Seventeen

SEVENTEEN

Paxton

"Hey, man. Do you have a minute?"

Jesse looked up from the table in the break room, where he was sitting and having his lunch. Or, well, it seemed he'd just finished his lunch. "Sure, Pax. What's up?"

"I can only assume, since you're sitting here calmly right now, that Sawyer got home from work okay last night," I said.

His brows drew together, his body tensing slightly. "She did," he confirmed. "Is there a reason you think she wouldn't have?"

Frustration moved through me. "Someone followed Aria home from the pub."

Jesse's body did not relax as he raised a curious brow. "Last night? Someone followed her home? As in, she invited someone back to her place, right?"

I shook my head. "No. Someone who showed interest in her, while she was still at work, wound up following her after she denied his advances."

"Are you kidding me?"

"I wish," I sighed. I went on to tell him precisely how it had all gone down, everything starting from Tiny demanding to be let out to me walking Aria to her door, and all that happened in between.

"Jesus. Who was this guy?" Jesse asked.

Shaking my head, I confessed, "I don't know. I was too caught up in the way I was feeling to do much more than get this guy away from her and let him know to steer clear. It was far too late and entirely too dark. I wouldn't have been able to see a license plate even if I had been looking for it."

"This is insane. Why does it feel like we get one problem resolved and another is popping up immediately? When are these women going to catch a break?"

I couldn't say I disagreed with the sentiment. We'd had several trying years lately at Harper Security Ops, and while there were all kinds of cases we'd dealt with, it always seemed like the women who were brought into the lives of the men here were the ones who always seemed to be in trouble.

As I took a moment to consider it, I realized just how bad it was. Not one single couple—whether married, engaged, or simply dating still—had experienced a smooth and uneventful relationship. There had been something awful in every scenario.

Of course, having that thought, recognizing what had happened to Aria last night, and thinking about my role in it along with the way I felt about it, I could only hope that in the end it would mean she and I might wind up where so many of my coworkers and friends had wound up.

"It really has been awful," I agreed.

He huffed. "I guess it's lucky for Aria you were there. Obviously, I don't want to see anyone being harmed in any way, and I'm sorry to hear about what happened to her, but I'm relieved Sawyer didn't have any problems last night. This news makes me want to stop in there tonight, though."

This was what I'd been hoping for. "That's kind of why I came looking for you and wanted to talk."

"What's up?"

I sighed. "I don't know, Jesse. Technically, Aria and I are just friendly neighbors, but this woman is all I can think about. For days now, I haven't been able to get her off my mind, but today has been the worst. I can't stop thinking about her, wondering how she's going to handle being there and needing to leave on her own tonight."

Jesse needed all of a few seconds to consider what I'd just said. "So, the only question that remains is whether you want to go right after work, or if you want to wait a bit before showing up."

The corners of my mouth tipped up. Even if Jesse hadn't wanted to go—which I never suspected would be the case given the circumstances—there was no question I still intended to go. There was far too much at stake, and I didn't want to risk not showing up when it was the most critical.

"I've just got to run home quickly after work to let my dogs out and make sure all the animals are fed, but I'll be good to meet you there almost immediately afterward."

"Sounds like a plan. "

With a quick nod, I said, "Thanks, man."

"Don't worry about it. Sawyer's there, and there's no way I'm going to sit back when she could be at risk." I dipped my chin with understanding. Just as I was about to walk out of the room, Hart walked in.

"Hey, Hart."

"What's going on?" he returned, moving toward the refrigerator. "I can sense a bit of planning in the air."

Hart Anderson might have worked with me in the kidnap and ransom unit here, but that didn't mean he couldn't have doubled as a private investigator. I liked to think we all excelled at reading people and relying on our instincts—especially in situations like last night—but Hart always seemed to be on another level.

"Spot on, as always, Anderson," Jesse declared. "Pax and I were just discussing our plan to visit The Steel Pub tonight, because a guy followed Pax's new neighbor home from there last night, and Pax had to intervene."

Hart had been bent over, looking inside the refrigerator, but at this news, he stood up and pinned his stare on me. "What?" I quickly brought him up to speed on what happened, and his reaction was much like Jesse's had been. "This is getting old."

"Yeah, I agree. And since Aria was so shaken up last night, I wanted to go to the pub to help put her at ease when it's time for her to go home."

Hart, who I worked with on a regular basis, sent a questioning look my way. Jesse let out a laugh and said, "It looks like I'm not the only one with questions."

I turned my attention to Jesse. "What's the supposed to mean?"

His lips twitched. "What exactly is going on with you and your new neighbor? I mean, you said there's nothing happening between the two of you, and I get that you wouldn't want something like what happened last night to happen again, but is there more going on here?"

I had an inkling the conversation could eventually head in this direction. It would have been foolish to think I could say what I had about not being able to get her off my mind and expect my friend wouldn't ask questions.

I sighed before I shared, "I'd like to think there's something going on here for the both of us. I took her out once, just as friends, and we had a great time. I like her a lot."

"Oh, boy," Hart muttered as he dipped his head back into the refrigerator.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

He pulled out the food he brought with him to work today, stood, and looked at me as he made his way to the table where Jesse was still sitting. "We've just barely gotten through Huck and Josie. It's not that I didn't expect this, but I guess I thought we'd have a bit more time before the next crisis."

"Okay, well, first, Aria and I aren't actually together yet," I explained.

"Yeah, you mentioned that. But you want to be with her," he fired back.

I rolled my eyes. "You don't need to be so cynical. There's nothing wrong with wanting a meaningful relationship with a gorgeous woman. You should try it out sometime."

He shook his head. "Not a chance. I'm good with my life exactly how it is right now. I have my fun, and nobody gets hurt. But if something different works for you, go for it."

I questioned whether Hart was attempting to convince me or himself that he was confident in his stance.

"Fine. I'm not going to try to change your mind. That said, when it comes to Aria, I wouldn't say there's a crisis. She had an unfortunate situation occur, and I happened to be there."

His eyes cut to mine. "It's just the beginning. Something's coming."

"Are you hoping something bad happens?" I questioned him.

"Of course not. But I'm not a fool, either. Every other guy here who wound up in a relationship had something crazy to deal with. What makes you think you're going to be any different?" he countered.

That's when Jesse declared, "He does have a point, Pax. That said, I think it's comical that Hart thinks he's going to get out of having this happen to him."

Hart shrugged. "No connections, so I've got nothing to worry about."

I laughed. "And I promise not to say I told you so when you're eating your words."

"Until that happens," Jesse started. "Let's get back to the topic at hand, Pax. Are you concerned about this thing with Aria being one-sided?"

If that was the case, I was going to be right back to feeling like I had last night when I believed she'd invited that guy back to her place. "I guess anything is possible, and I could be reading it all wrong, but I don't think so. I'm pretty sure there's a mutual attraction there."

"Sawyer likes her, and from what I've heard, it seems all the women in the group are planning to get together with Aria, too. I guess Avalon's working out all the details, but there're a lot of schedules to juggle."

"Yeah, Aria mentioned that to me. She's pretty excited about it, and I'm grateful to all the women for welcoming her like this. Aria has had a rough couple of years."

"Let's hope this stay is permanent, then, right?"

"I'm actively working on making that happen," I assured him.

Jesse grinned back and stood, evidently having reached the end of his break. "Well, I guess we'll see if you showing up for her tonight helps move things in the right direction."

I could only hope the effort would propel things forward between us. Obviously, I didn't want Aria feeling pressure about what I wanted to see happen between us—I certainly didn't want her to think she had to agree to anything simply because I had stepped in last night—but I wasn't against her seeing that I cared about her in a way that went beyond us just being neighbors.

"Yeah. Let's hope so," I muttered.

With that, Jesse and I both bid farewell to Hart, walked out of the break room, and returned to work. It was safe to say I was pleasantly distracted for the next few hours as I continuously recalled what it felt like to have Aria in my arms last night with her body pressed close.

Before I knew it, I'd left work and pulled into my driveway. I loved my animals dearly, but I'd have been lying if I said I wasn't eager to get them taken care of as quickly as possible, so I could head right back out the door and to the pub to see Aria.

Despite my excitement, my plans were brought to a halt as soon as I made it to my front door. Something caught my eye off to my right side, and when I looked at the chair sitting on the porch, I noticed a cooler there.

My brows drew together as I moved toward it, wondering if this was cause for concern. Had the asshole who attacked Aria last night returned today? What was I going to find inside this cooler?

But once I got closer, I realized there was a piece of paper folded in half and taped to the lid of the cooler. I pulled it off and opened it up. I immediately worked out it was a note, so my eyes dropped to the bottom, where I saw Aria's signature.

This cooler was from her?

My eyes shifted between the cooler and the letter several times before I finally settled on the piece of paper in my hands and read.

Paxton,

Saying the words last night didn't seem like enough, so I wanted to extend some additional thanks to you. Inside the cooler, please find a token of my appreciation for what you did for me. It doesn't come close to being enough, but my wish is that it can put a small dent in the debt I owe you. I hope you're not allergic, and I promise it's safe to eat!

XOXO,

Aria

As excited as I was to see what was inside the cooler, I couldn't seem to drag my attention away from the letter. Aria's handwriting was almost as beautiful as she was. The slanted cursive and perfectly formed letters made it ripe for display in a frame.

But even that wasn't the best part of it.

It was those X's and O's. Hugs and kisses might have been Aria's intention, but for all I was reading into it, she should have just written the word love.

The bottom line was that she was extending a form of affection to me, even if in the written form, and it felt like a major win.

Of course, there was that one small part of me that hated she felt as though she needed to repay me for stepping in and helping her last night. It was pure instinct, and that need to protect her, fueling me. Knowing she was okay was the only payment I needed.

My curiosity eventually won out, and I ended up turning my attention to the cooler again. A smile on my face, I yanked open the lid and found a bunch of ice surrounding a large mason jar. Pulling out the jar, I held it up and inspected the contents through the glass.

For a moment, I was convinced I must have been mistaking what I was seeing in front of me. I spun the lid off, held it up to my nose, and quickly determined I wasn't wrong.

Cookie dough.

Aria had made me some homemade chocolate chip cookie dough.

Even though nobody was around to see it, a smile crept onto my face and some invisible force hit me right at the center of my chest. I'd been telling myself I didn't need Aria's gratitude, but there was no question I loved that she had taken the time to show it like this.

Not wanting to wait another minute to taste it, I twisted the lid back on, turned, and made my way inside.

As was not unusual, my brood was waiting to greet me. I had no choice but to delay tasting the treat Aria had delivered, so I could give them all the attention they'd been looking for.

"You want to go out?" I asked Tiny, Brutus, and Patty.

The three of them were immediately at the door that would allow them to go into the fenced backyard. Once they were outside, I took the mason jar to the kitchen, opened it, and grabbed a spoon.

One taste.

I shouldn't have expected anything different.

It only took one taste of Aria's cookie dough for me to decide I had a new favorite food. One of my cats, Bell, was at my feet and looking up at me.

"What?" I asked her. When she made no response, I said, "I'm not sharing this with anyone. It's a special treat from a special lady."

Bell meowed.

"Do you want some dinner?"

Bell looked disappointed to have to settle for her normal dinner as opposed to what I was eating, but I didn't feel bad for her. She was spoiled as it was, and I was content to deny her this.

After taking a few more bites, I closed the jar up, put it in the fridge, and went about getting everyone their food. I talked to Franklin, my bird, for a few minutes, too. Afterward, I let the dogs back in the house and made sure they were all situated and had what they needed.

"Sorry, I'm not hanging out tonight. I'll be back in a few hours, and I'll be here all day tomorrow," I informed them.

Patty scurried toward me, hoping for one last rubdown. I gave her what she wanted, and a few minutes later, I was on my way to The Steel Pub, the taste of Aria's cookie dough still lingering on my tongue.