Page 78 of Just Friends
Jax slowed and turned the truck onto the paved, straight-as-an-arrow drive. Giant oak trees lined both sides of the road, reaching for the heavens with their sprawling canopies. Late morning sunshine pierced through the green foliage in shimmering streaks, painting a picture of the peace and tranquility to come.
We prowled down the dapple-shaded road for a mile or so, until the mansion appeared at last, like a light at the end of a serene and verdant tunnel.
“There it is!” I squealed.
On the drive up here, I’d done some research on Oakwood Mansion and reported my findings to Jax. What we’d learned was that the mansion was originally built as a private residence in the 19thcentury. Inspired by their travels around Europe, the owners wanted their mansion to resemble the 16thcentury Renaissance architecture they’d seen in Italy. About forty years ago, a hotel management company bought the estate and added onto it, turning it into a world-class hotel and luxury spa resort, with an award-winning restaurant, too.
At last the trees parted. Jax followed the curve along the cobblestone drive that circled a grand, tiered fountain. I peeked out the window, studying the mansion’s arches, columns, and domes. The mansion was impressive, no doubt—but also somewhat out of place, here in Texas.
“It’s so gaudy!” I said with an amused laugh.
Jax chuckled. “It is a little gaudy, isn’t it?”
“But it’s great,” I said. “I love it.”
Jax parked in front of the entrance. A valet immediately jumped into action to greet us and took our bags. Just as we reached the entrance, another valet opened the door for us.
We stepped into the wide-open grand lobby. A welcome table offered cookies and lemon-infused water.
“Nice,” Jax said, eyeing the sweets. The always-hungry athlete swiped a cookie as we walked past and wolfed it down.
Though the exterior of the mansion looked more like a lavish Tuscan villa, the interior details were updated to reflect a more sensibly modern décor: sleek yet simple design and a muted color palette. The polished stone floor reflected light like a mirror—and there was alotof natural light flooding through the wall of tall, arched windows. A lively lunch crowd gathered in the nearby bar, but a rushing water fountain balanced out the aural chaos, adding a hushed calm to the ambiance.
At the front desk, a young and cute-as-a-button receptionist girl waited for us with an inviting smile.
“Good morning!” she said. “Welcome to Oakwood Mansion! Are you checking in?”
Jax nodded. “Yep.”
“Great! Can I have your last name?”
“Cameron.”
“One minute, Mr. Cameron.” She typed his name into her computer. “Jax, right?”
“That’s me.”
I’d almost forgotten Paulina’s prediction about Jax orchestrating a hotel room mix-up—but as soon as the first wrinkle appeared in the receptionist’s troubled brow, I wanted to scream with laughter.
No way. Tell me this isn’t happening.
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Cameron,” she said in her politely sympathetic tone, “there appears to be a problem with your reservation.”
Did Paulina seriously call this?
“Huh? What’s the problem?” Jax asked with perfectly feigned surprise—who knew hockey players were such decent actors? He put his elbows on the desk, leaned in, and lowered his voice. “I’m with the team, by the way.”
“Yes, I can see that.” She grimaced at her monitor hopelessly. “The problem is, you requested a room with two queen beds.”
OH MY GOD!!! IT’S REALLY HAPPENING, ISN’T IT?
“Yeah, and?” he asked, keeping the charade going.
“Unfortunately, it appears there was an error made during the booking. At this time, we don’t have any rooms available with two beds. I’m so sorry for the inconvenience.”
Oh, this was too obvious, Jax. WAY too obvious.
I couldn’t wait to tell Paulina she’d nailed it. She’d love this. And it was no wonder he’d been acting so weird all day—this stunt was probably weighing heavily on his conscience. Did hereallythink I’d fall for this? Did he really think I’d sleep with him just because we shared the same bed? All he cared about was sex, wasn’t it?
