Page 73 of The Main Event

“That, too.” He held open the door of Brothers Taverna. “What are we going to say if we run into your friends?”

“We won’t.” On that one point I was certain. “Levi and Corey don’t eat breakfast. They go for coffee and then run to my mother’s store to gossip apparently.”

“Ah.” Jax chuckled. “I don’t care either way. If people find out, then I’m sure I’ll be seen as a god.”

“Dude, you need to chill with the alpha talk,” I warned. “It makes you sound like a tool.”

“I don’t want there to be any misconceptions.” He studied me once we were inside. “I don’t want you thinking I’m embarrassed. I’m just trying to figure this out.”

“That’s why we’re here, right?”

“Well, that and I’ve likely burned five thousand calories in the past ten hours.”

“You and me both, tiger.” I raised my hand for a geeky high five, and he just shook his head.

“You’re way too adorable,” he complained. “That is going to make this conversation impossible.”

“I think that depends on how the conversation ends.”

“Yes, well … you have a point.”

Talk ceased until we were seated and had our menus open in front of us. “Gourmet breakfast,” Jax mused. “This looks good. Do you come here often?”

“Most of the time I’m running late for work, so I don’t get a chance. When I do come here, I’m always glad, though.”

“What are you getting?”

“The Witches Cajun Skillet. It’s my favorite.”

His forehead creased as he read the ingredients. “That sounds good. I’m going for the Irish Breakfast. I need some juice, too.”

Nobody spoke about anything serious as we placed our orders and waited for our juice and coffee. Once the serverhad departed, there was no longer any reason to put off the discussion.

“So, I’m thinking,” I started. I always had to be the one to break uncomfortable silences. I couldn’t stop myself. “Maybe we should keep this to ourselves.”

“You mean … this is it? Just the one night?” Jax looked disappointed, which only served to bolster my ego.

“No, I wasn’t thinking we would stop. It was more of a ‘let’s see where this thing goes but not tell anybody about it’ thing. I mean … for all we know, if we keep going at it like we did last night, we’ll get sick of each other.”

Honestly, in my heart, I didn’t think it was possible to get sick of him. When he relaxed and let loose, he was funny, endearing, and altogether engaging. I was still hopeful this was one of those flings that would burn hot and fast before fizzling out, though. It would be easier for both of us if we were dealing with that. The alternative was … a whole lot messier.

“Do you really think that’s going to happen?”

“Do you?”

He sipped his coffee rather than immediately answering. When he lowered his cup, he looked conflicted. “It would be easier for both of us if that’s what happened.”

I didn’t take offense to the statement. He wasn’t saying anything I hadn’t already figured out myself. “But?” I prodded.

“But I’m not sure.” He flashed a small, sad smile. “This feels natural to me. I like hanging out with you. Trying to stay away from you has been hell.”

“Even though our first kiss was just okay, right?” I taunted.

He made a face. “We both know I didn’t mean that. I was just trying to get some distance between us before … before…”

“Before what happened last night happened,” I finished for him.

He was rueful. “I was trying to do what I thought was right. I still don’t know what I’m going to do, Daisy. Running a hotel… It seems like so much more than I’m capable of doing.”

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