A couple of days later, I gathered some files and headed upstairs to meet with Bentley. I straightened my tie, brushed the sleeves of my suit jacket, and checked the mirror to make sure my hair was in place.
Van chuckled from his desk, not even looking up. “You look great. Go get her, tiger.”
I didn’t bother denying my task. “I’m asking her to lunch after my meeting.”
“Good.”
“I’m hoping she’ll say yes.”
“I imagine you are.”
“It’s just lunch. We’ve had lunch together many times.”
“Yes, you have.”
“It’s not a big deal.”
Van’s amusement was obvious. “If you’re trying to convince me, I’m good. I think it’s Sandy you need to save the arguments for.”
I sighed. “I’m so rusty at this.”
He sat back, looking at me. “Be her friend, Jordan. You two have so much in common, and you’ve always gotten on well. Just be Jordan and see what happens. I think you’ll be surprised.”
“Okay.”
“She told Liv she planned on deleting the app. She said it wasn’t for her. So, this is a good time.”
The news buoyed my spirit. “Good. Thanks.”
I tucked the files under my arm and headed upstairs.
Sandy was at her desk, busy with one of the many tasks she took care of. But she looked up as I stepped off the elevator, her smile warm. I noticed she looked a little tired, although she was still lovely. Her hair was swept up in its usual chignon, and her outfit was impeccable, the deep blue of the suit setting off her white hair and coloring to perfection. She looked younger than her fifty-seven years, her face unlined, and her figure tight and pleasing to my eyes. She was young at heart, her smiles easy and her attitude positive. She was also incredibly organized and ran the office brilliantly. The boys would be lost without her. I enjoyed watching her run circles around them.
I grinned as I stopped in front of her desk.
“Morning, Sandy.”
“Jordan,” she replied with a brief nod. “Bentley’s still tied up on a call. He’ll be free in a few moments.”
“Great. I’ll grab a coffee.”
She stood. “I was getting myself one.”
“Then we can get them together.” I set down my files and followed her to the small kitchen. I admired the way her hips swayed as she walked in front of me, her scent drifting on the air as she moved. It was citrusy and light. Feminine. I liked it.
She poured two cups of coffee, handing me mine. I sipped the hot liquid with appreciation.
“You make a great cup of coffee, Sandy.”
She added some cream to her cup, stirring it. “Thanks.”
I leaned my hip on the counter, trying to appear casual. “How’s it going? We haven’t caught up in a while.”
She mimicked my stance, blowing on the hot brew before taking a sip. I tried not to notice how full her lips looked as she puckered them, but I failed. I wondered, not for the first time, how her mouth would feel underneath mine. How she would feel in my arms.
I startled when I realized she had replied, and I had missed it.
“Sorry,” I muttered. “I just thought of something I needed to remember to ask Bentley.”
“No problem. I said I was fine, and yes, it’s been a while.”
I said the words before I could chicken out. “How about we rectify that?”
“Sorry?”
“Lunch. I forgot to bring my lunch today, so I was going to get something and sit in the park since it’s such a nice day. Join me, and we can catch up over a sandwich.”
She hesitated and I smiled.
“I know you’re busy—we both are. But it’s a lovely day outside, and we can take a break and share a sandwich. Catch up. I miss our coffee breaks.” I went in for the kill, remembering her words on her profile.
Seeking companionship—a friend to enjoy life’s moments with.
“We need to grab nice days like today and spend time with good friends.”
Her brow furrowed then cleared. “I’d like that.”
Internally, I high-fived myself. Outwardly, I smiled and nodded. “Great. I’ll meet you downstairs about twelve?”
“Yes.”
I turned and headed back to her desk, not wanting her to see the large grin I was sporting. I was looking forward to lunch—and whatever came after it.
Jordan
Bentley finished signing the stack of forms I had given him. “You’ve been busy, Jordan.”
I chuckled. “Not as if I had much choice. You’re acquiring projects faster than I can keep up.”
He closed the file, handing it back to me. “Is Alan not helping you enough?”
“No, he’s great. He keeps up with the filing, copying, all the small things I don’t have to worry about so I can concentrate on getting all the paperwork in place and assigning crews. Still—” I grinned “—you’re a busy man, which makes my job busy. And secure.”
Bentley relaxed back in his chair, regarding me seriously. “You never have to worry about your job, Jordan. Or your retirement.”
The partners had given me an unexpected gift on my fifty-fifth birthday. A generous retirement package I could start drawing on at sixty years of age. I hadn’t reached that milestone yet and had no interest in retiring in the near future, and the partners were quite vocal in their desire for me to stay as long as I wanted with the firm. It was typical of BAM and the men who ran the company. They looked after their own. I had never known a company as well run and generous as BAM. Bentley, Aiden, and Maddox were, in my opinion, the model all companies should strive to be. Turnover here was rare, given how well they treated their staff—right down to the IT department and the people doing the manual labor for them. No one was too small to be taken care of. I was proud to be associated with them, and as I worked with many outside companies, I knew how highly regarded they were within the business industry.
“I know and appreciate it, Bentley. You seem to be on a bit of a streak at the moment.”
He laughed, the amusement softening the sternness of his features. Known as serious and businesslike, Bentley only showed his softer side to those who knew him best—and none knew him more than his wife, Emmy, who brought out a side of Bentley I never knew existed. When his daughter was born, another side emerged—the protective, loving father. It also seemed to amplify his professional zeal, and he was constantly buying up properties and land for development. Our construction crews had grown, new foremen and workers hired on. Van and his crew had just completed the renos on a new building that would house the ever-growing group of men that now worked for BAM. Van was going to be moving to the new building, and I was going to miss him as an office mate, although I would be spending a lot of time there as well. Luckily, it was only down the block from the main building so it was a short walk and I would see him often. I was sure he’d still be here a fair deal, but the space was needed.
“I’ll try to rein myself in,” he joked. “Not sure if that will happen or not. I found another piece of property in the Niagara region. It’s not protected this time, and it would make an awesome condo project. The views will command a steep price. I have an architect working on the concept.”
There was a soft knock, then Sandy stuck her head in the door. “Bentley, your one o’clock canceled. Did you want me to get you lunch?”
He glanced at his calendar. “Please. Can you reschedule my three o’clock in earlier? Maybe I could get home and surprise Emmy. We could take Addi to the park.”
“Already done.”
He beamed at her. “Thanks, Sandy.”
“Turkey on rye?”
“Yes.”
“Jordan, I’ll get our lunch at the same time. Corned beef, hot mustard, with extra pickles on the side, right?”
“Perfect.”
“I’ll get us sodas and a cookie as a treat.”
The door shut, and I turned back to Bentley, who was watching me, his eyes na
rrowed in curiosity.
“Having lunch with Sandy?” he asked, trying to act casual and failing. Miserably.
I nodded, gathering up my files. “Yes. It’s a lovely day. I thought we’d have a sandwich in the park. Get out of the office for a bit and clear our heads.”
“Good idea.”
“I thought so.”
“So, it’s just…lunch?”
“It’s two friends having lunch, yes.”
He drummed his fingers on the desk, then cleared his throat and tugged on his shirt sleeves. All three were tells for Bentley when he was thinking or worried.
“It’s lunch, Bentley,” I said quietly. “And anything else is private.”
“Is there something else?”
I met his gaze directly, my voice firm. “That is up to Sandy, and not something I will discuss.”
His eyebrows shot up, and then he smiled.
“I understand.”
“Good.”
I respected Bentley—all the partners—but this was private. And right now, it was nothing but lunch. The last thing either Sandy or I needed was a lecture. That would end anything before it began—that much I knew. Sandy was private and would hate it, so it wasn’t up for discussion.
“I’m very fond of Sandy,” he murmured. “We all are.”
“I’m aware.”
“She’s been having a hard time lately.”
I nodded.
“I think lunch with a friend is a great idea.”
I said nothing.
He smiled, his voice quiet when he spoke. “I think with the right person, something else—which of course would remain private—would be a wonderful thing. Between two people who care about each other, it’s always a wonderful thing.”
I wanted to laugh at his unsubtle but well-meaning speech. Instead, I remained impassive.
I stood. “Anything else, Bentley?”
He shook his head, still smiling. “No.”
I headed to the door.
“Jordan.”
I turned, my hand on the knob. “Yes?”
“Have a good lunch. Take a little extra time. As you said, it’s a lovely day. Enjoy it.”
I couldn’t help my grin. “Thanks, Bentley. We’ll do that.”
* * *
Sandy and I walked to the park behind the BAM building. I carried the bag containing our lunch, and we chatted about the office as we walked. I indicated an empty picnic bench, and we headed toward it.
I handed Sandy the bag and used my handkerchief to wipe the dust from her seat and the top of the table, then laid it on the bench before she sat down.
“What a gentleman,” she murmured.
“I would hate to see that pretty suit get dirty. It’s one of my favorites.”
She lifted her eyebrows. “One of your favorites?”
I unpacked the bag, setting out the food. “Yes. Only one of many.”
Sandy studied me. “Which are your others?”
I took a bite of my sandwich, chewing and swallowing, then sipping the cold soda to chase away the hot mustard.
“All the blue ones, the green, and that lovely rust-colored dress you wear. I like you in bold colors. They suit you.”
She blinked. Took a bite of her roast beef sandwich and chewed. Frowned and took another bite, then replied.
“I have no idea what to say to that, Jordan. I didn’t realize you noticed what I wore. Certainly not enough to have favorites.”
I opened the container of carrot and celery sticks she had ordered and chomped on one before replying.
“I do notice, Sandy. It’s hard not to. You are a beautiful woman. I enjoy looking at you.”
She stared at me, wordless.
I shrugged. “I’m simply stating a fact.”
“I see.”
I decided to go for broke. I wanted to lay my cards on the table and see how she reacted. I had played it safe before, and it went nowhere.
“With your beautiful hair and captivating eyes, it gives me a lot of pleasure to watch you.” Then I winked. “You have great legs. I love it when your skirts are a bit shorter.”
This time, she gaped. She set down her sandwich and wiped her fingers. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were flirting with me, Jordan Hayes.”
“I am.”
“I thought this was friends having lunch.”
“We are friends,” I insisted. “We’re having lunch.” I drew in a long breath. “But who’s to say there can’t be more?”
“More?” she repeated.
I finished my sandwich and wadded up the wrapper, slipping it back into the bag.
“Please eat, Sandy. You are far too thin these days.”
A soft flush of color drifted across her cheeks. It was rare I ever saw her blush, but the color complemented and highlighted her delicate beauty. But she picked up her sandwich and ate.
“I was honest when I told you I missed our coffee breaks together, Sandy. You ended them, and I always wondered why.”
“I thought it was time to move on from our sad sessions,” she confessed.
“I did as well. Why didn’t you say so?”
She shrugged. “I wasn’t sure how to. I thought…I thought you would think I was being disrespectful to our spouses. To their memories. We were getting closer and it felt—wrong somehow.”
“Why? Because you were ready to look forward and not behind you anymore? Did you think I would be upset by that?”
She sighed. “It’s complicated, Jordan.”
“Life is complicated. All of it. But it’s meant to be lived.” I rested my elbows on the table, clasping my hands together loosely. “I think both Anna and Max would want us to move forward. It’s been a long time for both of us, Sandy.” I paused. “Isn’t that what you were trying to do with Mature Matchups?”
Her eyes widened. “You know about that?”
“Van told me.”
“Why would he do that?”
I met her gaze. “Because he knew I wanted to ask you out. Not as a friend having a sandwich in the park, but a proper date. I held back because I wasn’t sure you were ready, but when he told me, I knew I had to step forward before I lost you to some jerk-off on a dating app who doesn’t deserve you.”
A smile tugged on her lips. “I’m sure they’re not all jerk-offs.”
“Have you seen the profiles? Jesus, Sandy, even at our age, they all want one thing—and it’s not companionship. I’m pretty sure the Viagra manufacturers sponsor those sites.”
“Well then, at our age, as you so delightfully put it, there would be a lot of short relationships. Or a huge surge in the Viagra market—which apparently would lead to a different kind of surge—at least temporarily so.”
Then she laughed, trying to cover it up with her hand. I started to laugh with her, relieved at her teasing.
I risked it and reached for her hand. She let me wrap mine around hers, the softness of her skin warm under my touch. “Don’t go on a date with anyone on that site, Sandy. Let me take you out.”
“On a date?”
I laughed. “If that sounds too scary, then let’s just go to dinner and a movie. Or dinner and a show. A walk. Whatever you want.”
“It sounds as if dinner is nonnegotiable.”
“It is.”
“We work together.”
“And BAM has no policies against interoffice relationships. Hell, half the office is dating or married to each other, it seems.”
She laid her free hand on top of our joined fingers. “I don’t want to lose our friendship.”
“I don’t think we’ll lose anything, Sandy. All I’m asking is for us to have a meal together. Spend some time together outside the office. I think we’re both lonely.” I sighed. “I haven’t been out with anyone since Anna passed. I don’t even know if I’m ready. But I do know this, if there is anyone I would like to try with, it’s you.”
“Why?” she asked quietly.
“Because you’re beautiful. I’m
not talking only your outside beauty. I’m talking about the person you are. Kind, smart, funny. You’re warm and loving. Sweet. And as alone as I am.” I squeezed her hand. “We’re both too young to be alone. I think we have a lot to offer the other person. And if we decide it’s only as friends, then so be it. But I want to explore it. Try it. With you. If you’re willing.”
She looked over my shoulder, thinking. I let her process my words. I hadn’t planned on jumping in so quickly, but it had happened naturally, and I wasn’t upset by my words.
As long as she didn’t turn me down.
Her eyes met mine, and something inside me settled. Her gaze was warm and open and when she replied, my heart soared.
“I would love to go on a date with you, Jordan.”
I lifted her hand to my mouth and kissed her knuckles.
“Thank you.”
* * *
Sandy
I threw yet another dress on the bed and huffed out an exasperated sigh. Nothing I tried on felt right. I looked at the pile on the mattress and wondered if perhaps the reason for that was because each dress I tried had somehow had a memory linked to Max. A dinner we went out to. The night he took me dancing as a surprise before the disease put him in that damn wheelchair. The nights I would dress up and we would share an evening together at home on a “date.”
I sat down, shaking my head. I couldn’t do this. I wasn’t ready to date another man. Even though Jordan told me to think of it as two friends sharing a meal, I knew what it actually was.
I saw the interest in his eyes when we talked yesterday. The pitch of his voice, the way he held my hand, his frank words—none of that said friend.
I reached for my phone to call and cancel, then stopped as his words to me yesterday came back.
“By the way, Sandy, I won’t be taking any calls or messages from you tomorrow. I know you’ll have second thoughts, and you’ll try to cancel. Not happening. We’re going out for dinner. Accept it and maybe, just maybe, you’ll enjoy it.” Then he winked and left the office.
I knew Jordan and his gentle ways. If I called, he would answer, and he would take my decision because that was how he worked. He would be disappointed, but he would accept it, and the next time I saw him at work, treat me no differently from any other day.
Vested Interest Box Set Books 4-7 Page 76
