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Clara motioned toward the bouquet. “So nothing romantic behind this at all?” she wanted to know as one child waved to them both and took her seat.
“Not even a little.”
The disappointment that settled behind Clara’s eyes was as clear as the vivid colors of her bouquet. “What a shame. But such a nice gesture on his part.”
Jess simply nodded. Nice. Yes, that was all it was. Jordan was being apologetic and conciliatory by sending her flowers, as beautiful and expensive as they were. Who knew, perhaps he’d run their encounters by a girlfriend or even a wife who’d admonished him and urged him to apologize.
That possibility sent a tightening sensation in the center of her gut. How silly of her. She’d met the man exactly twice under less than cordial circumstances both times.
But she couldn’t deny how intrigued she was by Jordan and whatever his story was. Not many newcomers moved here permanently in general. Though VIPs ranging from politicians to movie stars to famous authors had property throughout the island, not many of them stuck around permanently after the summer months. What had made Jordan come? Why was he taking care of his sister by himself? What had happened to her parents? To his parents? Curiosity about the possible answers dug at her.
More than she cared to admit.
* * *
Jordan had to get out of this blasted study and get some air. Or food. Or something. Though his home office was large and expansive, he was starting to feel a bit stifled. This room was a far cry from the Manhattan high-rise office building he used to occupy. He was successful enough as a venture capitalist now that he could do most of his business out of any office he chose with a few trips into the city throughout the month to meet face-to-face with colleagues as the need arose. But moving to a New England coastal island was still going to be quite the adjustment. He’d done it for Sonya’s sake and he was still convinced that getting her out of New York City was the wise choice.
But now he was feeling restless. What was there to do around here in the middle of the day?
A pair of bright hazel eyes and silky brunette hair flashed in his mind. Had she received the flowers yet? He wondered what her reaction had been when they’d arrived. Did she like the arrangement? He couldn’t count the number of times he’d sent flowers to women throughout his adult life. Never before had he wondered about their reaction.
Truth be told, he couldn’t blame her if she’d taken one look at the card and thrown them out the window. Given the way he’d treated her, it would serve him right. Something told him she wasn’t the type to do such a thing. No, she was more the sort who would give them away to a girlfriend if she didn’t like the flowers.
He’d just been taken by such surprise when he’d walked over to find her asking Sonya about participating in a play. It had nothing to do with his shock at seeing her again. Right. If he repeated that enough, he might somehow convince himself. Damn it. He didn’t seem to know how to act around her. What the hell was his problem? Jordan sighed and stood up abruptly from his desk. His focus was shot; may as well take a walk.
He wasn’t terribly shocked at where he found himself several moments later—outside the red-brick building that was home to the community center. He could see her through the first-floor window. Jessalyn Raffi. She’d introduced herself as Jess at first. Jordan watched as she walked around from table to table, assisting various children with their projects. Even from this distance he could see the splatter of paint on her smock and all over her hands. Her hair was done up in a loose, haphazard bun. There was a gypsy-like, bohemian quality about her he couldn’t help but find intriguing.
Somehow, she even made a smock look sexy.
Stop it!
He gave his head a shake and turned to walk away. But then she suddenly looked up, right in his direction. Damn it. Now he’d been caught watching her. What must she be thinking? He was so far off his game when it came to this woman, he hardly recognized himself. Well, he wasn’t going to turn and walk away. That would look even worse.
He had to do something. A long, shrill bell sounded and the children all suddenly stood up and started picking up their projects. He dared another look at her, bracing for the scorn and derision he’d see on her face. Instead, she smiled at him.
