“Daddy, this is the last juice box.” Piper came running back into the hangar, breaking the moment. “Are we still going to the movies? Can I have pop?”
Jax shot his daughter a knowing look. “Have I ever given you pop?”
“If I keep asking you will.”
Piper stopped in front of him and held out her juice for him to put the straw into it. Why these straws were made so flimsy and the holes so tiny was beyond his realm of comprehension. He was utterly convinced that people who made things targeted for kids had no kids of their own.
“When you’re older,” he stated, handing the pouch back to her.
“That’s what you always say,” she muttered. “I guess when I’m fifty I can have Pesi.”
“Pepsi,” he corrected with a grin. “And I was thinking more like sixty.”
When Piper groaned, he smiled and turned his attention back to Olivia. She stood there just staring at Piper, and he had no idea what was going through her head. She looked almost . . . sad. Was she having regrets about coming here and all but demanding he sell? He sure as hell hoped so because she was going to be waiting awhile if she was holding out for a different answer from him.
“Livie?”
She jumped as if he’d broken her trance. “Olivia,” she corrected.
Yeah, he remembered, but he liked to keep reminding her of her roots. Maybe he’d get through that thick head of hers just who she was and that running away didn’t change the person.
He should know.
“I . . . um . . .” Olivia seemed to be at a loss for words. “I’ll check back with you about our talk.”
“You could go on a date.”
Jax nearly choked on air at his daughter’s declaration. And when he glanced to Olivia, her wide eyes suggested she was just as caught off guard.
“Honey, why would you suggest that?” Jax squatted down next to Piper. This was the first time she’d ever said anything like that before.
“Bella in my class said her mom was going on a date and that if they like each other she might get a new dad.”
Jax’s heart clenched. He had no idea she’d even had such thoughts as wanting two parents. For four years he’d been both mom and dad. He’d even watched YouTube videos to try to figure out how the hell to do her hair, but so far he’d only mastered the ponytails. He polished her nails and had let her polish his. Granted, she told him he couldn’t take it off, so his toes were currently a vibrant shade of purple. Thankfully, he always wore boots or tennis shoes—he only prayed he wasn’t in an accident.
“Honey, Olivia and I barely know each other. We aren’t going on a date.”
Piper’s face fell. “But she’s pretty, Dad.”
That was definitely something he couldn’t deny. Olivia was stunning, even when sneering at him.
“Piper.” Olivia stepped forward and squatted down beside him. “Did you know my daddy used to own this airport? I used to run around here just like you. But, not every daddy has time for dating or relationships. And I bet your daddy is so busy flying clients and having fun with you, he wouldn’t have time to take me anywhere.”
Jax cringed. Not only did she just slam her father, she’d basically lumped Jax in with Paul . . . which was fine because Jax respected the hell out of the guy, but it was clear Olivia didn’t.
Piper’s eyes widened, as did her smile. “I’ll just stay with Miss Mary. She always says she’ll babysit anytime.”
Jax rubbed his forehead. He truly didn’t have the time, nor did he want to get into this conversation in front of Olivia, who clearly had a chip on her shoulder where men in general were concerned.
“Honey—”
“I’ll go on a date with your dad if he wants.”
Jax jumped to his feet. What the hell was she saying? He stared down at her and she merely glanced up to him and winked. Winked. What kind of game was she playing?
“But,” she went on, focusing back to Piper, “we’re just friends. I don’t want you to get any other ideas.”
Piper threw her arms around Olivia’s neck. For a moment, Jax wondered if Olivia would return the innocent gesture, but she enveloped Piper and patted her back.
“I can’t wait to tell Bella,” Piper exclaimed as she pulled back and started sipping her juice.
Olivia stood and straightened her clothes. “Looks like we’ll get to have that talk after all,” she told him with a wide smile.
She’d cornered him and now he was looking at a date with the very last person he wanted to be alone with. Damn it.
* * *
“This shade makes me look like I have jaundice.”
Olivia stared across the table at Melanie’s nude polish. “No, it doesn’t. You’re just used to that pink you always wear. We were hoping you’d be a little more daring.”
Melanie held her hands out, examining her glossy nails. “This is daring.”
Jade rolled her eyes and stroked her mint green across her pinkie. “It’s nude. You might as well wear nothing. It’s a waste of product. Wear red or navy or even black. For pity’s sake, mix it up.”
Olivia still hadn’t decided her shade. She stared at the variety from reds to pinks to bright summer colors. Nothing was hitting her; then again, perhaps she couldn’t concentrate because she’d been set up on a date by a four-year-old. That little tot should grow up to be a politician or lawyer. She was a sneaky one and had them agreeing within seconds. Their piddly excuses to deny her had fallen on deaf ears.
“What’s up with you?” Jade asked suddenly. “You’ve been frowning since you came back from the airport. Did he refuse to get your suit clean or did he feel you up again?”
Olivia reached for the bright red, deciding on something fierce. “He never felt me up
