Page 14 of Made for Wilde

“She’s grown into quite a woman,” Jason continues, completely unaware of my internal struggle. “Smart as a whip, just like her mom. Independent as hell, just like me.”

I force a smile, but inside, my thoughts are churning.

I shouldn’t be here. Shouldn’t be feeling whatever this is. Charlotte is off-limits, not just because she’s Jason’s daughter, but because I’m two decades older than her. Because I’m damaged goods with nothing to offer anyone, let alone someone young and full of potential.

“You still with me, big guy?” Jason asks, nudging my arm.

I snap back to attention.

“Yeah, sorry. Long day.”

“No more mafia shit I hope?”

“Nah. Gio Vega’s been six feet under for over a year now. Good riddance.” The memory of those days still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. “Dana’s made it her personal mission to clean up Worthington Sports. She’s been ruthless about cutting ties with anyone even remotely connected to Vega’s operation.”

“Thank fuck,” Jason exhales, visibly relieved. “I worried about you, man. Those guys don’t usually let people walk away.”

“Well, they make exceptions when their ringleader catches a bullet,” I say dryly. “Besides, Dana’s scarier than most crime bosses I’ve met.”

Jason chuckles at that.

“Speaking of Dana, how’s she doing? Still running the place with an iron fist?”

“More like a titanium fist,” I snort. “She’s got me teaching a beginner boxing class now. Bunch of rich kids who think they’re the next Tyson.”

Jason chokes on his whiskey, and laughter erupts from his chest.

“You? Teaching beginners? How the hell did that happen?”

“The trainer who was supposed to teach it quit,” I explain, rolling my shoulders in annoyance. “Packed up everything and moved to Texas to be with some woman he met online. Knew her for a week.”

I scoff, expecting Jason to join me.

Instead, he gets this faraway look in his eyes and says, “Sometimes you just know.”

“Why are you getting all sentimental on me?”

He takes a deep breath, then meets my gaze.

“I’m seeing someone.”

My eyebrows shoot up.

“Shit. Seriously?”

“Yeah. Her name’s Rebecca.” His face softens in a way I haven’t seen since before Elaine died. “She’s a high school counselor in Cheyenne. We met at a fundraiser for the school.”

I sit back, genuinely surprised.

In all the years since Elaine died, Jason never showed interest in dating. Never even mentioned feeling lonely.

“How long have you been seeing each other?”

“Two months. I wasn’t even going to go to that fundraiser, but one of the guys at work dragged me along. Said I needed to get out of the house.” Jason’s smile grows wider. “She was running the silent auction. Had this whole system organized with color-coded bid sheets and volunteers stationed at every table. She was so focused, so passionate about raising money for these kids. I found myself bidding on things I didn’t even want just to have an excuse to talk to her.”

I can’t help but grin.

“What did you end up winning?”