His eyes grew wide and his eyebrows shot up into his forehead. She laughed at his slightly scared expression, which seemed to ease his nerves.
He broke into an unsure grin. “Romance?”
“Yeah, but don’t worry,” she winked at him and hooked up Daisy’s leash. “I’ll pay. Just follow me.”
Twenty minutes later, they stood outside of a large brownstone house with a wide porch and iron wrought railings on either side. Christmas lights lined the angles of the home, alighting the house in splashes of green, red, and white. A jolly old-fashioned Santa Claus in his sled stood on the front yard with two reindeer on the helm. Eve marched past the front door and led him around to the back.
“My parents live upstairs,” she offered, breaking the silence. “When my sister got engaged and moved out this summer, I moved into the basement apartment. Until I get my grad school loans paid off, I’m just another millennial living at home.”
He nodded and studied the home, his eyes trailing up to the immaculate yard covered in a thin blanket of pristine snow. “This is fancy.”
She shrugged. “I guess so. We moved here when I was in middle school. I think I’m used to it now.”
They descended a handful of stairs to a set of french doors with the curtains drawn tight. Eve unlocked them and let Jordan walk in. Flipping on the lights, she sighed at the sight of her tiny place. It was only a single bedroom apartment with a half bath and a small kitchen and living room, but it was all hers.
She’d brightened the place up with sunflower yellow throws and turquoise dining sets on the tiny round kitchen table. A family picture, featuring Eve, her parents, and her older sister, Brianna, hung above a fake fireplace mantel. Daisy had already shot ahead of the two of them and claimed the thick blue blanket on the floor. She was making a tight circle, getting ready to settle in.
“This is it,” Eve said with another happy sigh, throwing herself on the gray microfiber love seat. “My castle. Have a seat.”
Jordan sat tentatively on the opposite side of the couch, shedding his coat and gloves. She could tell he was wary of tonight’s project, as if she was going to attack him at any minute. Taking his coat and her own, she hung them up in her supremely organized little coat closet and grabbed a giant black binder.
“We’re going to start with Pretty Woman.” She dropped the open binder into his lap and pointed to the DVD. “Then, we’ll move onto Casa Blanca, Pride & Prejudice, and possibly The Notebook.”
He stared up at her, confusion clouding his eyes. “This is my homework?”
“Yes!” She sat next to him on the couch, their thighs touching. A pulse of warmth shot up her side when he leaned in closer. She did her best to keep her expression completely neutral, so he wouldn’t see how he affected her. Laurie and Rhiannon were clearly getting inside her brain with all this boy talk. “We’re going to study the romantic parts. You might not believe in romance, but you’ve got to at least pretend you know what you’re doing. By watching these, you’ll get a good idea of what to do.”
He said nothing. Instead, his gaze trailed down to their touching legs. Eve blushed and pulled away, putting just enough room between them so they weren’t touching.
“This is just for the play,” she said, more for herself than for him. “I know where all the best parts are, so I can fast forward through them and explain what makes them romantic.”
She gulped as he looked at her, his lips curving into a grin that made his eyes shine with amusement.
“You’re going to be my teacher?”
She shifted in her seat. “Why not?”
His gaze ran down her face and landed solidly on her mouth. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“Of course it is. I’m the director.”
“Makes sense, I guess.”
Suddenly feeling hot, she jumped off the couch and shed her sweater before running to the fridge to grab them drinks. She could feel his amused eyes following her every move, but she refused to look at him. This was just business. A teaching opportunity. Despite the fact that she found him insanely attractive, nothing was going on. She could have a good looking man over to her apartment and behave. Couldn’t she?
Finally ready to face him, she shoved a cold glass of water in Jordan’s hands and took the DVDs.
“Let’s get started,” she said, squating in front of the TV. Popping Pretty Woman into the player, she backed up until she could lean against the couch and hug her legs into her chest. At least here, their legs couldn’t touch. She was safe. “This is one of my favorites.”
She took him through all of the best parts of the movies. Richard Gere climbing the fire escape with flowers. Rick Blaine saying goodbye to Ilsa as she escaped from the Germans. And Mr. Darcy in nearly every scene with Elizabeth Bennet. By the time they got to the epic kissing in the rain scene from Noah and Ally’s story, she’d curled up on the coach next to him and dozed off. It was already past midnight, but Jordan didn’t wake her.
The ending credits rolled for The Notebook and Eve woke with a start. She hadn’t meant to watch the whole film. Someone should’ve stopped the movie. Looking around, confused and disoriented, she was alarmed to see she’d started using Jordan’s shoulder as a pillow.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry.” She pulled back as if he’d shocked her. Her eyes blinked rapidly, trying to clear away the sleep.
She could only hope she hadn’t drooled on him. If there was one way to guarantee chasing away a fabulous man, it was drooling through his shirt. Not that she was looking for a man in that moment. Or, at all. She was far too busy – at least, that was what she was going to keep telling herself. She wiped a finger across her chin, immediately feeling relief when it came away dry.
“I think I’m plenty educated now,” Jordan said with a laugh. He watched her squirm in embarrassment, amusement dancing in his eyes. “That’s more romance than I needed in my life.”
“I’m so sorry.” She grabbed the remote and turned off the TV. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep. It’s so late. And we both have work tomorrow.”
He smiled warmly at her and something in his gaze told her he didn’t really care about the late hour. “Is this what your life is? All romance and happy endings?”
“Sort of.” She shrugged, feeling sheepish. Not everyone was as lucky as her. “My parents were high school sweethearts. They’ve been together for over thirty years. Still as in love as the day they met.”
She’d been envious of their relationship since she could first begin to appreciate it. Her parents just seemed to fit together, like they were meant to be. As far as she knew, none of her friends’ parents still kissed every morning at breakfast. Her father would flip the heart-shaped pancakes and her mother would pour him a cup of coffee in his favorite mug. She loved it when they held hands, strolling down the street like two teenagers on a date. Others might find it embarrassing, but she’d always appreciated the depths of her parents’ love.
“You’re lucky then.” Jordan had grown serious, his eyes surrounded by tired wrinkles. He frowned down at the couch cushions, his jaw muscles working.
She placed a hand on his knee, suddenly feeling bad for bragging about her perfect life. He obviously hadn’t grown up the same way. “Your parents divorced?”
“Yeah.” He gave a bitter laugh and stared at the couch. “When I was only three. My step-dad, James, came into the picture not long after. He started beating up on my mom when he moved in.”
Eve felt her jaw drop. She’d never expected Jordan to be that honest with her, right out the gate. It must’ve been a terribly traumatizing childhood. “Your stepdad was abusive?”
“Still is.” Jordan swept his pained gaze up to meet hers. “She’s still with him. I threatened her that I would go live with my real dad when I was sixteen. Made her choose; him or me. You can guess who she chose.”
As much as Eve liked to pretend she was a brick wall and that nothing could move her, she couldn’t help but tear up at the look on
Jordan’s face. Inside the tough man sitting in front of her was still a young boy, waiting for his mother to choose him first. She wanted to pull him into a hug and tell him it wasn’t his fault, but she settled for grabbing his hand and squeezing it tight.
“I’m so sorry.” She stroked her thumb along the smooth backside of his hand and over the knuckles. “That’s not fair.”
“Life’s not fair.” He watched her thumb move in circles on his hand, his expression stormy. “I’m glad you had a different experience. I can feel the happiness here, in this house. It’s like a warm light that fills the room. You deserve that, Eve.”
Jordan was sweet. She could feel herself melting again, just like when she’d heard him sing. It was no wonder the boy didn’t like romance or anything to do with Christmas. He’d been abandoned by the woman who should’ve loved him better than anyone. Holidays didn’t mean a thing without those people around you, celebrating the start of a brand new year.
She searched his face, hoping not to find any regret there. He’d volunteered for this play without realizing how many painful memories it might drag up. She hoped she wasn’t causing him any unnecessary discomfort. But there was no pain in his blue eyes. Just a steady heat as he returned her stare, his eyes hungrily taking in her face.
He leaned in, just then, closing the distance between them. With his gaze planted firmly on her mouth, he reached out with his free hand and placed it gently on her cheek. Goosebumps spread down the back of her neck. She swallowed hard, afraid to move and ruin the moment. His lips were so close to hers.
She would kiss him, if he leaned in just a bit further. It hadn’t taken her long to decide. Jordan was not only incredibly smart and drop dead gorgeous, but he had a soul about him that moved her. He’d taken what life had thrown at him and turned it into good. She’d never met a man like him. All of her earlier excuses suddenly faded away as she thought about what it would be like to taste his lips on hers.
“Eve…I…” His lips barely parted as he spoke. “I need to…”
“Yes?” Her gaze left his mouth and trailed up to his deep blue eyes. He stared at her with an intensity that made her skin light on fire.
It was at that moment that Jordan’s cell phone began to ring, an annoying buzz that sucked the romance out of the air. He cursed under his breath and went to reach for it, bending over the device in the glow of the TV. Eve mourned the loss of his hand on her face as the tension inside of her burst like a balloon.
“My boss,” he explained, holding it up briefly for her to see. “She calls at any time of the night. So annoying, but I have to take it or she’ll never stop.”
She smiled nervously and nodded, watching him answer it and walk to the other side of her apartment to talk. Her hands fluttered in her lap and she willed herself to calm down. But that was impossible. They’d very nearly kissed!
Breath caught in her lungs as her heart palpitated and shot adrenaline into her veins again. She barely knew Jordan. And he was the star in her play. Kissing would only further complicate a time when she didn’t need any more complications. That had been a close one. Too close. Who knows what could’ve happened if that cell phone hadn’t rang at that exact moment? Maybe they’d been saved by the bell.
Or, had they? She wasn’t so sure. Her head was telling her it was stupid to get involved with a man scheduled to leave her life in a few measly weeks. That it would only end in heartbreak and disappointment. A relationship fated to go nowhere.
Her heart seemed to be nudging her in a different way completely.
Chapter 7
Snow Pines certainly wasn’t what Jordan had expected. He never thought he’d like this little town and its vintage charm. He never imagined he’d be playing a part in a Christmas musical. And most of all, he hadn’t expected to almost kiss the girl who’d forced him into it.
He couldn’t help it. She’d looked so beautiful asleep on that couch, her favorite movies flickering on the screen. He’d opened up to her unlike he’d ever done before, talking about his family and the abuse he’d witnessed. And when she’d given him that sultry look, with her sleepy brown eyes, he had to lean in. If his boss hadn’t called at that exact moment, he would’ve done it. Instead, he left for home that night wondering what if.
Several days had passed since that night and the tension was becoming nearly unbearable for Jordan. Every time their eyes made contact in the office, a spark would light in his chest. A brush of their hands, a knowing smile, that was all it took to rev him up. They’d been taking their lunches together, rehearsing his lines and sitting with their knees bumping under the table. He was sure she liked him – and still hoping that it wasn’t just his ego telling him so.
She was a beautiful and smart woman. She could have anyone. And for some reason, she seemed to like him.
He’d just taken the third call from his boss that Monday morning at work when a woman came walking in through the foundation doors and caught his attention. She could’ve passed for Eve’s twin. Dark almond eyes and a set of full red lips, framed by long sleek hair that fell to her shoulder blades. She carried a tray full of coffee from the nearby bistro and set them on Laurie’s desk. Plucking a dog bone from her jacket pocket, she tossed it to Daisy, who happily began to chow down.
“Monday Blues survival kit has arrived,” the woman announced, holding a cup in the air.
His coworkers pounced on the provisions like a pack of hungry lionesses, snatching up their drinks and gathering around Laurie’s desk. One cup remained in its white sleeve and the woman plucked it from the carrier and motioned at him to come get it.
“I had to meet the mysterious lead of Eve’s play,” she cooed, eyeing him up and down. “My sister doesn’t like to spill many details, but let’s just say that know that I’ve seen you...I can see now why you guys spend so much time rehearsing together.”
Eve groaned and covered her face with her hand while everyone laughed. Jordan couldn’t help but grin. She’d been telling her family about him. That could only be a good sign.
“I’m Brianna.” The newcomer held out a hand with long pink manicured nails. “Eve’s older, and much wiser, sister.”
Eve rolled her eyes at Rhiannon and Laurie. “She wishes.”
He shook her hand and released it with a smile. “Jordan Davis. Nice to meet you, Brianna.”
“Oooh, manners and everything? Momma’s going to like him.” She gave her sister an evil grin. “She’s demanding you invite him to family supper on Friday.”
“Wait, what?” Eve’s mouth fell open in despair and she began to argue with her sister. It made Jordan laugh to see her act so uncomfortable, far from the cool and collected Eve he’d come to know. “He’s going to feel so awkward,” Eve was saying. “I don’t want to put him through that.”
“Aaron’s going to be there,” Brianna replied with a careless flip of her hair. “He won’t be alone. Besides, you know once Momma makes up her mind, you’re not going to change it. Right, girls?”
Laurie nodded vigorously. “Yeah, I’d never cross your mom.”
“Do what the woman says,” Rhiannon added, her eyes wide in mock fear.
“You guys aren’t helping,” Eve shot back. Her shoulders were tense under her purple cashmere sweater.
Brianna waved her hand. “They’re helping as far as I’m concerned.”
If Brianna was any bit as stubborn as her sister, Jordan knew this argument could go on for a lot longer, so he stepped forward and placed his coffee cup on the desk with a loud thunk. “Don’t I get a say in this, ladies?”
Four sets of bright eyes turned toward him and blinked heavily in the stretch of silence that followed.
“Yes, yes you do get a say,” Eve said, breaking the silence to rush to his side. The light touch of her hand on his arm sent an unbidden thrill up his spine. “You’ve got much better things to do than go to some boring family dinner. Tell Brianna you don’t want to go.”
“Brianna.” He made direct eye contact
with her sister and held it for a moment. The left side of his mouth twitched in a small small. “I’ve got nothing better to do. I’d love to go.”
She cheered as Eve huffed into her coffee. Worried he might have crossed a line, Jordan playfully bumped his shoulder into Eve’s and was glad to see a small smile form on her worried face. He was interested to meet the rest of the family who’d raised such a strong woman. Her sister was certainly a trip. It made him wonder what her parents were like.
“And don’t you worry, Jordan. My fiance, Aaron, will be there, so you won’t be alone,” Brianna said to him with a triumphant grin on her face.
“Her absolutely handsome fiancé,” Laurie said breathlessly, grabbing at Brianna’s left hand to gaze at the diamond band.
“You mean perfect in every way fiancé.” Eve snatched her hand from Laurie, her eyes jealously taking in the facets of the diamond.
Jordan stood awkwardly near by, unsure how to add to the conversation. Girl talk was a foreign language to him. All Brianna could do was smile and gaze happily at her own ring.
“How’s the wedding planning going?” Rhiannon perched herself on the edge of the desk with her drink in hand. Her own engagement ring sparkled as it caught the light. “I haven’t even started. There’s just too much to do. It’s overwhelming. Ash wants to hire someone, but I can’t even decide on that.”
“We haven’t picked out a date yet,” Brianna said with a shrug. “Silly Aaron, he’s so busy with work these days. I’m afraid we’re just going to have to pick a day and drive over to the courthouse.”
The women cried out at the injustice. Jordan kept his mouth sealed shut. It was better that way.
“You know Momma will kill you if you elope,” Eve growled.
Brianna nodded her understanding. “But that’s what you have to do, ladies, when your man is just too busy with his job to plan a wedding. You’ve got to do whatever it takes to nail him down.”
Jordan leaned back onto his desk and frowned to himself. It was beginning to feel like the nineteen fifties in here with talk of nailing a man down with marriage. Hadn’t conversation like this died off with women’s liberation? He glanced over at the thermostat on the wall. Someone must have turned up the heat. Sweat had begun to build around his collar.
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