Running Into Love - The Complete Box Set

by Annalisa Nicole

  I lose track of time and the next time I look at my watch, it’s eleven and the lunch rush will be starting soon. What the hell? Why didn’t she show up? I walk out to the front to find Gabrielle.

  “Did a woman stop by for me? I forgot to tell you I was expecting someone.”

  “No, no one stopped in this morning,” Gabrielle answers, looking me in the eyes.

  Well, there’s nothing I can do about that now. I need to help Parker finish and then it will be nonstop crazy in here until closing. The weekends are usually a madhouse. And I’ll be taking off all day tomorrow to take the girls to their grandparents, so I need to get as much done today as I can.

  As expected, the restaurant was packed, which is great for business, but I really wanted to find out why Ava was a no show. After the restaurant closed, I locked myself in my office to close out everything for today and do everything I can for tomorrow to make it easier for Parker and the rest of the staff. I don’t get home until after one in the morning.

  I haul my tired ass downstairs and hit it hard. Showered and drained and barely able to function, I head upstairs and fall into bed. I’m asleep even before I can pull the covers up.

  Sunday morning my eyes pop open to the girls standing over me fully dressed and ready to go to Nana and Papa’s.

  “We’ve already eaten, can we go now?” they ask in unison.

  I glance at the clock and it’s not even six. Today will run on three hours of sleep.

  “Give your old man a minute to get up and have at least one cup of coffee, then we can hit the road.”

  Squeals and shrills ensue, then they rush down the stairs yelling, “We’ll make you coffee.”

  I rush out of bed downstairs before they make a mess in my kitchen. But when I walk in the kitchen, it’s already too late. There is an open box of cereal spilled all over the counter top and on the floor. The milk container is open and still sitting on the counter. Quinn is sitting at the bar top with her laptop, ignoring it all.

  “Quinn, what the…”

  But I don’t finish the sentence. Both sets of the girl’s eyes come to me. Sky takes a breath in ready to repeat and scold me.

  I hold up my finger at Sky and stop what I’d really love to scream in Quinn’s face.

  I take a deep breath and bend down to Quinn’s level and raise my eyebrows at her. She ignores me, grabs her laptop, and heads upstairs.

  Chapter 8

  Ava

  This weekend has been a strange one. Saturday, I was supposed to meet Jax at his restaurant, and I was ecstatic to finally learn what the hell is in that damn ketchup. But when I got there and walked up to the hostess stand, there was a stunning blonde standing there putting menus together. I told her I was supposed to be meeting Jax, and that he was expecting me.

  She looked surprised and said, “Oh, I’m sorry he isn’t in just yet.”

  I was confused and told her, “But that’s his vehicle in the back parking lot.”

  Then she said, “Yes, it is, but he left.”

  “Did he say when he’d be back?” I asked.

  “No, he didn’t say,” she plainly stated.

  To say that I was confused and a little hurt would be an understatement. After everything he said and everything we did, I would have thought he’d have at least told her to ask me to wait, or at least leave me a message or something. I wrote my name and cell phone number on a piece of paper and gave it to her. She took it with a disgusted look on her face, then plastered a fake as hell, full of attitude smile on her face. God, I hope I don’t look like that when I plaster a fake smile on my face.

  So, I left a little hurt. I headed to my bomb-went-off-in-it-office and spent the remainder of the day organizing it and getting as much as I could done. I knew I wouldn’t be able to spend as much time as I’d like on Sunday because of dinner, so I stayed all day and into the night getting my opening statement just perfect for Monday. I went home not even sure what to do with myself. I went to bed and fell asleep slightly more than a little hurt that Jax didn’t call at all tonight to apologize for blowing me off.

  Sunday morning I wake up and make my perfect, just-the-way-I-love-it coffee, and head out onto the balcony. Yesterday, I was able to clean up everything, and I have one killer of an opening statement prepared. I’m going to go into the office in just a little bit and do some additional research, then I’ll head to dinner at my mom’s. After dinner, I have to go to the grocery store. My supply of Pop-Tarts is gone, and I need to replace the bag of Swedish Fish Jax stole from me.

  As I sip my coffee while still in my pajamas, I curl up in the lounger and enjoy the warm morning sun on my face. I don’t get to enjoy many days like this. I finish my cup and place it in the sink. I still haven’t seen Savvy. On my way back to my room, I slowly and carefully open her door and peek in her room. Her back is turned to me and she’s still sleeping. She must have worked late last night at the bar. I wanted to ask her if she’s coming to dinner tonight with me.

  I get in the shower and dress casual for the day. I love being able to go into the office and not have to wear a suit. I still rock a pair of jeans and an off the shoulder short sleeve t-shirt with high heel stilettos. That’s just how I roll. I wave at Gus on my way up, and smile at myself when I walk into a completely organized and clean office. This is exactly how I function, and it just makes my heart happy.

  I work through the day, and at four I head out and straight to my mom’s house. When I get there, all of the family is already there. When I walk in the door, I’m hit with pleasant aromas and loud, happy conversations. The second I walk in though, Max’s eyes come to me and he makes a beeline straight to me. He grabs my arm and pulls me through the house and out into the backyard.

  “Dude, what the hell?” I ask.

  “You didn’t return my texts, or my calls,” he growls.

  “I’ve been busy. I was going to find out what you wanted today at dinner. Why, what’s going on?” I ask concerned.

  I’m not sure if it’s my life I’m concerned about, or the fact that he’s freaking out. Max doesn’t do freaked out. Well, except when he thought he’d lost Chloe, but that’s a totally different story.

  “Have you seen Savvy?” he barks.

  “Savvy? Yes, I’ve seen her.” Then I think about it for a second. Other than seeing the back of her head in bed this morning, I really haven’t seen her. “Now that I think about it, no, I really haven’t seen her. Why?”

  “Well, which is it? Have you seen her or not?” he hisses still holding my arm.

  “Do you want to tell me what the hell is going on? And would you kindly let go of me?” I demand.

  “She’s been calling off work for the past week and a half. She’s not showing up for work at the bar either, Garry called me worried about her, too. I’m going to put a tail on her if I don’t start getting some answers,” he says, letting go of my arm. He runs his hands through his hair in frustration.

  “I only saw the back of her head this morning. She was asleep in her bed when I left to go into the office. Other than that, no, I really haven’t seen her. I left a note on her door before I left telling her I was coming to dinner tonight, and that I hoped to see her here. I just thought she was working a lot of hours at the bar. She doesn’t get in until late and she goes straight to her room. She’s working two jobs and goes to nursing school full-time; she’s probably just taking a well-needed break from work. You don’t think there’s anything bad going on. Do you?” I ask scared.

  “I’m not sure. I’m going to find out though. I have a bad feeling about this,” he concludes.

  Chloe opens the back door and looks at Max with concern. He shakes his head, then goes back into the house. He pulls out his cell phone from his jeans and puts it to his ear as the two of them disappear into the house.

  Adrian comes outside with me and asks, “How’s the case coming?”

  I sigh, and then plaster a smile on my face to hide my concern. “It’s coming along great. Openi
ng statements start tomorrow. I’m as ready as I can be.”

  “Little girl, don’t think you’re pulling one over on me. I know that look. You’re scared out of your mind. I know you’ll do great. You’re one hell of a lawyer. I’d say I’d help you in any way I can, but I know how stubborn you are, you get that from Mom. But, I know you’ll do everything you can in this case to get justice. That you get from Dad,” he says, putting his hand on my shoulder.

  He gives it a squeeze, then walks in the house. I plop my butt in a chair on the deck and bury my hands in my face.

  I hadn’t given my dad a thought in the past few days. I’ve been so busy. Then I get upset with myself, because I think this is the first time I haven’t thought about him like fifty times in a day. The promise I made to him at his grave got pushed to the side, and now all thoughts of him are being pushed to the side, too. A tear slides down my cheek as the door opens again.

  “Dinner’s ready,” Amelia says, poking her head out the door.

  I wipe the tear away, plaster another fake smile on my face and head inside. The dinner table is full, elbow-to-elbow as usual. A full place setting sits on the table in front of my dad’s vacant chair.

  I take my seat and glance back down to the head of the table. Guilt and sadness rip through my heart. I can feel a full on cry session starting to build in my chest, but before the dam breaks, Asher stands and clinks his fork on his water glass. Announcements are nothing rare at family dinners. This is where everyone gets together and shares new and exciting things with the rest of the family. It’s where we all come together and stay connected. It’s only been about three and half years since Willow beat cancer, so it can’t be his traditional, here’s another charm for your bracelet speech.

  “I’d like to make an announcement,” he says, looking down to his wife. “Willow may kill me for this, but I just can’t wait any longer to tell everyone. We’re expecting baby number three,” he says proudly, beaming from ear to ear.

  The whole table erupts with excitement and congratulations. Shay’s pregnant and now Willow is pregnant, too. That bubbling of emotion is quickly coming back. I shut it down quickly telling myself this is what I asked for. This is everything I’ve wanted since I can remember. I plaster that smile that’s become all too familiar on my face, and kiss Asher on the cheek and tell Willow my congratulations.

  After dinner, Amelia comes up to me and elbows me in the side. “It’ll be alright,” she whispers.

  I’m confused and give her a, ‘what on earth are you talking about’ look. “What’ll be alright?”

  “I saw it written all over your face. That slice of pain in your eye when Asher announced they’re having another baby. Honestly, I had that same look. Kyle and I have been trying to get pregnant again for a while now without any success. It will happen for you some day. I just know it,” she says, as her voice quavers.

  I didn’t have anything to say to that. I pull her to me and give her a giant squeeze. Everyone is gathered in the living room talking away. It’s just so different than it used to be. Before my dad passed away, all the men would disappear into the study for an after dinner scotch. Now, it seems no one can even go in there. Instead of joining them, I head to his study. The second I walk in, I’m hit with his scent. It’s mixed with the smells of old books and leather. His study has always held such great memories for me. I can remember rushing in here after school with another A paper. He’d always drop whatever he was doing and sit me on his lap. He always made me feel like I was the most important thing to him in that moment in time.

  I remember the day I graduated valedictorian from high school. He called me in here, gave me the warmest hug, congratulated me and told me how proud he was of me.

  I also remember the day I graduated from college, the day he gave me my favorite yellow blouse. I knew from that day on that it would bring me good luck. That was also the day he handed me a rather big check as a graduation gift. I used it for the down payment on my condo. I know it wasn’t because he favored me or thought I was more special than my brothers and sister, because I know for a fact he gave each of us the exact same dollar amount when each of them graduated from college.

  I take a seat in his brown leather, smoking chair. A matching one sits opposite a small round table. I can remember sitting in these chairs doing schoolwork as he worked at his desk. It was here I decided that I wanted to become a lawyer. Sitting in the center of the table is his crystal decanter with matching rock glasses. I always thought this set was just so old fashioned, and I could never believe that people still entertained in libraries and served scotch like this. My dad wasn’t really ever a smoker, but I can remember special occasions and holidays that he’d light up a cigar and sit in this chair. I remember Asher, Adrian, and Aiden got in huge trouble one time when they got caught trying to smoke in here, too. They were trying to light the cigars as they were, they had no idea you needed to cut the end off before you light it. We had so much fun as kids, so many good memories.

  Mom comes in the room with a smile. “I thought I’d find you in here. You always loved coming in here to spend time with your dad.” She takes a seat in the other chair and flips two glasses right side up, takes the stopper out of the scotch and pours some in each glass. “This room holds a lot of good memories,” she says, looking around. She hands me a glass and holds out hers toward me. “To the good memories yet to come,” she says. I pick up my glass, clink it against hers and take a drink. The warm liquid slides down the back of my throat and warms my stomach. She takes one last swallow, then stands and says, “Don’t get too lost in here.”

  I raise my glass to her and take another swallow as she leaves the room. She closes the door behind her; I stand, raise my glass to my dad’s chair behind his desk and take the final swallow. As I walk to the door, I stop dead in my track when I remember that Jax had totally called it. He said outside the courthouse that Asher and Willow were pregnant. I roll my eyes and join my family out in the family room.

  Amelia grabs my hand and pulls me into the seat next to her on the couch. She pats my leg, then we seamlessly join in the conversation with the rest of the family.

  I gave all my nieces and nephews squeezes, kiss my mom, brothers, and sister on the cheek and leave around nine. That was a lot later than I wanted to stay, but that seems to happen whenever we all get together. There’s just no safer place on earth then by the ones you love.

  I head to the grocery store and pull a shopping cart out of the corral; I browse up and down the aisles, not finding anything that interests me. When I get to the candy aisle, I grab five of the largest bags of Swedish Fish I can find. These will have to do until I can get to the warehouse store. Down the cereal aisle, I grab four boxes of Pop-Tarts, then head straight to the frozen food section. I open a bag of Swedish Fish on the way and start munching. I’m so full from dinner at my mom’s, but Swedish Fish aren’t really food, right?

  Once in the frozen food section, I grab a few boxes of frozen waffles, telling myself that the chocolate chip ones are in some way healthier than Pop-Tarts. I pull my cart next to the frozen entree section and start loading up box after box. I put some of the healthier options along with the ones that are purely for comfort purposes. I pop another handful of candy in my mouth, and when I turn around, I run smack dab in the middle of the iron washboard abs that belong to Jax. I look up with a fish tail hanging out of my mouth, and by the look on his face, he’s not in a good mood.

  “You didn’t stop by yesterday, I thought we had plans,” he booms.

  “We did. At least I thought we did,” I reply, popping the tail in my mouth without any hands.

  I close the door with my foot, grab my cart and start heading down the aisle. Jax puts his two large hands on the front of my cart and stops me.

  “Then why didn’t you show up?” he questions.

  “Me? Why didn’t you show up?” I return.

  “I was at the restaurant all day, waiting for you,” he claims.

/>   “Look, I walked in, said I was there to see you and the blonde in the front said you weren’t there. I left my name and my cell phone number to give to you when you got back. You didn’t call,” I state.

  “I didn’t get your message, and I was at the restaurant. I’ll add Gabrielle to the list of people I’m going to have conversations with,” he says angrily.

  I roll my eyes at him, push my cart around him and head toward the checkout registers.

  “Where do you think you’re going with this cart?” he asks.

  “To pay,” I say obviously.

  He stops my cart, grabs it from the front and pulls it back toward the frozen food aisle. When he gets to the first frozen entree door, he starts unloading my cart back on the shelf. In the wrong place! I may explode just knowing that the wrong boxes are being put back where they don’t belong.

  “What are you doing?” I ask angrily.

  “You’re not eating this garbage,” he states.

  I start to grab the ones he’s put back and place them back in my cart. He, in turn, puts them back on the shelf. At this point, we’re destroying the frozen food section. He grabs them all in one handful and puts them back, then grabs my cart and heads down the aisle. Oh no. Please tell me it’s not to the breakfast aisle. He heads down that aisle and puts the Pop-Tarts back on the shelf, then heads toward the candy aisle. Now, that’s just going way too far!

  “You are not putting back my Swedish Fish!” I yell.

  We’ve gained interest from other shoppers who horrifically think that this is in some way funny. He put the four bags of unopened fish back on top of the M&M’s and walks toward the produce section. A section I’m completely unfamiliar with. I grab my one bag of Swedish Fish before he can find the closest trashcan and guard them with my life. Jax throws item after healthy item in my cart, heads down a few different aisles, then heads to the checkout. I don’t even care at this point, he better hope that these items are for him and I’ll just go grocery shopping at a different time.