Page 7 of Then Came Love
JAX WAS BEGINNING to understand the shadows he’d seen in Jordan’s eyes, and it crushed him. She obviously wasn’t used to others accepting her sadness, and knowing how she’d spent Christmas, he didn’t have to look far to figure out who’d caused that. He bit back the things he wanted to say about the man who sure as hell didn’t deserve her. He wasn’t Jax’s concern, but this incredible woman was, and his protective urges surged.
He gazed into her sad eyes and brushed a tear from her cheek. “It came from your heart, and matters of the heart should never be withheld or apologized for.” He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before going to his desk to retrieve a handkerchief. He handed it to her as he lowered himself to the couch.
“I have tissues.” She reached for her bag so quickly, he knew she wasn’t used to being taken care of in this way, either, and wondered if that was because of her fiancé, or if this was her own resilience shining through.
He touched her hand. “Use mine.”
She sighed, her shoulders dropping. “Thank you.” She dabbed at her eyes.
“You don’t have to tell me how you lost your family, but I’m here if or when you want to talk about it.”
“Jax, I came to talk about a wedding dress, not cry on your shoulder.”
“In order to design your gown, I have to know who you are, how you think, what you want and why, and I can tell from what you’ve already told me that your family plays a big part in who you are. So please don’t be embarrassed for being sad. My shoulders are good for a lot of things, and crying on is one of them.” He was afraid she might try to leave, and he wasn’t ready for their time together to end. “I have an idea.”
He rose to his feet and reached for her hand. She looked at him curiously as she took it, and he helped her up. “Do you have any food allergies?”
“No. Why?”
“Because you’re in for a treat.” He kept a hold of her hand and headed out of his office, earning the smile that was both cute and sexy and had been in the forefront of his mind for months. She had bright white, straight teeth, save for the tooth to the right of her two front teeth, which was crooked, and that uniqueness made her even more attractive.
“Jax,” she said with a laugh as they walked outside, and he locked the door behind them. “Where are we going?”
“Emmaline’s.”
“I love Emmaline’s.”
They headed down the street and into the café, greeted by the savory scents of fresh-roasted coffee and warm baked goods. Emmaline’s could put anyone in a good mood, with yellow walls boasting beautiful paintings from local artists and an enormous chalkboard announcing today’s specialty coffees in pink, desserts in green, and bright yellow starbursts with inspirational sayings like Share your smile. It’s free and contagious! and Create a life you love! Customers sat at round tables on the first floor, and toward the back of the café, a spiral staircase led to a loft with additional seating.
Several women were checking Jax out. He put a hand on Jordan’s back to ward off the oglers and stepped into line behind a customer Emmaline O’Connor, a vivacious brunette, was ringing up. Jordan peered into the pastry display cases, her eyes dancing with delight, and man, he liked that look on her.
“Which one are you thinking about?” Jax asked.
“An easier question is which ones I’m not thinking about. I have a mouth full of sweet teeth. What’s your favorite?”
You.A slow grin spread across his face.
She tilted her head, eyes still gleaming. “Do you ever turn the charm off?”
“Apparently not around you.”
“You are a major flirt,” she said as they stepped up to the counter.
“You must have Jax confused with someone else.” Emmaline winked at him and lowered her voice. “He doesn’t need to flirt. Panties magically melt when he walks into a room.”
Jax chuckled, and Jordan rolled her eyes.
“See for yourself.” Emmaline lifted her chin in the direction of a table of three women who were eyeing him up.
Jordan followed her gaze, then set a coy smirk on Jax. “I can invite them to sit with us, if you’d like.”
He added that snark to the growing list of things he liked about her. “I’d much rather give you my undivided attention.” Acutely aware of Emmaline listening to their conversation, he added, “So we can discuss your wedding gown without interruption. I was thinking we’d take a walk after we get our order. How does that sound?”
That smirk turned into a sweet smile. “That sounds nice.”
“What can I get you guys?” Emmaline asked.
Jax arched a brow at Jordan. “Do you trust me?”
“That’s a loaded question. Sure.”
“We’ll take two of my special lattes and two almond croissants to go.”
“Your special lattes?” Jordan asked. “What’s in them?”
“A gentleman never tells.”
She looked at Emmaline, but Emmaline shook her head. “Sorry, Jordan, but I’ve been sworn to secrecy.”
As Emmaline went to make their drinks, Jordan said, “Do all women do as you ask?”
“Talk about a loaded question.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite like you, Mr. Braden.” Her brows knitted, and she studied him for a moment. “Why didn’t you bring a date to the wedding?”
“I told you I’ve been off my game lately.”
Emmaline returned with their order. They paid, and Jordan took a sip of her latte as they headed outside.
