Stay with Me

by Jules Bennett

  “I have two flights tomorrow before Piper gets out of school and then another one around five. Tomorrow won’t work.”

  Olivia crossed her arms over her chest, which only managed to press her breasts up even higher in that scoop of her tank.

  Eyes up, Morgan. Don’t show weakness in front of the enemy.

  “Considering I’m pretty free while I’m in town, you tell me when you’re available.”

  Jax thought to his schedule and really didn’t want to find free time. If she wanted to chat about how she could assist or help fund the new-to-him Cessna he’d been saving for, then he’d be all too obliging. But, since she wanted to rip away his whole livelihood and pass over a check like she was buying a pair of shoes, he wasn’t too quick to come up with a time.

  “You’re going to make this difficult, aren’t you?” she asked on a sigh.

  Jax shook his head. “I’m not the one being difficult. I’m doing my job, making sure my daughter has a happy, secure life. If you feel like this situation is difficult, maybe you should point the finger elsewhere.”

  Why the hell hadn’t Paul put this place in Jax’s name only? Paul was fully aware that Jax had nothing else immediate to fall back on, that this airport and flying were his life. Jax loved Paul like a father, and Paul had said more than once that Jax was the son he’d never had. They’d shared a bond, something so deep and meaningful. And it was out of respect for the man who’d helped Jax through the toughest times in life that he was being so cordial to Olivia. Well, as cordial as he was capable of, considering the circumstances. He was pretty damn proud of how nice he was.

  “Listen.” She dropped her arms and met his gaze with one of the sincerest look he’d yet seen from her. “I’m not trying to make your life harder. If you want to buy my half, fine. Otherwise, I’d really like to sell this place so I can be done in Haven and with memories once and for all.”

  Jax truly didn’t get her disdain for what could’ve been her legacy. “Are you upset because I took over here? Were you wanting it?”

  She jerked back, her nose wrinkling as if he’d just sprouted a third head. “Heavens, no. When I left, I never intended to come back. My mother made it clear that my dad chose this place over us. . . .”

  She trailed off, her eyes darting over his shoulder to the plane. Blinking once again, she focused back on him. “My reasons don’t matter. But no, I’m not upset he gave this place to you. I just want it out of my life.”

  There was no doubt she’d been misguided by her mother, because Paul had loved Olivia more than any airplane or this airstrip. When Olivia and her mother had left, Paul had been gutted and had thrown himself into his work even more. It was during that time that Jax really started hanging around more and taking on greater responsibility.

  Paul had gotten so drunk one night and ended up spilling his emotions out in a tearful confession. How he’d e-mailed, but never knew what to say. How she did respond, but claimed she was happy in Atlanta. He’d worried he’d never see her again, that he’d driven her away for good. Paul had confided in Jax things that no one else knew, and Jax still held on to those secrets.

  Olivia had a set opinion of her father and if she truly thought he hadn’t cared about her, then she didn’t deserve the truth.

  “Daddy, this is the last juice box.” Piper came running back into the hangar, breaking the moment. “Are we still going to the movies? Can I have pop?”

  Jax shot his daughter a knowing look. “Have I ever given you pop?”

  “If I keep asking you will.”

  Piper stopped in front of him and held out her juice for him to put the straw into it. Why these straws were made so flimsy and the holes so tiny was beyond his realm of comprehension. He was utterly convinced that people who made things targeted for kids had no kids of their own.

  “When you’re older,” he stated, handing the pouch back to her.

  “That’s what you always say,” she muttered. “I guess when I’m fifty I can have Pesi.”

  “Pepsi,” he corrected with a grin. “And I was thinking more like sixty.”

  When Piper groaned, he smiled and turned his attention back to Olivia. She stood there just staring at Piper, and he had no idea what was going through her head. She looked almost . . . sad. Was she having regrets about coming here and all but demanding he sell? He sure as hell hoped so because she was going to be waiting awhile if she was holding out for a different answer from him.

  “Livie?”

  She jumped as if he’d broken her trance. “Olivia,” she corrected.

  Yeah, he remembered, but he liked to keep reminding her of her roots. Maybe he’d get through that thick head of hers just who she was and that running away didn’t change the person.

  He should know.

  “I . . . um . . .” Olivia seemed to be at a loss for words. “I’ll check back with you about our talk.”

  “You could go on a date.”

  Jax nearly choked on air at his daughter’s declaration. And when he glanced to Olivia, her wide eyes suggested she was just as caught off guard.

  “Honey, why would you suggest that?” Jax squatted down next to Piper. This was the first time she’d ever said anything like that before.

  “Bella in my class said her mom was going on a date and that if they like each other she might get a new dad.”

  Jax’s heart clenched. He had no idea she’d even had such thoughts as wanting two parents. For four years he’d been both mom and dad. He’d even watched YouTube videos to try to figure out how the hell to do her hair, but so far he’d only mastered the ponytails. He polished her nails and had let her polish his. Granted, she told him he couldn’t take it off, so his toes were currently a vibrant shade of purple. Thankfully, he always wore boots or tennis shoes—he only prayed he wasn’t in an accident.

  “Honey, Olivia and I barely know each other. We aren’t going on a date.”

  Piper’s face fell. “But she’s pretty, Dad.”

  That was definitely something he couldn’t deny. Olivia was stunning, even when sneering at him.

  “Piper.” Olivia stepped forward and squatted down beside him. “Did you know my daddy used to own this airport? I used to run around here just like you. But, not every daddy has time for dating or relationships. And I bet your daddy is so busy flying clients and having fun with you, he wouldn’t have time to take me anywhere.”

  Jax cringed. Not only did she just slam her father, she’d basically lumped Jax in with Paul . . . which was fine because Jax respected the hell out of the guy, but it was clear Olivia didn’t.

  Piper’s eyes widened, as did her smile. “I’ll just stay with Miss Mary. She always says she’ll babysit anytime.”

  Jax rubbed his forehead. He truly didn’t have the time, nor did he want to get into this conversation in front of Olivia, who clearly had a chip on her shoulder where men in general were concerned.

  “Honey—”

  “I’ll go on a date with your dad if he wants.”

  Jax jumped to his feet. What the hell was she saying? He stared down at her and she merely glanced up to him and winked. Winked. What kind of game was she playing?

  “But,” she went on, focusing back to Piper, “we’re just friends. I don’t want you to get any other ideas.”

  Piper threw her arms around Olivia’s neck. For a moment, Jax wondered if Olivia would return the innocent gesture, but she enveloped Piper and patted her back.

  “I can’t wait to tell Bella,” Piper exclaimed as she pulled back and started sipping her juice.

  Olivia stood and straightened her clothes. “Looks like we’ll get to have that talk after all,” she told him with a wide smile.

  She’d cornered him and now he was looking at a date with the very last person he wanted to be alone with. Damn it.

  * * *

  “This shade makes me look like I have jaundice.”

  Olivia stared across the table at Melanie’s nude polish. “No, it doesn’t. You’re just
used to that pink you always wear. We were hoping you’d be a little more daring.”

  Melanie held her hands out, examining her glossy nails. “This is daring.”

  Jade rolled her eyes and stroked her mint green across her pinkie. “It’s nude. You might as well wear nothing. It’s a waste of product. Wear red or navy or even black. For pity’s sake, mix it up.”

  Olivia still hadn’t decided her shade. She stared at the variety from reds to pinks to bright summer colors. Nothing was hitting her; then again, perhaps she couldn’t concentrate because she’d been set up on a date by a four-year-old. That little tot should grow up to be a politician or lawyer. She was a sneaky one and had them agreeing within seconds. Their piddly excuses to deny her had fallen on deaf ears.

  “What’s up with you?” Jade asked suddenly. “You’ve been frowning since you came back from the airport. Did he refuse to get your suit clean or did he feel you up again?”

  Olivia reached for the bright red, deciding on something fierce. “He never felt me up to begin with, let alone again.”

  “That palm print on your ass says otherwise,” Melanie murmured.

  “Good one,” Jade praised. “I’m so proud of the snark that’s been coming out of you lately.”

  “I’m learning,” Melanie beamed.

  Melanie had been in a terribly abusive relationship. She was just coming out of the hellish marriage when she’d met Olivia and Jade. Melanie had been stifled for too long, beaten down—literally and figuratively—but she was starting to get her sense of freedom again. And Olivia was thrilled to see her friend grow and find herself.

  Jade never had any issues with being sarcastic and speaking her mind. No, her issues stemmed from work, and so here they all were hiding from their problems back in Atlanta.

  “So are you ready to spill about your second visit to see Jackson?” Jade asked as she resumed her polishing.

  Olivia shook her bottle before uncapping it. “I met his daughter. She’s so adorable and has lopsided blond pigtails.”

  “Oh, no. Do not let the cuteness deter you,” Jade scolded. “You have a mission.”

  Olivia kept her gaze on her nails, not wanting to see either of her friends’ reactions to her embarrassing turn of events. There was no way to hide the next bit of information, so she might as well just let them in on everything.

  “I’m going on a date with Jackson.”

  She didn’t have to look up to know both of her friends stilled. Silence settled so heavy between them, Olivia was almost afraid to say anything else for fear of her friends thinking she’d gotten sidetracked . . . even though that’s exactly what had happened.

  “If you think we don’t want the backstory, you’re crazy,” Melanie finally stated. “He asked you out and you agreed? Is this part of the plan to get him to sell?”

  “Ooh, are you trying to seduce him to get what you want? Smart girl,” Jade all but squealed. “But you can’t actually sleep with him because that would be wrong. Maybe just flirting and some hot kisses.”

  An instant image popped into Olivia’s mind. No, she was not going there. Jackson was hella sexy, but she wasn’t about to stoop so low as to use her body to get what she wanted. She’d worked damn hard to get to the top of her company . . . well, almost the top, and she’d done so because she was damn good at her job and she worked harder than anyone in that company.

  There was only one more rung on that proverbial ladder to climb and the promotion had come down to the final round. Olivia refused to lose this to some jerk who thought his balls were reason enough for him to have the position.

  “Piper asked if her dad was going to take me on a date because she thinks I’m pretty,” Olivia explained. “He keeps dodging me when I want to talk to him, so I pretty much agreed to a date. It’s all still within my plan. I just took a different approach, that’s all.”

  She glanced up from the first coat of bright red on her nails and met her friends’ disbelieving gazes.

  “What?” she asked, ready to defend herself. “That’s all this is. I just want to discuss the property.”

  “And he agreed that easy?” Jade arched one perfectly shaped brow. “Maybe he’s going to try to seduce you into getting what he wants.”

  Olivia laughed. “I doubt it. He’s made it pretty clear he thinks I’m a spoiled brat.”

  “Then he doesn’t know you,” Melanie replied, all joking aside. “Maybe if you explain your reasons for wanting out of this—”

  “He doesn’t need my reasons,” Olivia growled, but instantly regretted her sliver of anger. “Sorry, I’m not lashing out at you. I’m just frustrated, that’s all.”

  “Maybe it’s time for those cocktails,” Jade suggested, then looked to Melanie. “Your nails are dry. Why don’t you make the first round?”

  “We’re pretty limited.” Melanie wrinkled her nose as she came to her feet. She crossed to the brown sacks on the counter and started pulling out bottles. “I found some wine of the twist cap variety, some questionable vodka, and the cashier winked at me and slid an extra bottle of flavored vodka into the bag.”

  Jade busted out laughing. “We’re sending you every time, then. Free booze? That’s perfect.”

  Melanie threw a glance over her shoulder. “The guy was at least seventy. Don’t get too excited.”

  “If he thinks you’re hot and wants to flirt, I don’t see the problem.” Jade blew on her nails, then stretched her arm out to admire them. “I think mint is definitely my color.”

  “Everything is your color,” Olivia replied putting her last coat on. “You look stunning in everything. Your clothes, your polish, even when you crawl out of bed snarling before your coffee. It’s not fair to be so perfect all the time.”

  “Remember my junior-year prom picture?” Jade leaned back in her seat and waved her hands back and forth to dry. “The hairstylist from hell and the dress that made me look twenty pounds heavier. Why didn’t anyone tell me when I tried it on in the store?”

  Melanie flicked on the blender, so Olivia yelled, “You didn’t look heavier, it just wasn’t the most flattering. So you had one bad moment? I cringe every time someone tags me on social media in a picture because I never know what I’m going to pull up. I either look great in a photo or I look like that hairy Oak Ridge Boy.”

  “Who?” Melanie asked as she shut off the mixer.

  “My dad used to play their tapes in the hangar,” Olivia explained. “It’s an old country band.”

  “My parents listened to classical.” She pulled out three glasses and filled each one. “I’m deprived.”

  “Trust me, the Oak Ridge Boys are not something you’re missing out on. Except ‘Elvira.’ That’s one catchy song.”

  Melanie sat the drinks on the table and took her seat. “So, when is your date and where are you going?”

  Olivia reached for her glass and stared at the mixture. “What is in here?”

  “Who cares,” Jade replied. “Drink up.”

  Olivia took a sip, then a bigger drink when it didn’t taste half bad. “Is that peach?”

  Melanie nodded. “I put a little of that peach Bellini I mixed up earlier in it.”

  “This is pretty good, actually.” Jade took another long drink, then swirled the remaining contents around in the glass. “Get back to the date. When and where? We need all the deets.”

  She should’ve kept her mouth shut. Olivia knew she’d never hear the end of this, but at the same time it’s not like she could keep the date a total secret. At some point she’d have to leave the house and they’d know she was up to something.

  Besides, in a town as small as Haven, someone would see them out and they’d instantly become the week’s fodder for the gossip mill. That left her no choice but to suggest they go to a different town for their date. And by suggest, she meant demand.

  Olivia sighed and eased back in her seat, clutching her drink to her chest. “I have no clue what’s going on. He said he’d get with me when his schedule
wasn’t so busy. Piper made him pinkie swear that he’d call me within two days.”

  Jade laughed. “I love that little girl already. She’s going to be a fun adult.”

  The spunky toddler would indeed, and an image of her in her teen years with Jackson trying to keep her under control was quite an amusing thought.

  Piper was adorable, and it was clear she had her daddy wrapped around her finger. Olivia couldn’t help but see the parallels once again with her own life when she’d been young. She’d thought her father walked on water, she was convinced he was the greatest person, and her very own superhero. He could fly, couldn’t he? Definite superhero material.

  But as she’d gotten older, her mother had told her things that made Olivia see her father in a different light. He hadn’t always been there for his family. Her mother had often stated that clearly, they weren’t enough for him, that the airport was all he needed. He’d chosen that dilapidated place over anything else . . . even his health, apparently.

  Anger, resentment, even some guilt for not being enough coursed through her. Since her father passed, she’d run the full gamut of emotions. At the root of every single day, though, there was sorrow. No matter what happened in the past, he was still her father and she loved him. All those precious memories from her childhood kept replaying in her mind.

  The burning in her throat, then her nose, followed by her eyes had her reaching for her drink again.

  “We’re going to need another for her,” Melanie stated, nodding toward Olivia. “I know that look and she is about one second away from a meltdown. Quick, let’s think of a movie we can watch. Something hilarious, nobody can die, and there has to be hot men.”

  Olivia shook her head and tipped back the last of her drink. “I’m okay. I just get nostalgic at times. Well, mostly since I came back.”

  She blinked away the moisture as it threatened to make an unwelcome appearance. “I’m still determined to sell this property. I have bigger things to worry about than this Podunk town.”

  So she kept telling herself, but every time she bashed the town out loud or even in her mind, that niggle of guilt rose once again. She seriously needed to get out of here and back to the life she’d created for herself. Returning to Haven might not have been the smartest move. She should’ve considered doing this business over the phone. Then again, what would she have done with all the stuff in her dad’s house?