Mix'n Business With Pleasure

by Hadley Raydeen

  “Okay.” She held a hand up, stopping him from saying more. “I don’t need the nitty-gritty. High level of how it started and what is going on now is really what I’m trying to understand. ”

  “You can’t even compare what I have with you to what I had with her. It is not the same at all. I have feelings for you I never had for Sara. There is nothing going on now. We stopped dating long before I even met you. Hell, I think she may be screwing Gregory.” He watched as realization set into her features. She looked up at him. He searched her eyes for some glimpse into that beautiful head. “What is it? Talk to me, babe. You believe me, don’t you?”

  “If you haven’t been with her in a while, then who is the father?”

  “What?” he asked, focusing on her.

  “Her…her baby, Jaxon; who is the father?” Bevin asked in frustration.

  “I have no idea,” he admitted.

  “But, it’s not…you?” she asked.

  “Bevin, really? Sara is probably two months pregnant. She and I stopped talking long before that. She’s been talking or dating someone recently. I have no idea who it is. She was probably with him that night we saw her at the restaurant.”

  That night at the restaurant flashed before her eyes…. “Charles told me he dropped off a client right before I walked out that night. He seems to be connected to a lot of people we work with… I mean, how do you know him, Jaxon? Do you think he is the father?”

  He tensed, not wanting to answer that question. Not knowing what to say, he said the only thing that came to mind. “Marry me.”

  She stepped back from him as Tamara came around the corner. “Oh, there you are,” she whispered loudly. “Bevin, your boss is downstairs wondering where you are.”

  “Oh, thank you. I really should get down there with the group,” she mumbled.

  Jaxon stepped forward. “Bevin, this conversation isn’t over. We’ll talk more later?”

  She looked at him briefly before shaking her head ‘yes’. She turned and walked away without another word.

  “Fuck.” He ran a hand over his face.

  “Was that anything I’ll need to fix?” Tamara asked.

  “I asked her to marry me.”

  “You did what!?”

  “Yea. Stupid move right?” Jaxon asked.

  “Well, judging from the look on her face, that conversation didn’t end the way you wanted it.”

  “She never responded.”

  “Did I interrupt?”

  “No. I think she was relieved to see you. Now I look like an idiot. I need to fix this.”

  “Why did you ask her to marry you?” Tamara hit his arm.

  “I don’t know. I think I love her.”

  Chapter 28

  “I would like to thank Jaxon and his crew for everything they did here. You’ve outdone yourselves.” Russell spoke to everyone at the ribbon cutting gathering they had for workers and family members that evening.

  Bevin stood toward the back of the gathering in a dark blue form-fitting cocktail dress. Her hair was pulled into a messy bun atop her head. She nervously pulled at the thin black necklace at her neck and sipped absently from the champagne flute in her hand. Jaxon had tried to call her twice since she left the building that afternoon without so much as a goodbye to him. She knew she would have to see him tonight at the cocktail party. She had been successful in avoiding him like the plague thus far, but she knew that luck could only last so long. She knew him, and he would find her in the small crowd if it was the last thing he did for the evening.

  “Stuffed mushroom, ma’am?” The waiters had walked past her several times with hors d'oeuvres platters.

  “No, thank you. It looks delicious though.” She smiled.

  She looked up in time to see her brother and sister-in-law make their way toward her. Braedon was dressed in shirt and tie and his wife was dressed in a short black number that Bevin made a mental note to borrow one of these days.

  “I’m so glad you two could make it.” Bevin smiled before moving in for hugs to them both.

  “Of course, Sis. You know we wouldn’t miss your moment here. This is your big project, and new office space.” Braedon squeezed her tight before letting her go.

  “It was very time consuming, but it turned out just how I thought. Jaxon’s team worked hard on this one.”

  Her brother raised a brow and turned to look around the room. “Where is Mr. Stewart? I’d like to congratulate him and compliment his team on their work.”

  She cleared her throat and nervously glanced around the room. Up until Braedon and Pam showed up, she had kept a watchful eye on Jaxon at all times. Now, after Russell’s speech, she had lost sight of him. “I’m not quite sure,” she answered truthfully.

  “Well, I’m sure I’ll see him eventually. I’m going to get some champagne, hon. Would you like a glass?” Braedon put a hand on his wife’s back. She shook her head ‘yes’ and offered him a smile. He kissed her lightly before turning to his sister. “You good, Sis?”

  “Oh, yes, this is a fresh glass, thank you.” She waited for her brother to walk away before she turned to the woman she called sister.

  “What is it, Bev? I see it all over your face, girl. What did Jaxon do?” Pam asked.

  “Trust me; this story is longer than I have time to explain. You and I have to do drinks soon.”

  “That’s fine, but for now I don’t need War and Peace. Give me the CliffsNotes version.”

  Bevin chuckled and sipped her champagne. “Well, the abridged version is… Mr. Stewart asked me to marry him.”

  Pam’s eyes grew wide and she stared at Bevin, mouth agape.

  “See, that was my reaction when he asked the question. Totally outta left field. So unexpected.”

  “Well, what did you say?” Pam hissed, trying to keep her voice down from the other people milling around.

  “Say about what?” Braedon rejoined the conversation, handing a long stemmed flute to his wife.

  “Russell is asking me to go back to Austin within the month to help finish the contract we started down there.” She glanced at Pam letting her off the hook from having to say a little white lie to her husband. “She wanted to know if I agreed to go. The truth is after being in Austin the last two weeks, and finally having this building project done, I just want to rest for a bit, you know. I’ve been living out of a suitcase and eating out way too much. I just want to get in my kitchen and make a meal.”

  “Well, you should.” Braedon agreed. “You have been doing too much and it seems to me Russell should know that. You need me to talk to him?”

  She playfully punched her brother’s arm. “I’m a big girl, broski, I can handle my boss.”

  Pam cleared her throat looking over her shoulder and Bevin turned slightly. Shit.

  “Jaxon. It’s been awhile.” Braedon extended a hand as the tall handsome reason for all her wet dreams lately, had joined them.

  “Good to see you again, Braedon. I hope all is well,” Jaxon said to her brother as he stole glances at Bevin.

  Bevin stood quietly as Braedon introduced Jaxon to Pam. Her sister-in-law raised a brow and glanced at Bevin briefly as the men made small talk about the building project and the work he had completed on Bevin’s home while she was away. Pam’s looks spoke volumes. This is him? You didn’t tell me he was this fine. And he asked you to marry him? Girl, we need to talk.

  She stifled a giggle knowing exactly what Pam was thinking, but unable to use a facial expression to shut up. She drained her glass as Jaxon turned to look at her. “Do you need more?”

  “I’m sorry; more what?” Bevin looked up at him, her eyes locking on his perfect blues and she was lost again.

  “Champagne. Your glass is empty.” He smiled at her.

  “Thank you, that is kind of you. I really should get something to eat. Don’t wanna have another drink without something on my stomach.” She placed the empty glass on a table next to them.

  “Do you want to head over and see wh
at they have to eat?” Jaxon asked instead.

  “The waiters have been walking around. I can wait until they pass again.” She looked away from him refusing to look at him again because she knew what he was doing. He wanted to get her away from her brother, so he could talk to her about what he had asked earlier. She didn’t want to revisit this conversation; not tonight. Not here, not now at least.

  “Okay, fair enough.” She heard the disappointment in his voice and she hated herself for causing it, but she needed a minute to think. She looked at Pam. The sympathetic glance was obvious. Her brother looked confused and finally her gaze reluctantly fell on Jaxon. He stared back at her and she knew he wanted answers.

  “Everyone seems very impressed with the outcome of the building, Jaxon. If I haven’t already said, I want to thank you for all your hard work and continuing on; far exceeding the deadline when I was pulled away from the project on business. I know Russell is pleased as well.”

  “You don’t have to thank me, Bevin. It’s fine.” Jaxon shook his head.

  “Well, I just wanted to say….”

  Jaxon looked beyond her at the door then quickly back at her. “Okay, you are welcome. It was nice seeing you again, Braedon. Pam, it’s been a pleasure meeting you.” Jaxon walked away before she could say anything else to him, his tone quickly turning awkward and cold.

  “What in the hell was that?” Braedon’s bluntness broke through Bevin’s fog.

  “Brae, leave it alone, babe.” Pam put a hand on her husband’s shoulder.

  “It’s fine.” Bevin offered a weak smile. “I’m going to get something to eat. I think the champagne is getting to my head.”

  Chapter 29

  He made his way to the door where he’d caught sight of his mother and Gregory, of all people, join the party. What in the hell are they doing here?

  His mother, as always, greeted him with a warm smile. “Oh, hello, son!” She embraced him tight, kissing his cheeks.

  “Hey, Mom. You look lovely this evening,” he said, looking over her cream-colored cocktail dress.

  “Well, you know I clean up well when I can.” She laughed and fidgeted with her hair.

  “You look well, Mom; better than I’ve seen you recently. I’m happy to see that.”

  Before his mother could respond, Gregory piped in. “The place looks good too, Jaxon. I see my men helped your guys do some good work.”

  Jaxon gritted his teeth. “Yes, it came together well, Gregory. Did you have to crash a party you weren’t invited to see we do; what we always do?”

  “That is where you are wrong, Jaxon. I was invited, by Russell. Seems maybe he has come to his senses and is allowing me to be his investor.

  His mother turned to Gregory and frowned. “You don’t know that yet. It was just an invitation. Please, let’s not cause a scene here tonight. We are here to celebrate my son’s hard work. Not everything has to be about a deal every damn minute.”

  Gregory stepped toward his mother and Jaxon stepped toward him. “If you lay one hand on her, I will knock you the hell out right here. I don’t care who is watching. My mother is right, tonight is not about the art of the deal, Gregory.”

  Gregory let out a bitter laugh as Jaxon glared at him. He caught something flash at the door again and he looked over several heads noticing new party guests arriving. “Well, I’ll be damned,” Jaxon muttered.

  “What is it, son?” his mother asked, turning in the direction of the door. Gregory followed his line of sight as well. Jaxon saw the minute realization set in that the older man’s eyes turned to slits. His face also turned red.

  “You remember Sara, Mom?” Jaxon asked.

  His mother’s face scrunched in displeasure. “That girl Gregory introduced you to in college? I never did like her. Why?”

  He laughed at his mother’s description of Sara. “It appears she just came to the party with Robert, one of Gregory’s investors. I find that interesting since she just told me she is pregnant today.” He pointed the last comment at Gregory to see his response. He knew that Sara had been screwing around with Gregory when they were in college, but he didn’t know if that relationship was still going on. If it was, he was pretty sure it wouldn’t be much longer. His stepfather was a bit of a bigot and didn’t believe in mixing races. If Sara was with Robert and pregnant, Gregory wouldn’t touch her again. Jaxon couldn’t care less about that, as he would be with Bevin, regardless the color of her skin.

  “What do you mean she is pregnant?” Gregory glared at the couple from across the room.

  “Pregnant, Gregory, like in nine months a baby will be here. Is that a problem?”

  Gregory turned his glare on Jaxon, but before he could say anything, his mother stopped them.

  “Please, you two, not tonight. Where are they, Jaxon? I can’t see them.”

  “Right by the door, Mom. Over there…”

  His words trailed off and his mother gasped as the next guest walked in soon after the expectant couple.

  “Charles,” his mom whispered.

  Bevin made her way over to the white linen covered tables lined with silver servers filled with several delectable items. Her stomach was growling; an indication she needed to get some food in her soon or she’d pass out.

  She noticed Jaxon left her to go hug an older couple; a lovely woman and a rather handsome man. He hugged the woman but he seemed to keep his distance from the man. Interesting, she thought. Wonder who they are?

  She continued to fix her plate and noticed a couple walk in and she nearly dropped the serving onto the carpeted floor.

  Her sister-in-law joined her. “Hey, honey, what’s taking so long?” Pam asked. When Bevin didn’t respond, she followed her line of sight to the door. “Oh my God. Is that…? Robert and…Sara? Bevin turned and looked at Pam. “I have no idea who Sara is, but isn’t that the guy you used to…”

  “Ugh, yes. Could he be anymore of slimeball? Oh my God, and I just found out she is pregnant today, and I blamed Jaxon. I did not see that coming.”

  “Well, I’ll be damned.” Pam shook her head and picked an olive off Bevin’s plate.

  “Excuse you!” Bevin laughed.

  “Fine, stingy, I’ll just make my own plate.” Pam laughed and grabbed a clean plate. “So, you never told me Jaxon was such a hot ass. You tap that?”

  “Pam, shut up.” Bevin laughed, feeling her face warm. She lowered her gaze and her voice. “I’ll just say, he rocked my world a time or two…”

  Pam squealed. “Oh, my God! And now he asked you to marry him, girl!”

  “Shh.” She laughed and swatted at her sister-in-law.

  “What are you ladies up to?” Her brother joined them, handing Pam another glass of champagne.

  “Thank you, babe, and nothing. Just girl talk.” Pam winked at Bevin.

  “Mmhmm, girl talk. I know how you two are,” Braedon said eyeing Pam’s plate. He settled on a cocktail meatball to steal.

  “See, he’s just like you.” I pointed at Pam.

  “That is your brother,” Pam accused.

  “What is going on over there?” Braedon asked.

  Bevin looked over in the direction of the door and saw Charles walk in. The woman next to Jaxon stumbled back into him and the older man with them rushed to the door.

  “I… I don’t know,” Bevin said, putting down her plate. She saw Russell out of the corner of her eye come over to the door as well. “Hold on one minute. Let me find out.”

  Bevin made her way to the door as Russell pushed Charles and the other older gentleman out. She was acutely aware that Robert had somehow found his way to her and joined her out in the hallway as well.

  Jaxon was next to follow with the older woman with him.

  “What in the hell is going on here?” Bevin whispered to Russell, as all parties stood facing each other him in the middle.

  Charles shot her a warm smile and stepped forward. He walked past Russell, past Gregory and straight to Jaxon and the woman.

&nbs
p; “Hello, son. It’s so good to finally see you after all these years.”

  Chapter 30

  Jaxon’s eyes burned as tears fought to break through. The man he’d admired more than anything was back. My father. The older man stepped forward and extended a hand. Jaxon grabbed it and broke down. Tears he’d been holding in since he was a nineteen year old college student broke free.

  “Hey, Pop,” he finally said. Charles pulled him in and wrapped his arms around him. He patted his son’s back three times before letting him go. He then turned to his mother who was now a river of tears.

  “Janey…” Charles stepped toward her.

  She held one hand to her mouth and one hand up in the air warding him off as the tears flowed. He pulled her in anyway, hugging her tight and whispering in her ear. She visibly trembled against him, sucking in air and shaking her head as he spoke.

  Gregory attempted to walk toward them, but Russell stopped him. “I don’t think now is the time for that, brother. You’ve already done quite enough.” He pointed at Gregory and Robert. “I only invited you two here to let you know whatever investments you think you are going to make with Werries Media is not going to happen. I’ve already been working with Charles and he is my new partner. You two can get out of this building.”

  “You wait a goddamn minute. My company helped build this—”

  “No!” Jaxon cut Gregory off. “I sent your men home the minute you said they were on my work site. My crew built this. I put in the extra hours my damn self to make sure we finished this project. You get no credit for this, you asshole.”