“You’re really upset,” I hear Andrea say. Her voice actually sounds a touch shocked and remorseful. “You’re in love with her,” she gasps a moment later.
“Shut it,” Jax tells her. My heart gives a funny flutter. Millie stands there still looking shocked. Her eyebrows are all the way up.
“Open it,” she mouths. I debate it. I really want to open it and demand the truth from him. I’m not sure which I want more. The truth about the coffee shop or the answer to if he’s in love with me. All of it is scary. I want to run but I’m not a runner. I fight for what I want but this feels so much scarier than anything I’ve come up against before.
“Don’t tell me to shut it,” Andrea yells at Jax. Another thud sounds and I’m guessing she whacked him again.
“I think I should be the one to tell her I love her first. Not my freaking sister.”
I pull the door open. Jax has his hands braced on both sides of the door. “You love—“
He grabs me, cutting me off. His mouth comes crashing down onto mine. I can’t fight him. It’s my normal reaction to always cling to him. The man really is my kryptonite. One touch from him and I am done for.
“Don’t fucking lock doors on me. I was two seconds from kicking it down. I didn’t because I was scared you’d be standing there and get hurt.”
“He must really be in love because my normally smart brother could have just gone around to the front. I mean, the shop is open,” Andrea chimes in. She has a point. I hadn’t really thought about that either. I can’t stop the small laugh that comes from me even though I’m still mad.
“Didn’t lie to you.” He drops his forehead to mine.
“And you love me?”
He nods his head and I smile wide. Now that I’m back in his arms I feel silly thinking he had lied. Maybe I am one of those girls who loses all common sense when they fall in love. I have no doubt that’s what this is. I am in love with the enemy but I’m not so sure he’s the enemy anymore. I don’t know what Jax is doing next door but it can’t be a coffee shop. He promised me that.
Still, my happiness is short lived when I realize Millie is watching me. I need to explain to her that while I may be sleeping with the enemy that my loyalty still remains with her. That I might have fallen in love but I will always still be loyal to our friendship.
I turn to Millie and give her a somber look. “I’m sorry,” I say as I give her a hug. “I know I’m letting you down because he’s the competitor and now I’ve gone and fallen in love with him.” A tear slips from my eye. Millie reaches out and hugs me. Her warm embrace causes me to cry into her. She means the world to me and I don’t want her to be disappointed.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Bailey. Although I appreciate your loyalty and determination, I’m so happy that your little protesting gig is up.” She smiles wide. “I love you and want nothing but for you to be happy. Don’t worry about us. Everything happens for a reason. I believe all of this happened so that Jax could come into your life.” She’s the best friend that anyone could ever ask for. “Besides,” she whispers into my ear, “he looks at you like Mike looks at me. No way he’s putting in a coffee shop over there if he thinks it will upset you.”
16
Jax
I watch as Bailey hugs Millie and it just about kills me to see the tears that streamed down her face. I can’t hear whatever Millie is whispering in her ear. Either way I need to put a stop to her unnecessary sadness. She needs to know the truth about next door.
“I didn’t lie,” I blurt out, causing both her and Millie to look at me. “What have I ever done to make you think differently?” My heart still pounds in my chest from the look I saw on her face. I knew she’d heard what my sister said. It was written all over her sweet face. Betrayal.
I know I have to tell her everything. That keeping this secret will end up hurting her more. I wanted it to be a surprise but now I need to let everyone know what’s going on next door. I don’t want it to affect Bailey and Millie’s relationship. There is no reason for either of them to worry.
“I’m giving Millie the shop next door.” I watch as both girls’ faces turn in shock. I’m sure Bailey knew I was up to something once she realized I wasn’t doing a coffee shop, but not that.