Page 131 of The Wayward Son

J.T. nodded. “Jade.”

“What can I get you?”

“Two scotch ales.”

She smiled at J.T., glanced at Sawyer, then left to get their beers.

J.T. turned toward Sawyer. “I’m not going to be your Cyrano de Bergerac. You’re going to actually have to talk to her at some point.”

Sawyer nodded.

When Jade brought the beers back, she looked at Sawyer. “I have a break in twenty minutes.”

“Okay.”

She gave him a small smile, then went to wait on her customers.

J.T. picked up his beer. “If I can give you a little relationship advice. It takes two to tango. It takes the two of you to get into a fight. And it takes both of you to talk your way out of it.”

“It wasn’t a fight. It was a disagreement.”

J.T. drank some beer. “Whatever. Just talk to her. Listen to her. Get this figured out.”

“That’s why I’m here.”

While Sawyer drank his beer, he watched Jade work. She was dressed in jeans and a bar t-shirt, and she looked really good. Her hair was piled on top of her head in a chaotic fashion, but it worked for her. And it seemed she wasn’t wearing a bit of makeup. He liked that. She didn’t need it. Her freckles and her eyes didn’t need any enhancements. She was perfect.

J.T. nudged him. “Quit staring.”

“I can’t help it.” He looked away and drank some more beer.

“You, my friend, are in love.”

“I’m afraid you’re right.”

When Jade spoke to the other bartender for a moment, then washed her hands, Sawyer knew she was coming to take her break. She walked over to him.

“Can we go outside for a minute?”

Sawyer nodded and got to his feet.

Jade looked at J.T. “Do you need another beer?”

“I’m fine.”

She went around the end of the bar, then walked with Sawyer to the door. He opened it for her and they went outside. She kept walking until they were away from the patrons who were gathered in front of the bar. There was a bench in front of the coffee shop and she sat down on it. Sawyer leaned against the post, holding up the canopy over Cathy’s entrance.

Jade took a breath. “I’m sorry I freaked out the other morning.”

“Okay.”

“And you’re right about the keeping a low profile thing. It’s not fair to you.”

“I just don’t understand why it’s necessary.”

“Your dad gave me some clarity on what was going through my head. And it basically boils down to me not thinking I’m good enough for you.”

“Jade.”

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