Beautiful Love

Five

Maggie

"Okay, put those over there, make sure the treats in the front are stocked up, and check the register." I ordered my staff before we opened the bakery for the day.

Recently my bakery has been super popular and many events have been asking for us. That means more deliveries and my staff has been working extra hard.

"Cassie, you're working the cash register!" I called to one of my people. She nodded and out her apron on before going to the front.

I went into the back and started doing inventory when I heard the bell ring from above the bakery door. That means someone came in so yay!

I was walking towards the back when I heard my staff talking while icing cupcakes for an order.

"Did you see the guy that came in?" a woman named Jackie asked another woman named Emily.

"Oh my god, he's so hot." Emily fanned herself and I hid a laugh. I don't have a problem with it because at least they're getting their jobs done.

"Did you hear Cassie flirting with him?" Jackie asked her. Now that got my attention.

"Yeah, she offered to give him a discount but he rejected her." Emily said making me roll my eyes.

I could totally see Cassie do that. She's flirted with other employees before and they've all come to me and I've had to tell her to knock it off.

"What else did she say to him?" I asked making them jump and turn to me. Both of them shared a look and I raised my brows.

"Um, he asked to see you but she said you were busy and that she'd help him with whatever he needed." Jackie said making me scoff.

"Yeah cause counting containers makes me so busy." I remarked making them laugh. I untied the top of my apron and walked out the door to be behind the cash register.

Of course, there Cassie was twirling a strand of her hair while talking to... Jax? Oh my god. He was wearing a black dress shirt and jeans and I would have checked him out longer if it wasn't for Cassie's giggling snapping me out of my trance.

I rolled my eyes and walked over. "Excuse me Cas, but we've got a line of customers waiting so either ask for his number and get rejected or move out of my way and let me take over."

There was a line of like 7 people who all looked annoyed as hell. All of them started clapping when I spoke to Cassie making me inwardly smirk.

"Ah, so you're not busy." Jax smirked. I smiled and walked around the counter. Cassie rolled her eyes and took the next persons order while Jax walked over to me.

"So, what's up?" I asked him making him look up from where he was checking out my body.

"Well, my brother and I have this banquet to go to and it's next week. My brother's the host and he told me I need to find a date." he started. "I don't really have anybody else to ask since I haven't been seeing anyone, but I wanted to ask if you'd go with me."

I bit the inside of my cheek and looked down. Is Jax a great guy? Yes. Is he good looking? Hell yeah. But I don't know if I'm ready to get involved with another man? I don't know.

"Like an actual date?" I asked.

"Well, yeah. You'd be by my side the whole night." he shrugged.

"Listen Jax, you're a great guy and I'd love for us to be friends but just friends." I said and he nodded in understanding but I could tell he was a little let down that I said no.

"That's okay. I'm not gonna pressure you to go to it." he gave me a soft smile. "But you were my safety net so now I'm gonna be a loner while my brother brings his girlfriend."

"I'm sorry Jax." I apologized.

"Oh don't feel bad. I'll find some girl to take home." he winked making me roll my eyes. "If you do change your mind just call me. Tell the kids I said hey."

I smiled as he turned to leave. "I will."

- - -

Jax

Damn it.

I really wanted to go to this thing with Maggie. Maybe half a year ago I was in a relationship with a woman and I had planned on bringing her to this banquet because it's been planned for that long but things didn't work out with her.

Then I met Maggie and I really like her. I wanted to go out again but I guess she's not ready. I don't know what happened to the father of her kids but she's never spoken about him and neither have the kids.

"Yo, how'd it go?" Ryan asked me as I walked in the house and saw him and Nick sitting on the couch. I shook my head and walked into the kitchen.

"She said no?" Nick asked. I heard both of them following behind me.

"Yeah." I sighed. "I mean, what did I expect? We've known each other for a couple weeks and we've only hung out alone once."

"Yeah but she let you meet her kids. Obviously she's not uncomfortable being around you." Ryan said.

"Maybe she's just not ready to be dating again." I shrugged.

Ryan and Nick shared a look before looking at me like I was stupid.

"What?" I knit my brows together.

"If she doesn't want it to be a date then why didn't you ask her to come as friends?" Nick asked.

My mouth formed an O shape and I made a look of realization.

"Oh I'm an idiot." I smacked my forehead. "Wait a minute, who are you taking?"

"Amanda." he stated like I was dumb.

"So are you guys like official?" I asked.

"Yeah, I asked her to be my girlfriend last-- wait a minute we're talking about your love life not mine." he glared at me. I sighed.

"Well I already blew it." I threw my arms up. "The first time I actually like a girl in over six months and I get rejected."

"Hey, you didn't get rejected." Ryan said. "She politely declined." I gave my brother a 'really' look.

- - -