Page 115 of Make Me Yours

“We tried to guilt Laiken into some team bonding, but hewas a no go. You know how much he hates leaving Elodie alone,” River says.

I snort. “Did you really think he’d want to spend free time with us if he can be with his daughter?”

“Smart man. I’d choose Elodie over you jokers anytime,” Knox adds.

River’s gaze flicks to Callie and lingers. “Hey, Callie. How’s Nora?”

Callie stiffens as she grips the edge of the counter, her expression carefully blank. “She’s fine.”

River moves closer, undeterred by the cold shoulder she’s giving him. “I wanted to talk to you about the other?—”

Her tone turns frosty as she cuts him off. “Don’t bother. And you don’t have to keep checking in on me. If Zane wants an update about his daughter, he knows how to reach me.”

River’s jaw clenches. “What? No, that’s not?—”

Before he can finish, Callie turns away, effectively ending the conversation.

Knox mutters, “Well, that was certainly awkward. I have a feeling that’s the way most of your interactions with the ladies go.”

Before anyone else can comment, the elevator opens. I glance up, expecting the last of Lilah’s friends.

“Damn. Who’s that?” Jax mutters, attention locked on her.

I follow his gaze to the petite brunette with sharp eyes. “That’s Sloane. She works at Lakeshore Sweets with Callie.”

Jax nods absently, still staring like she’s the first woman he’s ever seen in real life.

Before Sloane can greet everyone, Jax beelines in her direction. His lips curve into an easy smile. “So you work at the bakery everyone’s always raving about, huh? Maybe I’ll have to stop by sometime.”

“Really?” Sloane looks him up and down. “You don’t strike me as the sweets type.”

Jax flashes his signature grin in response. “Not usually, but I’m excellent at taste-testing.”

Sloane lifts a brow. “What a coincidence, so is Nora.”

Knox chokes on his beer as Jax steps closer, his boyish charm cranked up to full volume.

“Then she and I have something in common.”

Sloane exhales through her nose before shaking her head. “Would that be zero self-control and a penchant for throwing tantrums?”

Knox wheezes as River smothers a laugh.

“She’s got you there, Jax,” Knox says with a chuckle.

Our teammate ignores the jab. “Maybe I can take you out sometime and you can find out for yourself.”

Sloane barely glances his way, her tone cool and unreadable. “No, thanks. Some of us don’t have time for games.”

Jax’s smirk wavers for a split second before snapping back into place. “Well, if you change your mind, the offer stands.”

“I won’t,” Sloane says with a roll of her eyes before finally dismissing him.

Knox is full-on losing it as I exchange a glance with River. I don’t know Sloane well, but her prickly demeanor doesn’t seem to be deterring Jax in the least.

Knox claps me on the shoulder. “Come on, Cap. We should probably head out and leave the girls to it.”

I look over at Lilah, who’s lounging on the couch and laughing with Callie.