I pout as I watch him get dressed. “Gotta walk Bear and get my woman food,” he says as he pulls a shirt over his head. He comes back over toward the bed, leaning down to kiss me. I start to cling to him but when I hear Bear bark I let go, knowing he has to take him out. I hear the door open and the two of them head downstairs.
I let my head fall back to the pillow and enjoy the lingering scent of Jax in my bed. My body is sore in the best way. I stretch out and think of all the wonderful things he did to me last night as I wait for him to bring me breakfast in bed. It feels good to have someone taking care of me. I get lost in my thoughts of all the ways Jax has been taking care of me until I hear banging and voices coming from what sounds like next door. I sit up, wondering why they are still working over there. Jax assured me that he wouldn’t be opening his coffee shop.
I quickly get out of bed and toss on whatever I can find. I race around, not even bothering with shoes. My heart starts to race because I’m scared of what I might find. I open the door, heading straight down the stairs towards the back door, intent on finding out what is going on. I swing it open but freeze when I hear what sounds like Andrea’s and Jax’s voices coming from next door. I know I shouldn’t but I stand quietly in the doorway and stretch my ear as far as I can, wanting to know if it’s me they are talking about. I’m sure it is.
“Are you sure this is what you want, Jax? I think you should really think about what you are about to do.” I swallow, pretty sure that they are talking about me. “Bailey seems lovely but you can’t give up everything you’ve worked so hard for because you find her interesting,” Andrea says, confirming they are talking about me. My heart crumbles into a million pieces as I realize that maybe she’s right. I can’t allow him to give up his business when he’s only just met me. What if he regrets it? I want to go over and yell at his sister to mind her own business but she’s doing the same thing I’d be doing if I were in her shoes.
A van pulls up, full of more workers. A hint of betrayal creeps into me as I realize that Jax has never stopped his work next door. He’s still proceeding with the construction even though he told me he wouldn’t. A tear slips from my eye as reality dawns on me. I’m so naïve. I’m not hurt that he wants to keep growing his business. I can get that. I’m hurt that he lied to me about it.
I don’t even listen for Jax’s response, not wanting to hear it. It will only hurt more. I turn to creep back inside Millie’s shop, but Bear barks and runs toward me, pushing open the door. My eyes lock with Jax’s for a moment before the door closes back on its own.
“Bear!” I hiss. “You busted me, you traitor.” His tongue falls out of the side of his mouth and I can’t stay mad at him.
Jax opens the door. I scream, slamming mine closed.
“Why are you screaming?” Mille asks as I flip the lock on the backdoor. “Fire code. We’re open,” she reminds me, pointing to the lock I clicked into place. Jax bangs on the door. Millie’s lips form an O, Jax having answered her question for me.
“Open the door, Bailey.” Jax’s voice is strong.
“No!” I shout through the door. Bear barks from the other side. “Stop using Bear against me!” I add in.
“What did he do?” Millie asks, creeping closer. She’s weirdly been team Jax this entire time. He’s the one trying to put her out of business so I’m not sure why she keeps rooting for him.
“He’s a liar,” I tell her loud enough for Jax to hear.
“You lied to her?” I hear his sister Andrea ask from the other side of the door. Followed by a thump that I’m guessing is her hitting him.
“No. I don’t lie,” Jax growls. For once he doesn’t sound like his cool, collected self.
“Now that’s a lie,” Andrea snips back. “Remember that time—“
“Don’t start about the Christmas of 1995 or I’ll lose my mind,” Jax half yells at his sister.
“I’m just saying.”
I fight a smirk at the two of them bickering. I have to remind myself I’m mad at them. Even if I think I’d really like Andrea.
“Baby. Open the door.” He softens his voice. I don’t respond. I also don’t move away from the door to run and hide in my place.