Page 80 of His Surrender
People talked all around me, their voices blending together. The place where I ordered was inside, but there was a door that led to the outside area. That’s where the bulk of people sat. The round tables had green padded chairs around them, and the workers were dressed in white uniforms. I loved the atmosphere, as well as the mouthwatering aroma coming from the kitchen.
I ordered beignets—they came in an order of three—and a café au lait. As I waited for it to be done, I slid into a chair on the inside and looked out the windows, watching people as they passed by.
The chair in front of me moved right before I came face-to-face with the last person I ever expected to see.
“Fancy meeting you here,” Jay said, his lips turned up in a cocky grin as he sat down.
Shocked, I could only stare at him, dumbfounded. “How are you here right now?” I asked once I could finally form words.
The same amusement I’d heard in his voice over the phone reflected in his gorgeous green eyes. “I flew on a plane.”
“I just talked to you like twenty minutes ago. I know planes are fast, but notthatfast, Jay. What the hell?”
Blond bangs fell into his face as he leaned toward me. “Can I tell you a little secret, Mr. Barnett? I’ve been here since early this morning.”
“Since this morning?” That was before I got there. None of it made sense. “You didn’t know I was here until I told you over the phone. Are you stalking me or something?”
My order was called out, and I left him just long enough to grab it and come back. He was still smiling when I sat back down.
“Stalking? No. But I have a nephew who likes to talk a lot. He told me you planned to come to New Orleans for spring break.” When he reached for one of my beignets, I slapped his hand. “Ouch. Rude.”
My brain was about to explode. “I don’t understand why you’re here. Why follow me? We aren’t exactly friends, Jay.” Saying the words hurt my heart. Seeing the flash of pain in his eyes… I wondered if they hurt his too. “I’m sorry. I’m just trying to understand.”
His demeanor changed then, and he frowned. The playful charmer was gone. “You said you wanted commitment and couldn’t see me anymore because of it. Honestly, the idea of being in a relationship scares the hell out of me.” Jay scooted his chair forward and grabbed my hand. “You wanna know what scares me more? Losing you. So that’s why I’m here. I still don’t think I’m relationship material, Remi, but here I am. I want to give us a real shot at something special.”
“Am I dreaming?” Because that was the only logical explanation for what I’d just heard.
“Baby, not even a dream could look as good as me.”
Yep. Definitely real.
I snorted a laugh and pulled my hand from his. I took a sip of my coffee and released a satisfied sigh at the dark roast and chicory flavor.
“You’re such a coffee snob,” he said with a smile.
I returned his smile, even though I was still confused about everything. Hope blossomed in my chest, and no amount of swatting it away seemed to work. Jay wouldn’t have come all that way if he wasn’t serious, though.
“What are you saying?” I dared myself to ask.
“I’m saying I want to try this. For real. No more running away.” Jay ruffled the back of his hair and heaved a sigh as his eyes found mine again. “That is… if you’re willing to give me another chance. I know I screwed up, and I’ll need to prove to you things are different this time.”
“You flying here to find me is a good start,” I pointed out. It was also a damn amazing romantic gesture. Saying theRword out loud might freak him out, so I kept it to myself. “Here.” I pushed the plate of beignets toward him. “Take one as a peace offering.”
Jay picked up the square piece of fried dough covered in powdered sugar and took a bite, emitting a moan as he chewed. The sound shot to my groin, and I adjusted myself under the table as inconspicuously as possible. The damn beautiful bastard.
“You, uh…” I motioned to my mouth. “You have some white stuff on your lips there.”
Jay straightened in his seat and wiped at his mouth with powdered-sugar-covered fingers, making it even worse. I laughed and handed him a napkin.
“Where are you staying?” he asked, setting the napkin beside him after using it.
“Nowhere actually. There was a mix-up at the hotel and my reservation was given to someone else. I was planning on driving back home, but I might check the hostel downtown to see if they have a bed available.”
“The hostel?” Jay asked with an incredulous expression. “Hell no. You’re stayin’ there over my dead body. You can room with me.” He winked.
“And where areyoustaying?”
“The Ritz-Carlton.”
