Sea Breeze 01 - Breathe

can make a name for himself if he will just focus on it instead of spending so much time fiddling with the stock market. His head for numbers is being wasted. He needs to decide what he wants to do with his future and do it. Stop messing around with things. If he wants to be successful in the stock market, fine. But don’t play at it like it’s a game.”
    Jax’s eyes gazed up at me and seemed to smile before he directed them back down at his mother. “You both are going to push him away. You’re right; he is smart. And he doesn’t need you to think for him.”
    Mrs. Stone let out a short, hard laugh. “And you wouldn’t be where you are today if I hadn’t pushed you so hard. All you wanted to do was play baseball with your buddies and play in a silly garage band that had absolutely no talent other than you.”
    Jax sighed, took a drink of his ice water, and turned to his mother. “Enough, Mom. Don’t start talking bad about the only real friends I’ve ever had.”
    Mrs. Stone leaned back, and Marcus touched my hand to draw my attention back to him and the reason we were in here. We stepped forward and, at the same time, removed the salad plates from in front of the Stones.
    “May we get you something other than water to drink with your meal?” Marcus asked with a charming southern drawl.
    I felt eyes once again watching me. I fought the urge to allow my eyes to shift back in Jax’s direction and to those eyes.
    Mrs. Stone sighed. “I suppose one glass of wine won’t hurt me.” She glanced over at her son and straightened her napkin in her lap as if trying to decide. “Bring me a glass of the best merlot we have in the cellar.”
    Jax leaned back, and I could see he still watched me. So I took a calming breath and looked at him.
    “If I could have some of Ms. Mary’s sweet iced tea, please.”
    I nodded and kept myself from returning his smile.
    “Yes, sir,” Marcus replied. He stepped back and waved his hand so I would lead the way back to the kitchen.
    I exited the large dining room and immediately took a deep breath. I hadn’t realized how nerve-racking this would be. As soon as we entered the kitchen, Marcus smiled at me.
    “What? Did I screw up?”
    Marcus shook his head, and a blond lock of hair fell into his eyes. “No, you were great. Now let’s get the crab bisque out there before Ms. Mary has a fit.” He turned toward the housekeeper. “Ms. Mary, we need merlot from the cellar.”
    Ms. Mary handed him the already opened bottle along with a glass. “I figured as much, and here’s Jax’s sweet tea.”
    “I’ll deal with the drinks,” Marcus said.
    I was too grateful to ask why. I just nodded and followed him back down the hall toward the dining room. Right before we reentered, Marcus glanced back at me. “Ignore his watching you. You’re a treat to the eyes. I can’t blame him, but if you want to keep this job, try to become invisible.” He winked, then opened the door.
    My goal in life was to become invisible. I thought I’d been attempting to do just that. Apparently, I needed to try harder.
    “I intend to get in a lot of time just relaxing on the beach. I like the private beach access we have here, and the thought of being able to chill on the beach with no one wanting to speak to me, meet me, or get me to sign an autograph is what I’ve been craving all year. I need a break. I know Marco hates the idea of me being unavailable for three months, but I need this for my sanity.” Jax glanced up at me as I set the bowl of bisque in front of him. “Thank you,” he whispered.
    “I want you to have a break too. Gregory thinks a little time in front of your fans this summer would be great PR. Maybe you could do a beach concert, or just do a few movie premieres.”
    Jax shook his head. “Mom, I refuse to make my presence here known. I chose Alabama because it’s not a highly populated area. Better yet, this little island here is private. I’ll consider a few movie premieres, but nothing else. No concerts.”
    Mrs. Stone shrugged. “Well, I told Gregory I would try, and I did. He can deal with you. You’re an adult. I’m not going to pressure you anymore.”
    Jax continued to eat, and I stood beside Marcus, staring out the window and back at Jax’s bowl, waiting for the moment when I would need to remove it. I glanced up at Marcus, and he met my eyes with a smile. He was all business, and I could tell he wanted me to do well here. I’d made a friend. Marcus