Page 2 of Jack of All Trades
"You're Jack," she says. It's not a question.
"And you must be Maya," I reply, extending my hand with my most charming smile.
She looks at my hand like I've offered her a dead fish, then gives it the briefest shake possible before pulling away. "Let's get this over with. I have plans later."
Well, damn. Rex had mentioned his sister could be prickly, but this is downright hostile. I gesture to a booth in the corner. "After you."
Maya slides into the booth, setting her purse beside her like a barrier. I sit across from her, trying to reconcile this woman with the little sister Rex has always described. The one who apparently bakes cookies for his motorcycle club and volunteers with kids.
"So," I start, "thanks for meeting me. Rex is going to be surprised—"
"Let's be clear about something," she interrupts, leaning forward slightly. "I'm only doing this for Rex. He thinks the world of you for some reason, and he deserves a good birthday. That's it."
I blink, taken aback by her directness. "Okay... Did I do something to offend you?"
She rolls her eyes. "No. I just don't need the Jack Morrison experience, okay? Rex has told me all about you and your... fans." She says the last word like it's dirty.
"My fans?" I repeat, confused.
"The women," she clarifies. "The buckle bunnies or whatever you call them. I've heard how you operate."
I can't help but laugh, which only seems to irritate her more. "And how exactly do I 'operate'?"
"Charm them, date them, move on when you get bored." She ticks off each point on her fingers. "Rex says you've never dated anyone longer than a rodeo season."
It's not entirely unfair, but hearing it laid out so clinically stings more than I'd like to admit. "Rex talks a lot, apparently."
"He worries about you," she says, and for a moment, her expression softens. "Anyway, I didn't come here to psychoanalyze your dating habits. I came to plan a party."
"Right," I say, pulling out my phone where I've made notes. "I was thinking we could use the back room here at The Nail. Maggie owes me a favor, and—"
"No," Maya cuts in. "Rex wouldn't want that. He hates being the center of attention in places like this."
I stare at her, surprised. Rex practically lives at The Rusty Nail when he's not on the MC Clubhouse. "Since when?"
"Since always," she says firmly. "He comes here to blend in, not to be celebrated. Trust me, I know my brother."
The way she says it, with absolute certainty, makes me wonder how well I really know my best friend. Sure, Rex is quiet compared to his biker buddies, but I never thought he was shy.
"Okay," I concede. "What did you have in mind?"
For the first time, Maya looks uncertain. "I thought... maybe a barbecue? At your place? Rex always talked about how much he loved hanging out at the Morrison house when you were kids."
The suggestion surprises me. It's thoughtful and personal in a way I wasn't expecting from someone who's been nothing but cold since she walked in.
"That's actually a great idea," I admit. "We could set up in the backyard, string some lights. Keep it casual."
Maya nods, and I catch the barest hint of a smile before she suppresses it. "He'd like that."
Chapter 2 - Maya
I force my face back to neutral as soon as I realize I'm almost smiling at Jack Morrison. The last thing I need is for him to think his cowboy charm works on me. Because it doesn't. At all.
Not even when the late afternoon sun streaming through the window catches the gold flecks in his brown eyes, or when his smile creates that single dimple on his left cheek.
Nope. Not working on me.
"So, we'll do a barbecue at your place," I say, keeping my voice businesslike. "I can handle the food and decorations. You just make sure the right people are there."
