Page 82 of Break Me Not

And it had an easy way to the exit if things got too heated.

I was beyond nervous. Going behind Liz's back like this could ruin our relationship, but I hoped she would understand that I was doing this for us.

Once she left the house, I put on my typical short-sleeved shirt and pants since I planned to go to work right after. But when I got there and Claire stood up, giving me a smile and waving me over, my heart froze in my chest.

Because across from her, sitting with a fresh cup of coffee, was Liz.

When Liz turned around, her smile faltered as she saw me.

Maybe we both had the same idea?

“Jax!”

“Claire, you look amazing! How have you been?” I asked as I came up to her table and gave her a hug. The only other seat was next to her mother, so I gave Liz a smile as I took it.

“If I knew this was a friends’ day, I wouldn't have barged in,” Liz said with a slight bite, and I knew it was directed at me.

“That's why I'm so happy! With my work schedule, it's hard to see both of you, so this is me killing two stones with one bird or whatever the saying is.”

We both let out a small laugh at Claire's attempt at a joke.

“Maybe I should've gotten the hint when you ordered for her,” Liz said. “Though I didn't take Jax for a white chocolate Americano girl.”

“My guilty pleasure,” I replied, trying not to squirm in my seat.

As if summoned by Liz's words, the waitress showed up with my Americano and a small, but healthy, avocado and feta cheese toast.

“Did you know she also counts her macros?”

“I don't do that anymore,” I told her, feeling the urge to defend myself.

Liz shot me a look. To be honest, I had stopped counting a few weeks before our time at the club, and then I just never got back to it. I cared less about hitting my protein goals and my workout schedule when I had her waiting for me at home with some of the most delicious food I’d ever eaten.

“Good! All that hyperfixation on food and working out made me worried about you,” Claire said, giving me a pointed glare, but then she quickly moved to her mom. “Did you ever take Jax up on her offer?”

She nodded and took a sip of her hot latte.

There was a small chill in the air, so I wasn’t surprised to see her with a latte. I had seen her switch from cold to hot and back again and I'd gotten it down to a science. On overcast days, I made or ordered her a latte before she woke up. When the sun was out early, I made her something iced. Though I didn't know she liked some cinnamon sprinkled on top.

Duly noted for future mornings.

“For security, right?”

Claire gave her a look. “Was she offering anything else?”

I almost choked on my coffee but was able to pass it off as clearing my throat.

“She did. I didn't want to tell you because of client confidentiality, but if Liz is comfortable with it…”

Liz motioned for me to go ahead but didn't meet my eyes.

“We outfitted her gallery with new cameras and a team that monitors her and the space twenty-four seven. She's safe with us. We haven’t had an incident since.”

Just as Claire was about to ask her mom a question, Liz stood up, her phone vibrating in her hand.

“Sorry, let me take this real quick. It's the gallery.”

She walked away toward the entrance of the café and far out of hearing range, and Claire took that moment to bring me back to her by snapping her fingers.