Page 27 of Unwrapping Spring Break

She nods. “Yes, I am.” Now I understand why she’s so proud of herself. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to give up teaching. I love that too much. So, what I need is a business partner to pick up the slack. Someone who knows how things work. Someone experienced.”

Yep, she’s nuts. The waitress brings her drink back, but neither of us pays attention. I blink several times as she watches me comprehend what she’s offering. It hits me square in the chest when I realize this seems to be the answer to my problems. All of them. I can do what I love again, without so much as having had time to miss it. Better yet, the look in her eyes indicates she’s offering me more than just a business proposal. My heart flutters to life again.

“Are you sure?” I ask, because I need to hear her say it. “Before you make the decision, I have something I need to tell you.” Her eyes meet mine, and she nods. “I deeply regret not standing up to your father in your defense. He can say what he will about me, but he should not say things like that about you. I understand if this changes how you feel about me, about us. But before we go any further, I need to know you know how sorry I am.”

Lily wrinkles her nose as her smile reaches her eyes, and she places her hand on top of mine on the table. “Thank you, Jax. Yes, I’m sure.”

“Come here, woman.” I grab her hand and pull her up until we stand nose to nose. “Of course.” Tilting my head, I capture her lips, claiming what my soul needs.

My new business partner.

My new girlfriend.

All in one. I couldn’t have asked for a better life than this.

We linger in the kiss for a few moments. To me, it’s relief and gratitude that keeps me there. I want Lily to know without words that I will never take her for granted. I adore and appreciate her bright intelligence and her beautiful and open heart. We can do this—do anything. Together. I can only hope the touch of my lips to hers communicates all this.

She’s the one to break the kiss, but she does so reluctantly. A flush creeps up her face, and it has nothing to do with embarrassment. It makes me grin, knowing I’ve seen her face light up the same color in a more intimate setting.

Lily clears her throat, sits back in her seat, and then takes a drink. “This won’t be the same as the stores. I want to make it more modern. We can work out the details later.” She wrinkles her nose again, and it’s all I can do not to kiss it too.

I have to remind myself we’re in public and I should behave accordingly. “Right. We don’t want to seem like a direct competitor. Smart.”

“Mm-hmm.” That smug smile comes back. “And don’t worry about my dad. He loves me way more than his cigars. You too. Mother and I talked. She’s on our side, and together, we’ll all wear him down. We have to give him time.”

I chuckle. “If anyone can bring him around, it’s your mother.” I recall Gretchen’s tone on the phone yesterday. The puzzle pieces fall into place. I understand why she’d been so pleased with herself. Two crafty women set me up. I’m doomed, and I will love every moment of it. I look forward to the set of challenges they’ll both present me, personally and professionally.

Suddenly, the air shifts, and Lily hesitates. Worry replaces the happy smile she’s had the whole time. “Wait. I want you to know that accepting this proposal doesn’t mean wehaveto be a couple. That’s not a caveat of the deal if you don’t want anything more than to be business partners.”

Crazy woman. I chuckle as I shake my head. “Get out of your head.” I stop any further protests with another kiss. I have everything I could ever want in one very attractive package, and I’ll make damn sure she knows it.

Epilogue

Lily

One year later . . .

“Ma’am?Yourpassport?”

Jax elbows me in the ribs, and I sharply turn toward the customs agent. His face shows thinly veiled annoyance, and he has a layer of sweat on his upper lip. I’m sure he’d rather be anywhere but here. Not that I blame him; it’s muggy in here.

I hand him my passport. “Sorry about that.”

He nods, pursing his lips tightly. “And what is the nature of your visit?” He flips through the pages before landing on a blank one and stamps it with bright red ink.

“All pleasure.” I wink at the agent. Jax snorts, elbowing me again, but the agent remains unamused. “Okay, fine. We’re here for business and pleasure. Meeting a potential client.”

“You don’t have to tell him everything, Lily. He’s simply making sure you’re not here to commit crimes.”

I glare at Jax, ready to say something, but the agent interrupts me.

“Do you have any of the following in your possession: weapons, ammunition, raw diamonds, narcotic substances, fresh fruit and vegetables, or pornographic material?”

“Do toys count as pornographic material?” I deadpan. Jax’s jaw drops, and I can’t contain the giggle that escapes. “Oh, come on. Lighten up!”

Once he picks his jaw up off the floor, he speaks on our behalf. “No, sir. Nothing like that.”

The agent checks a box on the form and hands it back to me. “Welcome to Brazil, enjoy your stay. Next!” He motions to the couple in line behind us.

---