by Gerri Hill
A quick knock on her office door brought her out of her thoughts. She turned, finding Peter standing there, his expensive suit as impeccable as ever. He was a handsome man and he dressed the part. He could have just popped out of the pages of GQ. He was also as arrogant and vain a man as she’d ever met.
“Good job today. I knew you could handle it.”
“I could have done that remotely,” she said. “Why bring me all the way back here?”
“Because I wanted Antonio to learn from you. You handling it from afar would have done nothing for him.” He walked farther into the office. “I really wish you would take him under your wing more, Jordan.”
“I don’t like him. Why would I do that?”
Peter laughed. “No, not too many do. But he’s good.”
“Not good enough to handle Tokyo, obviously.”
“He reminds me of me,” he said.
“What? Cocky?”
Peter laughed again. “You do know you’re the only one who would dare speak to me like that.”
She nodded. “I also know I busted my ass for this company for the last twelve years. Surely that’s afforded me the right to speak my mind.”
“Which you do quite often,” he reminded her. “So how are things back home?”
“I’ve been running my brother’s store. I’ve got to hire a manager before I come back.”
“What kind of store?”
She sat down behind her desk. “It’s a little souvenir-type thing. Tourist trap.”
“You’re kidding. That’s what’s been keeping you away. A souvenir shop?”
Jordan bristled. “Are you implying I’m wasting my talents?”
“Don’t you think? I know what your salary is here, Jordan. Taking a leave of absence wasn’t cheap.”
“My parents needed me. Besides, not everything is about money, Peter. And the little souvenir shop, as you call it, does quite well.”
He shook his head. “That’s where you’re wrong, Jordan. Everything is about money. Everything.”
She didn’t argue with him. It was something she used to believe as well. Why else had she busted her ass all these years?
“Now, I’d like you to spend some time with Antonio.”
“Why?”
“Like I said, take him under your wing. Teach him.”
“He’s been my assistant for three years. He thinks he already knows everything,” she said.
“We both know he doesn’t. I thought it would take you at least two days to get Mr. Hashimoto to sign off. You’ve got time.”
She shook her head. “No. I’m going to head back. I’ve got a ton of stuff to do there in the next month.”
“So you’re still insistent on taking the full four months? I was hoping being back here would change your mind.”
“Like I said, I’ve got unfinished business there.”
“I didn’t think you were that close to your family. You rarely even mentioned them.”
She shrugged. “I never mention much of anything about my private life, do I?”
“No, I don’t suppose you do.” He stared out her window, his face taking on a pensive look. “You know, I lost a brother once too,” he said. “Many, many, many years ago.” He turned, looking at her. “We were in high school. He was two years younger than me. We were on a family outing at Lake Michigan. It was a great summer day. We were playing in the water, horsing around. And one minute he was there, the next…he was gone. Drowned. Just like that.” He turned his back to the window. “I always thought that my parents blamed me. They never said, but sometimes, as a kid, I could tell.”
“I’m sorry,” she said.
He headed toward the door, then stopped. “I sometimes forget I even had a brother. Don’t let that happen to you.”
“No.”
He nodded. “Well, then I guess I’ll let you get on with it. I’ll see you in September.” He raised his eyebrows. “Right?”
“Right.”
He closed the door behind him, and she spun around in her chair, taking in the view out her window once more. She felt nearly stifled by it. As she’d told Annie once, she was surrounded by concrete and steel. It had become normal for her. Until now. Now, she longed for the peace and quiet of her sleepy little hometown on the Gulf Coast. Water and trees, green and blue…a salty gulf breeze, the rolling bay, pelicans and gulls.
She let out a long, slow breath, then reached for her phone. An unconscious smile lit her face as she found Annie’s number. She leaned back in her chair, waiting for her to answer. She didn’t have to wait long.
“Hey, you,” Annie said. “I was hoping you’d call today.”
The sound of Annie’s voice brought a lightness to her heart and a grin to her face. “Yeah, just now got the chance. How are things?”
“Everything’s fine. No issues,” she said. “You?”
“Got the contract all finished. Didn’t take long.”
“So you’re coming home?”
Home? Jordan smiled. “Yeah, I’m coming home. It’ll probably be late tomorrow. I haven’t made arrangements for a flight yet.”
There was a slight pause. “I miss you.”
Jordan’s hand tightened around her cell phone. “I miss you too, Annie.”
“We…we probably need to talk, huh?”
Jordan laughed quietly. “You think?”
Annie laughed too. “So…I had lunch with your mother. Thank you for that.”
Jordan nodded. “You’re welcome. I was afraid you’d eat nothing but popcorn.”
“So now I realize how much you’ve spoiled me this summer,” Annie said.
“Oh? You’re only now realizing that?”
Annie’s laugh was delightful, and Jordan couldn’t get the grin off her face. They sat there in silence for a moment, listening to the other breathe. Jordan felt like an adolescent with a teenage crush.
“Listen, I need to get going,” she said. “Got a few things to take care of still.”
“Okay. I’m glad you called.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow. Like I said, it’ll probably be late.”
“Okay.” Another pause. “Can’t wait.”
Jordan smiled again. “Goodbye, Annie.”
“Bye, Jordan.”
Jordan laid the phone on her desk and leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling. She was in way over her head, she knew. She hadn’t realized how far Annie had gotten inside of her. It never occurred to her that their friendship would—could—turn into all this. It had evolved so slowly, so easily, it snuck up on her when she least expected it. Now…now she had no idea what she was going to do about it. At least Annie recognized it too. At least she wasn’t blind to what was going on with them.
Maybe it would be better if she was. Maybe then, Jordan could back away. She let her eyes slip closed. No, she didn’t want to back away. She wanted something that she thought she’d never have.
She sat back up and shook her head. Did she seriously think she could have that with Annie? Annie was carrying her brother’s baby. Annie was…straight, for God’s sake.
She buried her face in her hands.
“God, what am I going to do?”
No. The question was…what was Annie going to do?
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Annie glanced at the clock again. It wasn’t even eleven yet. Jordan had said it would be late before she got in. The day was going to be endless, she knew.
Just like the night had been. She’d made a simple dinner of black bean tacos with rice on the side. And she’d taken her solitary glass of apple cider out on the deck, but that made her miss Jordan even more, so she’d gone back inside to read. That couldn’t hold her attention either, so she’d showered and was in bed before nine. Unfortunately, sleep wouldn’t come and she’d tossed and turned until nearly midnight.
Tossed and turned because thoughts of Jordan were bouncing around in her head. How had this happened? How could she go from not being attracted to anyone to b
eing insanely attracted to another woman? Was it just her hormones? Surely not. That would be so unfair.
She smiled, wondering why she wasn’t frightened by her feelings. Well, as she’d told Jordan, she was a little scared. But only because it was so foreign to her. The feelings she had when she was near Jordan, when they touched…those were feelings she wanted to embrace, not run from. She wanted to embrace them because she’d never felt them before and she was afraid she’d never feel them again.
She only hoped Jordan didn’t run from it.
She tapped her fingers on the desk, then closed the laptop. She had to get away and kill some time. She would drive herself crazy if she didn’t. Early lunch? Maybe Suzanne had an hour free and could join her. She stopped. Maybe she should call her mother and see if she wanted to have lunch.
“God, what are you thinking?” she murmured.
No. No need to ruin the day. Not when Jordan was coming home. She called Suzanne instead.
Chapter Thirty
The store was full of customers and Jordan was able to slip through it without anyone seeing her. She opened the back door and glanced toward the office. Annie was behind the desk, and she looked up when the door opened. The look of surprise—happy surprise—on Annie’s face made the very early flight worthwhile.
“You’re early!”
Jordan smiled. How could she not? “Yeah. Caught an early flight at dawn. Had a layover in Dallas, though.”
Annie stood but didn’t come any closer. Jordan closed the door and locked it. When her eyes met Annie’s, she was suddenly very afraid.
“Does this mean we’re going to stop pretending nothing is happening between us?”
Jordan tilted her head, watching Annie. “Have we been pretending?”
Annie walked closer to her, and Jordan felt her heart beat nervously. “I think we’re past pretending, don’t you?” Annie took another step toward her. “I think I would really like it if you kissed me.”
Jordan felt her heart jump into her throat. She took a step back. “Here? In the office?” she asked anxiously. Yes, she was definitely in over her head.
Annie smiled at her. “Well, you did lock the door.”
Jordan swallowed with difficulty. She never expected that Annie would be the one to push this along. Of course, she was the one who had locked the door.
Annie’s smile softened. “Don’t be scared of this, Jordan.”
Jordan let out her breath. “I’m terrified,” she admitted.
Annie took another step closer, so close that they were almost touching. “You do remember that I’m the inexperienced one here, right?”
Jordan laughed. A nervous laugh but still a laugh. “Trust me, I have zero experience in this situation, Annie.”
Annie took her hand and Jordan let their fingers entwine. She tightened her grip, the touch calming her nerves a little.
“Let’s just take it…a day at a time,” Annie said. “That’s all we have to do. Take it slow, a day at a time, and see what happens.”
“That simple, huh?”
Annie nodded. “That simple.” She moved closer and this time, their bodies were touching. “But would you please kiss me already?”
Jordan’s resolve broke and she pulled Annie impossibly close. She had no time to think, no time to decide if this was the right thing to do or not. Annie didn’t give her the chance. Their lips met, and Jordan was shocked that she actually felt faint. She held on to Annie, her mouth opening slightly, taking as much as Annie would give. Annie wasn’t shy and when Annie’s tongue brushed hers, Jordan felt a jolt travel through her body. Her hands brought Annie’s hips closer to hers, and Annie moaned in her mouth. Annie’s slightly protruding belly hit Jordan’s, and she realized the intimacy of their embrace. Annie’s fists were grasping Jordan’s shirt as their kiss deepened. She wanted so much more, but not here, not in the office.
She pulled back, both of them gasping for breath.
“My God, Jordan,” Annie whispered between breaths. “Is that what a kiss is supposed to feel like?”
Jordan rested her forehead against Annie’s as they tried to catch their breath. “We really can’t do this here.”
Annie nodded. “I know. Someone could need us.”
Jordan laughed lightly and glanced at the sofa. “That’s not really what I was thinking about.”
Annie laughed too. “Really? Really, Jordan? You’re going to go there?”
They pulled apart completely, both still smiling as they disengaged. Jordan noticed Annie’s flushed face and wondered if hers looked the same.
Annie ran her fingers through her hair. “Okay, so what just happened here?”
“I’m not sure. I think we kissed.”
Annie took a deep breath, then blew it out. “Yeah, that was some kiss.” She cleared her throat. “Well, I’m certainly happy you’re back.”
Jordan smiled, then unlocked the door and opened it. She was glad no one was in the back room. “Yeah, me too.” She shoved her hands in her pockets. “So…you get the ordering done?”
Annie moved behind the desk and sat down. “Yep. All done. No problems.”
“Good.”
Jordan sat on the sofa, trying to relax. So they kissed? That had been inevitable, right? The fact that she wanted to rip Annie’s clothes off and make love to her wasn’t really surprising either. She tapped her foot nervously, searching for a topic of conversation.
“So…lunch with Mom. You didn’t say what all you talked about.”
“Oh…well, we talked about you some,” Annie said.
Jordan raised her eyebrows. “Why?”
Annie shrugged. “I’m not sure how it came up. We talked about when they found out you were gay.”
“Oh, my God. You talked about that?”
Annie smiled. “You should really talk to your mom about it, Jordan. She said you have never really talked about it at all.”
“What good would it do? I was twenty at the time.”
Annie leaned back in her chair. “I know. We talked about Matt some too. And your mother gave me some money.”
“Yeah?”
“I don’t feel comfortable taking money from them.”
“Annie, come on. You’re carrying their grandkid. Of course they want to help.”
“But still…”
“Annie, you can protest all you want, but you know they’re going to help. Matt’s not here to do it.”
“But it’s not their deal. They shouldn’t have to feel obligated.”
“Annie—”
“I just don’t want them to think I’m taking advantage of the situation. I can provide for myself.”
Jordan knew Annie treasured her independence, having had to live with her parents for so long, and she was sensitive to that.
“I know you can. But you’re going to go back to school…you won’t be working full time then.” She met Annie’s gaze. “They don’t want you to struggle. I don’t want you to struggle.”
“Jordan, I’m living for free at your house. That’s hardly struggling.”
Jordan held her hand up. “You can argue all you want, Annie. It won’t change the outcome.”
“But I don’t want—”
Annie stopped when the outer door opened. Brandon headed for the fridge, then stopped when he saw Jordan.
“Hey, boss. I didn’t see you come in,” he said.
“I snuck in a little while ago,” she said.
“Good trip?”
She nodded. “Short and sweet. The best kind.”
“Well, glad you’re back. Annie’s been a slave driver,” he said with a laugh.
“Yeah, right,” Annie said.
He got a water bottle from the fridge and went back inside the store. Jordan leaned back, then stifled a yawn. She’d been up since three that morning.
Annie looked at her questioningly. “Tired?”
“Yeah. I was up early. At the airport, you know.”
“Well…maybe you should go
home…take a nap.”
Jordan raised her eyebrows.
Annie smiled. “Just sayin’.”
Jordan met her gaze. “Should I be…scared?”
Annie winked at her. “Very scared.” Then the smile left her face. “Because I’m terrified.”
“Annie, you know…I would never—”
Annie held up her hand. “Jordan, I’m not terrified of you. I’m terrified of…it.”
Jordan frowned. “It?”
“Yeah. It.”
As their eyes held, Jordan finally understood what Annie was saying. “You know, it doesn’t have to happen. Not tonight.”
Annie’s smile was slow and definitely sexy. “Oh, yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s going to happen and soon.” Annie turned in her chair, leaning closer to the sofa and Jordan. Her voice was not much more than a whisper. “You make me absolutely crazy when I’m near you. Crazy. And that’s never, ever happened to me before.”
Jordan felt her pulse spring to life as she recognized the look in Annie’s eyes. Yes…right then, right there…she was a little afraid of it, too.
Chapter Thirty-One
Annie drove home, hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. She tried not to be nervous, but she was. Would Jordan be waiting for her?
“Yeah, she’s going to be naked and in bed already,” she said sarcastically as she rolled her eyes.
Would they make small talk? Would they have dinner? She shook her head. No, she was far too nervous to think about eating.
But what? Would they talk about it some more? What would that accomplish other than delaying what they both wanted? Because, yes, she did want it. Her certainty of that surprised her a little. If it was a mistake, could they go back? She gripped the steering wheel even tighter, remembering their kiss. Not counting the seventh-grade smooch she’d gotten from Paul Cassel, she’d been kissed by three guys in her life—Derrick, Jason and Matt. Never once had it felt anything close to what Jordan made her feel in those few heated seconds. It couldn’t possibly be a mistake.
Her mouth dropped open.
“Oh, my God,” she whispered. “Am I a lesbian?”
Then she laughed. Why did that question just now surface? She was heading home with the intention of…well, of making love with another woman.