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“Not on the dance floor, it would seem.”
To her surprise, Jordan was a competent dancer. Despite the silly soundtrack—kiddie versions of modern pop songs, he was able to move in tune with the music.
“I’m impressed,” she told him.
One of the children had obviously gotten a hold of her outdoor speaker because the music suddenly grew much louder. “I’m a man of many talents,” he said over the noise.
Jess couldn’t argue the point. Too bad she couldn’t feel as distant about him as he so obviously did about her.
* * *
How had she ended up here? Jess had to wonder as she stared out over the breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline through the wall-to-wall window of Jordan’s penthouse apartment. Somehow, she’d agreed to all of it—being delivered to his building in the car service he had sent for her, attending two gala events as his companion, canceling her original hotel reservations. Oh, and there was also that whole thing about spending two nights in the apartment of a man she barely knew and one she couldn’t really control her emotions around.
Even from up this high, the hustle and bustle of the city was almost palpable from the streets below. She could see Central Park in the distance. The day was a clear and sunny one. Perfect for exploring one of the most dynamic cities in the world. Too bad she would have to do so alone.
“You made it. I thought I heard you.” She heard Jordan’s voice behind her.
He appeared to be business casual this afternoon. Black suit trousers and a smooth, crisp white button-down shirt with the collar undone. Though he appeared every bit the successful businessman back home on Martha’s Vineyard, it was blatantly obvious that here in the city he was truly in his element. How in the world would someone like Jordan be happy long-term on a small island? Even one as cosmopolitan as Martha’s Vineyard?
He looked so devilishly handsome she wanted to grab a sketch pad and draw his portrait.
“Yes, your housekeeping service let me in just as they were leaving. I hope that’s okay.”
“Of course.”
“This is quite the view. I’m impressed.”
He came to stand beside her and she got a hint of that subtle aftershave. His scent had somehow become both familiar and exotic to her senses.
“I’ve lived in this apartment for close to four years and that view still takes my breath away every time I see it.”
It was clear in his voice how much he missed this place. And he’d given it all up. To move to New England, of all places.
“You must miss it,” she ventured, to see if he would take the opening to discuss the motivation that made him move.
At his rather long pause of silence, she prodded further, her curiosity winning out. “You never mentioned what made you leave the city exactly.”
“I decided we needed a quieter, more peaceful setting after...”
“After what?”
Jordan closed his eyes, released a deep sigh. “Sonya was involved in a car accident. Shortly after she became my responsibility.”
Jess gasped at the revelation. “Oh, Jordan. I’m so sorry. She seems to have recovered well.”
“So the doctors tell me.”
He clearly didn’t believe them. Not completely. “Do you have some doubt that there might be lingering effects?”
“I don’t know,” he said simply, flatly. “But I did know I had to get her away from the crazy hustle and bustle of Manhattan. To someplace quieter. Like the vineyard.”
Every etch of anguish on his face made it clear that Jordan blamed himself for what had happened to his little sister. Had he somehow caused the accident? As much as she wanted to press for details, she had to let him take the lead on this. But would he want to?
His next words answered her silent question and proved he wasn’t ready to do so. “What about you?” he asked, effectively changing the topic back to her. She would let him, if it meant distracting him from the clear pain she saw on his face.
“You said you studied in Boston,” he added.
“That’s right.”
“So how’d you end up settling down in Martha’s Vineyard? You originally followed your college roommate but ended up staying even though she’d left.”
