Filed to story: Breathe Story (Sadie White & Jax Stone)
“I want you to have a break too. Gregory thinks a little time in front of your fans this summer would be great PR. Maybe you could do a beach concert, or just do a few movie premiers.”
Jax shook his head. “No way, Mom. I refuse to make my presence here known. I chose Alabama because it is not a highly populated area. Better yet, this little island here is private. I will consider a few movie premiers but nothing else. No concerts.”
Mrs. Stone shrugged her shoulders. “Well, I told Gregory I would try, and I did. He can deal with you. You’re an adult. I’m not going to pressure you anymore.”
Jax continued to eat, and I stood beside Marcus staring out the window and back at Jax’s bowl waiting for the moment when I would need to remove it. I glanced up at Marcus, and he met my eyes with a smile. He was all business, and I could tell he wanted me to do well here. I’d made a friend. Marcus lightly touched my arm and stepped forward. I immediately followed, and we removed their bowls.
“More sweet tea, sir?”
Jax glanced at me and flicked his gaze toward Marcus. “Yes, please.”
Mrs. Stone’s glass of wine was missing a sip at most. Marcus once again stepped back and allowed me to lead the way out. We did the same routine as before.
Once in the kitchen, we picked up the tray already prepared with the most rich, exotic foods I had ever seen.
“Wow, they sure eat a bunch.”
“Mrs. Stone has only tasted her food so far, and my guess is she will barely touch this as well.”
“He eats all of his.”
“Yep, but then he’s a growing boy.”
I laughed at Marcus’s imitation of Ms. Mary, picked up the tray, and followed him back down the now familiar hall. Once inside, I placed the food in front of Jax again, and Marcus handled the sweet tea for me.
Jax and his mother ate in silence this time. Occasionally, I sensed him watching me, and a brief touch from Marcus’s hand no doubt reminding me I needed to appear invisible. I never acknowledged the curious steel blue eyes. Mother and son exchanged a few casual words, but for the most part, they ate in silence. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I inspected Jax to see if he’d finished, and our eyes met.
I tried to tear my gaze away, but his eyes held a hint of laughter. I stared down at my feet, and Marcus squeezed my arm. It startled me. I looked up at him, and he nodded for us to take their plates. We cleared the places in front of them at the same time, and I walked toward the door already in routine.
“I won’t be having dessert,” Mrs. Stone said to Marcus. “I hate to leave you to eat alone, but I am exhausted. I’ll be in my room if you need me.”
Jax stood as his mother left the table. Once she exited, he sat back down. “I would love dessert,” he assured us…or he assured me.
Marcus nodded. “Yes, sir,” he said in his businesslike tone, and we left.
Once back in the kitchen, Marcus sat down his tray. “Okay, this is sticky. You’re supposed to take him his plate, and since his mother has left, I have no reason to return. I could go in your place, which would be the best idea, but I am afraid it will anger him. He has noticed you, which I knew would be pretty unavoidable, but I’d hoped since he is famous, he wouldn’t pay attention to another pretty face.” Marcus sighed and leaned his hip against the table and crossed his long legs. “I am leaving this up to you.”
“Me?”
“What do you want to do, Sadie? It isn’t about your job; it is about mine. If you don’t go back, I could lose mine for taking your spot. I think he has already picked up on my protecting you. If you go or not, your job is secure…for now.”
I sighed and reached for the tray holding the dessert. I wouldn’t jeopardize someone else’s job to help myself out. “I’ll do it.”
Without another word, I headed back down the hall all by myself.
Once I entered, steel blue eyes met mine and he smiled. “Ah, so he did let you come alone. I wondered if I would be seeing him instead.”
I didn’t want to smile at his comment but I did. I sat his dessert down in front of him and took my place.
“Do you speak?” he asked.