Sylvia Day: Aftershock

“Will you?”

She grinned. “When he breaks down and comes to me, yes. I’ll offer him a drink, too. It’s the least I can do.”

Lifting my flute in a farewell toast, I took her advice and started mingling. Eclectic fusion music pumped through the hidden speakers, an audible reflection of the menu. The food was garnering raves and the excitement was high. Opening a new restaurant was always a momentous occasion. Like Lei, I lived for the high.

Soon Vincent would be launching his own Rossi’s. So much to celebrate. Life was getting better every day.

“Congratulations, Gianna. This is quite an accomplishment.”

I stopped and faced Ian Pembry. My mother would call him “dashing.” I thought of him as arresting, with an undeniable charisma.

“Thank you,” I said, holding out my hand to him. “I’ll pass the kudos along to the chefs.”

He kissed my knuckles with firm, dry lips. “I know exactly how much work goes into a successful launch like this. Take the praise—you deserve it.”

I bowed my head in acknowledgment. “I couldn’t have done it without Lei. She’s an awesome mentor.”

Ian’s blue eyes gleamed with amusement and he squeezed my hand before releasing it. “You might be surprised at what you can accomplish without Lei. When you’re ready to take that step, let me know.”

I debated keeping my mouth shut for a minute, then I just went with it. “You blew it with her, you know. She loved you.”

Ian’s face hardened, but before he could reply, his gaze fixed on a point beyond my shoulder. When a steely arm hooked around my waist, I knew who’d drawn his attention.

“Jackson,” Ian greeted him stiffly. “I hear congratulations are in order for you, as well.”

Jax tucked me into his side. “I’m a lucky man who got a second chance.”

I arched a brow at Ian, since Jax’s words tied so neatly into what I’d just said. Ian’s response was a tight smile.

Jax excused us and led me away, his hand cupped around my hipbone in a grip that sent heated thoughts through my mind. “I managed to get us the same room you were in the last time we were here together.”

I remembered that trip well. It had been a turning point for us. The beginning of the end that kicked off a new beginning. “Are you being sentimental?” I teased, drawing to a halt and facing him.

“Still working on fixing past mistakes.”

“Oh? What was the mistake?”

He ran the tip of his finger down the bridge of my nose and his dimple flashed. The one-two punch made me more than a little weak in the knees. “Leaving you naked and wanting. Gotta fix that, baby.”

“I think you’ve left me hanging more than once. Maybe I should make a list.”

Jax’s grin widened. “Absolutely.”

“It might be a long one,” I warned, thinking about all the times he’d gotten me hot and bothered, then made me wait until I thought I’d lose my mind.

He reached for my hand and played with my ring. “Good thing we’ve got plenty of time.”

A lifetime. Which might just be long enough.

* * * * *

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