Jax returned a text to unknown.
JAX: Then I’ll finally be more popular at Kiss N Fly than you are. Don’t hide in the shadows, you prick. Come keep me company.
He couldn’t think of any reason his guys would be flying in or out of town. Renegades didn’t have any jobs scheduled outside LA this week other than the one Jax was handling in New York. Wes wouldn’t be coming out for another few days.
UNKNOWN: I do hear the women at Kiss N Fly go both ways, but I don’t, so I’m sure you’d be far more popular at the bar than I would.
“Sir?”
Jax lifted his frown from the phone. A young woman stood in front of him holding a coffee cup. She wore a green apron from the restaurant where he’d gotten his coffee earlier, the coffee that now resided in his clothes.
“I was asked to deliver this to you. ”
The text and the coffee clicked at the same time. Not one of his guys. Ooops. “Who asked you to deliver it?”
“I don’t know, sir. It was called in. ” She glanced at his soaked duffle and smiled. “I guess you had an accident here and someone wanted to replace it. ”
Jax glanced over at Kevin and his mother. The boy was still sliding the car around on the carpet at her feet. His mother read Jax’s silent question and shook her head. He took the offered coffee and thanked the girl from the restaurant, reaching for his wallet.
“Oh no, sir. It’s been taken care of. ”
He paused with his wallet in his hand. “Let me at least give you something for bringing it over. ”
She grinned. “That’s been covered too, but thank you. ”
And she walked away. His phone chimed again.
UNKNOWN: And while I do love coffee—both the scent…and the taste—I have no doubt I’d prefer the scent…and the taste…of something…more personal.
Jax stared down at the message. Heat gathered low in his gut. “Whoa. ”
He glanced up and around the terminal, where the space was filling with more passengers. But no one particularly interested in him, which was good. He took red-eyes as often as possible to avoid what little recognition he occasionally still received. But now he didn’t want to get caught up with one of his exes. Didn’t want to start something inappropriate with one of his friends.
JAX: I’m guessing I should thank you for the coffee?
UNKNOWN: No need. We all can use a little pick-me-up now and then. It was nice for me to be able to do it. Hope this turns your day around.
Jax took a sip. The fresh, hot brew filled his mouth, and his shoulders relaxed. He finally asked:
JAX: Who is this? Your number is showing up blocked.
The tension returned as he waited for the answer.
UNK
NOWN: We don’t know each other.
Jax frowned. His mind darted.
JAX: How’d you get my number?
UNKNOWN: Just a little harmless hacking. Don’t worry, I won’t bother you or share it. I just wanted to tell you how great you were with the kid and how I’m drooling over your jacket.
He laughed. The hacking part didn’t bother him overly much. Any of his guys could have surely done the same. And he appreciated ingenuity. If she became a problem, he’d just block her.
At the moment, he could use a frivolous diversion. And since he had no idea who he was talking to, this could be considered focusing on the inside of a woman, right?
And…she had bought him coffee.