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The server set their plates down. The smell of the food enticed her. It was her first meal of the day, and well deserved while she was the target of Donna’s twenty questions.
“When did all of this happen?” Donna asked once the server left. She took a small bite of her food while she waited.
Jordan fussed with her sandwich. “I went to a hockey game, and afterwards we met up,” she mumbled.
Donna’s eyebrows rose. “After a hockey game? Must’ve been one exciting game.”
Jordan nodded and took a bite of her sandwich.
“When we all came for the meet and greet, were you two already an item?” Donna tapped her chin in thought. “Come to think of it, I remember seeing certain sparks flying.”
“Things kind of happened after that.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!”
“There’s really nothing to tell. It’s not what you think,” Jordan said. “We’re not together, not an item. We’re just being casual.”
“Casual,” Donna repeated. “What exactly does that mean?”
“We’re not in a relationship. Just casually dating and whatnot.”
“Especially the whatnot, I see.”
Jordan shot her a pointed look.
“So if you’re not together,” Donna asked, “does that mean he’s free to date—and whatnot—other people?”
Jordan played with her drink coaster, unable to meet her sister’s gaze. “That’s what I understand to be the meaning of casual.”
“Whose idea was that, his? Or yours?” Donna sat back and folded her arms. Jordan recognized when her sister was turning into a protective mama bear.
Jordan sighed. “We both agreed. Noah doesn’t do relationships; he was very clear about that. And before you look shocked, everyone has kept telling me to just have fun, you included.”
Donna rolled her eyes. “I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with having fun. You haven’t dated since Denny, and it’s good that you’re finally getting out there.” She leaned closer. “But are you happy about the situation?”
Jordan felt the rolling in her gut that she’d felt last night. “I’m… Honestly, I don’t know. I thought I could do casual, but now I’m not sure.”
“Oh, sweetie.” Donna reached out and put her hand over Jordan’s. “Have you caught feelings?”
Jordan nodded. “I think I might be coming down with them.”
“What about him? Do you think he has feelings, too?”
Jordan thought. “Honestly? I’m confused. On the one hand, he says we have to keep things casual. But then he turned up the other night at The Sin Bin and helped me bus all the tables—after closing. He insists on driving me home because he wants to be sure I’m safe. He just invited me to another game.”
“Those could be things a friend would do. But what I saw back in the hallway doesn’t fit the definition of merely friendly or casual.” Donna narrowed her eyes. “Does he sleep over?”
The memory of waking up next to him that morning caused Jordan to feel hot again. She nodded.
“Isn’t sleeping over against the casual rules?” Donna frowned. “I can’t help thinking that perhaps he’s confused about what he wants. What does it feel like to you when you’re with him? Do you feel any emotional connection?”
It wasn’t easy to put her feelings into words. “When we’re together, it feels to me like we’re together. Like I’m his, and he’s…” Jordan shrugged. She wasn’t supposed to think of him as hers.
Her sister sat back. “You realize that playing around with the boss might not end well, as far as your job security goes? Especially if you’re into him and he doesn’t reciprocate any feelings.”
“I know that. I’m trying to distance myself.” She took another large sip of her wine.
“I see you’re not having much success with that.” Donna laughed. “Trust me, I get the attraction. There’s just something about those hockey guys. I bet one taste is never enough, and you find yourself going back for more.”
