by Jamie Dallas
She pushed her mug away and flipped through her schedule and contracts once more, though it was impossible to concentrate. She kept looking over at Jace. His back was to her, and his shoulders rigid. The way he leaned forward as he spoke didn’t seem to bode well.
She tried to go back to her schedule, but Jace’s quick, jerky movements kept catching her eye.
Finally, she shuffled the papers together and dropped them in her bag.
For the last two launches, it was she and Evan who teamed up to put them on. Both launches had been out-of-this-world successful, and no doubt Evan had expected something similar this time.
Evan was probably seething that they were planning without him.
When Jace finally returned fifteen minutes later, he looked like he’d been through the wringer. There were tracks in his hair from running his fingers through it, and there were two deep vertical lines between his brows.
“It doesn’t look like that conversation went well.”
Jace closed his eyes and let out a long breath. “Evan’s pissed. He feels like he has zero say in the launch, and that the company is no longer in his control.”
If felt like a rock had landed in her stomach. “And he’s pissed about the networking event?”
Jace shrugged and dropped down into his seat. “I think that’s a given.”
She dropped her face in her hands. “I should apologize to him.”
Jace shook his head. “No, the damage is done, and Evan was the one who created this problem. Don’t blame yourself.”
She tapped the tips of her fingers against the side of her face.
“He’s planning something,” Jace said. He didn’t quite look at her. “Call it a hunch, but I’ve got a bad feeling.”
“Do you think he’ll try to ruin the launch?” She could see Evan being vindictive like that.
Jace shook his head. “No. He’s not that self-destructive. He has too much money tied up in it.”
“But you’re still worried?”
Jace shook his head. The look in his eyes made her nervous. “I’ve spent too much time and money on Sun Tech for it to fail now. This is my life. My career.”
He was worried Evan was going to destroy it.
“Let’s get out of here.” Jace grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulders.
Hailey quickly shoved her phone in her purse and rushed to catch up with him. The autumn wind pushed her hair straight behind her as they started back to Jace’s place.
“I’ll quit if you need me to. If it saves the company.”
Jace stopped and turned toward her. Then, without another word, he wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face against her hair. The scent of Jace and laundry detergent surrounded her, both comforting and appealing.
She pressed her lips against his shoulder and squeezed her eyes shut. Tears pricked at her eyes, and her body felt rigid with frustration and helplessness.
She didn’t want to quit. She needed the money. Her credit cards were flaming, and there wasn’t a job in San Francisco to come home to.
And she didn’t want to leave Jace.
Jace didn’t let go. Not even when a passerby yelled at them to get out of the way. Jace shifted them to the edge of the sidewalk, but even then he held on.
Her ribs heaved against his arms as she tried to gather the breath to speak. “I’ve hurt him.”
Jace didn’t answer immediately. “He’s upset.”
“We’re in this mess because I ran.”
“You did the right thing.” He ran his hand over her hair. “I believed that then, and I believe it now. You dodged a bullet.”
Hailey eased away from him just enough to read his face. His eyes were soft as he dropped a kiss on her lips.
“What do we do for the launch?” She sniffed and gave a watery laugh. “I’ll do whatever you want, boss.”
Jace snorted.
“Do you want me to leave?”
He shook his head. “And I don’t want to hire a new coordinator. It’s one more week. There’s nothing Evan can do in a week.”
There was a fleeting look of uncertainty before Jace’s mask dropped into place.
She wanted to question it, but she didn’t dare.
They walked to the building, and Jace keyed a number into the pad.
“Is that the only thing on your mind?” she asked as they got into the elevator. “More with Evan?”
“No. Not Evan.” Jace sighed. “My aunt invited us to dinner this weekend. I wasn’t going to accept, but after this thing with Evan, it would be nice to escape the city.”
His aunt invited them? As in “her and Jace”? She blinked at him. “That sounds nice.”
“She’d love to meet you.” A smile began to play on his lips.
“Me?” Hailey squeaked out. “Oh, wow, that seems…”
“Like a relationship?” Jace finished for her.
The breath left her lungs. The elevator doors dinged opened, and she numbly stepped onto the floor. She started down the hall, but Jace tugged on her hand, bringing her back around to him.
“I’d love for you to meet her.”
His expression was serious, his well-defined lips pressed in a firm line. Her heart throbbed, slow, hard, and full. Serious.
She was falling for him.
Leave it to her to fall for a man she only had one week left with.
She closed her eyes, taking in the moment, the man, the feel of his hand twined around hers.
“I’d love to meet her.”
The distant expression that had been on Jace’s face since the morning finally broke, and he smiled at her—a genuine smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes.
“That’s great. I’ll let her know you’re coming,” he said.
And for a moment, everything was absolutely, perfectly blissful.
But throughout the evening, as she spotted the distant look in Jace’s eyes, she couldn’t help but wonder what Evan was up to.
Chapter Eleven
“It’s a whole different world out here.” The tension that had been squeezing her neck and shoulders melted away as Jace maneuvered his car along the neighborhood streets. She took a long, cleansing breath as she watched the rows of houses and trees pass by.
They were at least an hour outside the city, and Hailey couldn’t believe the beautiful neighborhood. The leaves were stunning in their golden autumn colors, and the setting sun cast a warm glow over the brick and wood homes as it disappeared beyond the horizon.
“Welcome to my old neighborhood.” Jace’s smile worked its magic as he peered out the windshield. “It’s a lot quieter than the city.”
“You could say that again.” She hadn’t realized how much the noisy chaos of city life was impacting her until they were outside of it. The neighborhood quiet was music to her ears.
Jace curbed his car outside a white house with dark green trim and twisted in his seat. “Ready?”
She wiped her sweaty palms over her skirt. “I’m a bit nervous.”
Jace’s invitation to his aunt’s house was a big deal. Even as he tried to downplay it on their trip out, she knew this wasn’t something Jace normally did. At the same time, she didn’t want to read too much into the invitation. After all, her time with Jace had a deadline, which may have made the invite easier.
“She’ll love you.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her close.
“Even though I’m not—”
Jace kissed her full on the mouth, silencing the insecurities on her lips.
“She’ll love you,” he repeated.
Hailey set her fingers on her lips, savoring the kiss before getting out of the car.
They made their way up the quaint cobblestone pathway that led to a white porch. Jace grabbed her hand as they walked up the two wood steps.
“If you’re lucky, Mia made her lemon chicken. It’s the best chicken on this planet. No question.”
“No question, huh?” she teased him, loving that warm feeling in the
pit of her stomach as Jace smiled at her.
“You wait,” Jace said with a wink. “You’ll be thinking of all sorts of reasons to come back again.”
No, she wouldn’t. In a matter of days, she’d be back in San Francisco without a reason to return, and despite their agreement, she found herself wishing Jace would become a reason to stay.
It both scared and frustrated her. It made her want to run but stay. She wanted to escape but savor her last moments with Jace before the heartbreaking end.
Jace turned to her and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Is everything okay?”
Before she could answer, the front door swung open, and Hailey found herself face-to-face with the bright blue eyes of Jace’s aunt.
“Oh my gosh.” The older woman dragged out the last word. Her boisterous voice carried easily in the crisp fall air. “You must be Hailey. I’m so happy to meet you.”
And before she knew it, Hailey was wrapped in the warm embrace of the other woman’s arms. Her face crushed against the dark curls of the other woman’s hair, she could smell a light floral perfume.
It made her miss her mom instantly.
Hailey wrapped her arms around the older woman and squeezed tight. “It’s nice to meet you too.”
“Hailey, meet my aunt Mia. Aunt Mia, Hailey.” There was a hint of amusement in Jace’s voice. “Now let go of Hailey and hug me.”
“Oh, of course, sweetie. It’s so good to see you.” Mia wrapped her nephew in a loving hug.
Hailey stared transfixed as Jace kissed the top of his aunt’s head. There was someone in this world who called Jace “sweetie”? And his aunt somehow said it without it being awkward.
Hailey blinked.
She never saw that one coming.
It was like seeing Jace for the first time.
“I can’t believe you brought a woman home.” Mia released Jace and gazed at him, as though cataloging all the differences and changes. “I think having Hailey around is good for you. You look relaxed. Happy.”
Mia turned back to her. “I hope he’s been taking care of you as well.”
Hailey fumbled for words, trying to find the thing to explain their “relationship.”
Jace beat her to the punch.
“I wouldn’t read too much into it,” he cautioned. “Hailey and I are friends working together.”
All the warmth fled from her body, leaving her cold and frozen in place. Just like that, in one short phrase, Jace gave her a hard reminder of where they stood. Short term. His terms. Friends with benefits.
“Nonsense,” Mia insisted. “This is the first woman you’ve ever brought home. She has to be special.” Mia smiled sweetly before she led the way into her home.
The second her back was turned, Jace grabbed Hailey’s hand and brushed his lips over her knuckles.
She snatched her hand back to her side but not before a curl of warmth unfurled in her chest.
Jace smiled, undeterred and leaned close to her ear. “Sorry about my aunt. Once she gets an idea in her head…”
“Don’t be sneaking kisses behind her back, and she won’t get the wrong idea,” Hailey hissed.
Jace’s eyes widened. “I didn’t mean to imply that there was nothing between us, I meant—”
“Don’t bother.” She stepped into the cozy home before Jace could respond. She didn’t want to analyze why Jace’s words smarted or if she was overreacting.
She followed the short yellow hallway that passed a set of stairs before opening into a living room on one side and a dining room on the other.
“I made lemon chicken,” Mia called from the kitchen. “It’s Jace’s favorite.”
And would apparently keep her coming back for more.
She barely stopped herself from rolling her eyes. For Mia’s sake, she’d make this evening as pleasant as possible. Jace was kind enough to invite her, and she didn’t want Mia to think she was ungrateful.
The house itself was as warm and cozy as the woman who lived there. Pictures and knickknacks lined the walls and shelves. Even with her irritation at Jace, she found herself smiling at a photo of him. He couldn’t have been more than five or six, and he stood in the middle of a leaf pile. The smile on his face was shy and a little timid, but there was no missing the joy in his eyes.
“That was the same year I moved into this home,” Mia said as she bustled around the dining room, setting up dishes. “My divorce had been finalized, and I needed the extra space for Jace.”
“The garage was perfect for my rock band practices,” Jace added.
She gaped at him. “You were in a band?”
“It wasn’t very good,” Jace said, his cheeks turning red.
“It was adorable,” Mia said. “He formed it in high school. ‘The End Ups.’”
“We were deep. Borderline emo.” Jace’s smile was tight, and he watched her carefully, as though gauging her reaction.
Laughter bubbled up in her chest. “Jace, you don’t show enough emotion to be even borderline emo.”
Jace’s shoulders relaxed and he moved closer to her.
Nope. She was not letting her guard down. Not now.
She brushed past him and into the kitchen. “Can I help you with anything?”
Mia opened the door to the oven and pulled out a chicken, the skin roasted a golden brown. “It’s perfect.”
Setting the chicken on top of the oven, Mia indicated a wooden bowl filled with a colorful salad. “Do you want to help take the food out to the table?”
Mia followed with a couple side dishes.
“I’m curious,” Mia said in a low tone as they set the food on the old wooden table. “How did you meet my nephew?”
“Um…well…” How much should she confess? Obviously Mia had an idea, and even though Jace told her not to read too much into it, it was apparent Mia was not going to let go.
Mia smiled, her blue eyes calm and welcoming—the same smile Jace wore when he was trying to figure out how to sway someone to his side.
“I’m the event coordinator for Sun Tech’s Houston launch. Jace hired me after I helped to launch San Francisco and LA.” She straightened a knife on the table.
“Ah, so that’s how you two met.” Mia nudged her softly in the ribs. “I was wondering when a woman would win him over. I was worried he was becoming a bit of a hermit.” She paused. “Anyway. I’m so happy you’ve come into his life. I think Jace was more lonely than he was willing to admit.”
Guilt twisted low in her gut. It felt misleading to give his aunt any ideas.
“Jace is right, though. I wouldn’t read too much into it. I’m not going to be in Houston for much longer,” she confessed in a low voice.
“Tsk. If it’s meant to be, you two will find a way.” Mia patted her hand as Jace came out with the chicken on a platter.
Dinner was amazing. She couldn’t remember the last time she ate so well. It didn’t help that the second her plate was empty, Jace loaded it up with more food.
The conversation fell into an easy rhythm of daily life, upcoming events, and Mia’s attempts at embarrassing Jace with childhood stories.
Mia leaned over her plate. “Did he tell you about his senior prom? It was—”
“A blast,” Jace interrupted. “I was a good kid, and I didn’t get caught with anything. My aunt did not have two cops call to have her pick me up from a hotel parking lot where I stood puking in the bushes. That did not happen at all.”
Her fork nearly fell from her hand.
“Jace? In trouble?” Not the uptight Jace she knew.
Mia pointed her fork at Jace. “You’re lucky I owned their favorite coffee shop.”
“I need to know this story.”
“No way,” Jace said. “Let’s save the embarrassment for another time.”
Mia leaned over and winked. “I’ll tell you sometime over drinks.”
Jace dropped his head into his hands and groaned. “Don’t make me regret inviting Hailey over. Keep this up, and I’ll take he
r home.”
“I’ll grab her number before you leave. Nice try, Jace David Hartman.”
Hailey laughed, loving the banter between aunt and nephew. It was obvious they meant a lot to each other.
Jace straightened and grinned, his gaze catching hers. He leaned over and brushed his hand over her thigh and squeezed right about her knee.
This happy, relaxed version of Jace was entirely too sexy. It was impossible to keep her eyes off the man.
And even more impossible to keep her guard up.
She caught Mia’s knowing glance and shoved Jace’s hand off her leg.
Mia grabbed another piece of bread. “How’s Sun Tech coming along?”
The change in Jace was instantaneous. All at once, his ease evaporated.
Hailey cringed as Jace’s whole body went rigid, and the corners of his mouth pulled tight.
“It’s fine.” Jace’s sounded almost robotic.
Mia paused, brows raised, then popped a piece of crust into her mouth. “You don’t look fine.”
“Then it’s going better than I look,” Jace muttered. Tension rolled off him in waves, stifling the cheery mood.
Mia exchanged a glance with Hailey.
And just like that, she was worried about Evan again. Her stomach twisted. With her belly filled to the brim with dinner, she suddenly felt too full.
She pushed back her chair. “Mind if I use your bathroom?”
“Down the hall and to your left, dear,” Mia said.
She couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
The bathroom was tiny and tidy. Hailey closed the door and pressed her forehead against the cool wood. On the other side, she could hear the soft murmur of conversation. Not wanting to eavesdrop, she turned on the water and washed her hands.
After another few minutes, her stomach settled. She took a deep breath and opened the door.
“What more do you want me to say? Sun Tech is done. I got the email this morning from Evan. He has a company lined up ready to buy his share.”
Hailey froze as Jace’s low voice carried down the hall.
“That man is a bully. If he wants to sell, let him,” Mia said.
“No, Sun Tech needs him. Evan is good at what he does, and he provides a lot of financial backing. I know what I’m getting with Evan, and I don’t with this new guy. He could be some self-entitled jerk for all I know.” Jace’s voice was brittle.