Page 100 of The Main Event

Jax shrugged as he guided me in front of him. “Things change.”

I cast him a curious sidelong look. Did he mean that?

“Well, good for you. I guess. I mean … they’re sinners, but this whole town is full of sinners.”

“Some of them even wear the disguise of the righteous,” I agreed.

Tammy had never liked me. Ever since I’d gotten involved with Jax, that dislike had grown into outright hatred. I wasn’t all that worried for myself—I’d known her far too long to fear the tactics she would throw at me—but Jax was another story. Still, I sent her a sunny smile.

“Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re going to be late,” Jax said as we headed down the sidewalk. “I don’t want to make a bad first impression.”

“Definitely not,” I agreed. “That would be the absolute worst.”

His grin was impish. “And we can’t have that.”

TONIGHT’S LOCATION FOR DINNER WAS ROCKAFELLAS.We tended to jump around between locations. Rockafellas was one of my favorites. The ambiance was kitschy, and the drinks were good. The food was divine as well. What more was there to worry about?

“Are you ready?” I asked Jax as we walked into the restaurant.

He nodded, although he looked a little paler than normal. “I’m ready. Bring it on.”

I studied him for a beat, briefly wondering if this was a mistake, and then realized it didn’t matter. It was too late to turn back. “If they ask you something invasive, just tell them it isn’t their business. If you answer one invasive question, they’ll keep asking them.”

“Good to know.” He squeezed my hand. “You don’t have to worry about me. Weirdly, I make a good impression on parents.”

I slowed my pace. “Have you been to a lot of these dinners?” I didn’t want to come across as jealous, or insecure, but one thing we hadn’t talked much about was past relationships.

His lips curved. “Would it matter if I had been to a lot of these dinners?”

“No.” That was the truth. “I’m just curious.”

“I’ve never been to a dinner like this,” he assured me. “However, in my parents’ circle, it’s not uncommon to have to go out with your date’s parents and your parents before a big event like a prom.”

My mouth dropped open in horror.

“Yes, it’s just as bad as it sounds.” He managed a laugh. “You know what, though? I made it through those dinners without a problem. I’m sure I can handle your parents.”

“Don’t be too sure of yourself. My moms are tough.”

“Are they like you?”

“Kind of.”

“Then I’ll absolutely love them.”

My heart rate picked up a notch. It had been an offhand comment, nothing more, and yet I wanted it to be something more. Desperately. How was that possible? Weeks before, I’d only wanted to convince him that the hotel was worth keeping because I didn’t want some conglomerate to move in and ruin things. Now I wanted him even more than the hotel.

It was a breathtaking realization.

“There they are,” a voice boomed from a table on the other side of the bar, interrupting my reverie.

Jax, cool and calm, immediately headed in that direction. He didn’t realize I’d had an epiphany of sorts and was struggling to regulate my emotions.

“Hello.” Jax’s smile was warm as he studied the three people who had stood to greet him. “Let me see if I can guess. You’re obviously Mr. Reynolds.” He took my Dad’s hand and offered him a firm shake.

“You can call me Joe,” Dad said. “Well, unless you break my daughter’s heart. Then it’s back to Mr. Reynolds for you.”

“Joe it is, because I have no intention of breaking any hearts.” Jax winked at Rosie, who was watching him with suspicious eyes. “And you must be Mrs. Stone.” He took her hand. “You’re as lovely as Levi said.”

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