that I am. I don’t even know what we are. She’ll go home in the morning, and we’ll never have a night like this again.
Her tongue flicks over my neck, up to the sensitive spot behind my ear, and I drop my hand to grip her ass and pull her over me, feeling like I somehow need to make up for all the hurt I unintentionally caused her. “Enough talking. We’ve only got one night, and I’m not done with you yet.”
I roll into her and do exactly that until her alarm goes off.
“Jesus, I’m going to be so tired today,” she says, standing at my tiny kitchen counter, cupping a mug of coffee in both hands. “At least you can get a nap.”
“Eh, I’m up now. Can I help you?”
And two hours later, I’ve learned how to make my favorite scones. While we wait for them to cook, Maggie goes over her list for the reunion, when something about her tone strikes me. I cage her in at the display case, not giving the first damn that people are starting to stir on the streets, and anyone walking by can see us.
“This is about more than landing some upscale catering job, isn’t it? This is about pleasing your parents.”
She ducks her head before meeting my gaze. She does that when she’s gathering her courage, and fuck if it doesn’t make me want her all the more.
“Since when did you get so deep and philosophical?”
I kiss the tip of her nose. “Don’t think too much about it. It’s a rare and fleeting thing. But, Mags. If you door don’t get some hella good contacts from this, don’t fucking worry about it. You’re already amazing.”
Her forehead lands on my chest for one brief second, and then she pushes me away. “Thanks, Jax. Now get out of here so I can finish my day.”
Instead of following her orders, I grip her ass and claim a real kiss. “Okay, fine. I’m gonna go sort your water. You have better food than I do, so I’ll meet you at your place tonight.”
Her brows rise high on her forehead. “Tonight? I thought we agreed on just one night.”
I probably look as smug as I feel, but I can’t help it. “You and I both know it wasn’t enough.” And it wasn’t. If she weren’t about to flip that open sign, I’d convince her we need to test out her office desk. I leave with her shaking her head. But she didn’t say no about me coming over.
Only, a half hour later, my phone pings with a message that ruins everything.
My sister arrives today.
Chapter Fifteen
Maggie
“Honey, I’m home!” Alice’s voice bellows through the bakery and hits me with the force of two friends who haven’t seen each other in forever.
I scurry from the back office with a squeal, past a couple browsing at the counter, and run straight to my friend for a long-overdue hug. “Oh, it’s so good to see you.”
Somehow, the years and miles between us flitter away in the blink of an eye, and we are back to two schoolgirls leaning on each other through the vast wilderness of high school drama.
Holding her at arm’s length, I take her in. Chin-length dark hair cut to stylishly frame her face, decked out in a coordinating leisure set, she’s sophisticated and put together.
“You look so great. You travel for hours and look like a million bucks, and here I am feeling all haggard and running on fumes.” I pull her in for another squeeze.
She pats my back. “Don’t talk about my friend like that. God, it’s so good to finally be here. It’s been way too long.”
The door opens behind Alice, reminding me I actually have other customers who need to be waited on.
“What’s it been, two years? Three? Can you stay for a while?” I ask, pulling out of the embrace. Then I notice the two large suitcases. “Or I guess it would make more sense to get settled.”
