Page 75 of Fake Dating Daxton Hawk
He gives me a tight-lipped smile. I don’t blame him. He always was a quiet one, and I’m basically a stranger to him now.
“It’s okay, Charlie,” Mom says. “Tell Daxton what we spoke about.”
Finally, he perks up a little and grins. “If anyone treats Aunt Shirley like she’s sick this weekend, she’ll bitch-slap them.”
I laugh at the kid’s answer.
Mom rests an arm on Charlie’s shoulder. “No, not that part, dear.”
“Oh. I’m really happy you’ve come home and I hope you’ll play with me again. Cookie?” Charlie holds the cookie tray toward me.
“Thanks, buddy,” I say, taking one. “These look amazing. And of course I’ll play with you.” I take a bite of the cookie and it’s delicious, exactly like the ones Mom baked when I was a child. I ruffle Charlie’s hair and stand up. “Mom, can we be serious for a moment. How are you?”
She waves her hand, dismissing the topic. “I have my good and bad days, but I’m doing fine. And Charlie was right—if any of you act like I’m sick, Iwillbitch-slap you.”
I let Mom off the hook for the time being, but wewillbe discussing her health at some point this weekend.
“I suppose Amabella hasn’t arrived yet?” When I mentioned I’d be attending the wedding after all, Amabella, being the amazing cousin she is, said she would be here too. I offered her a ride on my jet, but she said Josh would be attending as her date and that they’d fly together on his plane, giving them the freedom to turn this trip into an extended vacation touring wine country. I guess things are going well between the two.
“I believe Amabella will be arriving in a few hours,” Mom says. “Well, come inside. I’m sure you’re starving. Brad and Felicity are on the vineyard somewhere, setting up for the wedding. There’s more family hanging around the place. They’re all dying to see you.”
That sounds like a nightmare. “Actually, I’m a little tired from traveling. I could use some time to rest and freshen up before all the chaos begins.”
“There won’t be any chaos,” Mom says. I hope she’s right, but I don’t believe it. “Okay. Let me show you to your cottage.”
* * *
With the fast-approaching launch of The Hawk Grand Hotel LA, this visit to the vineyard has come at a terrible time for business. Despite the falling out with my mother, sheisimportant to me, so I’m making this weekend work. But that means squeezing in pockets of work during every chance I get.
After Mom settles me in my cottage, I spend the afternoon answering emails on my laptop, using the worst internet connection known to mankind. The cottage is luxurious but tiny, with only a studio living space, kitchenette, and bathroom. There’s no desk, so I have to work on the bed.
Throughout the afternoon, I hear other wedding guests arrive at their accommodation in nearby cottages. At around four p.m., Amabella’s laugh draws my attention from work. Mom must have told her which cottage I’m staying in.
I close my laptop and head out the door to greet Amabella. The second I step outside, my feet come to a halt. My body freezes and panic sets inhard.
Jordan is here.
Fuck.
How the hell is Jordan here?
She’s walking along a path with luggage and a small group of people.
“Hey, there’s Uncle Dax.” A familiar voice. I blink several times to clear my mind, realizing it’s Ally. She’s with Jordan. Amabella, Josh, and his teenage son, Dan, are too.
Jordan sees me and smiles. Herrealsmile, not the sad one I received all yesterday morning. She lets go of her suitcase and runs up to me, eagerly wrapping her arms around my neck.
“Please don’t be mad with me,” she says against my ear. “I hated the way things were left between us. Talking to you on the phone last night felt weird and I didn’t like it one bit. You said attending the weekend will be awkward for me, but I decided none of that matters. This is what you do when you care about someone. You support them through tough times. And Daxton, I care about you so damn much. You have no idea.” She releases her arms and peers up at me with her beautiful green eyes. “Plus, you told me to buy all these expensive dresses and I haven’t had an opportunity to wear them yet. That should be illegal.”
I smile at Jordan, masking how nervous I am about her being here. “I’m not mad, baby. I didn’t like how things felt between us either. You’re right, about everything.”
“Uncle Dax, I can’t believe you’ve been hiding Jordan from me all this time. She’s so nice,” Ally says, approaching up the path with her luggage.
Beside her, Amabella sends me a panicked apology with her eyes, then turns to Josh. “Hey, do you mind taking Ally and Dan to our cottage? I need to speak with Daxton for a moment.”
Josh nods and continues along the path with Ally and his son.
“Ally is the one you play the piano with?” Jordan asks me, nuzzling herself beneath my arm. “She told me all about it on the plane. She even said she’s going to give me piano lessons.”
