Jessica's POV

A week after moving to Stockton, I'm sitting on the floor in my office sorting through some of the inventory we received from the other store, when I hear a knock on the back door of the store.

Looking up at the monitors for the camera system we just had installed, I see Jax standing at the back door, a bag in hand.

Letting out a chuckle, I unlock the door before opening it to let him into the store.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, closing and locking the door behind him.

Since our chance meeting last week, Jax and I have talked almost everyday since. Unfortunately, he had to go out of town to get some work done, so the two of us weren't able to see each other again.

That hasn't stopped him from at the very least checking in on me to make sure that I was doing okay, and to let me know that I was on his mind while he was out of town.

When telling Morgan about Jax, she was of course hesitant.

Jax was nothing like the guys I have previously dated, or even been associated with in the past. Most of the guys had some sort of connection to my parents, something that could help me in the business world, or wanted the connections that I brought to a relationship.

Not to mention my ex was a total shit head.

Jax was different than he seems from the outside. While he was rough around the edges, didn't wear designer brands, and wasn't a clean cut, he has treated me better in a week of just strict phone calls and text messages than any of those other guys have.

"I was on my way back home and wanted to see you. I know you had said earlier that you were going to be working all day, so I figured you could use a break, and some food" he tells me, setting down a bag of food from the diner in front of us.

"You really didn't have to do all of that, I would have stopped eventually" I tell him, giving him a small smile.

"You had also mentioned that the store was getting close to being done, so I wanted to pop in and take a look, and damn does it look good in here" he tells me, looking around the store from the office door.

 One of the main things that I love about Moonlight is that it's a contrast to most of the other boutiques that you come across. We don't just specialize in one type of clothing style. You can find vintage shirts, leather, date night clothes, and even comfortable style clothing.

Jax and I sit in my office eating food from the diner that he brought with him. Me filling me in on stuff that is happening around here, or him talking about what he did while he was out of town for the past week.

When we finished eating, I threw away and sat back down in my seat next to him.

"Are you still planning on opening up soon?" Jax questions.

"I am at the moment. I hired a few employees over the past few days, they should all be starting training here soon as long as everything from their background checks comes back clean" I explain.

Jax gives me a nod, before standing up from his chair and extending his hand out to me.

"Well, let's get back to work then. I'm at your service for the next few hours, so whatever you may need, I'll help you" he tells me.

"You really don't have to do that. You just got back from out of town, sit back down and relax. Having your company is more than enough" I tell him, attempting to get him to sit back down next to me.

Jax lets out a chuckle, before pulling me off of the chair.

"Nope, let's get some of the heavy lifting done while I'm here today. You know you want to put me to work" he tells me.

I stand up from my chair before kissing his cheek and walking out into the main area of the store, leaving a chuckling Jax standing in my office. 

Jax's POV

After spending the afternoon helping Jessica around the store, I finally decided it was time to make it back to Charming. Promising Jessica that I would stop by at some point this week, and of course call her when I have the time.

I have yet to tell Jessica about the MC, and my life with the MC, but at this point I think it's for the best. Keeping her safe, out of this life, it's what I know Opie wanted for Donna, but he couldn't do it. I have the chance to keep Jessica out of this life, out of the line of fire and safe from any harm that comes her way.

Plus, Jessica is an escape. An escape from charming, an escape from the drama that my mother and stepfather bring into my life, and an escape from the terror that life in the MC brings to me.

"Where have you been?" Tig asks, handing me a beer once I walk into the clubhouse.

Taking a sip of the beer, I set it down on the bar, before looking over at him.

"Had to stop and see Ope on the way back in, decided to grab some lunch while I was there" I explain.

It wasn't a complete lie; I did stop and see Opie for a little while before heading over to Jessica's store for a little while to see her.

"How is he holding up in there?" Tig asks.

"He's okay, he's just ready to get out. Ready to be on the outside again" I tell him.

Tig and I sat at the bar for a few hours catching up since he didn't go on the run up north with me this past week.

After a little while, I head to my room at the clubhouse, sensing that a party is ramping up. Since meeting Jessica, I have had no desire to sit through the parties that are held here what feels like daily, something I never thought would happen.

Closing the door to my room behind me, I lock the door before pulling out my phone, dialing the number I almost have memorized by now.