Page 35 of Dangerous Curves

“I did actually. I needed it. I’m getting a little too old for that late of a night,” I tell him, as I laugh and collect the coffee order. “Besides, it’s the least I could do.”

“Well, I got us a taxi and the luggage is being loaded.” I hand him his cup and a bag holding his favorite blueberry muffin. As we head outside and slide into the back seat, Jaxx looks inside the bag. He chuckles and looks over at me. “You remembered?”

I shrug. “You’re not the only one who remembers things, you know?”

“Apparently not.” When Jaxx and I first started dating I spent hours of my free time trying to master a blueberry muffin recipe. As soon as I found out they were his favorite, I knew I had to. I can’t even begin to tell you how many batches I burned or messed up before I finally got one that worked. Baking is definitely not my strong suit. By the time I gave him a homemade blueberry muffin, they were perfect. I made them weekly after that. Jaxx eats the muffin as I watch the city around us.

“Here we are,” the taxi driver announces.

Jaxx nods. “Do you mind waiting for us? Leave the timer running, I’ll pay whatever it costs. I just don’t want to move the luggage again.”

“Yes sir.” The taxi driver pulls into a parking garage down the street. As we climb out he rolls the window down. “The two of you make a lovely couple.”

I blush and take Jaxx’s hand in mine. He smiles down at me and he leads me to our next destination. The Empire State building comes into view and my heart stutters. Surely, this isn’t our destination? “Here we are,” he announces. By the time we make it through the building, onto the elevator and to the top of the building, I still haven’t said anything. “I really hope your silence isn’t a bad sign.”

I swallow down the lump of emotion in my throat. “I always wanted to come here. It’s what made me fall in love with New York City as a kid.”

“I know. Sleepless in Seattle, right?” I nod my head. “You told me back when we were just friends and I was trying to get past your wall of defenses.”

We walk towards the edge. From here the city below looks so small. Almost as if nothing else matters. “I always wanted to share this moment with someone I loved, like they did in the movie. I get to do that now.” I step towards him and wrap my arms around his waist and bury my face in his chest, breathing in his spicy scent. “Thank you.”

“Anything for you pretty girl,” he tells me. Is it possible that second chances are better than the first?

Thirty-One

Jaxx

The flight home is a long one but with Kenndrix by my side it’s not bad. We laugh and talk the whole way there. She even busts out her trusty word search books and we find hidden words for a few hours. I tease her about becoming part of the mile high club. Of course, she rolled her eyes. When I insist again, she tells me to dream on but can she really blame me?

This weekend has been like a dream. I just knew last night when I opened the door, she was walking away from me. Maybe, part of me feels like that’s what I deserve considering I walked away from her last time. Even if my intentions were for the break to be temporary, or for her to see herself the way I did, I still walked away. I think a part of me will always feel guilty for the time lost between us. She mentioned she has carried a burden of guilt for the exact same thing. I had told her to dismiss that thought and feeling, but I’m still carrying mine. I knew she had years' worth of cruel words in her head. Those words had warped the way she saw and thought about herself. I was fighting against so much as well as her anxiety. It was something I had learned early on, so I’ve always had to wonder if walking away was the best decision. I guess it doesn’t matter now. We’re here now, but I can’t shake the feelings of guilt. Every time I look into those jade green eyes it hits me.

Then there’s the problem I have to deal with once we get home. Poppy. We may not have an actual relationship, but I still need to make it clear that whatever we had going on between us is done and over. She’s not going to like it. In fact, she’s going to hate it and probably throw one hell of a fit. If she finds out I’m ending it because of Kenndrix, she’ll go after her in any form she can. Poppy can’t handle the idea of anyone else getting something she can’t have. She’s insanely jealous and possessive. It’s important to keep Kenndrix out of the crosshairs from the fallout which poses a new problem since I don’t want to be away from Kenndrix, even for a moment.

The flight is almost over so I turn back to see Kenndrix is writing as fast as possible in a notebook. Inspiration must have struck. I remember laughing every time it hit her. She’d run for pen and paper just to get the idea out before she lost it. Then again, I guess it’s also how she’s managed to become such a huge name in Hollywood for her screenplays. “So, what are your plans when we land?” I ask.

“Well, I need to go home and check on things, take a shower and maybe start a load of laundry. Why?” she asks, as she looks up at me.

I’m suddenly nervous to ask her if she wants to come to my place. It’s almost as if the magic of New York City is gone now and I’m not sure what to expect or how to act. “I was going to say that you could come over to my place if you want. Rome should be heading back to Napa Valley today so we’d have the place to ourselves.” She studies me, but remains quiet. “Or, I could come to your place if you want.”

“I’ll come over. I need to swing by Kynlee’s and check in as well as call my mom. I can call you when I’m on my way. I don’t think it’ll be too late,” she says. I take her hand in mine and squeeze it.

Once we land, we gather our luggage and head outside. I give her the first taxi but not before I pull her into my arms and breathe her in. I hate the thought of her going somewhere without me, but I know that’s silly. “I have something for you.” She looks up at me, a curious look in her eyes. I pull a key to my house out of my pocket and hold it up for her to see. “Take this that way you don’t even have to call. Come over whenever you want. The security code is 0316.”

“Jaxx, you don’t have to do this,” she says. I can see the hesitation in her face.

I smile. “I know, but I want to.”

She nods and takes the key then rises up to her on tip toes and kisses me. “I’ll see you in a bit.” She turns and heads for the taxi but she turns back around. Your security code is our anniversary date?”

With a shrug I reply, “Yeah, I always had a piece of you with me.”

I stand on the sidewalk and watch as her taxi leaves the airport parking lot. Eventually, I get a taxi and head home. When I pull up, I’m shocked to still see Rome’s truck sitting in my driveway, but that makes getting inside easier. I was planning on grabbing my bike and heading to Ace’s to grab my other spare key, but if Rome is still here, he can just let me in. As I collect my luggage, jet lag finally hits me. I expected it. I’ve never been a great traveler and seeing my house, knowing my large, comfy bed is just steps away makes sleepiness settle in. I pay the taxi driver and head for the door. After ringing the doorbell twice, Rome finally answers the door. He laughs when he realizes it’s me. “Well, I’ll be damned you get lost or something?”

“Or something,” I reply, as I step inside. “I’m shocked you’re still here.”

“I was just packing up. I spent some extra time with mom today so I’m running later than I expected.” Rome helps me bring my luggage up to my bedroom.

“How was she?” I ask.

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