“Is that the fabled Jackson Hunter?” Ollie asks.
I break out into a huge smile. “It sure is.”
“How have things been between you after you crashed his family’s Fourth of July party?”
“I didn’t crash anything.” I give him a gentle nudge. “I got invited after I did a nice thing. It’s called karma.”
“It’s called having a family more meddling than mine.”
“True,” I admit, grinning at the thought of how many times Ollie’s mother has meddled in his love life.
“So, any progress?”
My grin deflates. “Actually, no. We had a great night, spent most of it together, talking, getting to know each other. I kind of hoped that would translate to us being on friendlier terms at work…”
Ollie purses his lips. “But nothing’s changed?” he hedges.
“No. He’s been in amoodthese past few days. I’ve been actively avoiding him.”
He draws a breath before saying, “That’s not cool, Mav. Just because there may be something brewing between the two of you, that doesn’t give him the right to treat you like shit like you-know-who.”
“He hasn’t been rude,” I say, frowning at the mention of Luca. “There are some similarities, sure. They’re both extremely volatile. But it’s different with Jackson.”
I think back to the Fourth, spending time with him one-on-one, his sisters teasing him, the love and affection he has for Clancy.
“Sounds like you’re cowering.”
“I’m not. I’m just trying not to do anything that could ruin the good place we got to over the weekend.”
I’m met with a pointed glare, which I ignore by turning my attention to Jackson and the horse. All of his prickliness disappears whenever he’s around them. Sibella’s words about him possibly being too sensitive float back into my head, and I can totally see that. A lot of people put on stoic masks to protect their gentle spirits from being trodden on. I feel that’s the case with Wagner, and I feel that even more with Jackson.
I am disappointed we haven’t been able to ride the momentum from the weekend, but he’s had a rough few days. It started with him struggling with a new horse in the pen on Monday. The creature lunged sideways unexpectedly, sending Jackson flying into the air. Thankfully, he wasn’t hurt, but he’s been on the warpath ever since.
I caught him yelling at one of the stable hands for not putting away halters and lead ropes properly yesterday, he’s had to call the vet out twice to attend to a sick horse, and he flew off the handle for someone incorrectly handling a horse.
He may be justified in reprimanding staff since performance issues are rife, but his manner is too hostile. I’ll have to step in at some point before he takes it too far and someone lodges a grievance against him.
It’s a tricky situation, balancing my role as his boss with my role as his…insert relationship status here.
“What’s so special about him?” Ollie asks, hobbling away from the window. “Wagner says you haven’t stopped talking about him since the day you ran into him at Bunny’s.”
“Wagner sure likes to gossip like a little bitch.”
“In all fairness, he didn’t say anything until I asked him what on earth would possess you to cook for someone. I was there, remember? I saw it. What the hell is going on, Mav? I get you buying this place as a way to figure out some shit, but the way you’re acting with Jackson is completely unlike you. The cooking. The monthlong deal. Michael Jackson.”
“How do you know about that?”
He lowers himself into the sofa, his crutches falling to the floor as he does, and then he gives me his shit-eating grin. “I knoweverything.”
I shake my head and drop down next to him. “Fucking Wagner.”
“Don’t blame him. It’s your fault for not keeping your bestie up to date with the latest. I don’t like having to interrogate your brother for information about your love life.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“Apology accepted. You can make it up to me by swearing you will give me all the details from now on.”
“Fine. I swear.”
