“When I went to check on my kids, I couldn’t find him in the house.” Her voice softened with the memory. “I finally found him outside selling lemonade. He said he was going to stay out there until we had enough money, so we didn’t have to move.”
Donovan dropped his gaze to the table. He’d never forget how he’d felt listening to his parents hurling insults at each other. At his father offering up excuses and promises that, even then, he knew were bullshit. Helpless, yet determined to fix things. Determined to make his mother feel better. In that moment, control had become very important to him. Donovan gripped his thigh as he tried to hold those old yet familiar emotions at bay. A hand—Jada’s hand—covered his. She squeezed. The comfort she offered so selflessly immediately calmed him. He ignored the knowing glance his sisters exchanged.
“That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard,” Jada said.
His mom nodded. “I’ve never been prouder of him than I was at that moment. I knew what kind of man he was destined to be, and he’s done nothing but prove me right. He’s been taking care of his family and friends ever since, including opening this store because it’s what his friends wanted and needed.” She glanced down at their entwined hands, then stood. “Well, I think we’ve monopolized enough of your time.”
Donovan walked his mom and sisters to the door. At the entrance, Sandra stopped and patted him on the cheek. “I found out what I came to find out.”
His eyebrows lifted. “Which was?”
His mom touched his arm, her voice and face going serious. “If Jada is good for you. She is. She has a good sense of humor and cares about you. Makes you think about something other than your contract negotiation and shop sales. There is more to life than money. Don’t let her get away.”
With unerring accuracy, Donovan zeroed in on the woman in question. She was standing at the counter, laughing at something Ella had said, her whole body involved in the endeavor, head thrown back, shoulders shaking. Holding back wasn’t Jada’s way. His lips quirked. For good or bad. She’d certainly turned his world on its head. Maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing.
Chapter Fourteen
What the hell? Donovan wasn’t sure his jaw could be picked up. It had to be permanently cemented to the ground.
When he’d agreed to hosting events to bring in new business, he’d had no idea that would lead to pearls, dildos, vibrators, and fake penises hanging on the Sugar Blitz walls. Jada. This new decor had her fingerprints all over it.
Where was she?
He about-faced and headed to the kitchen, where he’d last seen her.
On his way, Donovan paused outside the supply closet. Light spilled from under the closed door. He cocked his ear toward the door. Maybe someone was inside, but he didn’t hear anything. Nicholas had probably forgotten to turn off the light. But Donovan paid the bills around here. There would be no wasted energy on his watch.
He grabbed the key from his office, unlocked the door, stepped inside, and felt along the wall for the light switch as the door shut behind him. His fingers had closed around the switch when a flash of movement flickered in his periphery. Donovan turned, peering into the room.
Jada was huddled in the back corner, looking for all the world like she was trying to disappear into the red brick wall behind her.
He frowned, moving closer to her, unable to stop himself, a fate that was becoming all too familiar to him. “What are you doing in here? Are you okay?”
She stepped away from the wall, lifting her stubborn chin, clearly determined to give a convincing performance. She threw a defiant look his way. “Yes.”
Too bad her voice quavered.
Worry and concern urged him closer. “For some reason, I don’t believe you. Are you hiding?”
She lifted her chin higher. “Of course I’m not hiding.”
He glanced around the room. “So you were looking for something?”
“Yep.” Quintessential Jada, always determined to brazen her way out of any situation.
He gave her the look that always sent pro athletes scurrying for cover. “Then what are you looking for?”
Her throat muscles worked up and down before she swung her gaze wildly around the room. “Um … sugar.”
“It’s right there.” He pointed to the shelf containing bags upon bags of sugar.
“Oh, thanks.” She tried to move around him, but he stopped her with a hand on her arm. She sucked in a breath at the light touch but didn’t pull away. Good, because he didn’t want to let go. But he made himself, his fingers sliding across her soft skin until he grasped nothing but air.