Giving In

Chapter 7

Over the next week, Jackson and James worked hard on setting up the grand opening of "Ava's", which kept Jackson away from the bar and grill. He spent all of his time making sure every last-minute detail was finished, and it helped distract him from the problem between him and his manager. He knew that as soon as the new restaurant was up and running, he would have to return to his daily tasks, but he was glad that for at least a few days, he didn't have to deal with it. He still felt completely heartbroken, but he wasn't going to let it show. He put on his poker face and pushed through each day as if nothing was bothering him.

Kay went into work every day, but she barely spoke to anyone. She knew that Jackson was out of the office until the following week, so she took the time to do everything that she needed to do. Once he returned, she wouldn't be able to drown herself in work. Even at home, Kay felt like a ghost. She wouldn't talk to Lillie about what was happening, and she could feel that James was not very comfortable around her. She spent the week locked in her office while she searched for an apartment and applied for new jobs. She loved her job, but she knew that she couldn't stay.

Lillie begged Kay to go with her to the grand opening of "Ava's", and it took a lot of encouragement before she promised her best friend that she would be there with her. Lillie had worked hard interviewing people and hiring the staff. She had to go over the menu with them, teach the cooks how to make the specialty items that Jackson let Lillie put on the menu, and after a couple weeks, the restaurant was ready to go. Lillie and James were lucky that they didn't have to work the event, just greet guests, and they were taking the name's sake of the restaurant with, their daughter Avariella.

Kay made sure to wear her prettiest outfit, do her hair in a gorgeous up-do, and put her makeup on. She was a nervous wreck because she knew that Jackson was going to be there to make sure that his investment and work was paying off. She really didn't want to face him after everything that happened. Kay still hadn't told anyone that she didn't sleep with the bartender like they thought she did. She just let Jackson think what he wanted because she was trying to get him to give up on being with her anyway. She just couldn't stand seeing the hurt in his eyes when he looked at her.

Jackson was ready to stand by his brother and sister-in-law's side while they opened their new restaurant. He knew that Lillie was probably going to invite Kay, seeing as it was her best friend. He was still really upset with her, but he wasn't going to let her bother him. He made sure to get to "Ava's" before anyone else, so he could open the doors and let the new staff in and remind everyone of what to be prepared for. He then went out and passed out flyers to remind the community that there was a new restaurant opening in town. He wanted the first night to be a success.

Once all of the staff had arrived and was prepared, James, Lillie and Jackson called all of the staff in the dining room for some words of encouragement. They talked to them about how important they were to them and to the success of the restaurant, and how they expected everyone to treat the customers with kindness and to make sure they knew that they were to give the customer whatever they could to make them happy. Lillie explained that for them to be successful, they needed to say yes to the customers, and then figure out how to make it happen.

The doors opened and guests started piling into the dining room. Drinks were served, orders were taken, and management had greeted the guests, and thanked them for coming. Jackson walked around placing coupons on the tables for a free drink and noticed that Kay and Seth were seated at a table close by where he was standing. Even though he didn't want to be around her, she was still a guest at his establishment, and he had to greet her and give her the coupon as well. He walked over and turned to face the table.

"Thank you for joining us here at "Ava's" for our grand opening. Here is a free drink coupon redeemable at the bar, if you have any questions or concerns feel free to ask your server for a manager. I hope you enjoy your meal and have a great evening." Once the words were out of Jackson's mouth, he was already turned to leave the table in a hurry.

"Jackson, please don't walk away yet. I want to apologize to you." Once Kay had looked into Jackson's eyes and noticed how empty they looked, she couldn't just go on not saying anything.

"Ma'am, there is no need for you to apologize. Please, just enjoy your evening." Jackson countered, and walked away as quickly as he could, distracting himself at a nearby table.

"Seth, I swear he is going to hate me forever. It's killing me to see him so sad. I never meant to hurt him; I just can't give him the happily ever after that he is looking for." Kay said sadly.

"You can too Kay, you are just choosing not to. You and I both know that he won't give a shit that you have a checkered past. You are just trying to avoid being in love and all that it entails. I really don't want to listen to you whine all night about how hurt you feel and how hurt he is, and blah blah. You can fix this whole thing if you weren't such a coward." Seth had always been straight forward and honest, and he wasn't about to change that to spare anyone's feelings.

Kay and Seth finished their meals in silence, and when they were finished, they went to congratulate Lillie and James for the opening being so successful. Kay volunteered to take Avariella home with her so they could stay and talk to the staff and help with the clean up once everyone left. Kay just wanted to get out of there before she ran into Jackson again. As much as she wanted to run away from him, she wanted to wrap her arms around him and kiss him. She thought she was going crazy.

Jackson went out by his car to hide and have a cigarette, because no one knew that he started smoking again. He didn't want to hear the lectures from his family, but with all the stress he was under, he started back up after five years of not smoking. As he was standing by his car, he heard Kay laughing. He loved that sound. He stood against his truck and closed his eyes, just listened to her voice. As he stood there, he felt someone come up to him, and delicate hands landed on his shoulders. He was afraid to open his eyes.

Kay saw him standing there in the dark, and after she strapped the baby seat into her car, she told Seth she would be right back. She walked quietly to where he was standing with his eyes closed. She stopped to admire his features and take in his beauty, and then she stepped up to him and put her hands on his shoulders. He still didn't open his eyes, so she leaned in and kissed him. His hands found their way around her waist and pulled her closer.

"I'm sorry I hurt you. I just want you to know that I never slept with that guy Jackson. I couldn't bring myself to do it, knowing it would hurt you." She whispered.

Once Jackson let himself come back into reality, he knew that he couldn't stand there with her, he couldn't kiss her, and he certainly couldn't listen to anything she had to say. So what if she didn't sleep with him, she still brought him home with her, and she was still kissing him when they walked together down towards her room. He could not forgive her because he knew that had she not spotting him sitting on the sofa, she would have dragged that guy into her bedroom and had her way with him.