Page 59 of Subtracting the Heart

“Yes. Is our table ready?” The host grabbed three menus and led them to a small booth in the back which was a bit more secluded. The table had a colorful tablecloth along with flowers and a large, wrapped box atop.

The young woman handed out the menus and smiled. “There are adult beverages available as well as the specialties we have. Your server will be Louisa. Can I give her a drink order?”

Jax checked the menu and smiled, pointing to Sela. “I’ll have a Sangria. Carlie? Strawberry lemonade?”

“Oh, yes, please,” the little girl answered as she studied the package which had her name on it.

“I’ll have a Stella, please. Can we start with this?” Jax pointed to the menu where a first course was listed of vegetables, dip, hummus, bruschetta, and pigs in a blanket. He grinned at the host who nodded before hurrying away.

“So, Carlotta, it seems this is for you.” Jax wrestled the box onto the bench next to the girl for her to unwrap it. She tried to gently remove the tape, causing Jax to pull the box away.

“Okay, I get you’re a girl but when it comes to gifts? In my family, we tear the paper. You’re not gonna use it again, so have fun rippin’ it off.”

Sela laughed, and Carlie giggled tearing into the paper to pull it free from a white box.

Jax held it up for her as she took off the lid, gasping. “Oh, Mama!”

Jax looked over the top to see a doll that looked very much like the little girl, right down to the wavy brown hair and bright blue eyes. “Damn, that looks like you,” Jax said, hearing Sela laugh again.

He helped the girl unwind the doll from the packaging, tossing it on the floor under their feet. The doll was dressed in a dress very similar to the dress Carlotta was wearing for the wedding. Jax had to hand it to Cade, he knew his shit when it came to girls and dolls.

“Jax, you shouldn’t have.” Sela’s protest brought a chuckle from him.

He held up his hands. “This one isn’t on me. I’ve got other things for Carlotta when y’all come to Chicago but this one is Uncle Cade who probably has more outfits and sh—stuff for the doll already. Anyway, it’s our way of saying how happy we are you two came here to be with us.” The server delivered their appetizers and drinks, shifting the subject. “That looks really good.”

The three munched on the offerings, Jax minding his manners in front of the ladies. He wanted them to like him and think he was worthy of marrying Ford. It was important, and he owed Cade everything for making it such a great afternoon.

After eating lunch, they walked around the store where Jax coaxed Carlotta to choose a few outfits so the doll didn’t ruin her fancy dress, which she was going to wear to the wedding. Jax extended the invitation to the wedding to Ava, as the doll came to be named. They took their packages back to the hotel after Jax called the room to ensure no one was there.

“I’ll pick you two up at four to go to Katrina’s place. That’s where we’re going to meet up with Ford and Cade. If you need anything, call me. We’re in 1112.” Jax deposited their bags on the sofa.

As he was about to leave the room, Carlotta ran up to him and grabbed his hand. He looked down and smiled. “What can I do for you, young lady?”

She pulled him until he kneeled, and she gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you so much for such a fun day. I’ve seen that store on the internet, but I never thought I’d get to see it for myself. Love you, Uncle Jax.”

When she let go, he stood and opened the door, not turning back so she could see the tears on his cheeks. It was the most amazing feeling in the world hearing those words from a child. It rocked him to the bottom of his soul.

Jax adjusted his tie one last time in the mirror of the suite. According to Cade’s text, he and Ford had taken their suits with them to change at Katrina’s place before the rehearsal.

We have our things with us, but I’m as nervous as a hummingbird, so please don’t be late. I’m so worried about this surprise. Can’t wait to see you three. ILY. C

Jax laughed as he took the elevator to the ninth floor. When Sela opened the door of their room, Jax was stunned again. She looked so much like Ford. “I hope you won’t take this the wrongway, but you look so much like your brother, it takes my breath away.”

She laughed like Ford too. “Things might go well until we peel down to our birthday suits. You’ll be disappointed with what’s in my knickers, Jax.” Sela’s teasing brought a loud laugh from Jackson. He suspected she was right on that count.

“We’re ready!” Carlotta breezed in with her doll dressed in the new outfit Jax had purchased earlier that afternoon.

Jax knelt next to Carlotta and pulled the plastic box from behind his back. He opened it and removed one of the rose corsages from inside, placing it on Carlotta’s small wrist. He took the much smaller corsage—an afterthought for him that caused him to call the hotel florist and request that it quickly be made. It was a little big for the doll, but Carlotta’s beautiful little face lit up.

“They’re so pretty. Thank you, Uncle Jax.”

“You’re in the wedding,mon petit ange.You need a beautiful flower so everyone knows it. Shall we?” Jax extended his arm to Sela and his hand to Carlotta. He felt like the luckiest man on earth escorting two beautiful women. It was incredible.

When the three of them walked out of the hotel toward the waiting limo, they were met with flashbulbs. Jax picked up Carlotta and hurried them to the car, but it was too late, the damage was done. Those pictures would end up somewhere, and he hoped Ford didn’t see them before they were able to surprise him. He quickly sent a text to Cade.

Paps caught us at the hotel. Take Ford’s phone. I know he has an alert for anything regarding either of us, and I don’t want him to see them before we get there. We’ve worked too hard to have it ruined. JD

He dropped the phone into his jacket pocket and turned to his two companions. “I’m so sorry about that. It happens, though less frequently now. I guess someone got wind of the wedding. Anyway, please don’t pay attention to whatever the papers come up with tomorrow. It’ll be lies because they don’t give a damn about who they hurt. It’s all about the headline.” Jax hated that he had to apologize for the invasion of their privacy.

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