by Jeannie Moon
“Oh, well, I asked you, didn’t I? Have you ever been?”
Nick was trying to figure out if she’d just asked him out on a date, or if this was a let’s-be-pals-and-go-to-the-game kind of thing. “One time. I was a football and basketball guy. I mean, I used to play some pick-up hockey when the pond in the park froze over, but I haven’t been to a game since I was eleven. It’s been a while.”
“Long overdue, then.” She dipped a French fry in some ketchup. “I’m so going to pay for this dinner, but man is it good.”
Nick took a bite and let the flavors of the meat and seasonings melt in his mouth. “I get that, but you’re right. It is good.”
“It’s my favorite thing at the café, except for breakfast. Breakfast is all about the–”
“Banana pancakes.” Nick finished her sentence.
“Yes! Oh, my God. They’re decadent. I haven’t had them in months.”
“I’ll make some tomorrow.”
Jordan’s eyes locked on his and her soft pink tongue darted out of her mouth. “You know how to make Lina’s banana pancakes?”
Nick nodded as he popped a fry into his mouth. “Yep. It’s how I get girls.”
Jordan blinked. Twice. Then she burst out laughing.
“You think I’m kidding?”
She leaned back into the cushions, reaching out to pet Gertie, who snuggled into Jordan’s thigh. “I don’t doubt you can make them. But I don’t think you need pancakes to get women. I’m sure there are other things they find more attractive.”
“Eh, I don’t know. The pancakes are pretty special.”
“Trust me, Nick.” She leaned in conspiratorially. “It’s not the pancakes.”
Their faces were so close he could feel the heat coming off her skin as she flushed from awareness. Frozen, they held in place for what felt like forever. Her eyes, big and blue like the waters he’d seen in the Mediterranean, stayed focused on his, a million questions in their crystal depth.
What would happen next?
Then there was a shift, her body turning slightly into his, and her eyes dropped to his mouth. She was close, so close. He barely moved. Nick just leaned in the final inch and kissed her.
Her lips were soft, warm, and melted together with his. Electricity shot through him with each little sip, each taste.
As kisses went, it wasn’t long and deep. It didn’t trigger lust, but it made him want. It was tender and sweet, and it made him think about growing old with this woman. He was speechless.
When they pulled back, Jordan’s eyes slowly drifted open. A barely audible “Wow” came out on a breath.
“I didn’t plan that. When I offered to buy dinner…” The last thing he wanted was for her to think he’d been planning to make a move on her all along.
“I know you didn’t, but I don’t think we should do that again.”
Her gaze was fixed on the TV. The second period of the Mariners’s game was about to start.
“Okay.”
“And don’t say you’re sorry,” she added.
He was about to apologize, but it wouldn’t have been honest. He wasn’t sorry for the kiss, but he did regret crossing a line with her. “Okay.”
They dropped into silence, watching the game without exchanging a word. Finally, Jordan spoke.
“I didn’t hate it. I mean, you’re a good kisser. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find you attractive.”
“But?”
“But, my life is a shitshow, Nick. I’m not ready for… for you.”
“I get it. I do. And I never wanted you to feel uncomfortable. I didn’t…”
“I know. Can we go back to being friends? I think that’s best.”
Friends. He nodded in agreement. When they sat down to eat, Nick intended to tell Jordan about her father’s confusion regarding their relationship. Now, after the kiss, and the boundary she’d just established, Nick didn’t know what he was going to tell her.
Or when.
Chapter Six
“I’m sure everything will go well, Samara. The class can be a handful, but I love them to pieces.” Jordan’s sub had been a Godsend. they’d only been back a couple of days, and she made the effort to call simply to check in. Jordan appreciated it.
“Yeah, they miss you, but they’re being very good. They just went to art. How are you feeling?”
Feeling? Jordan was still rattled from the kiss Nick laid on her last night. Innocent as it was, she was reeling from a wash of emotions. But she had to admit, the kiss was something pretty special. Nick was pretty damn special.
“I’m much better. Looking forward to getting out tomorrow. I haven’t seen my dad in almost two weeks.”
“Getting out will be good for you,” Samara said. “It’s got to be hard being cooped up.”
She had no idea. Being this close to Nick without being able to explore the bubbling attraction was torture, even if it was just physical. Lord, who was she kidding? It wasn’t just physical. There were many things she found she liked—really liked—about him.
He seemed perfect, and if Jordan had learned anything because of her debacle with Chase, it was that no one was perfect. Not even the sainted Dr. Nick.
Jordan had gone into the relationship with Chase Stanley with blinders on. He’d pursued her relentlessly, and—no doubt—it was flattering. Never one to play the boyfriend game, Jordan dated when she felt like it. She was too busy with her life to worry about a serious relationship. At twenty-eight, when she’d met Chase, she was busy teaching, as well as training to run her first marathon.
At that point, she was still living with her father in the house where she grew up. Her focus was on herself, her career, and her goals. Meeting Chase at a party threw her off her game simply because his attention was so consistent, and he was charming.
And handsome.
And well-educated.
And rich.
Most definitely too good to be true, because as she learned, the guy was also a snob and a liar who was more interested in keeping Jordan as an accessory than loving her.
They were together for over a year before Chase proposed on a romantic vacation to Fiji. He’d engineered the entire trip, whisking her off to an ultra-exclusive resort and popping the question as they watched the sunrise from their private villa.
Jordan was all in. She’d bought the romantic fantasy.
Considering how it all turned out was proof that she couldn’t trust herself where her heart was concerned. As much as the attraction to Nick was pulling at her, she wasn’t ready.
Every now and then, the flood of betrayal and hurt that she felt when she discovered Chase cheating the day before their wedding was more than she could handle. Sure, it was a good thing she’d found out about his affair before she’d said ‘I do,’ but that didn’t mean it hadn’t wounded her to the core.
Hurt and humiliation were only two of the feelings that still crept up without warning. Betrayal, anger, doubt… it was a smorgasbord of self-recrimination and pain.
She hadn’t thought about Chase recently, but it wasn’t because she’d gotten over what he’d done. It was because she’d been preoccupied with her father. Getting closer to Nick, however, was a harsh reminder of the pain she could be subjected to if she let her guard down.
Samara had been talking during Jordan’s side trip, and she found herself agreeing with something her sub had said about one of her more challenging kids.
“I have to go, Jordan. The first bus just arrived, but I’ll email you with the field trip details.”
“Thanks, Sam. I’ll talk to you soon.”
Ending the call, Jordan thumped her head into the back of the chaise. Gertie jumped up, crawling across her chest so she could land a few good kisses on her chin. “What is it, silly dog?”
Gertie’s little stub of a tail wagged frantically, and she turned her head toward the spot where Nick stood, shoulder pressed into the doorframe. His eyes asked for permission to enter, but he didn’t say anyt
hing. Based on his tentative posture, it seemed he was affected by last night’s kiss as much as she was.
“Nona had to go to the café, but she left you some breakfast,” he said, not budging from his spot.
Jordan, who was feeling stronger than she had in a week, wanted to take care of herself. She couldn’t wait to get back in her own space. “I wish she wouldn’t do that. I can fix my own food.”
Nick chuckled, and Jordan’s insides curled at the way the corners of his eyes crinkled in amusement. “Have you met my grandmother?”
“I know, I know.” Telling Lina not to feed her was like telling a fish not to swim.
Nick looked away, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable last night. That wasn’t—”
She cut him off. “You don’t have to apologize. It’s been an odd few days.”
Talking about the kiss would only serve to trigger another flash of memory, another swell of longing. Her chest ached when she thought of it. His lips, his warmth… it was perfect.
And it could never happen again.
Nick presented too much of a risk for Jordan’s fragile heart. Just knowing how easily she surrendered to his touch was enough to throw up a red flag.
Thankfully, she’d be back in her cottage in a couple of days and she could put a little distance between them. Jordan needed time to process what Nick made her think and feel. What he made her want.
Jordan gazed out the window, unable to make eye contact. She wasn’t sure if it was embarrassment, or if she was worried.
“Okay, then. I’ll see you later.”
“You’re going out?” She turned back to see she’d thoroughly confused him. Oh, fabulous mixed signal there, Jordan. Pfft.
“I have an appointment in town. Do you need anything?” He was so damn polite.
“Oh, ah… no. No. Have a good day.”
“You too. I know you’re feeling better, but don’t overdo it.”
He was bossy to the end. But she knew it was because he cared. That also made him too attractive for his own good.
“Yes, boss.” Jordan saluted.
“Funny.” The smirk on his face was to die for. “See you later.”
Listening, she heard Nick’s fading footsteps as he went down the stairs, through the kitchen, and as soon as she heard the back door close, Jordan picked up the phone to call Lilly. This situation had the potential to spin out of control, and she needed her friend’s advice before it did.
*
Lilly sat on a stool at the kitchen island and listened. She said nothing. She just listened, and the longer Jordan went on, the more she thought she was losing her mind. And it was all Nick’s fault.
Since her engagement hit the skids, Jordan had spent months building a wall around her heart. Now Nick, with his charm and kindness, and wicked good looks… and that oh-so-sweet mouth… Jordan started wondering what could be.
What could be.
In the tiniest corner of Jordan’s battered heart, she felt hope. It was just a flicker, a tiny shimmer of emotion, and she didn’t know how to handle it. She didn’t trust herself to make the right choice. She’d thought Chase was perfect and look how that ended up.
“He’s messing with my head,” she said to her stone-faced friend.
“Is he? It sounds like he’s being AHHH-MAZING. And you’re messing with your own head.”
“Lilly, come on. You know what I went through.”
“I do. And I know the pneumonia, along with worrying about your dad, has you stressed to the max. But you need to stop projecting.”
Jordan wondered why she called the friend who was the least likely to give her sympathy. Lilly wasn’t going to coddle her. Not even a little.
“I’m not projecting.”
“No?” Lilly went to the fridge and refilled her water glass. “Yes, he kissed you. But he didn’t propose marriage. It was a peck on the lips by your account.”
“It was.”
“So, what’s the problem? Be honest. What has you so spooked? The kiss? Or how the kiss made you feel?”
Damn her.
The last thing Jordan wanted to admit was how that kiss made her feel.
It was bone-melting. Sweet, sensual. Glitter showers flashed behind her eyes. Her heart beat a little faster, her mind raced.
Chase had kissed her thousands of times, and never once had she felt the thrill she’d felt when she kissed Nick.
“This wasn’t supposed to happen.”
“Why?” Lilly scooted to the stool next to Jordan’s. “Look. Life isn’t mapped out with some perfect plan. You know this. If you’re going to go on living, not just existing, you have to be ready for what comes your way.”
Lilly was right, of course. Jordan had no right to expect her life would be without twists and turns. It just seemed lately she had a target on her back. She needed it to end.
“He’s a nice guy,” she finally admitted. “He has a good heart. I just wish I knew more about him. You know, what makes him tick.”
Lilly nodded. “He’s been kind of a ghost since he came home. We all know about his injury and that the recovery was a beast, but I guess the toughest wounds are the ones we can’t see.”
“I’m sure you’re right.” Jordan wished she knew what was haunting him. Behind Nick’s smiling eyes was a shadow, and she wanted to help him. “Do you think I can trust him?”
“Trust him? What do you mean?”
“As a doctor, a friend… more, if it gets there. I know I have to be ready for the occasional curveball, but I can’t handle deception. Duplicity.”
“I don’t think that’s going to be an issue. The man is a straight shooter.”
Lilly would know. Nick and her brother, Luca, had played football together in high school; if there was something not right about him, something she should worry about, Lilly would tell her.
Right then, her phone rang. Lilly reached over and handed it to Jordan.
“Liam Jennings? Why is he calling you?”
Jordan shrugged. The Jennings and Velsor families were longtime residents of Compass Cove. It was one of Jordan’s distant cousins, Lucy, who had stolen the heart of Caleb Jennings, the local compasssmith. In the loosest and most distant way possible, they were family. But Liam never called her. Ever.
“Hi Liam.”
“Hey, Jordan. How are you feeling?”
“Getting better. What’s up?”
“My dad left me a cryptic message about you getting married and that I needed to get the ring ready. I want to know when you need it.”
“Wait, what?” Married. What the hell? Ring?
“Dad went out to the east end to check on some trees that were downed on our property in Southold. I can’t get a signal, or I’d ask him. Congrats, by the way. When did this happen?” Liam was probably the sweetest guy she knew. Big and blond, he was a few years older than Jordan and possessed a bookish, nerdy charm that made him damn near irresistible. He was an artist and had taken over the compass shop in town when his father retired, keeping it in the family for another generation.
“Uh… I’m…”
“Damn. Did I spoil the surprise? The note is really vague. It said, ‘George called. The ring needs to be cleaned for Jordan.’”
Jordan’s brain went bonkers trying to figure out where this crazy idea came from. It made no sense. Why would her dad think she was getting married? “Liam, I’m going to call my dad and talk to him. I’ll call you back.”
“Okay. Hey, glad you’re better.”
“Thanks.”
She hung up and looked at Lucy. “That was weird. Liam thinks I’m getting married.”
Lilly burst out laughing, but reined it in when she saw Jordan wasn’t laughing along. “Who’s the lucky guy?”
“I have no idea.” With timing that was almost eerie, Nick walked in the back door. As soon as he looked up and smiled, all the pieces snapped into place.
Son of a bitch.
Somehow, Jor
dan had a feeling the ‘lucky guy’ Lilly had asked about only seconds ago was now standing less than ten feet from her, and Jordan wanted to know what in blazes was going on.
Chapter Seven
“You told him what?” Jordan felt her jaw tighten as her conversation with Nick progressed. It had been five minutes since he’d come back from his errands in town. Lilly had gotten out while the getting was good. Jordan was ready to commit murder, and he hadn’t even said that much.
“Hear me out before you get angry.”
“I’m already angry!” She stood up and circled the big kitchen to get farther away from him. Of all the outrageous things he could have done. “What were you thinking? There was no need to tell him a lie like that!”
“I never actually told him. He just assumed, and I went along with it.”
“That’s irrelevant.”
Nick threw up his hands. “Just listen to me.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.” Truth was everything to Jordan. Everything. She’d broken her engagement over a lie. “How could you do that?”
“I didn’t lie. I was trying to keep him from worrying about you. It’s on his mind.”
“It’s wrong. We should tell him the truth.”
She loved her dad with all her heart, but why he thought she needed a man to be happy was beyond her. He raised her to be able to take care of herself. What had changed?
“Why?”
When she heard the question, she could barely believe it.
Nick was dead serious. He was also, obviously, out of his mind. “Jordan, I see your point, but how if it gives him some peace of mind, what’s the harm in letting him believe what he wants?”
“Nick, I never lie to my father. Ever.”
“It’s harmless. A little white lie so he can have some peace.”
Jordan thought about her dad, and she didn’t want to cause him any kind of stress, but lying to him about a relationship wasn’t what she had in mind. Nick’s motives, pure as they might be, were misguided. Lying never led anywhere good.
“I don’t like this whole chauvinistic ‘I-need-a-man’ thing. What the hell is that all about?”
