Willow slowly blinks. “You stayed home from s’mores night because of shelves?”
“No.” I shake my head. “That was last Sunday. But that’s when it started.”
Willow frowns. “What started?”
“This strange thing where he stopped being the flirty, cocky Jordan I’m used to and started being…” I pause. “Sweet? Thoughtful? I don’t even know how to put it into words.” Both of them remain silent, which is rare, so I continue. “When he was there that night, I suggested he sell pumpkin spice edibles. He said none of his suppliers carried them, so I offered to help him make some to sell on Black Friday.”
Willow’s eyebrows press together. “You offered to voluntarily spend time with Jordan?”
“Yes. I mean, he helped me out, and I figured I could return the favor.” I tuck one leg underneath me on the chair. “So Thanksgiving night he came to my shop and we spent a couple of hours baking cannabis oil infused pumpkin bars.”
“Ooh, did you try them and then make out with him?” Nina asks.
I snort. “No to both.”
Nina’s excitement deflates right in front of my eyes. “Bummer.”
“No, not bummer at all,” Willow corrects, shooting a what-the-fuck look at Nina. “I know you’re in love and you want everyone to experience how amazing it feels, but Jordan is nothing like Travis. If Ginger got involved with him, the only thing she can count on is him breaking her heart. She deserves much better.”
“Maybe he’d be different with her,” Nina challenges.
Willow rolls her eyes. “Sure. If we live in fantasy land. Here in reality, statistics show he’d most likely be the same. A leopard doesn’t change his spots.”
“Okay, Miss Negative,” Nina says, sticking her tongue out at Willow before she looks at me. “I’d like to hear what happened when they made the edibles.”
“He listened to my instructions and took them seriously. He toned down the suggestive comments—toned them way down—and he was normal. Actually, he was complimentary and genuinely kind. I had a lot of fun with him.”
“With Jordan?” Willow asks, wide eyed.
I nod. “Yes, our Jordan.”
“Sounds like he’syourJordan,” Nina says, tittering.
“Let me get this straight,” Willow jumps in. “You skipped a night out with us to do laundry, but really it was because you didn’t trust yourself not to look like a love struck fool in front of a certain edible-making shelf hanger?”
I wince. “Basically.”
Nina leans back in her chair, polishing her nails on the front of her sweater. “I called it.”
Willow sends a concerned look my way. “You’ve got it bad, girl.”
“I know.” I groan. “And I tried to remain impervious to his good looks and charm. But then he went and hit me with the sweetness and threw in a sprinkle of self-deprecation. I even saw hints of vulnerability.”
Willow slowly ticks her head side to side, as if she’s confused. “I can’t believe we’re talking about Jordan Thorne. Are you sure it wasn’t an alien shapeshifter?”
I laugh. “It would be easier to accept your theory than to understand this new version of Jordan. And now, here’s the kicker… I find myself wanting to spend more time with him.”
Neither of them has anything to add, and we fall silent. That’s the moment it hits me. This isn’t such a little crush anymore. It hasn’t been for a long time. I just refused to see it, and spending time alone with him forced me to acknowledge the change.
Willow finally breaks the silence. “What are you going to do?”
I push my half eaten croissant around on the plate with my fingertip. “I wish I knew.”
I sit down on the couch and put my feet up on the ottoman.
“How was your morning?” Pops asks.
“It was nice to have some girl time.”
