Ever since I'd fled from Jax's office two days ago, I'd been a mess of nerves with some anger and disappointment thrown in for good measure. Needing a distraction, I called my sisters. If nothing else, I hoped Laurel would have some Hollywood drama to share to distract me from my own.

Laurel had a leading role playing “Mandy” in the popular daytime soap opera, Hidden Passions. She was the youngest out of four of us, but by far had the most interesting life living out in Los Angeles. Our oldest sister, Faith, was married and embracing motherhood with her five-year-old son, Caleb. She was like a prettier, friendlier version of Martha Stewart. The second eldest, Angela, or Angie as we called her, was a trauma nurse whom we rarely saw due to her crazy schedule. The stress of the job had started to burn her out, so she was taking classes to become a physical therapist. I came third in the order. We older three were like a straight staircase, each about 20 months apart. Laurel had been a "surprise" three years after me.

Once a month, my sisters and I tried to get together at one of our homes, with Laurel facetiming so she wasn’t left out. Sometimes we invited a friend or two, but tonight would just be us. I loved these times when we could kick back and not worry about how much we drank or what we said—our safe zone so to speak. We called them "Girls Night In," or "GNI." We went to a large church, so it was hard not to run into at least one person who knew us if we went out as a group. Most of them didn't worry about what we were up to, but others enjoyed trying to bring us down, never mind that they might be doing the same thing. Fair or not, we were held to a higher standard.

GNI was based on a tradition that had been started by our mother when we were teenagers. With four girls, there was no shortage of drama. Our mom would gather us all around the kitchen table with a piece of cheesecake, a favorite of all of ours. We’d talk about what was going on at school, the latest boy, or anything else we wanted. It was a non-judgmental time, and under our mother’s strong guidance, we’d learned to voice our concerns and respectfully offer input, advice, or just a sympathetic ear. We didn’t tell her everything, and I’m sure she knew it. But we did learn we could trust each other which I think was her ultimate goal.

The only difference now was we had added alcohol and were a lot raunchier. Each of us took turns hosting the event, and tonight was my turn. Unlike Faith, who always made her own cheesecake, I’d had to purchase mine. But I’d made a fantastic sangria and had a couple bottles of wine open and ready to pour.

The doorbell rang. I glanced at the clock and saw it was exactly seven o’clock, which meant it was probably Faith. She was never early, never late. I always wondered if she came early and stood outside with a watch, or if she was just that good at timing everything.

“Hey, Sis,” she greeted as she came inside, a basket covering some treat she had baked. As she gave me a peck on the cheek, I rested my hand on her arm, looking closely at her face.

“You okay, honey?”

Her nod seemed tired, and her smile was not as full as usual. It looks like I’m not the only one who needs my sisters tonight.

Before I could close the door, Angie’s voice rang out, “I’m here! Wait for me.” She paid the Uber driver and ran to the door.

The three of us filled our glasses and settled in to chow down on cheesecake and the brownies Faith had made while we chatted about nothing in particular.

My computer started chiming. “Oh, that’s Laurel!”

“Hey, girls!” Laurel greeted. We heard a small ‘pop’ as she opened a wine bottle. “Looks like y’all are way ahead of me. Let me get caught up. It’s been a long and crazy day here.” She sank back into what looked like the most comfortable couch ever.

"So how are things on the home front? Mom? Dad?" Laurel asked after catching us up with some lively gossip and making us all laugh.

I topped off my wine glass for the third time. It had definitely been the three-glass-kind of week.

"Everything’s fine. They’re fine. You should come home for a visit sometime and see for yourself." I snuggled back against the couch pillows and threw a blanket over my legs. I took a sip of my wine, knowing ahead of time what her response would be.

"It's not that easy. My schedule and—"

"Quit making excuses” I scolded. “It's been two years, and we miss you, ya know.

"Not just us,” Faith added. “Daddy misses you, too, even if he's too stubborn to tell you himself. Not that you didn’t inherit that same trait,” she added under her breath.

“I heard that.”

“Well, it’s true,” Angie said.

And it was. Laurel hadn't returned home since her abrupt departure almost two years ago. I missed her like crazy. I never thought she’d stay away this long; none of us did. We’d always been so close, even with Daddy’s…zealous protective nature.

Laurel stared at her wine as she swirled it around in her glass. "I'm thinking about it." She drained her glass.

My drink went down the wrong pipe.

Angie leaned over and pounded me on the back. "Are you okay?"

"I'm sorry. I was just so surprised. I thought Laurel said she was coming back east."

Laurel chuckled. "It won't be for a while. I can't get away from filming right now, but I'm hoping to work something out soon. I miss everyone. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about the idea. The BAGs will have a field day treating me like I'm one and the same as my character."

She was right. Not only would there be plenty of crow to serve between her and our father, but it would make a delectable dish for the gossip feast the BAGs loved to feed on.

"That just means they watch it." Faith laughed.

I pointed my finger at the screen. “Besides, after what I did last summer, you're small potatoes on the drama scale. I gave them enough fodder to last a lifetime.”

Angie one-armed hugged me. "You know that wasn't your fault, right?"

"Doesn't matter. It still comes back to me.” I moved closer to the screen. “So, come home. You'll get to be the prodigal daughter."

Laurel sighed. "Well, don't kill the fatted calf too soon. But it's...it's been a little crazy here, and I'm about due for a break."

My sisterly Spidey sense kicked in once again. I'd gotten the distraction I wanted tonight, but now it was replaced with concern. "Are you okay, Laurel? You sound, I don't know, a little tired or something."

She disappeared offscreen, and I heard some clinking and guessed it was her turn to refill her wine glass. "I'm fine. It was a long day on set. Mandy is causing trouble again, so the scenes have been more intense."

"Is there ever a time she doesn't?"

"Aw, Mandy's just misunderstood," Laurel snorted, defending her character who was the stereotype femme fatale. "So, what else is happening in your lives? Please tell me they’re not as dramatic as Mandy’s."

“Well,” Angie said. “Ask Grace about the stranger she kissed.”

"You let a stranger kiss you?" Laurel's laughter filled my ear through the phone. I brought all three of them up to speed.

“I wish I thought I would have had your courage,” Faith said after hearing about the “cock” challenge. “I think I would have just run out of the office.”

Laurel wiped tears from her eyes. "Wow, sis. That sounds like something Mandy would do, but not you."

"It's not like he's a total stranger. He's Derek's cousin. Besides, Mandy wouldn’t have stopped with just a kiss."

"True. But you must have channeled her when you weaseled the extra money from him. I'd have loved to have been a fly on the wall,” Angie exclaimed.

My cell vibrated on the table. "Sorry girls. It might be work.” I didn't recognize the number, but I always answered in case it was a client. "Hello?"

"Hello, Grace. This is—"

I'd know that voice anywhere. "Jax!” I stumbled to my feet and walked to the edge of the room. “How'd you get my number?" How was it that even knowing what an ass he was, his voice still managed to rattle me?

He chuckled. "I'm pleased you recognized my voice. As for your number, it wasn't hard. It was part of your appointment with my secretary."

Angie and Faith had sat up straight and were clearly trying to hear the conversation. Laurel’s face was right up against the computer as if she could peer around its side to see more of the room.

“Oh, of course.” I turned my back on my sisters. I cleared my throat and tried for my best professional tone. "What can I do for you, Mr. Carter? Actually, if you don't mind holding, I have company. I need to move to another room. It’s just my sisters so they’ll wait. Or I can call you back if you—"

"Grace."

"Yes?"

"I can wait."

I was glad he couldn't see how red my face turned. "Thanks. Hold on just a second, please." I tapped the button to mute the conversation. I whirled to face my sisters, covering my mouth. I began pacing the room as I exclaimed, "Holy crap! It's him! The hot ass from the wedding!"

"I'll concede on the ass observation. But I'll keep in mind that you think I'm hot."

Oh, no. I held the phone away and stared at it as if it had suddenly come alive.

"Grace?" I heard his voice come through the receiver loud and clear.

"Um, I hit the speaker button, didn't I?"

Both of my guests fell to the floor, rolling in hysterics. I couldn’t see Laurel anymore, but I assumed she was following suit. I quickly turned the speaker off and held the phone to my ear.

"That's a safe assumption," he answered wryly. "But I'm very intrigued to learn that you were talking about me."

I groaned to myself. "I wouldn't read too much into that if I were you. I was telling them—"

"What an ass I am. Yes, I heard.”

I was pretty sure my apartment could be freezing cold and the heat from my face would keep it warm

My siblings were all sitting upright now.

“What’s going on?”

“What’s he saying?”

I waved my hand like a crazy woman, trying to shush them.

"Right. I hope you aren't expecting an apology, because after what you—"

"Grace?"

"What?" I snapped.

“I happen to agree. I was an ass. I’m sorry.”

I stood and walked to the table and topped off my wine. I was already a glass ahead of my usual evening quota, so what was one more? I walked through my kitchen and stepped out the double doors to a patio, so my sisters wouldn’t witness first hand any more of my humiliation. Hopefully, my face would cool down, too. I took a deep breath and cleared my throat. "That’s very big of you, Mr. Carter.”

There was a short pause.

“If we’re still going to talk about my size, I think we should be on a first name basis, don’t you, Grace?”

Lawd have mercy! I walked right into that one. Against my will, however, I found myself grinning.

“Touché, Jax.”

“Much better.”

"So, Jax, what can I do for you?" I continued to emphasize his name.

"You played me earlier today."

"I didn't play you. I followed the rules. I just didn't play by your set of rules. There's a difference."

He chuckled. "Well played. But you still can't deposit the check."

My heart stalled. I dropped all humor to plead my case. "What? Why? Please don't do that, Jax. It's for such a worthy cause. Those kids need a place—"

"Grace! Take a breath!"

"Sorry. My mama always tells me my mouth runs away from me when I get nervous."

I heard him chuckle. "I wonder why I make you nervous," he murmured.

My cheeks relit, and for once, said mouth remained closed.

"I'm not reneging on my promise for the money. I just wanted to inform you that you ran out the door before I could sign it."

"Oh." Crap! "I don't suppose you could leave another check with your secretary? I could stop by and pick it up."

"I'm leaving tomorrow morning and will be out of town for the rest of the week."

"Oh. Well, how about your accounting department?"

"It was a personal check."

"The mail?"

"Dinner."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"You said I got dinner out of the donation. I'll be back late Saturday. Have dinner with me on Sunday. Bring the check, and I'll sign it."

I blew out my breath. Was this another game? He was tenacious, I'd say that for him. No wonder he was so successful. But I was not an acquisition to be negotiated.

"I meant that you get dinner at the charity gala. You plus any nine people you want since you bought a full table's worth of seats. Besides, I can't. Sundays are family dinners." Too late, I realized my mistake and wanted to kick myself for offering him an excuse instead of a firm “no.”

"Lunch then."

"I have church."

"Monday works for me."

"I'm sure I'm busy."

"You have to eat sometime, Grace. Even the bible says, 'Man cannot live by bread alone.'"

Oy! I rolled my eyes. "First, I'm impressed you know that passage, even if it is a corruption of the true meaning. Second, why is it so important to you that we get together to exchange a check?"

"Do you give everyone who asks you out such a tough time? I promise my mother doesn't still dress me, I hate the accordion, I don't play baseball, and I already told you I don't drool. I know those things are on your strike list. What else is there?"

"Men who go out of their way to ditch or embarrass me."

There was a short pause, then I heard him sigh. "I'm sorry for both of those things. But you held your own. I admire that."

"Great! Then you'll love my ability to say 'no' to you."

He chuckled. "You should know I thrive on challenges."

I sighed. Why was I giving him an opportunity to explain himself? He’d screwed up twice already. "Why now, Jax? You had a chance to get to know me once before, and you ran at the first available opportunity once you found out who my dad is. Then you were demeaning when you could have apologized."

Silence filled the phone lines between us, then a sigh sounded. "You made me laugh – twice. Maybe I want to know if you can do it again."

Okay. That wasn't what I was expecting. Was that unusual for him? He seemed like he had such a great sense of humor.

He cleared his throat. "It was a fucking terrible idea, wasn't it? Or, can I not use that word with you? I don't know the rules with someone like you."

"What does that mean, 'someone like me?'"

"It means I've never known someone like you, and before you go off on me, it has nothing to do with who your dad is. You're different, in a good way, I think. I'm not sure how to be around you. But I think I'd like to find out."

Wow. I wasn't sure how that made me feel. I didn't want to be someone's shiny new plaything to have for a while and then get tossed aside when the novelty wore off. Still, his words softened my attitude toward him.

"I'm not asking you to be anyone different than you are, Jax," I responded. "Despite who my father is, I'm not a nun or a prude. I’m also not someone who will be manipulated or insulted."

"Noted. Nor should you be."

I snorted. "I shouldn't be what, manipulated or a nun?"

He chuckled. "Both. You're a beautiful woman. It would be a shame to hide your body beneath a bunch of ugly black robes. And I’m trying to make amends. Let me get to know you better."

"I don't know, Jax. I'm still the same person. Nothing has changed."

"I don't want you to change, Grace. If you did, I wouldn't be interested. I was an asshole. I shouldn't have run out on you at the reception. But if you knew the thoughts I was having of you, and then your dad was glaring at me as if he knew. I was out of line earlier this week, and I really would like to take you to dinner. Consider it an apology and an opportunity to tell me more about your charity work."

He's not emotionally available. Maggie's words repeated in my head. Why would I set myself up to be around a man I'd never truly have?

Crap! For the hundredth time, I wished I could be more like Jade and not give a flip what was right or wrong or what the consequences could be.

Thinking I should win some kind of award for restraint, I cleared my throat. "I don't think so, Jax. I'm very busy right now. I think we might be looking for different things. Please, put another check in the mail. I'm sure your secretary can track down the address."

I pushed the button that disconnected the call before he could come back with an answer that would make me reconsider. I powered down my phone, so I wouldn't be tempted to pick up if he called back.

Because Jaxson Carter was the definition of temptation, and I couldn't afford to make a mistake again.

“So, what did he say?”

When I went back inside, Faith and Angie were seated on the floor in front of my coffee table, Laurel’s head between them on the computer screen. It was a tad on the creepy side.

“He apologized and then asked me out to dinner.”

“And you said…” Laurel prompted.

“I said ‘no.’”

“Why?” Angie cried. “He’s handsome, he apologized, and trust me, not many guys do that, and you said yourself he’s a good kisser. Sounds like a promising beginning to me.”

“He’s not relationship material. You guys know me. I’m not a fling type of girl.”

“You don’t think he’s figured that out about you by now?” Angie pushed.

“I don’t know, Grace. I think he’s into you,” Laurel said. “Look how he tracked you down. We all know he could write you a new check, but instead he asked you out. That’s not someone who’s not interested.”

“Girls, stop.” Faith had been quietly listening. Now she rose and stood next to me. “Grace knows what is right for her. If she’s not comfortable with the way things are, then who are we to doubt her?”

She pulled me in for a hug and rubbed my back. “I’m proud of you for standing up for what you believe and not settling,” she whispered in my ear. Why does she sound sad?

Her gesture prompted Angie to turn it into a group hug.

“I just want to find someone who really wants me, you know?”

“You will,” Angie declared. “Maybe it’ll be Jax, who knows. Maybe not. But Faith is right, as usual.”

“I third that! Don’t forget about me!” Laurel’s voice sounded behind us.

All of us piled on the computer with kissy faces. “We love you, too, Laurel. Come home to us soon.”

She waved us off as if we were really kissing her.

Minutes later, we decided to call it a night.

“I’ll take you home, Ang. Don’t call for Uber,” Faith said. Laurel signed off and the rest of us cleaned up.

A couple of minutes later my sisters were out the door. I turned back and looked at the space that had just been filled with people I loved. It felt empty. Normally that didn’t bother me, but tonight it just made me feel alone. I was tired of being alone. Why was it so hard to find a guy I was attracted to who treated me right? I sat on my couch, ready to google the local animal rescue and pick out a cat, just in case.