Page 31 of Fake Dating Daxton Hawk
Heat creeps up my neck and blossoms along my cheeks. The air is thick with tension and I don’t like it, so I ease the moment between us the only way I know how, throwing some lighthearted humor in the mix. “Jeez. You’re really laying it all out in the open, aren’t you. Keep groveling. I like it.”
Surprisingly, my tactic works and Daxton grins at me. “My apology probably doesn’t mean a lot to you. I really do feel terrible about the way I talked about you. I know it will take some time to earn your trust, but I’d like us to be friends, if possible.”
Friends? I’ve had my guard up around Daxton for such a long time that it feels only natural to dislike him. I certainly don’t trust him, that’s for sure. But his actions from this past week are hard to hate on and he’s apologized for that first date. Maybe it’s time to move on.
“Okay.” I nod. “I suppose we can try for friends.”
ChapterFifteen
Daxton
“Uncle Dax!” My niece grins at me from the front door of her apartment. Being Amabella’s daughter, technically Ally is my cousin, but we’ve never referred to each other like that. I swear this kid turns more into her mother every time I see her. She’s a replica of Amabella but in a fifteen-year-old girl’s body. Long blond hair. Beautiful. All you have to do is talk about Mozart or Beethoven and she’ll be your best friend. Not a day goes by where she isn’t practicing classical music on the piano.
“Get over here, Ally.” I hold my arms open and she gives me the biggest hug. “How have you been?”
“Pretty good. Come in. Mom’s just fixing her hair for work. You want some coffee?”
“I can’t stay long. I have a flight to catch.” I enter the apartment and close the door behind me.
“Mom!” Ally calls out. “Mr. Hawk is here.”
I laugh and scruff up her hair.
She pushes my hand away and grins. “So, give me the latest gossip. How’s life treating you? Is the stock market being kind to you? Have the workplace health and safety checks been approved? You know, all that exciting jazz.”
I shake my head, chuckling. “Don’t get smart with me, kid.”
A bedroom door opens and Amabella joins us in the living area, dressed for work. “Dax, hey, I’ve been dying to know how last night went with Jordan.”
“What was last night?” Ally asks. “Who’s Jordan?”
My phone vibrates. I retrieve it from my pocket to avoid Ally’s questions, but the Secret Santa message waiting for me is hardly a better alternative.
JORDAN HART
Steel, what is going on? You haven’t spoken to me properly in days and it all started when I said we should meet. You know what, it was a mistake agreeing to meet you. But what’s worse is that I feel like I’m losing one of my closest friends. I miss you so much.
Shit.
It kills me that I’m causing Jordan so much pain, yet at the same time, I know I can’t reply. At least not in any way that will please her. I’ve drafted so many messages to her and deleted them all.
“That’s Jordan now, isn’t it?” Amabella asks. “Oh, shoot. The look on your face tells me last night didn’t go well.”
“Can someonepleasetell me who Jordan is,” Ally begs.
I slide the phone back in my pocket. “She’s no one you need to be concerned about, Al.”
“Jordan is ashe? You got a new girlfriend or something, Uncle Dax?”
“Or something.”
Ally places her hands on her hips. “Details. Now.”
“Honey.” Amabella laughs at her daughter. “This is an adult conversation. Can we have some privacy, please.”
She sighs and marches off to her room. “Okay, but I’m dying inside.”
We watch Ally in silence until her bedroom door is closed and the sound of her practicing scales on the piano fills the apartment.
