I can hear Maeve fussing downstairs and Jax telling her that her bottle is coming. I can’t help but laugh as I do up the buttons on my blouse.
Another day at the restaurant, but I have managed to get a few applications filled out in the last couple of days. Hopefully, I’ll hear back from one of them soon.
Dealing with the hungry general public is not what I want to be doing for the rest of my life.
My chest swells as I walk down into the lounge, finding Maeve settled on Jax’s lap, looking up at him as she drinks her milk.
They are too damn cute.
“I wish I could stay here with you two.” I fake pout at Jax.
“You don’t need to go back there. Quit, stay home with us. You know you want to.” He wiggles his eyebrows with a smile.
I roll my eyes. “Jax, unfortunately, I don’t have a choice.”
He picks up Maeve and props her up on a cushion next to him and starts rifling in his jeans pocket.
As soon as I see the shiny black card, I straighten my spine.
“No, Jax.”
If Anna was here, she’d be yelling at me to take it and spend every dime I can. But I’m not like her. I want to work and build something I can be proud of, that Maeve can look up to.
And I certainly don’t want Jax to think I’m just some money grabber. I might have birthed his child, but he’s already done more than enough to make up for that year he missed.
That wasn’t even his fault.
“Tigritsa, take it.” He waves the card in the air as I walk away, into the kitchen.
Reaching into the cabinet, I pull out my thermos. If I can save up for a little while longer, I can pay for those college courses.
It’s just a matter of time.
“Jax!” I yell as he spins me into his arms. A giggle escapes me when I see the card between his teeth.
I pluck it out and slide it into his back pocket.
“Not happening, Jax. I’ve got this. I have a plan.”
“I bet that plan would move far quicker if you quit that job you hate and could actually focus on it.”
That smirk tells me he knows damn well he’s right.
“It would. But, still not happening.”
I try to turn around, but his hands come down on the counter on either side of me.
“Sofia. I have more money than fucking sense right now. Use it, please, baby. It would make me happy.”
He gives me those puppy dog eyes, retrieving the plastic and holding it between us.
“It’s nothing. Seeing you doing something you love is everything. Quit. Spend whatever the hell you need to finish your degree. And then, today, instead of working, go and buy you and Maeve a whole new wardrobe.”
“We don’t need new stuff, Jax.”
“Well, how about for my fight tonight?”
“I have clothes,” I say sternly.
“You have an argument for everything, you mean.” His lips hover above mine. “Take the damn card, Sofia. I’m not joking.”
He pulls me into him, circling my waist with his strong arms. “In fact, the more you spend, the better I reward you tonight. How about that?”
I let out a sigh.
Anna’s words nag me. I won’t become that woman. The first thing I’ll do is enroll in that college.
But the reward he’s talking about has me clenching my thighs together.
I take the card from between his fingers. The smile that lights up his face makes me feel better.
“Good girl,” he mutters against my lips. “And even if you bankrupt my card, which, to be honest, would impress the hell out of me. I’ll just sell a couple of my Lambo’s.”
“You are completely reckless, Jax.”
“I prefer the term chaotic. It’s my quirk.”
