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My mom winked at her, then scurried to her other side and looped their arms together. “And I have to tell you, I’m so glad our son picked someone who fits him perfectly. A smaller girl would be crushed by his build and probably his large personality, too. He needs awomanwho can stand up to him and has a body that can handle big babies. Because, with parents like us, he certainly wasn’t going to be a dainty boy. But, damn, eleven pounds was more than even I was prepared for.”
6
WRENLEY
Iwasn’t sure what to be shocked by more…Jordan’s mom casually talking about the babies she was picturing us having or the fact that he weighed eleven pounds when he was born. The only thing I was certain about was that she bought Jordan and me as a couple. And that if our families ever met, our two moms would have us married off and popping out grandbabies in a flash. Too bad that would never actually happen.
“Uh, yeah. I can’t imagine any woman would be ready to give birth to a newborn that size.”
“And on that note”—Jordan tugged me away from his mom—“I’m going to escort my date over to the bar so we can get a drink before we take our seats for dinner.”
“Oh, good idea,” Francie cried. “I could use a glass of champagne.”
Jordan’s dad wrapped his arm around his wife’s back and pulled her against his side. “Let the kids go have their fun. We can get you a drink after we’ve said the rest of our hellos, my love.”
“Oh, pooh. You’re ruining my fun,” she complained as we walked away.
“I can see why you decided you needed a fake date,” I murmured when we were out of earshot.
“My mom can be a bit much at times, but she means well.” His lips curved into a smile as he glanced over his shoulder toward his parents. “And she wasn’t kidding about being excited to see us together.”
“She definitely seemed happy.”
Jordan chuckled and shook his head. “I’d say that’s the understatement of the century.”
“Mm-hmm,” I agreed as we approached the bar.
“What would you like?” he asked.
Although I could probably get away with requesting a glass of champagne like his mom wanted since the bartender wasn’t carding anyone, I wasn’t a big fan of alcohol. “How about a cranberry juice with a dash of Sprite to make it fancy?”
“Sounds delicious.” He pressed his palm against my lower back before ordering our drinks, surprising me when he opted to get the same thing as me.
When we moved to the nearest empty corner of the large ballroom, I smiled up at him. “I wouldn’t have minded if you ordered scotch or a beer or something.”
“I’m not much of a drinker.” He shrugged. “I avoid alcohol in season, and I guess I got into the habit of doing the same even when I’m not playing.”
His dedication to the game was impressive. “No wonder you’re one of the best offensive linemen in the league.”
He leaned his shoulder against the wall and flashed me a cocky grin, looking incredibly hot in his tuxedo. “Only one of them? And here I thought I was your favorite player, period. Offense, defense, or special teams.”
“I can see why you’d think that, superstar.” I returned his smile over the rim of my glass before taking a sip.
He quirked a brow. “You’re going to play it like that, huh?”
I nodded. “Yup.”
“Maybe if I show you my moves later this evening, you’ll admit how good I am.”
I had to be imagining the suggestive undertone, but that didn’t stop my heart from racing as I wondered if he was talking about more than just dancing. The announcement for dinner saved me from embarrassing myself by asking if he was talking about his moves in the bedroom.
Although there were more than three hundred people at the gala, the food tasted every bit as good as what we served at Daniel. I could have happily eaten the chocolate soufflé and espresso ice cream every day for the rest of my life. But my opinion was probably influenced by the people who I shared the meal with.
Jordan played the role of my attentive boyfriend almost too well. By the time I took my last bite of dessert, I was half convinced that he wanted me as much as I did him. And his mom had mentioned how The Pierre would make an excellent wedding venue.
His parents had welcomed me with open arms, but the hints about wedding bells and babies that Francie kept dropping were starting to get to me. I heaved a deep sigh of relief when the auction that followed the dinner ended and Jordan led me out to the dance floor.
“Sorry about my mom,” he murmured, resting one of his hands on my hip while he used the other to press my palm against his chest. “I know I warned you that she might grill you about marriage and babies, but I probably should have called it an interrogation instead. I’m not sure how it’s possible, but I underestimated how excited she would be tonight.”
