Chapter Ten
Jaxon
“Sorry I’m so late, but I had to go to two different florists to find someone who would sell me a single rose.”
“Thank you. It’s…beautiful. And really nice of you to go to all that trouble.
” Theo’s face turned pink, but his eyes were shining, and it made it all worth it.
Had no one ever done something special for this man?
He leaned in closer, and for a crazy second, I thought he might kiss me.
Hell, I could almost taste his soft lips.
“That George Winston is still here,” he whispered. “Probably thought you weren’t coming.”
I slid onto a barstool. “I don’t give a crap what he thinks. Only you.” Those words startled me as much as Theo. But I didn’t want him to think I was merely buttering him up and using pretty words, so I added, “But I’ll go get rid of him. Can I get a drink in the meantime?”
“Sure. Anything else? Something to eat, maybe?”
I had some surprises in store for him but decided to wait.
“No, thanks. I’m good for now.” I hopped off the stool. “Save me my spot.”
“I will,” he promised, and I realized he was still holding the rose. “I-I’ll put this in water.” His lashes fanned down to his cheeks. “Thanks again.”
I winked, and with my hands jammed in my pockets, I strolled over to where George sat.
“George. Fancy meeting you here. Kind of far from home, aren’t you?”
His pudgy hand set the glass on the bar top. “Well, it was so nice to meet your new friend last night, I wanted to see his place of business.”
“Theo does a great job running this on his own.” Did I sound defensive?
“Glad to see he’s not following in his father’s footsteps. The man was a troublemaker, from what I’ve learned,” George remarked, and my hackles rose.
“From what…you mean you investigated Theo’s family?” I sputtered. Saying I was outraged didn’t begin to cover it.
“I wouldn’t say investigated.” George swirled the last of his drink in the glass. “Just curious.”
“You know what they say about curiosity, George. Why don’t you stop worrying about my personal life and take care of your own?”
Color rose high in his face. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
My smile was pure innocence. “Oh, nothing. But if I had a wife and a family, I wouldn’t be sitting in a bar forty miles from home.”
“Worry about yourself, Polaris. I bet you’ve got a lot more skeletons than I do.”
With that parting shot, he tossed a bill onto the bar and walked out.
I hated people like Winston. So sure of their own place in life, they believed they could do and say anything without repercussions.
I’d grown up with kids like that—their families lived in the big houses on the other end of town, and no matter what trouble they got into, it was always swept away with a wink and a handshake.
But the last thing I needed was a deep dive into my background.
My poverty wasn’t a hazard to my candidacy.
The affair with a married professor? That was another story—one I planned on never revisiting.
We’d been discreet, and it had never come up in my run for district attorney.
I should be safe. I’d keep it from Theo because I instinctively knew he wouldn’t understand.
I stood, hands in my pockets, staring at the door.
“What’s wrong?”
A concerned Theo waited a short distance away, behind the bar. I refused to allow George to ruin my evening plans and decided to worry about his veiled threats another day.
“Not a thing.” I returned to my seat, where my drink awaited, and took a cooling sip. “That’s good. How’d it go tonight? Looks busy.”
“It has been,” Theo agreed. “Anytime more than one team is playing, it’s packed. Sunday will be even more crowded with the Kings playoff game.”
“Should I reserve my seat early?”
That adorable shade of pink I was fast becoming addicted to popped up on Theo’s cheeks.
Normally dressed in lumpy sweats or a hoody and baggy pants, tonight Theo wore close-fitting, dark-wash jeans and a green Henley that made his eyes glow like emeralds.
The sleeves were pushed up to his elbows, revealing red-gold hair on his muscular forearms.
Damn. How had I not noticed that before?
Theo was an undiscovered treasure. What was wrong with the men he’d met on dates?
“I’ll make sure there’s room for you.” He ducked his head. “Can I get you a snack or something?”
“No. I’ve got something planned for when you’re finished.”
“What?” He caught a plump lip between his teeth.
“Can’t tell you. It’s a surprise.”
Pink blossomed to red. “Oh. Okay. W-well, I’d better get going. See you soon.”
He hurried away, and I couldn’t help but check out his butt as he retreated.
“Fancy meeting you here, Jaxon.”
I glanced over my shoulder to see four deputy sheriffs right behind me. Jet and Harte, along with Emerson Kane and Dominic Starr, stood, matching smirks on their faces. Harte’s eyes danced, and I blushed. A rare occurrence, but then again, everything was proving to be upside down in my life lately.
“Is Appleton Falls safe tonight, or is law enforcement taking a break?” I shook their hands. “How’s it going, guys?”
“Good,” Jet answered. “We hired six new deputies, as our lieutenant wanted to beef up the force, and now have more than one team at a time on patrol.”
“Especially with the rise of drug use,” Starr added. “We’re also doing high school outreach.”
Kane squeezed his shoulder. “After everything Dom went through, he came up with the idea.”
“I agree. Good work, Deputy.”
He shrugged. “Anything to prevent what I saw from happening to the kids.”
“You and Theo seem to be getting pretty cozy.” Emerson grinned, and I knew he was thinking about the previous year and my failed attempt at seducing him.
“Yeah, well, he’s a very sweet man. Probably the nicest person I’ve ever met. I’m enjoying getting to know him better.”
“The rose was a nice touch.” Emerson nudged Starr. “How come you never do anything romantic for me?”
Starr’s blue eyes gleamed. “You want romance, Emmy?” Without another word, he picked Kane up and heaved him over his shoulder. “Let’s go home. See you guys.”
Jet and Harte busted out laughing, and Kane waved to us as he and Starr passed through the front door.
“Night!” he called out before the door slammed shut.
“They’re quite a pair,” I remarked.
“They sure are,” Jet agreed. “But Em was right. The rose was a very romantic gesture.”
It still rankled that Jet had come to my office to warn me off Theo, but I decided to be pleasant. I needed him in my corner. And to be fair, he might not have been too far off the mark, at least at that point. I’d thought of Theo immediately because I figured he’d be eager.
The fact that I was enjoying his company and found him interesting and attractive was a bonus…and I wasn’t sure what to make of it.
“Theo deserves someone to treat him special.”
“And that’s you?” Jet asked, hard eyes revealing the concern he was trying to hide. “I’m happy for Theo to find someone, but it should be a man who wants him because he’s a terrific person. Not because he can be used as part of a game. Even if he knows the score.”
“Theo is also an adult,” Harte reminded him, to my surprise. “Who can and should make his own decisions without any pressure either way from anyone.”
Red-cheeked, Jet opened his mouth as if to argue with his husband, then closed it.
“I’m just looking out for a friend,” he muttered.
Harte kissed his cheek and put an arm around him, giving him a squeeze. “I know, babe. And you are a good friend. I’m sure Jaxon understands your concerns.”
“I agree. I’m going to do everything possible for Theo not to get hurt,” I reassured them. “That’s why I’ve been honest with him from the beginning about my intentions. It’s his decision now.”
Harte wound a scarf over his face and pulled out gloves.
“We’d better get going. I heard bad weather’s coming, and ever since my accident, I hate driving in the snow.”
Jet ruffled his hair. “You just like staying home with me by the fire, who’re you kidding?”
The look that passed between them spoke of something well beyond physical, and while I didn’t understand it, I could appreciate how deep their connection ran. They communicated without speaking, anticipated each other’s needs without asking. It was rare—almost beautiful in its simplicity.
“See you.”
Hand in hand, they left Sweeny’s, and soon the bar emptied out, leaving me, Theo, and the servers, who were busy cleaning up. I decided to join in and help them instead of sitting and watching, so I grabbed some empty glasses and napkins.
“Jaxon Polaris clearing tables?” one of the servers teased as he pulled out a towel tucked into his apron’s waistband to wipe a tabletop.
“Well, hm, yes. I’d shake your hand, but…” I grinned, and he snickered.
“I’m Tony. I don’t think Theo would want you to be doing this.”
“Well, he’s busy in the other section, so we won’t tell him. I can’t sit here doing nothing while you and the other guy do all this.”
“Thanks. You’re waiting for him to go out after, I’m guessing?”
“Yeah.”
He finished with the table and lifted the tray. “He’s a great boss. And a great guy.”
Tony retreated to the kitchen, and I laughed to myself.
Theo didn’t need puffing up in my eyes. He was the perfect man for the role of boyfriend.
I was attracted to him, so it would be difficult to keep my hands off him, but I’d respect his boundaries.
Theo was the type of man who deserved someone who could give him his whole heart.
That afternoon, I’d had a long talk with Judge McCourt, who had been very interested in my dinner with Theo.
He’d even gone as far as to tell me he was looking forward to seeing me at the American Bar Association dinner next month—to seeing both of us, actually—and said they’d be announcing my candidacy soon.
Everything seemed to be working out.
It didn’t take long for Theo to reappear, and at his hesitant smile, I was hit by the arrow of a guilty conscience.
What if he did fall for me? I’d hate to have to break his heart.
Now my well-thought-out plan for the evening might be excessive, yet I was loath to forget it.
I doubted anyone had ever done something like that for him, and, more importantly, I realized I wanted to do it.
“Hi. It was nice of you to wait.”
I winked. “Well, I’m a nice guy. Now let’s go. I bet you’re hungry and ready to get off your feet.”
His concerned gaze met mine. “Yeah, but—”
“But nothing.” I nudged his shoulder. “I just have to pick something up from the car, and we can go.”
We slipped on our coats and wrapped thick scarves around our necks. The wind howled, and I bent my head as I rushed to my car to grab the big basket from the hatchback.
“What’s that?” Theo asked.
“You’ll see. Let’s go.”
“Go where?”
“Your house.”
He gave me a weird look before simply nodding. Together, we ran across the street. When Theo opened the door, I set the basket down and removed my coat and scarf, while he did the same and tossed them onto the banister.
“Does that fireplace work?” I peered at the hearth.
“Yeah, why?”
With a grin, I took off my suit jacket, rolled up my sleeves, and pointed to the couch. “You’ll see. Now sit.”
“I’m not a puppy, you know?”
I laughed. “I’m aware. Please? I know you need to get off your feet, so I came up with something special for you tonight.”
He blinked. “Like the rose?”
“Yeah. Did you like it?”
“It was very sweet. No one’s ever done anything like that for me.”
I knew it, which was why I’d done it. I busied myself putting the logs on and setting a match, then watched the flames lick at the dry wood. I made sure the flue was open, and within five minutes, a merry fire crackled. Setting the gate, I sat on my heels.
“Well, here’s what’s going to happen. I have a blanket here, and I’m going to spread it out. I have sandwiches for us, plus sparkling cider, and for dessert…some of Dolly’s finest.”
Theo sank into the cushions.
“Are you serious? You did all that…for me?”
I didn’t answer as I finished shaking out the plaid woolen spread and began to place the paper plates and napkins.
The sandwiches came next. I didn’t know what Theo preferred, so I got an assortment—turkey, roast beef, tuna salad, and ham and cheese.
I took out two flutes, opened the cider, and grinned when I heard it hiss.
“It was cold enough in the car that it doesn’t need to go in the refrigerator. Now, come on and join me. I’m sure you’re hungry.”
I kicked off my loafers and waited, happy to see him climb down from the couch to sit opposite me.
“I-I am, but you didn’t have to do this.”
“Why not?” I poured him some cider and handed it to him.
“I mean, I know you’re trying to be nice and persuade me to be your fake boyfriend, but—”
“No. Stop.”
His lips pressed together. “You know, you need to stop giving me orders. Sit, stop. It’s annoying. Is this how you always treat your dates?”
Caught in the light of the flames, Theo’s green eyes blazed. Shocked as I was by his response, I couldn’t deny I was pretty turned-on by this feisty side of him.
“I’m sorry.” I clasped my hands. “I just wanted to say that this has nothing to do with persuading you to go along with my plan.”
“So you’ve said, but you still haven’t explained why you’re doing it.”
“Because you said you’d never had a good date, and I wanted you to see how you should be treated.”
“Oh. Th-that’s nice of you.” Quiet for a moment, his lips twitched. “I thought you didn’t date.”
I sipped the cider and wanted to make a face at its sweetly cloying flavor but refrained.
“I don’t, but I’ve seen enough couples around me to know.”
“I appreciate it, but you didn’t need to go through all of this. I’ve made up my mind.”