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with me. For being so kind—especially

after I’ve been so rude to you.

ANNIE

Of course. That’s what friends are for.

JAMES

Friends?

Chapter 16

Mariah

I shake out my arms as I prepare to ring the doorbell. Originally my plan had been for Ellie to do this part, but she reminded me she’s never been to Jax’s apartment and it would be weird for her to ask to come to his place. This route would require a lot more acting from me, and I’m on the opposite end of the acting spectrum from Ellie. Hopefully Jax buys what I’m doing long enough for her to get everything done.

After one more breath while trying to get my pulse to a regular rhythm and the sweat to stop forming on my brow, I ring the doorbell.

Jax answers a few seconds later, his tall frame taking up most of the doorway. A tight black T-shirt hugs his torso and his long hair hangs loose around his chiselled face.

“Hello there,” I say.

“Hey. I wasn’t sure if I’d get to see you again.” He crosses his arms, blocking the door.

“Things got busy at work, but it was a boring day today. I thought maybe you could make things more interesting.” I try to bite my lip seductively, but I’m pretty sure I look more like Andy Sandburg inJizz in My Pantsthan Dakota Johnson inFifty Shades of Grey.

Jax doesn’t seem to care; either way he thinks he’s getting laid. He steps aside just enough to let me pass, forcing me to brush my tits against him as I do. What would have given me excited tingles before now gives me the heebie jeebies.

I plop my overfilled purse next to the door, several items inside clinking, and we sit on his couch. I pause, looking around his apartment. Before, when I had been staying hereand sleeping with him, I hadn’t noticed that it was a sad, drab bachelor pad. Now—especially compared to the cozy cabin with Ellie—it feels cold and dark. Why are his blinds closed in the middle of the day? Why isn’t there any art on the walls?

Jax lays his arm over the back of the couch, trying to wrap it around me. “I knew you missed me.”

It’s weird how little I did. “There’s so much we have to make up for...”

He shifts a bit closer. “Is that so? What kind of things do you have in mind?”

I lean closer like I’m about to kiss him, then pull out my phone instead. “I’ve been thinking about what you said, about visiting me in Vancouver—how you said you don’t plan on staying here for long? My place is too small for the two of us, so I reached out and booked us a couple viewings for condos downtown.” I open my browser and show him the pictures while watching his face shift from confusion to fear, then masking to feigned interest.

“Oh, uh, apartments?” His throat bobbles as I hear him swallow.

“I know it’s fast, but we’ve known each other for years. You always wanted me, I always wanted you. It’s perfect, isn’t it? Can’t you see us in this space?”

“It is a nice apartment, but—”

I’m practically on his lap now, tracing my finger along his jaw. “Us running into each other was a sign from the universe. I mean, you’re an Aries, and I’m a Gemini. Could it be more perfect?” I’m actually a Capricorn, but he wouldn’t remember.

Jax leans back, inching away from me. “Yeah...”

I follow him, giving him no space. “What was it you said? I’d never heard anyone say anything so romantic. Oh, right.Karmabrought us together.”

He presses his lips into a firm line. “I sure did say that. Yep.”

“We can be together all day, every day. We havesomuchtime to make up for...” I lean in to kiss him while Jax pulls away like I have a giant, weeping cold sore.

We’re interrupted by a perfectly timed ringing phone. Jax jumps up and looks at his phone, does a double take, then says, “Sorry. I have to take this.”

“Go ahead, I’ll just make myself comfortable...” I lean into the couch and eye him amorously, letting my legs drift wider apart as he watches.