Page 51 of Undeniable Love
It was incredibly awkward to basically be sandwiched between the two brothers while talking about Jax getting married.
“Are you secretly dating anyone and don’t want Mom to know?” Simon teased, and maybe it was Lucy’s imagination, but she felt Jax caressing the back of her arm, well out of his brother’s view.
Squirming slightly in her seat, she held her breath waiting for Jax’s response.
“Like I’d tell you,” Jax said with a snort of laughter. “Besides, Noah and Lily just announced that they’re having a baby, so we’re all good for now.”
Letting her breath out slowly, Lucy had to fight a wave of disappointment. It wasn’t like she actually thought he was going to profess his love for her or anything, but even a small hint that he was thinking of her would have been nice.
Although that caress is still going on, so…that’s something.
“Babies are great,” Simon went on. “But you know Mom’s not gonna be happy until we’re all happily married.”
“Dude, come on. Like I don’t have enough to deal with right now? My shoulder’s busted, I just announced the camp, I’m still digging myself out of the PR shit…my dating life isn’t anyone’s concern.”
With a smirk, Simon leaned in, forcing Lucy to lean back a bit. “So you admit there’s a dating life? I don’t need specifics, but…maybe just a little something. You know, just in case mom asks.”
“Simon…”
Lucy gently cleared her throat and went to reach for her glass of water, but Jax’s words stopped her.
“Okay, fine. Yeah. There’s a dating life,” he began, his hand suddenly falling away from her arm and her heart sank. “I met someone and…it’s new. Things have been crazy because of our jobs and then my injury, but…I don’t know. It could be…something.”
Oh. Crap.
It would be way too obvious if she just got up and ran out, but what did she expect? They had one wild and incredibly satisfying weekend together and made no promises. Did she honestly believe he was never going to date or get involved with another woman?
No, but that’s what I hoped!
Maybe Simon said something, maybe he didn’t. All Lucy heard was a loud buzzing in her head, which was the only thing saving her. Luckily, their servers came over and began taking orders. And because she was miserable, she ordered the big burger.
And fries.
And onion rings.
Because…why not?
“Hey, Simon,” she began sweetly. “Would you mind swapping seats with me? I’d love to talk to Juliette about some ideas I have for PR for the clinic.”
“Of course!” he said with his signature smile. He stood and held out his chair for her, and she gladly took it without even glancing at Jax.
Did she stay there for the rest of the meal? Yes.
Did she talk to Juliette about things just off the top of her head? Yes.
And did she leave before dessert, claiming she had a client appointment? Yes.
Her heart was beating so hard as she made her way out of the pub and she prayed no one was going to stop her. Fortunately, no one questioned her, and she had specifically waited until Jax was deep in conversation with someone to do it.
She wasn’t proud of the fact that she was essentially running away—something that was becoming a horrible habit—but right now, it was about self-preservation.
Either way, it wasn’t something she wanted to examine too closely right now.
By the time everyone left the pub, Jax was mentally exhausted. This sort of public relations stuff really took it out of him. Simon and Juliette had to head to the airport for a flight back to California, and Noah and Lily were driving to Raleigh to spend the night before heading back to Charlotte in the morning.
Actually, that was partially his plan too, because he didn’t want to spend another night in his childhood bedroom. Not that he didn’t love spending the time with his mother, but they had done a big family dinner last night and everyone else got to spend the night at a hotel. He was the only one guilted into staying.
So when Noah mentioned that he and Lily were going to Raleigh, Jax jumped on that bandwagon and said he was doing the same—only…he was going there for some interview.