Page 29 of When Our Stars Aligned

“No problem.” I can’t believe I actually liked showing someone else what I do for a living.

“I have to admit…” Aly says with a playful smile on her lips. “I’m a little disappointed that you aren’t a stripper.”

“Let’s get you back to your car.” I laugh and realize this is the most I’ve laughed in I can’t remember when.

20

Aly

Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! Jax’s last name is Parker? What are the odds? Seriously, what are the odds that out of all the names in the world I could have chosen to go by, I choose the last name of the guy who lives across the hall?

I never bothered to find out his last name. I know Carter’s and Alex’s last names because they were making fun of each other one day. I have to admit, living next door to Mr. Rogers does sound pretty funny. And Alejandro Jones? Priceless.

We drive in comfortable silence for a bit when I feel the need to say something. “So… I take it your last name is Parker?”

Jax nods without taking his eyes off the road.

A thought occurs to me. “Is Travis his last name or his first?”

“What?” He glances at me for a second.

“Travis. I know a lot of military people go by their last names, but that could be a first or last name—which is it?”

Jax only replies with a small grin.

“You’re not going to tell me, are you?”

“Is it going to drive you crazy?”

“No.” I slump my shoulders a bit. “Okay, yes.”

He lets out a low chuckle.

“Well, I’m going to assume since he called you by your last name, that Travis is his last name.”

“You know what happens when you assume.”

“Don’t start.” I point a finger at him. “Since you’re not going to tell me, can I try to guess?”

“Sure. I’ll give you three guesses.”

“Only three?”

“We’re almost back to your car.”

“Okay, fine. Hmm…” I chew on the inside of my cheek. “I think I will go with the classics. Is it John?”

“No.”

“William?”

“Nope.”

“Michael?”

“Wrong again! But here’s your consolation prize—a drive home by yourself.”

He pulls into the parking lot of Molly’s. My little white Honda is easy to spot with the Georgia plates. I hop out of his truck and turn around to face him. “I guess I’ll see you back at the condo.”

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