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“No, we can reschedule,” Jordan argued. “We’re not going to discuss this deal without you.”
“I told you I’m too busy for this thing, and now you see I meant it. If we’re going to do this, you two have to get used to discussing things and making decisions without me.” He reached out and placed a firm hand on Jordan’s shoulder. “I trust you.” Then he turned to me with a loving, proud gaze. “And I expect you to take it easy on this guy. Don’t hardball him too much.”
I tried to smile, but it seeped across my face in a cringing grin. Hard and balls were the last words I wanted to hear come from his mouth with Jordan around, especially when he was abandoning the two of us alone together.
Neither of us seemed too thrilled to be left alone to this conversation over lunch. Now I needed a drink with the same desperation I heard in Jordan’s voice when he first brought up the bar.
“To the bar it is then,” he said quickly, reading my mind, as we watched my dad’s car drive off.
“Well, like he said…I guess we do have to get used to this kind of thing. And we should get comfortable with each other.” I knew it was true, and I meant it in the most innocently professional way possible. I just hoped he didn’t notice the red flush of my cheeks that implied I wanted us to be comfortable with each other in more ways than one.
“That we do,” he nodded. “I guess even though I’ve been around your dad and your home since you were a kid, we’ve never really known each other on a personal or professional level.”
He placed his hand on my back to lead me inside, and I swore it felt like a branding iron—even through my blouse and thick jacket.
We walked inside and slid onto two stools at the bar. I ordered a vodka cocktail, he ordered bourbon. Then there was nothing to do but make small talk. Obviously the real business at hand wouldn’t begin until food was served. This was all just an ice breaker, but there was nothing cold about the energy crackling between us.
“So, I’ve heard all about your time in college and everything you’re hoping to accomplish with your career,” Jordan started. “But what about the rest of it? What have you been doing with yourself?”
“Well…I am my father’s daughter. I’m a true workaholic and don’t have much time for hobbies or ordinary fun and social events. The only socializing I do is at business meetings and networking over cocktails.”
He flashed his perfect white teeth with a chuckle. “Your father’s daughter indeed. That makes three of us. So I take it you don’t have much time for dating. Are you sure we’re qualified to take on a dating app company?”
“Oh, actually…,” I stammered. I had to tell him. I couldn’t believe my dad hadn’t already. There was no reason to keep it a secret. In fact, telling him would only build up the much needed wall that needed to remain between us.
“I’m engaged,” I blurted. “His name is Drew and he’s a financial analyst. My father set us up.”
For some reason I felt the need to hold out my hand so he could see the ring, as if I needed some kind of proof. I didn’t know why I couldn’t control my awkwardness. I only knew my body did not react well to admitting to Jordan, the guy I had lusted after since I first learned what lust even felt like, that I was seeing someone. Much less set to be marrying someone.
Oh well, I thought. Better he knew it right off the bat. It was just another reason to add to the long list of reasons my fantasies about him would never be more than just that. My biggest dream would be coming true if this deal went through. It seemed only fair that I sacrifice another dream in the process, even if it was my desire to see Jordan naked and sweaty on top of me.
As if it even mattered. Jordan obviously had a girlfriend…or five or six. How could someone who looked like him not?
