Chapter 18 #2
"I agree," Hunter cut in. "As long as you're not wanted by the law, it's not really our business."
"I'm not so sure about that," Grayson muttered.
"Josie trusts him," Lexie told Grayson. "That should be enough for all of us."
Grayson held up a hand in surrender. "Fine. I'll back off."
"Why don't you join us for some wine?" Emmalyn suggested.
"You should do that, Kaia," Jax cut in before she could respond. "I'll talk to you tomorrow. Goodnight, everyone."
She was taken aback by his abrupt departure. She'd been planning to go to his apartment to listen to Reina's song, but clearly Jax had been thrown by the press showing up at the building and also by Grayson's sharp questions.
"Kaia?" Em asked, holding up the bottle.
"I don't need any wine, thanks."
"Sorry we ran Jax off," Lexie said, giving Grayson a pointed look.
"It's fine. Thanks for protecting Jax's privacy."
"If we're going to protect him, we need to know who he is," Grayson said again. "Although I'm getting that's an unpopular opinion."
"We don't butt into people's private lives," Lexie told Grayson.
He gave her an astonished look. "What are you talking about? You're always butting into people's lives."
"Not when they've asked for privacy," Lexie said. "There's a fine line."
"Okay," Grayson said. "If you're all comfortable with his secrets, then I'll go along."
"I hope your dad will be alright, Kaia," Em said.
"Me, too. We'll know more tomorrow. I'll give you an update after I talk to Ben."
"You better," Lexie said. "And if you need anything, let us know."
"I will." As she left the table, she started toward her door, then veered down the corridor and knocked on Jax's door. Her friends could probably see her from where they were sitting, but she didn't really care.
He opened the door a moment later. "Kaia, I think we should call it a night."
"I want to hear Reina's song."
Conflict ran through his gaze, then finally, he said, "Okay, but after that, we say goodnight."
"Sure." As she stepped into his apartment, she could see the lines of tension in his face. "Are you angry about what Grayson said, or because a photographer showed up here?"
He ran a hand through his hair, his gaze filled with shadowy emotions she couldn't quite understand.
"I know you're not mad at me," she added. "Because I've been delightful."
Her teasing words brought a reluctant smile to his lips. "You have been delightful."
"When I wasn't stressed out about my dad, something you helped me get over. So maybe I can return the favor."
"My life is getting more complicated by the minute. You don't want to be in the middle of it."
"I told you before, that's my decision. You're not persuading me to do anything. I'm here because I want to be here. I'm sorry that the photographer found this building."
"He'll be back."
"Probably," she agreed. "But I hope you're not going to pack your bag and take off tonight, because tomorrow is the Fourth of July, and there's going to be a barbecue, a bonfire on the beach, fireworks. It would be fun to do that with you."
"You are a difficult woman to say no to."
"Then don’t say no. Now, can I hear the song?" She set down her bag and curled up on the couch while he turned on the record player.
As the song began, he sat down next to her, and she slid closer to him as Reina's amazing voice filled the room.
She sang about letting go of sadness, grabbing on to hope, themes that resonated within her, and also made her think about Reina's love affair with Walter.
She hadn't heard from Ella since their visit and was beginning to wonder if she ever would.
But it seemed difficult to believe that a woman who could sing so passionately about love wouldn't want to reconnect with the man she'd written a special love song for.
When the record ended, Jax got up to shut it off.
"I can see why Walter fell in love with her voice," she said. "It grabs you, and it doesn't let go."
"Do you want to hear Anita's record now?"
"No. I think I'll stick with Reina."
He sat down next to her on the couch and picked up her hand. "Still hoping Reina will want to talk to Walter?"
"Yes. Ella said she'd let us know either way, so I hope she keeps that promise." She'd no sooner finished speaking when her phone buzzed.
Jax let go of her hand as she reached for her bag on the coffee table and pulled out her phone. She was afraid it might be Ben texting with bad news, but the number was Ella's. "It's her," she said in surprise. "It's Ella."
"That's crazy timing. What did she say?"
She read the text aloud: My aunt says she would like to meet Walter if he wants to meet her. She's free on Tuesday the fifth. I'll coordinate a time and place if you let me know when Walter is available.
"You got your wish," Jax said.
"I almost can't believe it. I can't wait to tell Walter." She checked her watch. "It's too late to call him now. I'll try in the morning before I go to work." She gave him a happy smile. "This is going to be amazing."
"I hope so. But maybe set your expectations a little lower than amazing."
"I can't do that. I have a good feeling about this. Don't you?"
"Well, your enthusiasm is contagious, so I'm feeling optimistic. But remember these people haven't seen each other in fifty-something years and they've been married to other people. They have children and grandchildren. Maybe they just meet and say hello and that's the end of it."
"Or it could just be the beginning. Whatever happens, they're going to see each other. The rest is up to them. Sometimes, all people need is a chance, a lucky break…"
His gaze turned more serious. "You're right, Kaia. Sometimes, it is just about getting a chance…"
He lifted his hand, his fingers brushing lightly against her cheek, as if giving her time to pull away. She didn’t. She couldn't.
His thumb slid along her jaw, roughened fingertips catching beneath her chin as he leaned toward her slowly, carefully, like this mattered too much to rush.
And somehow that tenderness undid her more than urgency ever could.
When his mouth finally touched hers, the kiss was soft at first, almost searching, as if asking a quiet question neither of them was brave enough to ask out loud.
Her fingers curled into the front of his T-shirt as warmth spread through her chest, dissolving the last of the uncertainty she’d been carrying around for weeks.
She kissed him back, wrapping her arms around him, needed to get as close to him as possible.
His hand tightened at her waist, and the kisses between them turned to passion and exploration, every taste building a desire that felt almost overwhelming.
She wanted to keep going. She wanted to strip away the barriers between them, including their clothes, but Jax was pulling away, and she looked at him in confusion.
"What's wrong?"
His gaze filled with regret. "I want this to happen, but…"
"Let's just go with I want this to happen."
"I don't want you to have regrets. It's been a long day for you, a lot of emotional turmoil. I don't know if this is the right time."
"You know what is never the right time? Perfect dates with a fancy restaurant and expensive wine and the perfect setting, the perfect lighting, the perfect conversation."
"I'm getting the idea you don't like perfect," he said with a smile, pulling a strand of hair away from her face.
"I like real, and this is real." She paused. "It's the right time for me if it's the right time for you. Only you can decide that."
His decision came in the form of another kiss, this one hotter, more demanding. There was no uncertainty, just desire, longing, and connection. And she didn't care about what had happened before or what might happen tomorrow. She wanted him, and he wanted her. Sometimes, it was just that simple.