Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
He pointed to me and smiled. Before he could say anything else, our dinner arrived.
We soon fell into small talk while we ate. We learned what our favorite meals were. Favorite movies. I learned Jax was two years older than me and would be turning twenty-seven on Christmas Eve.
“Oh my gosh,” I softly said as I looked at what once was a beautiful blue sky turn to pink and orange. “Look at that sunset.”
Jax glanced over his shoulder. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Stunning.”
I pulled out my phone and took a picture, sending it to Lori and Parker who both replied back that they were also watching the sunset, by themselves. Apparently, their dates stood them both up.
When Jax turned back to me, he smiled. “What are you doing later this evening?”
With a tilt of my head, I asked, “Why are you asking?”
“A friend of mine is having a party and he invited me. I hate to think you’ll be sitting in your cottage all alone.”
“I won’t be alone. Lori and Parker’s dates stood them up.”
Jax made a face as he said, “What a douche move.”
All I could do was nod.
“Invite them as well.”
I sat up straighter. “Really?”
He gave me a wicked smile. “I mean, if they come I get to spend more time with you.”
“Okay, I’d like that.”
His eyes turned dark and I tried not to read too much into it the way that made my entire body heat with desire. “I’d like that too.”
Chapter Four
THE KNOCK AT MY DOOR wasn’t something I was looking forward to only because I knew who it would be. I’d held my mother off for one day with the promise that I would have breakfast with her first thing this morning.
I pushed the sheet off of me, grabbed a T-shirt, and pulled it over my head as I walked to the door. I could be staying at one of the guest cabins; it wasn’t like I couldn’t afford it, but I wanted to fit in with everyone else who worked at the resort, so that meant staying at the smaller cottages that were rented out to us for a cheaper rate. Not everyone could afford to live here at the restort, so I counted myself lucky that I didn’t have to take the boat over every day.
I drew in a deep breath and opened the door. My mother stood on the other side looking as if she had just stepped off the runway of a Paris fashion show.
“Lynn, it’s good seeing you.”
She pulled her sunglasses off and scowled. “You know I hate it when you call me by my name, Jaxon.”
Breezing past me, she quickly took in the small cottage. It was perfect for me and had everything I could possibly need, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she found it dreadful.
“Come on in,” I whispered as I shut the door. “I do know you hate it, that’s why I do it.”
She sighed. “Between you and your sister, I don’t know how I haven’t lost my mind.”
I headed over to the coffeepot. “Coffee?”
“No, thank you. I already had a cup.”
After I poured myself a cup, I motioned to head out to the small patio. My mother sat and stared at me.
“What?”
“What? Jaxon, enough is enough. It’s time for you to come back home and take on your responsibilities.”
“Dad send you?”
She rolled her eyes. “You already know how your father feels. We both feel the same way.”
I set my cup down and looked out past the cottage. I could just see the water off in the distance between a few trees. Taking my time to control my own emotions, I turned back to my mother.
“Just because I was born as your son, doesn’t mean that I am obligated to take over and run the family business. I have no desire to be in oil.”
She scoffed. “Because of that business, you’re able to live down here in the Florida Keys.”
“In case you didn’t notice, I’m working here, Mom.” When I stressed the word mom, she rose a brow.
“I’m living in the employee area of the resort. I’m not living off my trust fund money. As a matter of fact, I haven’t even touched it in over a year.”
“Good for you that you can show restraint when it comes to not blowing it like your sister.”
I scrubbed my hand down my face. “Sandy isn’t blowing her trust either, Mom. She’s living in Italy and pursuing her own dreams. What is so wrong with that?”
“Cooking! What kind of dream is that? One child cooking in a restaurant and another serving people drinks on a beach.”
“I never knew you were such a snob, Lynn.”
She practically growled at me. “Jaxon, I’m in no mood for this. You know what I mean. I’m not against someone making a living no matter how they choose to do so.”