Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Adalyn yanked the door open before Jaxon even knocked, and the surprised look on his face would’ve made her laugh if she hadn’t been so stressed out.
She quickly waved him in. Since he’d been there every day, he knew where most everything was, so she gave him a quick recap of Jaclyn’s daily schedule.
“Her food is in the fridge. Just make sure to cut everything really well so she won’t choke. And not too many treats.” She shot him a look. “You know how well that went over last time.”
He grinned and tweaked Jaclyn’s nose. “We’ll be good. Right, sweet girl?”
“Are you sure about this?” she asked.
“Yeah, of course.”
“Okay.” She wrung her hands together. “But if you need anything, Wendy is right next door, and you can always text me or call the salon. Anytime,” she emphasized.
Jaxon jiggled Jaclyn where she perched on his hip and grinned at her. “I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
“Okay, but—”
“Addy.” A heavy hand landed on her shoulder, and Jaxon’s intense blue gaze met hers. “Go to work, sweetheart.”
She knew he didn’t mean it as a dismissal, but it felt like one, and she automatically stiffened.
He must’ve felt the tension in her shoulders because he stroked his hand up the side of her neck, cupping it in one big palm.
He dipped his head as if trying to capture her attention.
“I promise. Everything will be just fine.”
She nodded, her throat tight. It was hard to hand over control.
Jaclyn and she had a schedule all worked out, and she knew Wendy adhered to it when she was there.
Jaxon had never spent any time around little kids before.
Still, she knew she couldn’t deny him this time with his daughter, and it was good for Jaclyn to get to know him too.
Grudgingly, she swiped her keys out of the bowl on the kitchen counter and held a spare out to Jaxon.
“I’ll… see you later.” With one last kiss for Jaclyn, she reluctantly left.
The first part of her morning at the salon flew by.
Her ten o’clock bride tried on nearly twenty gowns before deciding on a custom design.
They spent the next two hours poring over magazines, drawing up various examples of what she might like.
Finally, the bride strode out the door just after two o’clock, a smile on her face. That made one of them at least.
After the bride left, Adalyn’s anxiety ratcheted up tenfold. Her hands flitted to her pockets every two minutes or so, checking for messages. Jaxon hadn’t called or texted yet, and she couldn’t help but wonder what was happening back at the house.
Amy shot her a look over the counter as she drummed her nails against the Formica. “Why don’t you go home already?”
Adalyn let out an exasperated sigh. “You have no idea how much I want to. But I don’t want him to think I don’t trust him.
” It had taken all of her willpower not to call and check in with him over the past few hours.
Jaxon was a responsible adult, and she knew that he wouldn’t let anything happen to Jaclyn.
She just had to trust that he would reach out if he needed help.
She wandered back to the alterations room to check on Jenn. “Need anything back here?”
Dark brown eyes met hers, and Jenn shook her head. “No, thanks, I think I’m good.”
“Okay.” Adalyn stood helplessly, looking around the room, hoping that something would jump out at her. She wanted something—anything—to keep her occupied.
“You okay?”
Adalyn offered a little smile. “Just a lot on my mind.”
Jenn nodded, then set down the needle and lace she was holding. “Can I… Can we talk for a second?”
Her voice held a trace of seriousness, more so than usual, and Adalyn pulled out a chair. “Of course. What’s going on?”
Jenn bit her lip, looking unsure. “I really like my job here, and I appreciate you giving me a chance.”
Adalyn’s stomach dropped to her toes, but she remained quiet. She had a feeling she knew exactly where this was headed.
Jenn blew out a hard breath. “I’ve got some things going on in my life right now, and… I’m kind of looking for another job.”
She refused to meet Adalyn’s gaze, and for a long moment, Adalyn debated exactly what to say. She hated to lose her. “Is it the money?”
“No, I just…” Jenn hesitated, then switched subjects. “Would you change your life for the person you love?”
Jaxon immediately came to Adalyn’s mind, and she pondered Jenn’s question for a moment before responding. “I think that finding love is a very special thing. And if you both care about each other, you should do what’s best for both of you.”
“I don’t think I can stay here and be with him,” Jenn said, her voice sad, almost regretful.
“Does he not like you working here?” Adalyn couldn’t imagine why not—unless he disapproved of her being around women getting married.
Maybe he had no interest in marrying Jenn right now—or ever.
It was no secret that a lot of women who worked in bridal wanted their own happily ever after.
It was so easy to get swept up in the fairy tales and the happiness that others were feeling.
Honestly, until Jaxon had come back into Adalyn’s life, she’d been closed off to it. But recently she’d been seeing things in a different light. She saw each glowing bride with new eyes, so in love with her groom, ready to start their lives together.
Could Jaxon and Adalyn have something like that?
They’d flirted a bit, but she didn’t know if that was enough.
One thing was absolutely clear, though—he’d support her in whatever she chose.
His actions with her mother the other night proved that.
He would never hold her back from something she loved.
“I think there has to be compromise,” Adalyn said slowly. “You have to work together and meet in the middle. That being said,” she continued, “you’ll always have a place here.”
“Thank you,” Jenn whispered, still unable to meet Adalyn’s eyes.
“If you ever need to talk, I’m here.” Adalyn stood and returned the chair to its position. Jenn nodded and picked up the fabric she’d been working on. Adalyn didn’t want to push her too much, but she also wanted her to know that she was there to listen if she needed her.
Shoving down her feelings, Adalyn attacked the displays, waxing the steel rails so the hangers would slide better.
When she was done with that, she meandered through the salon, straightening gowns and reorganizing the jewelry shelves, determined to keep herself occupied.
By the time four o’clock rolled around, she was ready to rip her hair out.
Sending an imploring gaze at Amy, she admitted defeat. “I need to go home.”
Amy let out a little laugh. “I can’t believe you made it this long.”
Adalyn drummed her fingers on the steering wheel as she drove home, anticipation and worry warring in her heart. All the while, she imagined dozens of scenarios of what she might find at home. The house would probably be a mess. Jaxon would probably be haggard, Jaclyn grumpy and crabby.
He wasn’t used to dealing with toddlers, and she could only imagine the crying and yelling that might have gone on that day. Worry won out as she pulled up to the house and jumped out of the car.
The silence that greeted her when she pushed the door open was unnerving.
She blew out a breath as she stepped inside and kicked off her heels.
Locking up, she made her way toward the living room at the back of the house.
Jaxon had said something about going to the park; maybe they were still out.
Her brain froze and her heart tripped in her chest as she rounded the corner and took in the scene before her.
Jaxon’s huge body was sprawled out on the couch, Jaclyn perched atop his bare chest, fast asleep.
For a long moment, she remained frozen. Tears pricked her eyes and burned the back of her throat.
They looked so perfect, so sweet together, and the sight sent her heart pitter-pattering against her ribs.
Her eyes skimmed over his bare, well-defined pecs.
Why was he naked? She ventured closer and barely held back a sigh of relief—or maybe disappointment.
He wore a pair of black gym shorts that rode low on his waist, the band of his boxer briefs peeking out.
His chest rose and fell on deep, even breaths as he slept.
Jaclyn lay draped over him, held securely in place by Jaxon’s hand firmly on her back.
She didn’t want to disturb them, but he couldn’t be comfortable like that.
She reached out to pick Jaclyn up, but Jaxon’s free hand shot upward. She let out a soft gasp of surprise as his eyes popped open and his fingers wrapped around her wrist.
“Shh.” His voice was barely a whisper, the slight shake of his head stopping her. “Leave her.”
“Are you sure? I can take her to her room.”
His hand slipped down her arm until his fingers brushed hers. “I like her just like this. Why don’t you go change, take a few minutes to relax and unwind?”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course.” His thumb lightly stroked the back of her hand, sending tiny shivers of awareness through her body. He gave a gentle tug, and she sat on the edge of the couch, the flesh of her hip burning where it pressed against his.
She kept her voice soft. “How was she?”
“Perfect.” A smile lit up his face before it twisted into a wry smirk. “Well, mostly. That last bottle of milk didn’t sit well with her, so most of it ended up on me.”
She pressed a hand over her mouth to cover her smile. “I’m so sorry.”
“No, you’re not,” he teased softly, giving her hand a squeeze. “You’re just glad it wasn’t you.”
She lifted a shoulder. “I’m kind of used to it. But, yeah, I’m kind of glad she puked on you and not me.”
“Brat.” He gave a little half-laugh, and the baby wiggled, one tiny foot twitching in her sleep.
Jaxon stroked one hand comfortingly down Jaclyn’s spine, calming her. His palm covered almost her entire back, looking huge in relation to her small body.
A smile curved Adalyn’s mouth as she took in the stark contrast between Jaclyn’s fair skin and Jaxon’s swarthy, sun-kissed flesh.
Her gaze dropped to where their hands were still joined.
It made her heart race in her chest, but she was reluctant to pull away.
She liked the feel of his hand on hers, strong and warm.
“Whatcha lookin’ at?”
His thumb slid over the back of her hand again, and her cheeks flamed as she met his gaze. She shook her head. “Oh, it was nothing.”
He lifted a brow but stayed silent.
“Well.” She cleared her throat to rid it of the rasp choking her voice as she stood. “I, um… I guess I’ll go change then.”
Jaxon’s clear blue eyes slid down her torso, leaving a trail of fire in their wake as they skimmed lower. Heat gathered in her core as his appreciative gaze slowly lifted to hers. “You better get out of here while you still have a chance.”
She scooted from the room, tossing one last glance over her shoulder just before she headed down the hallway. Bright blue eyes were still locked on her, and her heart pattered away in her chest, filled with a happiness she hadn’t felt in years.