Dee patted the empty spot on the vinyl sofa next to her without looking up from her tablet.
Jay kissed her on the forehead before sitting down. “What’s going on, Ma?”
“I thought you might want to explain this to me.” Dee handed her tablet to Jay.
Jay didn’t need more than a split second to realize what he was looking at—his SuddenPic post that wasn’t supposed to be up yet.
Oh. Shit. He might have set the posts to go live at midnight in Milan, not New York City.
He bit his lip. Isla wouldn’t have made such a blunder.
“I checked the cloud, and there is an interview with Mornings with Ross Steel scheduled for Tuesday.” Dee stared at him over the rim of her sunglasses. “You never do live interviews. Do you plan on talking about student loans there too? Don’t you think you should have consulted me or Noreen before starting such a stunt?”
Jay set the tablet down between them. Apprehension tightened his chest. “It’s not a stunt, Ma. It’s an effort to be useful.”
“Useful?” Dee adjusted her yellow beaded scarf. “In what way?”
The tightness in Jay’s chest increased, causing his mouth to remain closed as he concentrated on breathing. As close as he was to his mother, he had never been able to share any of his insecurities with her.
Why should he? There wasn’t a problem that money couldn’t solve in the Hancock-Strauss family. Even when Caleb snapped those indecent photos of Samina, the family had been able to buy the photos back from the tabloids and pay Caleb enough to disappear from the East Coast.
That bastard made a fortune being deceitful. Good, honest people like Isla struggled to put bread on the dinner table.
Jay would use his money to solve the student loan debt crisis, somehow. There was more to him than being a prop for his family’s feel-good stories.
“Why student loans?” Dee picked her tablet up. “Are you trying to tell me you want to head the college student line with your expertise?”
...
Huh?
“Run your campaign,” Dee said. “Do your research. Get to know our potential market better. If you prove successful, I’ll give you the fashion line.”
Jay certainly hadn’t approached his new journey with the goal of getting a fashion line. In fact, he hadn’t anticipated his mother to notice at all. As long as her children weren’t committing crimes against humanity, Dee left the family image to Noreen.
Jay’s heart jumped to his throat. For his mother to finally offer him a role as something more than a professional son...
He couldn’t say no.
* * *
Getting up at 4 AM for a 9 AM interview wasn’t Isla’s idea of an excellent time, but the set of Mornings with Ross Steel proved worthwhile. All during Milan, she had to watch Jay disappear behind a closed door for hours at a time. She never had any idea if he needed anything during those long meetings.
Here, she got to help Jay get ready. While the stylist prepared his makeup and hair, Isla went over Jay’s outfit (a long-sleeved white fishnet top and the world’s skinniest black denim jeans) with a lint roller and spritzed it with water to smooth some wrinkles.
“You don’t have to go through so much trouble,” Jay said, watching her from the mirror in his chair.
Isla waved to him. “It’s no trouble. Are you okay? Live television must be scary.”
“It’s okay,” he answered. “No different than when someone stops me on the street.”
“But you always—”
Their conversation was interrupted by the stylist announcing she had finished. Jay thanked the stylist as she packed up her supplies. Isla, too, began to leave the dressing room so Jay could have his privacy while he changed.
“Hold on.” Jay undid the top button of his shirt. “What were you going to say? I always what?”
Isla waited for the stylist to leave before she finished her sentence. This gave her time to reconsider her words. It was probably going to be rude to tell her boss he always looked like he was two steps away from a panic attack in public, even though it was the truth.
The increasing warmth in the small dressing room caused sweat to run down the back of Isla’s neck. “Can I give you some advice?”
Jay nodded.
Okay. Here went nothing. She could be honest and gentle, just like him.
“You always look nervous around cameras.” Isla twirled a strand of hair around her finger. “There’s not a single picture of you on the internet where your pretty eyes can be enjoyed in their full glory.”
Agh! Too honest!
She debated leaving right then and hiding in the closest bathroom, but a ghost of a smile teased Jay’s mouth. That little quirk held Isla in place.
He gestured for her to continue. A quiet, tender curiosity emanated from Jay. How could he be so reassuring without uttering a single word?
Isla exhaled slowly. “You have a magnetic quality about you when you’re putting together outfits or talking about the student loan debt crisis with me. If you could channel that same energy when you’re doing an interview and look directly at the camera, people will watch more intently.”
Jay undid his second button. “Do you think people really want to watch me?”
A lump developed in Isla’s throat as Jay’s bare collarbone became exposed.
“People have never been seriously interested in me before.” Jay brought his hand to the third button. “It’s always seemed pointless to face a camera.”
“Really?” Isla gripped her bag, willing herself not to look if he continued undressing. “You’re the most interesting person I know.”
Jay’s lips twitched again.
She wished he would bless her with another dazzler. All Isla wanted at that moment was to see him smile.
The large, red LED clock in the dressing room snapped to 8:35. Jay had to be on standby in 15 minutes.
“You should get changed,” Isla said. “Don’t worry about what I told you if it makes you uncomfortable.”
Before another word could be exchanged between them, Isla dipped out of the room.
At exactly nine on the dot, Ross Steel’s show returned from a commercial break. Isla stood to the side, right in the line of view where Jay would be sitting. She had notes prepared on her tablet to show Jay in case he forgot an important statistic or the source of a study.
Ross’s loud, slightly grating voice rolled through the room.
“For the first time ever, I’m pleased to announce I have a male member of the Hancock-Strauss family with us!” The middle-aged host clapped his hands. “His sisters have graced our presence, and now we finally get to chat with Jayden-James Hancock! Let’s welcome him to our family.”
The audience burst into cheers as Jay shuffled onto the set. He waved to the crowd briefly and shook hands with Ross. The pair chatted for a few minutes about Jay’s sisters before the topic slowly shifted to Milan.
Isla unlocked the tablet, ready to put it to use. A wave of nerves hit her as soon as she saw the EFSLRA in her notes. She had been so concerned with Jay, she had nearly forgotten what he came here to do.
It was surreal to have the little-known organization she was involved with escalating to new heights. They had received a tremendous financial boost, thanks to Jay’s platform.
“Jayden-James, you started showing a keen interest in student loans.” Ross shuffled his notecards while some of the crowd cheered. “There have been numerous articles about the statements you’ve made. Are you, perhaps, struggling to pay off your student loans?”
A laugh colored the end of Ross’s question, but his joke wasn’t met with any hint of amusement on Jay’s end. Jay fiddled with his Rolex as his unsure gaze slowly turned to Isla.
Isla flashed him the biggest smile she could muster, willing all of her good energies to magically sneak into Jay’s body.
Jay suddenly sat up straight in his chair. His attention had shifted to Ross. A spark of the fire Isla adored flickered in her
boss’s visage.
“I don’t have to struggle with loans to empathize with other people.” The softness always present in Jay’s voice had disappeared. His new, hardened tone nearly caused Isla to drop her tablet. “The root of this problem is a severe lack of empathy from people in power.”
The audience went wild with Jay’s comment. While their agreement thundered through the studio, Isla caught a glimpse of the monitor above her. The screen had captured Jay staring directly at the camera with that determination she had first witnessed on the wardrobe floor.
A strange mix of pride and sorrow rang through Isla. Part of her had enjoyed knowing such a private side to Jay. Now the whole world would know just how intense and sexy he could be.
Isla’s phone buzzed multiple times in her pocket. She checked it immediately—her screen was filled with push notifications every time Jay’s name was used on SuddenPic. People were talking about him; they were talking about student loans.
All the softness Jay had temporarily pushed aside fluttered through Isla as she continued watching the interview. Jay was so amazing. He had been perceptive enough to assess Isla would be a good assistant after only one conversation, a quality she still couldn’t see in herself. He had given her an incredibly well-paying job that used all the skills she learned while studying communications. Jay treated the first cup of cappuccino of the day like it was his best friend, called his mother every day to ask if she had eaten lunch, and played cute video games any time he had an opening in his schedule.
His softness bloomed in Isla’s chest, made a home in her heart.
* * *
The months following the interview on Mornings with Ross Steel opened more doors than Jay ever knew existed. People asked him to write blog posts, he did interviews on every news and entertainment channel in the States, universities in Canada and Europe invited him to give lectures, he attended rallies in Washington, and he partnered with the EFSLRA for a fundraiser. Any chance he got to talk, he seized it.
His blustering schedule left no room for brunches with his sisters, clubbing with heirs, or shadowing his mother. Fortunately, he had Isla to field his calls and ensure he never missed one of his new commitments.
As much as he worked during the last few months, she surely had to work three times as hard. All with a smile on her face. She never complained, not once.
As soon as he got the fashion line, as soon as he proved he was something more than a professional son, he’d be sure to give Isla a proper gift to thank her. The buttons on her messenger bag suggested she liked Cardcaptor Sakura. Maybe they could take a trip to Japan and buy all the merchandise she’d ever want? Or perhaps she’d be more satisfied with a new apartment, filled to the brim with romance books?
A message from Isla waited on Jay’s phone when he stepped out of the shower. He had plans to meet his mother and stepfather for dinner so they could talk about tomorrow’s photo shoot. It wasn’t every day Jay would be the sole family member on a magazine cover.
Your parents won’t be coming back from Montreal until early tomorrow morning. There’s a bad thunderstorm keeping their plane grounded.
A sweet, delightful high shot through Jay. Nothing was better than cancelled plans. Does this mean my evening is free?
Yes, Isla replied. Do you want me to book a reservation somewhere for you or have the cook prepare you a meal?
Jay rubbed his jaw as he stared at his phone. He had a free evening. Isla possibly had a free evening now too.
Is there anything you want to do? Jay asked. You probably haven’t had time to see your roommates or family in a while.
Hardly more than a couple of seconds passed before Isla answered. It’s Saturday—my roommates are working. Mom lives in Rhode Island.
A smile sprung to Jay’s face. Isla was free. They could do something together without any pressure to get from point A to point B.
Want to bring some tacos over? Jay asked. You haven’t gotten to play KH3 yet. Tonight could be a great time to start.
Really!?!?!?
All the heart emojis following Isla’s text sent Jay floating into space.
Jay opted to change into a plain T-shirt and sweatpants. He figured there wasn’t any point in getting glamorous for an evening on his couch, especially when this wasn’t a date.
A small evening like this could never be a date. Dates were romantic dinners in Milan with stars glittering in the sky and champagne bubbling in glasses. Big, splashy gestures of affection.
Isla must have been on the same wavelength as him. She showed up in black leggings and the pink parka she had worn the day they met.
“Should we eat first?” Isla pointed to the big bag of Tex-Mex goodness. “I don’t want to make a mess on your nice furniture.”
“We have a lot of cutscenes in the opening.” Jay swiped the bag from her and set it on the table in front of the television. “There’s beer and soda in the fridge. What do you want?”
“I can get it,” Isla protested. “I’m your assistant.”
“Tonight, you are my guest.” Jay wandered to the kitchen. “Relax.”
His appetite momentarily dissipated when he returned to the living room with a couple of beers. Isla had unpacked the food and spread the array of soft shell tacos along the table neatly, with plenty of sauces and napkins accompanying their meal. Isla had removed her parka, revealing a blue tank top that exposed a generous amount of cleavage. Her long, vibrant curls spilled over her shoulders as she waited for him on the couch, gazing at him with those soft brown eyes he adored.
She looked marvelously comfortable.
“Do you want anything else before we start playing?” Jay asked after they ate for a couple of minutes. “Ice cream? A masseuse? We can get it delivered.”
Isla smiled. “This is more than enough.”
“We’ve worked our asses off lately.” Jay turned on the console. “We deserve a break. Both of us.”
“It’s okay for me to work hard. You’re paying me so much money.” She shook her head. “I really appreciate you giving me this dream job. I still can’t believe you took one look at me and decided I would be a good assistant.”
A sliver of guilt crept up Jay’s spine.
“The money has helped out tremendously. I think I can even start going back to therapy.” Isla paused. “Well, whenever I have a day off, I guess.”
The guilt wrapped itself around Jay’s neck and threatened to choke him. He set his food down. “Just schedule your appointments and take time off as needed. You don’t have to be with me for every second.”
“But that’s my job!” Doubt darkened Isla’s bright face. “It’s not like the therapy is ultra important to my mental health. As long as I can afford my hormones and antidepressants, I’m mostly fine. Therapy just balances out my confusing gender thoughts. Like, do I always have to wear lipstick and high heels to prove I’m a woman?”
“Sounds important to me.” Jay leaned against the couch, opening a beer with his platinum bottle opener. “Gender is confusing. I never understood why I have to justify my love for clothes and makeup. Why can’t we be allowed to wear what we want?”
“Exactly.” Isla sighed and leaned against the couch as well. “I miss a lot of clothes I used to wear before I came out as trans, but I’m afraid people will ask why I bothered transitioning.”
Jay handed the beer to Isla. Their arms brushed each other as he did so, sparking the neurons in his brain with possibilities. Possibilities he quickly threw out the window.
While he missed Isla’s sweet, bubbly smile, he appreciated being able to witness this side of her. Reading her public SuddenPic updates with gender musings was one thing; hearing her worries in person felt more personal.
“You should be allowed to parade in suits or whatever society thinks is masculine all you want.” Jay opened another beer for himself. “Just like I should be allowed to don some lovely lingerie around my bed partner without being judged.”
Instantly, Jay wished he
could undo the last minute of his life. Why had he revealed such a personal secret so easily?
Isla held her beer to her lips. “Lingerie?”
Jay met Isla’s gaze. The only thing keeping him from combusting into an overheated ball of awkwardness was the cold beer in his hand.
The longer Jay stared at Isla, though, the more he realized Isla would never sell him out to a tabloid magazine or mock him. She had accepted his tattooed eyeliner, plethora of moisturizers, and inability to buy his own coffee with a gentle grace.
He trusted her.
“Yeah, lingerie.” To Jay’s surprise, his lips curved upward as he spoke. “I look damn good in lace and ribbons.”
The joy he was used to seeing on Isla returned. Her cheeks glowed a gorgeous shade of pink. “I bet you do.”
Jay laughed. “You don’t think it’s weird?”
“The exact opposite.” Isla patted his shoulder. Her hand rested on him while she continued talking, a gesture he didn’t mind at all. “You keep being you.”
Jay couldn’t wipe the grin off his face. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“And thank you for letting me vent about my feelings.” Isla’s hand slid down his arm. She smiled at him so genuinely, sparking more ideas in Jay’s brain. “I promise I’ll make an appointment for therapy soon.”
“Good.” Jay leaned forward and started the game. Their knees bumped into each other, but neither of them made an effort to create distance between them.
Jay relished how close they were. How electric every little touch was.
When Kingdom Heart III’s opening notes filled the room and Isla’s eyes widened with delight, Jay realized he had been wrong about romance.
He had taken his past significant others to plenty of expensive dinners in Milan, but tonight—surrounded by tacos, pajamas, video games, light touches, and shared secrets—was the most romantic date Jay had ever experienced.
Too bad Isla would never view it as such.
Rogue Ever After (The Rogue Series Book 7) Page 19
