Afterburn (Jax & Gia 1)
“Do you trust him?”
“I...” I frowned. I trusted him with my body. I trusted him to know how much my family meant to me. Was there anything else? “With what?”
She smiled in a way that said she knew why I’d hesitated. “What are you going to do about him?”
Sitting back, I let the question really sink in. I’d been fielding variations of that same query all weekend, but I hadn’t given it much thought. What was I going to do? It struck me then that I’d never done anything when it came to Jax. He decided when our relationship began and ended, where we met, and when—and how—we had sex. All along, I’d just gone with his flow.
It was time for me to start making my own rules. Something beyond asking him to say goodbye when he decided we were over.
“I’m not sure yet,” I answered honestly. But I was going to work on it.
* * *
WHEN I GOT to my desk, I called the Four Seasons and left a message at the hotel’s front desk for Chad to call me. It was still early, and I didn’t want to risk waking him up. I needed him refreshed and sharp to go over our business plans.
Isabelle was gone. We needed a replacement. Quick.
I looked through all my notes, considering the chefs who’d caught my attention previously. There weren’t that many who specialized in Italian, mostly because my background made it really hard to impress me. Then again, going with another Italian was problematic—it would be hard to spin Isabelle’s defection in a way that wouldn’t make the new recruit feel like a second choice.
I tapped my pen against my jaw, thinking. “American, European...”
Lei walked out of her office.
“Asian!” I blurted.
She came to a halt, her brows raised. “Excuse me?”
I stood. “Chad represents American cooking. Inez represents European. I think we need to find someone to represent—”
“Asian.” Her arms crossed. “Do you have any idea how hard it would be to pull together a dueling menu with that combination?”
“Easier than convincing some chef he or she isn’t our last, desperate choice.”
Her lips pursed. “Good point. Do you have someone in mind?”
“David Lee.”
Lei’s mouth curved slightly, her eyes warming with a look of approval. “He’s good, but I’m not sure he’s ready.”
I nodded, very much in agreement with her. “That’s why I’m thinking I’ll take Chad out to the Asian bistro where Lee works. Introduce them. See how they hit it off. Or not. Chad could steer David along.”
“A mentor.” She nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll let you run with this and we’ll regroup after lunch. We’ll need to move quickly, but we have the rest of today to decide our plans.”
I was grateful for her trust and was determined not to let her down. “Thank you.”
Lei smiled. “I like your quick thinking, Gianna. I’m impressed.”
Smiling in return, I got back to it.
* * *
A BEAUTIFUL BOUQUET of starburst lilies in a lovely pink vase arrived shortly after ten. My breath caught at the sight of them being carried down the hall by LaConnie. I knew they were from Jax. They were my favorite flowers, and he knew it.
“Who sent you these, girl?” LaConnie asked, setting them down on my desk. “He might be a keeper.”
I wish.... I fingered the card, but didn’t want to open it in front of anyone. It felt too personal. “Someone with good taste.”
She shot a narrow-eyed glance at me before she backed away.
“I love your dress,” I told her, admiring the black sheath she wore that had an electric-blue piping to match her heels.
“Changing the subject won’t distract me from wanting to know who sent you those,” she warned.
“I’ll tell you later,” I promised.
She wagged her finger at me. “I’m going to hold you to that!”
When she was a good distance down the hall, I pulled the card from its stake and opened it.
Dinner tonight?
The blunt query was so typical of Jax, I couldn’t help but grin. But still, things had to be different the second go-round. He’d insinuated himself into my life so well that I hadn’t been able to escape the memories until I’d left Vegas, yet I had barely dipped my toe in his life. When he broke things off again, it would be the same in New York—I’d have memories of him everywhere. But he would be safe from my ghost.
That had to change. This time, I was going to haunt the man the way he haunted me.
I dug my smartphone out of my purse and found the number he’d called me from the night I’d taken Chad to Denise’s salon. I texted: Only if you’re cooking. Your place?
It took five minutes before my phone vibrated on my desk. His reply: What time should I pick you up from work?
The surge of triumph I felt brightened my day. 5:30. And BTW...TY for the flowers. Lovely.
Yes, you are, he sent back.
I typed out a quick response: Says the most gorgeous guy I know.
There was another pause, one long enough that I thought he wasn’t going to answer. Then he sent, Skin deep.
That lingered with me for a long time.
* * *
WHEN CHAD CALLED me back, I asked him to meet me at Savor’s offices. I thought it’d be good to remind him of just how successful Lei was. He showed up just before noon, looking handsome in khakis and a tucked-in dress shirt, with his collar open and cuffs rolled up.
I met him at reception and led him back to my desk under the guise of fetching my purse. I wanted to use it as an excuse to show him around again.
“I’m glad you called,” he said, walking beside me. “I’m really starting to have my doubts with all that’s going on here.”
“I’m sure you are. I mean, how many roadblocks can you hit before you take it as a sign, right?”
“Right.” He shot me a grateful smile. “You get it.”
“Of course I do. That’s why you’re going to trust me to tell you if the time comes to throw in the towel.” We reached my desk, and I stopped, facing him. “I’m not going to screw you over, Chad. I promise you that.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’m stuck in the middle of a tug-of-war between Ian and Lei, and I can’t help thinking that means no one but you is really paying attention to me. I could be anyone.”
“But you’re not anyone. You’re one of the most talented chefs in the world today, and I’m going to see that you shine.”
Leaning forward, he caught my hand in his. “Thanks.”
“Thank you. You’re giving me the chance to make this happen.”
He glanced at the lilies on my desk. “Nice flowers. You got an admirer? Do I have competition?”
?
?It’s not serious.”
“Hard to be serious when you’re working as much as we do.”
“Isn’t that the truth?” I caught the handle of my purse and shut the drawer. “I’m married to my fabulous career.”
Chad nodded. “I know how that goes. I’m glad we’ll be working together so much over the next few months—if everything pans out, anyway. Maybe we can carve out some time for fun. No strings.”
My mouth curved. “Maybe. Ready to roll?”
“Have been since I met you, sweetheart.”
Laughing, I caught his arm and we headed out.
* * *
“RUTLEDGE CAPITAL.”
I glanced up as Lei reached my desk. I’d been waiting for her to get back so I could tell her the good news: David Lee was going to work out. He’d hit it off with Chad right away. Plus, when I talked vaguely with David about our plans for Chad, he hadn’t been shy. He’d said outright that he was hoping for a similar opportunity to come his way, too.
“What about it?” I asked, rising to my feet.
“According to Isabelle, Rutledge Capital committed to a significant investment in Pembry Ventures. She says she spoke with Jackson Rutledge himself on Sunday and he confirmed it.”
A heavy lump of ice settled in my stomach. “Yesterday?” A weekend Jax had spent in my life. In me...
I sank slowly back into my chair.
Lei nodded grimly. “Ian offered Isabelle a fantastically lucrative signing package. She would’ve been a fool to refuse it.” She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “So stupid of him! And petty. Ian isn’t making smart moves. Neither is Rutledge.”
I’d slid out of Jackson’s bed, and he’d slid a knife in my back.
“We can get David Lee,” I said hoarsely. I had to focus on the immediate goal. It would happen if I gave it my all. “He likes the idea of a trio. Less pressure and heat while he finds his way.”
“Oh,” she said drily. “Is he really that humble?”
“It’s a strategic move. He’ll want to cut loose eventually, sooner rather than later, but we can get a couple years out of him, I think.”