“What does that have to do with anything?”
“She has responsibilities and Maisy is finally doing well. Diana is having a hard time letting go of that no matter how much Milo reassures her and I drag her out.”
I put my arms out defenseless and unwilling to argue with my very pregnant, very annoying best friend because hopefully, this too shall pass.
“What Jax?”
“So because she has a daughter and I haven’t had a long term relationship I’m not capable of holding interest in her?”
Pip rolls her eyes ignoring my question and insulting me a bit more. If she only knew the long term commitment I did have involving my feelings for Diana and my utmost respect for her.
“Just train her, Jax. Please.” As if Piper really had to ask. Despite being warned off this might be my one chance to get to know Diana outside of Piper’s meddling.
“That I can do
.” Any man who lays a hand on a woman who says no is scum in my book.
“Good, she’ll be here in….” Piper checks her phone and winks skipping out as if she suddenly had all the energy in the world.
Holy crap, that didn’t prepare me at all.
“Piper!” I growl.
“Piper?” A blond head of hair peeks around the dark cloud of Piper’s head. Diana didn’t look old enough to be someone’s mother. She’s only become more beautiful over the years in that delicate and fragile way. She barely came up to my chin. Frankly she looked breakable. Maybe she needed a little muscle and strength training to fight back, but she already slayed my heart with one doe eyed look.
“Ok, I gotta go. See you two later!” Piper hops, as much as a bowling ball can. She gives one last dirty look and a slashing motion across her throat behind her friend’s head I was pretty sure I hadn’t deserved. Yeah, she was definitely meddling.
“Uh hi.” She holds out her hand. Her face looks pinched and tight as if she’s been holding onto a huge weight bearing down on her. I want to take that burden for her, ease the strain that’s so clearly marked on her face.
“Hi.”
She leans in whispering, “We meet again.”
“Right.” I whisper loudly, “Because of the baby shower.”
I nod like an idiot. My tongue thickens as if I had downed a protein shake too quickly waiting for it to make its way down my throat. Who knew that baby powder scent and blond hair had become a type? I didn’t have one before, but I definitely did now.
“We’ve also had dinner a few times.” She winks. I don’t count those because we were being chaperoned by Pip and Milo.
“Yup.” I’m an idiot. Diana probably thinks I’m another hulking jock pressing weights at the gym. If things got serious I was going to show her my recent MBA degree hanging in the back office nearly covered by an ugly painting.
I clear my throat starting over.
“I hear you’re looking to learn some self-defense moves?”
Her soft voice sucks me in, “Yeah, Pip thinks I need some karate chop kung-pow.” Her arms flail around and I catch her before she stumbles.
“Kung-fu.”
“What?” Her brow wrinkles making me smile. This would be okay. I’d make it work; I had to make it work.
“Kung-pow we can have for dinner after I show you how to kick ass.”
Five
Diana
“This is how you take down a guy coming at you.” We’ve been at this for an hour and my arms strain as my legs burn with the effort. Jax stalks me on the mat and my nerves accelerate my heart beat. It’s so loud I barely hear myself think let alone his instructions to use the defense moves he’s teaching me. My eyes can’t decide if they should hyper focus on what’s in front of me or blackout. This is going on week six of Jax Holden training me for what feels like some American Gladiator show. My muscles ache and sting while he pushes me harder with patience.