Page 20 of Before the Fall
He nods and takes out his phone. Sliding it across the table to me, he says, “Check the messages for the name Albert. From what he’s said so far, they’re having the time of their lives.”
I read through the four messages this Albert person has sent Jaxon in the past two days. My parents do seem to be having fun. They’re in Venice to start the trip and have taken a gondola ride and visited Piazza San Marco. They’re scheduled to have dinner later tonight at the best restaurant in the city.
When I finish, I hand the phone back to him. “What did you tell them about me? I’m sure the first thought they had was they would like me to join them.”
He wraps his fingers around my forefinger in that way he always loved to when we would sit and watch TV. “I told them exactly who I am and that I would make sure you’re safe no matter what.”
“Did you tell them I’m in danger?” I ask as my heart clenches at how scared my parents must be if they know that.
Jaxon shakes his head. “No. I didn’t think that was necessary. I think they got the feeling something was happening, but I promised them I’d take care of you. I had the sense they knew my name when I told them who I was. Did you ever mention me?”
I see the uneasiness in his eyes as he waits for me to answer. He’s afraid I told them what happened when we met. He doesn’t have to worry about that. I’ve never told anyone, not because I’m ashamed of anything but because I don’t know if they’d understand how I could fall in love with him after those first days.
Nodding, I smile. “I told them I was dating someone named Jaxon. Nothing else. I didn’t care to say anything more.”
“Because they wouldn’t want you to be around me if they knew the circumstances of how we met?”
I lower my head to kiss his fingers still lovingly wrapped around my forefinger. “No. I don’t care if people know, but I’m not interested in their opinions about it. I love you. That’s all they needed to know.”
“Did you tell them we broke up?”
“No. They probably guessed, though, since I was pretty down for a long time.”
He leans back in his chair and closes his eyes as he turns his face to the sun. “I guess I should be happy your father didn’t take a shot at me then.”
That makes me laugh since I don’t think my father has ever hit a single soul in his life. “My father’s not like that. He might give you an angry look, but he’s not a violent man, even when he’s angry.”
Jaxon turns his head and looks into my eyes. “What you mean is he isn’t a bad man like me.”
“My father is sweet and kind. Just the way my mother likes. Some women like sweet. Other women like bad. Good for you I have a thing for bad men.”
His eyes get big, so I quickly add, “Well, just one bad man, if I’m being honest.”
I guess I’m not the only one who’s jealous.
“I’m thirsty. Are you? I’m going to run in and get a drink. Do you want something?” I ask as I stand to walk back into the house.
“Orange juice for you?” Jaxon asks with a chuckle.
“Good to know you didn’t forget my favorite drink with French toast. Want some?”
He thinks for a few moments and shakes his head. “No, not orange juice. See if there’s any soda.”
I lean down and kiss his cheek. “Dr. Pepper?”
Turning his head to look at me, he smiles. “Good to know you didn’t forget.”
That year apart didn’t change how much we know about one another, it seems.
I find Ivy standing at the stove finishing up our French toast when I walk inside. The warm scent of vanilla and butter fills the air and smells heavenly. As I head toward the refrigerator, she looks over at me and says, “Anything I can help with?”
“No, thanks. I just need to grab a couple drinks.”
She didn’t lie about filling the fridge. It takes a bit to root through all the food and drink to find Jaxon’s favorite soda, but I spy it at the back of the top shelf. I grab the bottle of orange juice from the door and then it’s a matter of locating a couple glasses.
Ivy watches me instead of paying attention to our food she’s cooking while I’m searching through cabinets, so she points at the one on the far side of the room. “Glasses are over near the sink there.”
I follow where she’s pointing and find them just as she said. “Thanks.”