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“I would very much like that. It’s pronounced Joh-lah Ah-day.”

“Jola it is then.”

Her wide, beautiful smile is immediate.

“Thank you.” I nod, just as she’s quick to wrap her arms around me, and I do the same.

We pull from the hug, and she goes to the refrigerator to grab bottled water.

“Jonah, does he call you Jola?” A string of jealousy flows inside me.

She chuckles.

“No, he knows it’s my name, but he can’t say it right. Lexi is easier for him.” I nod.

“What’s the meaning of your name?”

“Enjoy the goodness, wealth, grace of royalty.”

I smile and kiss her temple.

Chapter twenty

Lexi/Jola

Bruce has done all the checks on Dr. Pierre, and he has agreed that I can visit her before she leaves Chicago. She and I have talked about everything. Today, I get to spend some time with her.

She’s quick to open the door and welcome us the moment we pull up. She acknowledges Ice and thanks him for watching me. Dr. Pierre soon comes out with freshly baked chocolate croissants, my favorite.

We eat and talk for a while, until she decides that she has all the ingredients and we can bake her special lemon cake, and I can take it with me and give Bruce some. I’m quick to agree. She and I get to work baking lemon cake as we talk. She then switches to French, knowing Ice wouldn’t understand, and starts to ask me about Bruce.

I tell her there’s nothing between us, that he probably sees me as too young. She insists that she saw something in his eyes and believes that he cares about me more than just being my bodyguard.

I let her know about Jonah’s warning. She brushes it off like it’s nothing and takes my hand, saying: “You wouldn’t know unless you tried. You are a smart girl, and it’s okay to be bold too,” she says to me in French. “Don’t let this one pass you by, I know what I saw, and I’m certain that I’m not wrong.”

I nod and tell her that I will try to be bold as she stated.

The cakes are baked, and she wraps them up for us. I share my email with her and promise to keep in touch weekly. I hug her and thank her for the joy and comfort of spending time with her.

Ice and I say goodbye and drive off. On our way, I decide maybe we should visit Bruce at the office since the cake is still warm and fresh, and we can give Grayson some as well.

Grayson and I are still listening to each other’s suggested playlists.

Ice agrees, and we drive to the office. I’m casually dressed in wide-leg jeans and a black cotton blouse, with wedge heels. Taking the cake, Ice and I make it to Bruce’s office.

Grayson is up and smiling as soon as he sees us. “Hi, Lexi. What a pleasant surprise.”

“Hi, Grayson. We were coming back from visiting Dr. Pierre, and I thought we’d bring you and Bruce some freshly baked cake.” Bruce had made sure Grayson added the visit to his calendar.

“That’s very nice of you. Well, boss is in a meeting. I will take a slice. I’ll be right back with a plate and knife.” He leaves. Ice is looking at me strangely.

“What?! Just spill it,” I challenge.

“I don’t think boss would like Grayson taking some of the cake you baked for him,” he states.

“Well, you always eat all the puff-puff, so I’m sure Grayson will be fine too,” I snicker.

He scowls and shrugs like it’s not his problem when it all blows up.