Desperate Arrangement: Bouncing Back, Book IV

35

"Lukas?"

He turned from the file he was working on to look at Johanna, his heart racing. She'd been patiently waiting for him to finish up so they could go to dinner with Jaxon and Markus. Since their run-in with April a few months before, she hadn't brought up his past relationships.

When he mentioned it at the dinner table a week later, she shrugged and told him it simply didn’t matter. They were the past, and she was his present and future. Jaxon had laughed so hard he nearly fell out of his chair, Markus stared in disbelief, and their father agreed wholeheartedly.

He smiled warmly. "What's up?"

Nervously fiddling with the hem of her shirt, Johanna picked at a piece of invisible lint. She raised her eyes and sighed. "It's nothing. I apologize for interrupting you while you're working."

"No," he said firmly. Standing up, he was by her side in two steps. His eyes stern, he told her, "You don't get to do that, remember? Clamming up is not an option. If there's something you need, just tell me and we’ll work it out, okay?"

Swallowing, she licked her lips and took a deep breath. "Well, the girls and I were talking about school, and I was thinking about getting a job. I just… It doesn’t feel right to spend your hard-earned money when I can make my own."

Dropping onto the bed, Lukas rolled onto his stomach, a smirk playing on his lips. Of course, his friends would bring up the prospect of higher education. Then again, he had promised his grandmother that he'd do anything to keep Johanna happy. Pressing his fingertips together, he looked up at her expectant face. He adored the fact that she didn’t want to rely on his money. "If you want to further your education, I’ll make it happen."

Her eyes widened in shock. "I can go to school here? You would let me?"

"You would have to be picked up and dropped off, though. I'm not taking any chances with your safety," Lukas said, outlining his expectations clearly to avoid any misunderstandings.

He glanced at the magazine of wedding dresses and other items Johanna had been browsing. True to his word, Trace had brought them home for her one night and told her to pick what she wanted.

Though she was still a bit uneasy around him, his father treated her like she was his own daughter, calling three times a day to make sure everything was going well. While doing up the chore chart the month before, she’d strongly denied him only giving her light tasks rather than going for equality. Reminding him that, if she was strong enough to muck a sheep’s pen, then she was strong enough to handle household duties, Johanna had effectively shut down his father’s unrealistic caution.

Johanna bit her lip, rolling it between her teeth. "Um, when we go to dinner, do you mind if we stop at the bridal shop?"

"Hold on a minute," Lukas said, pulling his phone out of his back pocket. "I'm going to see if Jaxon will take you now, and we can all meet up when Mark gets back and I’m done with the file, okay?"

Johanna smiled as he conversed with his best friend. Their way of speaking was amusing, considering all they did was either trade insults or talk tech. Yet, they knew each other so well, they had apparently created their own language. ‘Such strange men I've come to adore,’ she thought.

Hanging up the phone, Lukas grinned at her. "Go get your boots on, baby. Jaxon's going to be by in a minute to take you shopping. We have our own guard, too, so Erika will be joining you two. While he is gay, it would be nice for you to have some female company while you're out as well. Stay close to them."

"You mean it?" Johanna asked, her voice filled with excitement.

"He better have meant it! I'm going to have so much fun," Jaxon exclaimed as he stopped at the bedroom door.

"I'm trusting you to take care of my wife while I'm working. She can't be cooped up all the time when she's used to being on the go," Lukas said, giving his best friend a pointed look.

Scoffing, the Asian man grinned slyly. "Guess what I have in my pockets."

"Okay, Gollum," Lukas replied, rolling his eyes. "I already know you were in the office, and so far, Cal has footed the bill for every one of our weddings. It's only logical that he gave you the fabled black card."

Jaxon shook his head and retorted, "Fahr zur Hölle."

"After you."

After more playful banter, Jaxon finally coaxed Johanna to leave the apartment with him. Waiting in the hall, Erika was dressed to the nines but appeared more like a civilian than a guard.

"Finally," she breathed. "Holy smokes... Luke really did do well for himself. Is he not joining us?"

Johanna shook her head. "No, he's busy with a project Ross gave him to finish."

"Ah," Erika grinned. "I'm Erika. I've been Jaxon and Lukas’s tail for about four years now. Just think of me as a permanent shadow, ready and willing to step in as required."

A warm smile graced Johanna’s face, her eyes shimmering with warmth. "I’m Johanna, but please, call me Anna."

The metallic doors of the lift slid open with a soft chime, revealing the dimly lit, cavernous space filled with a wide array of vehicles. Their footsteps echoed as they walked across the polished concrete floor, the scent of gasoline and cool air mingling around them. Upon reaching their designated spot, the guard stationed there gave a nod of acknowledgment before disappearing into the shadows to retrieve Jaxon’s Honda. The vehicle emerged from the depths of the garage, its glossy surface reflecting the overhead lights as it glided to a stop in front of them. With a courteous nod, the guard handed Jaxon the keys, and they all settled into the car.

The city streets buzzed with activity, pedestrians and cyclists weaving through traffic as the car navigated smoothly towards Latoya's Bridal Boutique. As they approached the store, the charming storefront adorned with delicate lace curtains and elegant displays came into view, promising an afternoon of excitement and discovery.

Jaxon squealed with excitement. "I can't believe my best friend is married! I thought he would be a virgin for life with the way he is."

Erika grunted in agreement as she scanned the street for potential threats. Following them inside, she leaned casually against the wall by the door, maintaining a vigilant watch.

"They're all so beautiful!" Johanna breathed as she reached out to touch the intricate lace on one of the dresses displayed on a mannequin.

"That particular dress is worth more than you can afford," someone sneered. Turning, Johanna saw one of the store's employees studying her long, manicured nails, her nose upturned in disdain. "Based on what you're wearing, I think the discount store would be more your price range. That said, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"Where’s May?" Jaxon asked, his voice darkening.

Scoffing, the employee shook her head. "Are you hard of hearing? Just take your little urchin and leave. I have the right to refuse services, so get out already."

"Erika, give Callum a call and let him know we were refused service," Jaxon instructed, his tone resolute.

Without hesitation, Erika pulled out her phone and made the call. Hanging up, she smirked. "He said he'll contact his cousin. She should be here shortly."

The boutique was elegantly decorated with plush velvet chairs and antique wooden tables. Mannequins dressed in stunning bridal gowns stood on pedestals, surrounded by racks of delicate lace and satin. The soft scent of fresh flowers filled the air, adding to the boutique's inviting ambiance.

As Jaxon coaxed information out of her, he discovered she wanted to learn how to use a computer before she looking into the laundry list of colleges in the area. "I don't think that will be a problem. I have an old laptop you can have to practice typing if it helps."

“That would be wonderful. I can practise my English here with all of you, as well,” she replied.

“You speak it pretty good for someone from a foreign land. I’ve been to Germany, it’s really nice there, and Mark and I are planning to go during our anniversary. Got any ideas on what to do in Goslar?” Jaxon asked, eagerly soaking up the information.

She laughed, “Well, I’m aware you do not follow any sort of specific religion, but you really must take a look at the historic places like the church where Luke and I first wed: Neuwerkkirche. there’s also the mining site tours, the Imperial Palace of Goslar, Old Town, um, OH! And the museums! We have the Goslar Museum, and the Zwinger Museum, a trail system called the Liebesbank Trails, and, if you time it right, you can attend the festivals.”

Jaxon laughed as he looked up from his phone, finding himself momentarily mesmerized by her teal eyes. Blinking rapidly, Jaxon shook his head. “You really do have the prettiest eyes, don’t you? A rare diamond for a rare man, for sure.”

“A rare man?” Johanna echoed. “I don’t understand.”

“He’s rare because there’s absolutely no one else in the world that I know of as determined to wait until marriage. Well, Orthodox Jews, Mennonites, and maybe a few other groups are the exception, but Lukas never once strayed from his vow of celibacy until he was wed. To top that off, he swore he’d only marry the woman who saw him for his personality and not his wallet. Honey, it wasn’t you that struck gold. It was Luke,” Jaxon admitted softly.