by Kayla, Mia
“Eh, he’s okay.” I laughed. “Yeah, I guess my sister is a lucky woman.”
“And the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” She bumped her shoulder against mine. “Given your crazy-lovesick smile, I’m betting Jordan is the sweetest thing too.”
I sighed. “He is.” I raised my hand to the bartender, ordering for Emery. “Ginger ale, light ice.” Then, I turned to Em. “Shoot. Is that what you wanted?” I knew she’d liked it in college but wasn’t sure if her drink tastes had changed.
She plopped down on the stool next to me. “Exactly what I wanted. So, where’s Jordan now?”
“Picking up his mom back home. She wanted to see her boys, so he’s going to bring her here.” I didn’t want to go into the details of how his mother was paraplegic, and that was why she couldn’t drive herself. Everyone would find out soon enough.
“And so …” She leaned into me as though she were going to let me in on a little secret but then asked, “Are you in love, Christene Armstrong?”
My ears burned. Wild butterflies stirred in my belly. Then, I reached for her hand and squeezed. “I am. Truth be told, I’m scared shitless. But I’ve never felt a love like this, Em. Never.”
She patted my hand with gentle ease. “Don’t overthink this, okay? I know how you are.” She tapped my temple with a light fingertip. “You’re thinking that some big ball will drop, that it’s too good to be true. But good things always happen to good people, and you’re the best person I know.”
I released a long, jagged sigh. She was right. In relationships, I’d always been cautious. But I had to trust Jordan and was working on any doubts I had. This relationship business was new territory for both of us, but he’d said he’d prove he loved me, and so far, through his honesty and his actions, he was.
“You’re right. I haven’t been this happy in …” I smiled. “… well, never.”
With a slight shake of her head, she said, “I still can’t believe it. The Jordan Ryder.”
“And you get to see him tomorrow night.” I bumped my glass with hers.
After we chatted, she drank up her ginger ale and left to get back to work. Emery was always on the go, on the hunt to save the world. The Emerys in the nation were one in a million.
Angie and Wyatt approached the bar, laughing.
“Susie is a little firecracker, isn’t she?” my sister said, motioning to the other end of the room. “We weren’t packing fast enough for her, so she decided to do it herself.”
“She practically does everything for Jordan,” I said.
She was in charge of his schedule and completed the menial tasks that he was too lazy and too famous to be seen doing.
Who had bought him a jockstrap? Susie. Deodorant? Susie. Got his early morning coffee? Susie.
She did it all and always picked up Jordan’s call on the first ring.
“Who was that?” Wyatt asked, his face thoughtful, glancing toward the door where a flurry of blonde hair exited.
“Who?” I almost got whiplash from his abrupt change in subject.
“That girl you were just talking to.”
“Oh, Emery?”
“Emery,” he repeated.
Cade emerged from the kitchen, making his way to the bar. He must’ve heard me because he said, “Yeah, Emery was here.” He smirked. “Same girl you were asking about a few days ago.” He tipped his chin toward his brother.
Wyatt averted his gaze and reached over the bar for a beer. “Real smooth, brother.”
Cade’s smirk widened. “Shit, bro. I think Tene needs to make an introduction.”
Wyatt tipped back his beer. “Nah. That’s okay.” He shifted uncomfortably in his spot.
By the little change of color in his cheeks, there was no doubt who Wyatt had a little crush on.
“She’s a pretty little thing, isn’t she?” I asked, baiting him.
Cade threw me a sideways, amused glance.
“Yeah.” Wyatt scratched at his brow, a man with the fewest of words.
“Not only is she beautiful …” I straightened in my seat and picked a piece of lint off my skirt. “… but she also owns her own nonprofit organization, helping the homeless find jobs.”
He plopped down in a stool next to me with his beer in hand.
I thought he’d ask me for information, yet he didn’t press me further, so I continued. “She came from the system too.”
His eyebrows lifted.
I had his full attention now.
“She had foster parents and bounced in and out of homes until she was adopted at fifteen. Her adoptive mom is the kindest woman you’d ever meet. Emery and I’ve known each other since freshman year in college.”
“How is that girl single?” Angie asked.
“Well …” I thought of her asshole of a boyfriend. “… she’s not really single.”
“Oh,” Wyatt slipped out. Then, he let out a sarcastic laugh, a sound I didn’t hear from him often. “Figures.”
I bumped my elbow against his arm. “You’re lucky ‘cause I want her to dump that ungrateful ass.”
Angie popped out a hip. “Hey, we’re not wrecking any homes today, Tene.”
Then, I winked at Wyatt. “Not today, but maybe tomorrow night.”
Chapter 29
I missed him. Terribly. I had it bad. I missed his warm body in my bed. A comfortable bed that was suddenly uncomfortable without him in it. But when my phone rang the next morning, and my booty-call ring played, I reached over and almost fell in the process.
“Hello?”
“Picking up on the first ring.” He chuckled. “You usually let me wait right before it goes to voice mail.”
I laughed. It was true. Now, there was no way I could hide my anxiousness. “I might … miss you a little.” Goodness, I was turning into a sap, one of those girls who waited by the phone and swooned and awed and broke a sweat every time they heard their man’s voice. “Where are you?”
“With my mom, running errands.”
“What time are you getting here?”
“Right before the party. Just head out there without me, and I’ll meet you. I’ve got to take care of a few things here.”
A disappointed sigh escaped me. “I wanted to party a little before the party …”
He groaned. Then, he lowered his voice and whispered into the phone. “Party after the party? I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
“You’d better,” I said, running my finger across my neckline. Just thinking of the after-party was turning me into a horny mess. “It’s okay. I have tons to do today anyway.”
Wax down under. Get my nails done. Get my eyebrows done.
“Tene?”
I released a soft sigh. “Yeah?”
“I miss you.”
I was glad he wasn’t in the room to witness my super-cheesy smile. “I bet you say that to all the girls.”
“Only you.” I could hear the smile in his voice too.
“I’ll see you tonight,” I replied. A girl had to save some of her pride.
“Bye, baby.”
After daydreaming of our night to come, I pushed off the bed and got ready. My uniform of the day was a crisp white button-down, knee-length, fitted black skirt, and stiletto heels that could be used as weapons. Besides prepping for tonight like I was walking the red carpet at the Oscars, I had real life work to do.
I had a tenant moving out and another moving in at one of our vacant properties. Good customer service was important which meant I was going to meet them on their first day at our location.
And tomorrow, I had a handful of potential tenants wanting to see the Wells location for their businesses. My plan had worked. All I needed to do was seal the deal, have them sign their multiyear lease, and tell Daddy I’d done it.
* * *
There was swagger in my walk, a lilt in my voice, and a stirring in my chest that I couldn’t deny as I strolled into Denali’s Bar. The blue neon sign for my tenant was up, just like I’d ordered i
t weeks ago. The walls were coated with fresh cream paint, and the decor was magnificent—from the blue-and-green borders etched on the walls to the paintings of the Amalfi Coast in Italy.
“Christene!” The owner, Janel, sauntered over, one hand in the air and in her red Louboutins that matched her ruby-red suit jacket. “The place is perfect. I can’t wait for opening night.”
“Everything is looking really good.”
Her booths and tables and lighting all matched her Middle Eastern motifs. Deep blues and yellows and greens highlighted the linen in an intricate pattern.
I plucked the folder from my purse. “I’ll be here for the opening.”
“You’d better.” She winked.
I slipped her the paperwork and then headed out the door. My heels tapped against the sidewalk all the way to my car. Once inside, my whole body relaxed against the warm leather seat.
I closed my eyes, ticking off everything that needed to be done before tonight’s black-tie event. Cameras would be everywhere, and tomorrow, I would be on the cover of some fancy grocery store magazine. This made my skin tingle. I didn’t mind the attention, but I knew I didn’t want this type of attention where everyone in the country would have an opinion about the girl on Jordan Ryder’s arm.
Wax. Pluck. Pamper.
That was today’s agenda.
My phone pinged with a message, and absently, I reached into my purse, plucking out my cell, still in a daydream state of mind. The text was from an unknown number.
When I swiped at the screen, my whole world stood still.
A heavy weight settled deep in the bottom of my stomach.
It was Jordan, undeniably so.
He stood tall in all his handsome beauty, carrying a dozen red roses, towering over a headstone. The picture had been taken from afar. The time-stamp was today.
A sudden coldness hit me. The second picture was of Jordan, kneeling, hands in front of him, head downturned as if he were crying, broken, as though her funeral had been today.
I sat there for a few minutes, just staring at the images. Who cares if he was visiting his dead girlfriend’s grave? Maybe he was visiting his father too? What was wrong with that?
I bit my thumb, telling myself over and over that this was no big deal.
Who sent me these photos? Jordie was locked up under observation. It couldn’t have been her.
Damn it.
Who the hell cares?
He wasn’t with his mom now. Maybe he’d seen his mom in Kritell, and he was on his way back with her, but it obviously wasn’t the only reason he’d gone home.
The scent of the cologne she had bought him filtered through my senses. It lingered in my car, or maybe I was imagining it. But whenever I was close to Jordan, I’d be reminded of a woman I was always comparing myself to.
My forehead fell against the steering wheel, as I felt defeated, while the soreness in my lungs spread to my throat, choking me, suffocating me.
I tapped my forehead against the steering wheel. One, two, three times.
Why? Why isn’t love in the cards for me?
Chapter 30
Hours had passed.
I changed my mind. Wait for me. I want to walk into the restaurant together.
Hey, baby. Did you get my other text?
Testing.
Bothering you again. Is your phone dead?
Everything okay?
He’d texted me earlier, and through five texts and three missed phone calls, I hadn’t answered the phone.
It was party time, and I was dressed to the nines, now waiting in the car … simply thinking and rereading his texts.
After a long while, I finally texted him back.
I texted that I’d meet him at the party. I didn’t want to speak to him. I didn’t know what I was going to say. I even debated whether I should go to the cast party at all, but if I didn’t, my whole family—Jordan included—would be searching for me.
My body sat idle in the car, waiting, wishing, wanting for something that I knew I had already lost, a loss of security.
All that pampering and waxing felt meaningless now.
A line had formed in front of the Allswell, a red carpet laid out and ready to receive the countless staff and stars and media. The paparazzi stood right behind the roped-off area, cameras in hand, flashing at people heading into the restaurant.
My hair was curled to perfection, not a smear of makeup out of place. On the outside, my appearance was immaculate, all put together, a typical Tene facade. But on the inside, my broken heart ached.
I’d talk to him. Ask him what he had done over the last couple days. That was what responsible people in a relationship did. We talked things through and worked things out. He’d tame my insecurities, just like he had before. But the pictures … I sighed. Him on his knees, with a bouquet of flowers, his head downturned … they looked so intimate.
The banging on my window made me jump and jerk my head up.
It was Angie.
Her hair was up in a high ponytail with soft curls cascading down her back. She motioned with her hands for me to get out of the car, so I did.
“Hey, the party has started.” She pulled me into a half-hug, and for a brief second, I leaned into her, letting my body sag against her.
Take it away, Angie. Just like you defuse fights with Mom and me and how you consoled me with Logan. Please, Angie … take this hurt away.
She loosened her hold, but I wouldn’t release my tight grip on my little sister. I breathed her in one last time and then took a step back.
Her eyes widened, taking in my ensemble, a black halter-top dress that swished against my ankles and shimmered in the light. The stunner was the slit that sliced the dress to my hip.
“Look at you, sexy thing. I’m assuming, since you’re wearing that, you’re not planning to stay long.” She grinned.
My fingers gripped the satin shimmer at my sides. I’d bought this dress specifically for Jordan, for us, for the first time we’d be seen together as a couple, our show the world we’re in love moment.
My chest tightened, and my gaze dropped to the ground.
“Tene?”
“Hmm?”
“Are you okay?” Concern lay heavy in the creased line in between her brow.
No.
“I’ve just had a long-ass day,” I said, never letting up on my death grip on my dress.
Maybe this had been a mistake, taking a chance on Jordan, knowing that everything we’d done would affect Cade and Angie. People would pick sides. Though we wouldn’t want them to, they would.
My mother had been right. I could hear her disappointed tone ringing in my ears, loud and proud.
“Aw, poor baby.” She patted my shoulder. “Working a long day for once after your staycation with Jordan.”
I took a deep breath, preparing myself. “Let’s go in,” I said. I reached for her hand, squeezing it tightly.
“Tene?” she whispered, looking confused. “Really … are you okay?”
She stopped to face me, but my focus was behind her, to the line formed in front of Allswell.
I nodded, lying through my teeth, “Yeah. Let’s go.”
I swirled toward the restaurant, afraid she’d be able to read my face.
There was a barricade in front of the roped entrance. The crowds and spectators of Rosendell had their cameras out, their black-tie attire on—suits and ties, designer dresses, high-end purses. Everyone was all dressed up, all waiting for a glimpse of Jordan and the rest of the cast.
“Is Jordan here?” I asked.
“No, he hasn’t arrived. Susie says that’s just how Jordan is. He likes to make a grand entrance at these things.”
Once we were in line, I took in my sister’s sexy ensemble. I had been too much in my head a minute ago. Angie’s tube-top dress was new and so unlike her with the amount of skin showing, but it was still classy, like Angie Armstrong.
“I think you’re the one who’s planning to leave a little
early.” I chuckled.
Her cheeks turned a darker shade of pink, and I pinched her side.
“Tene.” She slapped my hand out of the way.
There was no way Jordan and I could end badly. I knew these were my insecurities, but still, a real deep part of me believed Jordan and Candice weren’t over. If it came to that, I would let him down easy for Angie and Cade’s benefit. I couldn’t give in to my emotions, especially when it would affect our families. Just thinking of the possibility of seeing him at holidays, family functions, their wedding … I clutched my stomach, feeling unsteady.
I was still wondering who’d sent me the pictures. Probably one of his crazy flings.
It didn’t matter. The pictures had slapped the reality back into my life.
We walked into Allswell, and the aroma of meats and spices filtered through my senses, making my stomach clench with nausea. Prime rib, T-bone steaks, chicken cordon bleu, and smoked salmon were all on the menu. I adored food; eating was one of my hobbies—eating good food—but the thought was far from my mind at the moment.
Allswell had transformed. Black linens covered the normally white circular tables. Tall pilsner vases filled with fluffy white hydrangeas were placed in the center of each table. Gift bags that Angie and Susie had prepared lined the table on the far end. The bar was stocked with cold cuts and cheeses. Waiters in white suits moved through the crowd and served appetizers on silver trays.
Almost everyone held a drink in one hand and an hors d’oeuvre in the other.
Emery waved from across the room and then stood from her chair at one of the center tables. Her hair was braided to the side, and an elegant V-neck black dress hugged her figure.
“Well, well, well. Look at you, hot thang.” I went in for a hug.
“Tene,” she squealed.
She had the asshole with her. Fernando the Jerko. I’d thought she’d be smart enough to get rid of him. But alas, love could be blind. She had fallen hard for Fernando’s nonprofit ambitions and with helping the less fortunate. That had been the before; this was the now, where Fernando was only working and earning and looking out for himself.
