AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She’d thought that she could overcome such differences with Gary, and look how that had turned out.
Only, the plan to try and forget about Jordan hadn’t quite worked. She’d thought about him constantly since having coffee that morning in his kitchen.
Either he was avoiding her, or she’d made much more of their activities at Kimby’s than he apparently had. Jess hmmphed under her breath as the children scrambled off the stage and ran toward their parents. What did it matter if Jordan appreciated her suggestion or not. She hadn’t done it for him. She’d done it for his sister.
He had to be out there. There was no way he would have missed Sonya perform.
“Don’t forget,” she called to them before they got far. “After-party on South Beach. Your parents all know where to go.”
Maybe Jordan would even show up for that gathering. She couldn’t deny that she hoped he would. That she wanted to see him again. Nor could she deny that a day hadn’t gone by when she hadn’t thought about him and what he might be doing. While he’d probably forgotten who she was.
Why else would he be so completely MIA?
It didn’t matter. She refused to look for him in the audience. Her pride wouldn’t allow it. But her eyes had other ideas. She spotted him a few rows back from the center of the stage. He leaned forward to give his sister a hug with one arm and pulled a colorful bouquet of flowers from behind his back with the other. He handed them to her. The child’s delight was nearly palpable though she stood half an auditorium away.
The image took her breath away. Even from a distance she felt a pang of longing for him that no other man had ever evoked within her. He wore a black collared T-shirt with fitted khakis that flattered his trim and muscular physique. Despite the casual wear, he looked every bit the international tycoon that he was. A tycoon who had made sure to make time for his little sister’s performance of a swan in Mother Goose. Jess forced herself to look away. There was no time to stand here and wallow in her longing. About three dozen guests were headed toward the beach now where some of her colleagues were already setting up.
And if one of those guests happened to be Jordan Paydan, well, she’d just have to pretend he was no different than any of the other parents.
She made those words a mantra as she drove toward the coast and greeted the parents as they arrived. No sign of Jordan. Doubtless this little beachside party of hers to celebrate her hard work and that of the children was too lowbrow for him. He was probably taking his sister and Elise to a fancy gourmet restaurant to celebrate instead. His loss, she thought with no small degree of petulance. Her party was a huge success. With an impressive showing, good music and a variety of food between all her cooking and the various potluck dishes her guests so graciously provided.
But her heart did a little flip in her chest when she heard his voice from behind as she refilled the ice bucket.
“You sure know how to throw a hopping soirée.”
Jess made sure to compose herself before she turned to face him. No different than any of the other parents...
“Welcome, Jordan. Glad you made it.”
Elise and Sonya stood a few feet away, the nanny chatting with one of the other moms.
“We wouldn’t have missed it,” Jordan said.
“Thank you.” She had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. That was the best response she could come up with? Another of those unbearable awkward silences ensued between them. All the times she’d rehearsed in her head the conversations they would have once she finally saw him again, and all she’d managed to come up with was a lame, “Thank you.”
“Can I get you something to drink?” she asked by way of recovery.
Only that made no sense either, as he was already holding a sweaty bottle of beer. Why was it so hard to know what to say to this man?
He chuckled as he held it up. “All set. And I’m the one who should be thanking you.”
Jess tried to feign nonchalance.
“Really?”
“Definitely. And also admitting that you were right. From the very beginning. Being a part of this production has done a world of good for Sonya. She’s been upbeat and bouncy for the past three weeks. Since she started attending rehearsals with you. Even had a couple of playdates over. I believe that’s what they’re called these days?” He turned to glance in the direction his little sister stood blowing fat soap bubbles with two other girls. “And she seems less focused on her hearing loss. Is even attempting to speak more. Though we still have a long way to go.”
