Page 69 of Southern Storms

My heart skipped a beat at the idea of a next time with him. He had no idea how many more next times I wanted with him.

We sat down at a table, and I kept looking around for Marshmallow as I sipped at what might’ve been the best chai tea latte I’d ever had in my life. That cup alone was enough to keep me in Havenbarrow. And the banana loaf? Oh my gosh, it melted in my mouth.

“This is probably the best thing I’ve ever eaten,” I moaned, licking the crumbs off my fingers.

Jax snickered. “Don’t let Gary from the café hear you say that. He and the owner here have been going back and forth for decades about who makes the best banana loaves.”

“Okay, but I’m just saying. I could eat fifty slices of this and not get tired of it. Honestly, I’ve probably eaten more carbs in the past few weeks of being in Havenbarrow than I have in my whole life due to people bringing me sweets. I swear, I’m almost certain they are trying to make me gain the small-town fifteen or something.”

“Knowing the women in this town, I wouldn’t put it past them.”

“Well, as long as I don’t own a scale and I have a pair of yoga pants that fit, I’m A-OK with packing on the weight,” I joked as I leaned forward and stole a piece of Jax’s banana loaf. “Now, where’s this cat?”

“Probably sleeping or pissing on someone’s foot,” Jax said, glancing around. “I kid you not, three years ago that little fucker walked up to me as I was getting my coffee and peed on my shoe—like a psychopath.”

I tried my best to hold in my chuckle, but I couldn’t help it. The idea of a cat pissing on Jax killed me. “What did you do to him to make him mad?”

He sat back, baffled by my question. “What did I do? Are you joking? I was just getting coffee!”

“Maybe he was upset that you were in his territory. You know, only one asshole per coffee shop and all.”

“He’s like that to everyone.” Jax shrugged. “He’s Mr. Personality around these parts.”

I smirked at the nickname. He didn’t have a clue that that was what I’d been calling him for a solid week when I arrived in town. I’d keep that secret close to my chest.

Just then, a big, plump white cat came out from around back and yawned as he stretched his legs.

“Oh. My. Gosh!” I squealed, leaping up from my seat. He was the cutest thing I’d ever seen in my whole life. “Hi there, friend.” I beamed as I approached him.

“Uh, I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Jax said, backing his chair farther away from the approaching feline.

I grinned his way. “Come on, don’t tell me you’re afraid of a little pussy cat.”

“Trust me, I’m not afraid of pussy,” he said, and his suggestive words sent a pool of heat to my core. “But I am terrified of that beast.”

I rolled my eyes and sat down on the coffee shop floor in front of Marshmallow. I held my arms out in front of me. “Come get some loving,” I ordered.

“Sun, wait—” Before Jax could finish his sentence, Marshmallow was in my lap, purring away. He rolled over for belly rubs, and it looked to me as if he was having the time of his life. “Holy crap,” Jax muttered. “He likes you.”

“I’m a likable person.”

He smiled but didn’t say anything else. He sat back in amusement as Marshmallow and me became the best of friends.

“Maybe I read that guy wrong,” he commented, standing up and walking in our direction. As he grew closer, Marshmallow hissed and hurried away. “Fuck you too, Marsh,” Jax replied, flipping him off.

I laughed and picked myself up off the ground. “Some people and cats just don’t connect I guess.”

“It’s not shocking that he liked you. You are hard not to like,” Jax said, sipping at his drink. I sat back in my chair and stared at him, and while I stared at him, everyone—and I mean everyone—was staring at us.

“Is it just me, or are we being watched?” I asked, biting my bottom lip.

“Yeah. This town has a way of being pretty invasive in other people’s lives. Normally, I just do this,” he said as he held up both his middle fingers. A few customers gasped at his gesture, calling him a jerk.

I laughed. “First the cat and now the people.”

“I’m an equal opportunist with my hatred. I hate everything and everyone with the same amount of annoyance.”

“Even me?” I joked.

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