Her voice trails off, and pain grips my chest, like a fist squeezing my heart. “Before?”
“It’s not my story to tell. He was a different person back then. I can’t believe I'm even going to say this to you of all people, but be gentle with him. You two might have a lot morein common than you think. There’s a reason he’s been single for his entire adult life.”
“He has?”
“Have you even bothered to get to know him?”
“We talk. Just not about anything of substance.”
“Jaxon hasn’t dated anyone in years. He has one-night stands, but that’s as far as it ever goes with him. Look, I don’t like talking about people behind their back.”
I bark out a laugh. “That’s a lie, and you know it.”
Pot meet kettle.
If we're tallying up the lies between us, I’d take the grand prize for lying-est liar that ever lied.
“Ok, fine. I don’t like talking about people who don’t deserve it. Just get to know him if you think this could be something. Let it develop naturally. If it doesn’t work out, no harm, no foul. If it does, I’m wearing a suit to the wedding.”
“The way you put it, it would be another casual hookup. Why would I be any different?”
“He’s never pursued anyone the way he’s pursuing you. He sure as shit never offered to let someone stay at the ranch. In his house, no less. He cares about you, Callie.”
If she knew Jaxon found me sleeping in my car, she’d probably see things differently. What Mo sees as a pursuit is just kindness. I can’t start believing it’s anything more than that. What we have is a budding friendship. That’s all I have the capacity for anyway.
The closest I’ve ever come to a full-blown relationship was a month-long flirtation that ended when she found out I was a virgin. I get it—most twenty-somethings don’t want to deal with inexperience. I can’t imagine Jaxon would be up for the task either.
Besides, some small part of me still belongs to someone else, as foolish as that sounds.
She gives me a sidelong glance as we pass the Welcome to Oak Ridge sign. “Whatever you’re thinking, don't.”
“I’m not thinking anything.”
Mo parks the car outside of Chapters and Brews and twists in her seat to face me. “I know you better than you know yourself. You're thinking he’s too good for you. You”—she jabs me in the arm with her pointer finger—“are a bombshell, Callie Cooper. If anything,you’reout ofhisleague.”
I rub at the now-aching spot on my arm and scrunch my face into a silent snarl. “Why are we talking about this?”
“Because you’re avoiding him and you need to put on your big girl pants.”
Rosie strolls past on the way into the diner and waves. I give her one of those fake smiles Midwesterners are known for, passively ignoring Mo’s incessant staring.
“All of my pants are big girl pants,” I deadpan.
Mo unbuckles her seatbelt with a dramatic flair. “You can be so annoying sometimes.”
“It's a good thing you love me.”
“How short-sighted of me.”
“Too late. No take-backs.”
Chapter 15
Innocence and Innuendo
? When She Comes Home Tonight - Riley Green
Jaxon
