14. More Relaxed About Everything

14

MORE RELAXED ABOUT EVERYTHING

L aken took a deep breath and walked into the restaurant where she was meeting Jamie. They were in New Jersey, and though it was out of her way to come this far, it would be less congested than going downtown.

She was just going to tell the hostess she was meeting someone when she turned and felt a tap on her shoulder.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hi,” she said.

“Can I have my normal table?” he asked the hostess.

“This way,” the older woman said.

They took their seats in the back. They were still part of the restaurant, but only two tables would be able to see them and he sat with his back to them.

“You come here often?” she asked.

“I have for years. They know me and let me sit in the back away from people.”

“West owns a few restaurants, and when he goes out, he has a private room most times. Braylon has used it too with Lily.”

“Have you?” he asked.

“No,” she said. “I’m not as well known or recognizable and I like it that way.”

In the business world people knew who she was, but in everyday life she could go about doing her own thing and was happy enough that way.

A server came over and got their drink and lunch orders at the same time. She was trying not to rush but didn’t have as much time as she’d thought she would.

Or maybe she hadn’t planned it well thinking he’d want to go this far out.

She should have considered it but didn’t want to cancel either.

She knew she came off as skittish when he wanted to talk on Friday and even had some notes on her computer in front of her.

She couldn’t remember the last time she had to do that when meeting with someone. Least of all a guy.

But once that kiss was over, she was so much more relaxed about everything.

“You get used to it after a while,” he said.

“Does it bother you?” she asked.

“Nah. Not really. As I said, you get used to it. I think around here, most people respect the fact that I want to eat a meal in peace.”

“What about after?” she asked.

He sighed. “When I’m walking out people will be taking pictures if they notice me. I’ll almost always get stopped in the parking lot and asked for a picture. If we were in Manhattan it would happen more, which is why I chose here even though it was out of the way for you.”

“Thanks for that,” she said.

She couldn’t fault him there. “Are you going to be bothered by that?” he asked.

“Not sure,” she said. “I’m used to it with West.”

But being used to it didn’t mean she wanted it to happen when she wasn’t with her brother either.

“I figured as much,” he said. “And with you being all dressed up professionally you look more like I’m having lunch with a lawyer than on a date.”

He’d dipped his head down and said that quickly.

“Could be I did that on purpose,” she said.

Which she had. It was cold out but no snow on the ground. She found her brown suit and put a white button-down shirt on under it with brown ankle boots.

Nothing sexy other than the fit of it on her body.

No one in their right mind would think this was a date and she wasn’t wearing anything she hadn’t worn to work before.

“That’s fine,” he said. “And a good move too. It’s just a first date.”

“But not a first kiss,” she said. “Guess we did things out of order.”

“I’m not one that always played by the rules,” he said.

“I don’t know about that,” she said. “I think you always played by the rules when it came to your career. You seemed to be more passionate than most and it could cloud things, but you still stayed within the rules. Or am I wrong?”

“Not wrong,” he said. “Not when it came to football. Anything outside of that, my parents would say I never followed the rules.”

“Considering your father’s career, I can understand where that might be a conflict.”

He snorted. “More than might be.”

“You never did tell me how your holiday was other than you flew home.”

“Well,” he said. “I texted you that night after a few beers.”

“Oh,” she said. “It was a drunk text?”

He laughed. “Hardly that. A few beers aren’t going to get me drunk, but I haven’t had more than two in maybe a year. I have one or two out when I’m on the road but most time it’s one to be social.”

“How many was more than two?” she asked.

“Three,” he said. “Then I went to bed. Janelle and I were snacking in the kitchen after a long day and talking about things.”

She wouldn’t ask more about Janelle here since she didn’t know if he slipped when he said his nanny’s name or not.

“Things weren’t so wonderful with your parents then,” she said. “I’m sorry about that.”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m never going to be good enough for them.”

Her jaw dropped. “Are you kidding me? You’re a success story in itself.”

“They don’t care about money. I told you that when you asked me about the company and my mother’s formula. To them it’s evil. I have to almost force things on my mother and most of her Christmas gifts were of a practical nature because I can’t stand she’s baking and cooking in pans that were there when I lived at home.”

“West was the same way with my mother. It’s the first thing he did when he had the money. Paid off the mortgage on the ranch we lived in. He did that before he cleared up his student loans or mine and Braylon’s. We were fine with everything. My mother was still home with a lot of kids and West made sure no one went without.”

“I wish my mother would accept things.”

She laughed. “West had to fight my mother to do it too. He just did it without asking. My mother stopped fighting. She always said to give it to the kids. He did the practical things for her too. He’d built the house she’s in now and said if she didn’t give any input he was going to decorate it in crystals and marble.”

“I bet your mother didn’t like that,” he said.

They paused when their food was brought out.

“No. She’s a simple woman and was appalled, but she knew West would do it to prove a point and not care about the money.”

“Then she told him what she wanted?” he asked.

“She did. West still upgraded a lot of things, but they were both happy in the end. He’s got the same issues with Abby. Guess my mother gave him some experience there to learn from.”

She wouldn’t say much more about Abby or West’s relationship. Though West and Jamie were business partners, it wasn’t her place to say things that West might or might not share.

She didn’t talk much about her brother to anyone and was stunned she was as much as she had today.

But this was a different situation too.

“Once I sent new furniture to my parents and my father sent it back,” he said. “Bet your mother wouldn’t do that.”

“I’m sorry,” she said. “No. My mother would be annoyed but wouldn’t want to hurt West by doing that.”

“My father doesn’t care. He feels he’s right and because I didn’t follow the correct Christian beliefs, everything I do is wrong.”

She never thought she’d hear this and was surprised he was telling her.

She was pleased that he was opening up and being so honest too. It at least told her this was something he was putting some effort into.

“I don’t remember a lot about my father,” she said. “You know he was in the service. You knew that, right?”

“I did. I read a lot about West before I approached him. Business and personal. I think the personal is what made a bigger impact on me.”

“Because you’re the same way or trying to be.”

“Trying is the keyword,” he said. “What good is having all of this money if I can’t share it with people who I love and care for?”

She reached her hand over and touched his and then pulled it back once she realized what she’d done.

“One thing I learned is sometimes love comes with strings attached. It sucks and I don’t ever want to do that to anyone.”

“I never will,” he said, picking up his burger and taking a bite.

She did the same with her sandwich. Maybe it was time to change the subject. “I thought you were a health freak.”

He finished chewing. “I am, but there is nothing wrong with a good burger now and again. Notice I got chips instead of fries. Though both are fried.”

She picked one of the chips up and popped it in her mouth. They were homemade and had some Parmesan cheese on them.

“Maybe because these are awesome. I’m going to be a pig and clean this plate up.”

“It’s worth it,” he said. “I got my workout in this morning.”

“How much do you work out?” she asked, her eyes going to his arms. He saw her smirk. There was no reason to hide the fact she found him attractive. They’d already talked about that.

It’s not like she was going to get up and shake her ass at him with her thong on. Though if she had an opportunity to say she was wearing one, she’d damn well do it.

“Ninety minutes five times a week. I try to get anywhere from thirty to sixty minutes when I’m on the road if I can. One day of rest.”

She shuddered. “What day is your rest day?”

“Saturday now. I purposely try to at least lift or just only run on the treadmill before I have to sit on a plane or at the stadium. Food choices aren’t always that great and I’m not moving much.”

“And you feel better or more in control if you get some kind of workout in. I get it.”

Or what she understood the most was being in control. Something she always had to have with a man and it could be why she was still single.

“I do,” he said. “What about you? You’ve got a smoking body on you. Do you work out or just never sit still?”

“A combination of both,” she said. “I’m not a gym person. I don’t like sweating in front of other people. I do Pilates and yoga in the spare room at my place for thirty to forty minutes five days a week. It’s an easy thing to do on the road too.”

“Smart,” he said.

“That’s me. Smart.”

He laughed. “I like you, Laken.”

“I like you too, Jamie.”

They’d been eating while they talked and her sandwich was almost gone. She was a fast eater and she was on the clock in her mind too.

“Does this mean we can do this again without you looking at your watch?”

She laughed. “Sorry. It’s annoying, but I’ve got some meetings this afternoon.”

“I was selfish having you come out here and didn’t think much of it.”

“Not selfish once I heard your reason. How about I text you later with an idea for another one?”

“We can do that,” he said.

He lifted his hand and the check was brought over.

By the time he paid, they were both finished and he left cash on the table.

When they were walking out, he was right, his picture was taken a few times and before he got in his car, he’d taken four selfies with people. Two she’d seen as she moved over to her car and two more she watched as she pulled out.

She didn’t even get to say bye to him and most looking on wouldn’t have even known they were together with how they parted ways, least of all think it was a date.

She had mixed feelings about that and didn’t want it to be that way every time they were together. But there was only one other option if she wasn’t going to his house and she didn’t want her brothers to find out. Because with the attention Jamie got, West would find out easily enough in some headline.