Conceal

At least that’s what I hope.

A plan forms in my brain, one that checks off many boxes in the things I need to accomplish.

If I invite Jaxson, I’ll feel safe and I can see if I can trust him.

Now, I need to figure out how to ask.

Chapter Nineteen

Jaxson

This is hell.

Absolute hell.

I’m not one to wait around for a girl I’m interested in to call me, but I’m trying to, and it sucks.

No matter how much I tell myself I’m hanging out with Willow as friends, I’m full of shit.

She’s a gorgeous and intriguing girl, so obviously, I want more. Whatever she’s dealing with, she’s not ready. I’m okay with that, I’ll wait, but I want her to get to know me, trust me, in the meantime, which doesn’t make it easier for me.

Deciding not to look into her is much harder than I thought it would be. She’s entered my office building twice now . . . which means with only a click of my finger, I could pull up her biometrics.

I could run facial recognition . . . and know everything about her. But I don’t do that, I hold true to what I promised myself. I will not be that guy with her.

It’s obvious she’s hiding something. Something big. Something she doesn’t want me to know. And she’s terrified I will find out.

I will find out.

Eventually.

It’s inevitable.

But for now, I’ll take it slow and wait. Bide my time. Even if it kills me.

So instead of doing research on her, I’m doing a project for Price Enterprise.

We’ve had an offer on a piece of land, and I need to find out all perspectives on the company looking to buy.

Apparently, this is all I’m good for. I don’t know why I bother coming in. I’m supposed to be working on new projects, proving myself, and the only requests I get are to hack someone.

The irony isn’t lost on me.

First, I was worked too hard. Now, I’m not worked enough.

I shouldn’t complain. It’s easy work, and I’m miserable doing the other shit, but still. There is another benefit—it’s a lot more enjoyable than going over numbers and figures with Grayson.

It takes no time to find a correlation with the buyer and his shady practices.

Money laundering.

To be honest, it’s so easy I wonder what the catch is.

I shake my head as I realize there is no catch. I’m good. And this guy is an idiot.

I then send an encrypted email to my siblings. They know how I work, and I know they will understand what I found.

Once all the information is sent, I stand from my desk, stretch my arms over my head, and look at the clock.

It’s already five p.m. on Thursday, and I know I should go home, but I don’t want to. I’d rather go out for drinks. Grabbing my phone, I’m about to call Trent when it rings.

I see the number.

Willow.

I swipe the screen.

“Hello,” I answer as I walk toward the elevator.

“Jaxson.”

“Willow,” I respond.

When she says nothing, I continue. “Is everything okay?” I ask as I enter the elevator and head toward the basement to my car.

“Oh, yeah, of course. I was thinking . . .”

“You were thinking . . . ?” I trail off, urging her to go on.

“Well, I’m new to the city, and I don’t know a lot. You seemed to know all the good places to eat, and I imagine you would know all the places I would want to see . . .” She trails off, her voice sounding nervous.

“And you wanted a tour guide.”

“I mean, if you aren’t too busy.”

“Never too busy for you,” I drawl out automatically, and as soon as it comes out, I cringe at my mistake.

“Really?”

“Yes. When were you thinking?”

She doesn’t answer right away, probably trying to decide when she’s free.

“Well, I work tomorrow, but I’m free Saturday,” she finally says.

“Saturday it is, then. I’ll show you all my favorites. Dress warm, wear comfy shoes, and be prepared for a full day.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

“Bye, Willow.” I hang up as the elevator door opens, happy that my weekend plans are looking up already. I had considered going to the poker game again tomorrow, but now that I’m seeing her on Saturday, I opt out. But I will see what Trent is doing today.

I pull my contacts up and hit the button when I get to Trent’s name.

“What’s up, bro?”

“Not much, just wanted to know where you’re at today.”

“Looking to go out?” He chuckles.

“I am.” I laugh back.

“Excellent. I’m hitting a club downtown, but first sushi. Interested?”

“Always.”

“Okay, be at my apartment at eight.”

I hang up and head to the car. A drink and a night out are exactly what I need. I’ve been working myself too hard, trying to prove myself.

Yeah, this, and then Willow, are exactly what the doctor ordered.

Chapter Twenty