“What did they say?!” I sit up, my heart racing just thinking about him.
“I won’t tell because you won’t tell.”
“Y’all are trifling.” Her wicked laugh is exaggerated and hilarious. “What I will share is I’m rusty.” I guess her bike analogy is accurate. I think I need training wheels or a coach. That’s laughable.
“When was the last time you went on a real date?”
“Not counting tonight? Over twenty years.” I hear the words, and they’re sad. But true. “I mean…” I prop my feet on the coffee table and get comfortable. “I’ve attended banquets and fundraisers with men. But it was more about the event. And I wasn’t ready for a relationship. So, it worked. Besides, you know as well as I do that men our age want women like my girls. So, I stick to myself.”
“I dare not ask about the last time you’ve—”
“Don’t.” I roll my eyes. I’ve embarrassed myself enough for one night. Gushing and blushing over Jaxon. “I spent my youth raising kids as a single parent. Football games, gymnastics, cheerleading, and such. My kids came first. I guess it’s time I get back into the game.”
“On to other business, I want you to be the first to know that I’m closing Juanita’s Casa.”
“You can’t.” The banter and humor of the moment are sucked desert dry. And for the second time tonight my head is spinning and not from desire but sorrow.
“I must.” I hear a sniffle. “I don’t want to. But the budget cuts of this new administration are killing nonprofit organizations. And now my casa is under its rusty ax.”
Juanita’s Casa is a women and children’s shelter on paper. But in actuality, it is so much more. Mae feeds, clothes, and loves on people when the world seems dark and unkind. She has thirty units, and it is where I spend my days and many nights.
“What can I do?”
“You’ve done more than I’ve ever expected from another human being. More than my family or the government.” I hear her soft cries, and my heart aches for her. “I just need a friend. You’ve floated us for long enough. I just can’t seem to get out of this hole.”
“You got me whether you want me or not. As for helping, it’s the least I could do.”
Mae helped me as I raised my kids. Yes, in life I am a widow with two children, but Mae West managed to fill in when I needed it most. I need to call my kids. There’s got to be a way to save Juanita’s Casa.
Thoughts of sleep are long gone. I'm glued to the couch after talking with Mae. She needs at least a million dollars. I have a little nest egg and a rainy day fund after my husband’s death. But neither are enough to help her. I managed my finances well enough to remain a stay-at-home mother to my kids and with them grown, I now work full time, as a volunteer, at Juanita’s Casa.
The phone rings.
“Hello.” My brain is mush, clouded by the thought of Mae not being able to help another woman in need.
“Hello, gorgeous.”
I take a sharp inhale. Jaxon. I glance at the clock. “It’s awful late for a call.”
“I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” His confession causes a haze to cloud my vision.
“Are you always so blunt?” I nestle into the corner of my couch, pulling my feet beneath me. I tap the speaker icon on my phone.
“I wouldn’t call it blunt, merely the truth. I see no reason to waste time. You only live once. Besides, I let you slip through my fingers long enough.” His voice is the only sound filling my quiet house.
This is the part of my life that seems to never get old. Living in a house that once was filled with laughter and energy. I intentionally spend my days at Juanita’s Casa to keep the loneliness at bay. But that could all change when she closes.
“I’m a great listener.” His tone has a degree of warmth and concern.
What’s the worse that could happen? “I just received bad news.” I let out the pent-up air in my lungs with a sigh. “The place where I volunteer may have to close its doors due to budget cuts.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. How can I help?”
I freeze staring at the phone, not expecting that response. “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why would you offer to help? You don’t know me. And you don’t know her.”
“I think we’re slowly changing that,” I hear the smile in his voice. “If it will make you feel better, think of it as a tax right-off.”
I stare at the phone balanced on the back of my couch cushion. I have to deal with this head-on. “Is this more of your flirting?”
“The donation or this phone call?”
“Both.”
“Yes.”
Now we’re getting to the bottom of it. I know how to shut this showdown. “That’s really sweet. But you do realize I’m almost ten years older than you.”
“And?”
“And I don’t have time for this.” I grind out the words against my own will. Jaxon makes me wish I knew how to ride the bike again. But helping Mae is more in my comfort zone. Not dating. Or Jaxon.
“Were you not the woman speed dating earlier tonight?” He asked with a slight laugh.
“Yes, but that was my girls trying to get me out.” I massage my temples leaning forward on my knees. “You know? To get me back on the bike.”
“You participating in speed dating to learn how to ride a bike?” The skepticism in his voice is comical.
I groan. “Not a bike, bike. But a metaphorical bike.”
“I see….”
No, he couldn’t possibly see. Because I don’t see. It’s clear as mud.
“Let me get this straight.” He is a persistent one. “Yuki and Jazz set up tonight? But you’re not interested?”
“Yes.” Now he’s getting it.
“Why would they go through the trouble?”
“A Smith Pact.” It slipped before I could stop it. My back is iron-rod straight, and a bead of sweat is trickling down my spine.
“A what?”
“Don’t laugh," I warn. Something about this man makes me want to tell it all. Which cannot be a good thing? I really suck at this.
“I won’t.” The smile is back in his voice. “But I have a feeling this is going to be good.”
Continue Reading…
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Also by Ja’Nese Dixon
Forbidden Chords Series (Contemporary Romance)
Rockstar Secrets (Book 1)
Rockstar Sinners (Book 2) [ALERT]
Precious Stones Series (Romantic Suspense)
Before Black Diamond (Prequel)
Black Diamond (Book 1)
African Emerald (Book 2)
Fire Opal (Book 3) [ALERT]
Ready for Love Series (Sweet Romance)
Caramel Surprise (Book 1)
Love’s Hope (Book 2)
Hidden Desire (Book 3)
Ready for Love Boxed Set (Books 1 - 3)
Smith Pact Duo (Contemporary Romance)
Yuki’s Luck (Book 1)
Tempting Asher (Book 2)
Smith Surprise (Book 3)
About the Author
Ja’Nese Dixon pens tales of romance in several sub-genres. But her favorites are the ones that manage to keep readers sitting on the edge of their seats lying to themselves about reading “just one more chapter”.
Ja’Nese is an avid reader and coffee drinker, who also loves to run, cook, and craft. Her ultimate goal as a writer is to give you a little “staycation” with every story. And she aims to make this present story no exception. Sit back, grab a snack and enjoy.
Ja’Nese calls Houston home with her husband, three kiddos and a four-legged diva dog.
Visit her website at www.janesedixon.com if you enjoy romance, suspense and good stories.
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sedixon.com
Asher's Sonnet (Smith Pact Duo Book 2) Page 9
