“I’m trying to do that.”
“What are your plans for this evening?” Ethan asked as they headed to their cars a few minutes later.
“I don’t have any plans,” she responded.
“I was thinking about having dinner at Aubrie’s restaurant. I keep hearing how great it is. Are you interested in joining me?”
The thought thrilled her. She always enjoyed spending time with Ethan. “I’d love to,” Jordin responded with a smile.
They were interrupted by one of the staff members needing Ethan’s assistance. “I’ll call you with the time.”
“I’ll talk to you later,” she told him.
Ethan was very hands-on, but avoided being a micromanager, Jordin noted. He was well respected by his employees and from what she’d heard, he had a reputation of being fair.
She was thrilled that he’d taken her suggestion to see Bree and hoped that this would help free him from his past. Ethan had experienced enough pain—it was now time for him to find his path to happiness. To find his way to the woman who loved him dearly.
Chapter 13
Jordin glanced around the restaurant. Her cousin’s eatery was decorated in warm colors of gold and copper tones. “I can’t remember the last time I was on a real date. We have been hanging out more than I have in the last couple of years.”
Ethan took a sip of his iced tea. “C’mon, I find that hard to believe.”
“It’s mostly on my part,” Jordin admitted. “I’ve been focused on work.”
“Maybe you should take your own advice,” he suggested. “You need to get out more and have some fun.”
“This is why I spend so much time with you. We have a good time together.”
“I’m sure you want something more. Don’t you want to get married?”
“Of course I do, but it’s still a ways off.”
“We both turned out to be workaholics,” Ethan said with a chuckle.
Jordin nodded in agreement. “This just means that we have to play hard to balance it all out.”
“Only you would say something like this.”
She broke into a grin. “Life is short, Ethan. We only get one so we might as well enjoy it every chance we get.”
“Do you feel up to coming by the house to see what your mother has done to the place?”
“I’ve love to see it, Ethan. She’s mentioned how much she really enjoyed it. She told me that your house is stunning and it was her favorite project to date.”
“She did a fantastic job.”
They left the restaurant and drove to his new home.
“I love the verandas on this house,” she murmured as they pulled into the driveway.
Inside, Jordin stood in the middle of the living room, trying to take in every angle. The formal dining room, located off the foyer, offered elegant wainscoting, exquisitely designed crown molding and a gorgeous chandelier. “This is beautiful, Ethan.”
“I can’t take any credit for it. Your mother chose the paint, curtains...everything. All I told her is that I wanted something that would dazzle but inspire my guests to feel at home.”
“It’s very elegant, but also very welcoming,” Jordin stated. “While it looks like it should be in a magazine—it’s not so picture-perfect that your guests will be afraid to sit down and relax.”
She strolled over to check out the photos on the mantel. “Oh, my goodness,” she uttered. “Why do you have this photo of us on your fireplace?”
“It’s the only picture I have of us together.”
Jordin’s gaze met his. “You kept it all this time...”
“Yeah.”
Across the hall from the dining room, French doors opened into a study with built-in shelves and double doors opening out to the wraparound front porch.
The bright and spacious kitchen was artfully appointed with top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances.
“Ethan, your home is beautiful.”
He smiled. “Thank you.”
His cell phone rang.
Ethan glanced down and sighed. “It’s Lydia.”
“I have to be honest with you, Ethan. I just have a hard time imagining your mother in prison for trafficking drugs. She was always warning us to stay away from marijuana and cocaine. Remember how she would give us articles to read?”
“She’s a hypocrite,” Ethan stated without emotion.
“Then tell her that,” Jordin stated. “Ethan, you didn’t ask for my opinion, but I’m giving it anyway. I think you really need to have this conversation with your mom—you need to talk to her and deal with the truth.”
“You keep missing the point, Jordin. I don’t want a relationship with Lydia.”
“Do you really believe this is the healthiest way to deal with this situation?” she challenged.
“It’s my way.”
She gave a slight shrug. “I can’t change your mind?”
Ethan shook his head no. “My mother did this to herself.”
Jordin could not believe how stubborn he was being about one conversation with his mother. She could not imagine his hurt, but to just shut out the very person who gave him life...it was too hard for her to digest.
“It’s getting late,” she said. “I should probably get going.”
“I’ll walk you to your car.”
Jordin tried not to let it bother her when Ethan did not try to convince her to stay.
* * *
Ethan got a chance to see Jordin in court and admired her devotion to family law. She presented her case well, her empathy genuine.
He felt bad over the way he’d left things with her the night before. She glimpsed in his direction; a flash of surprise colored her expression briefly. Jordin had had no idea he would be there to see her. She looked gorgeous in the black-and-red color-blocked suit she was wearing with matching shoes. Her hair was pulled back into a bun, giving her a smooth, professional look.
He could hear the passion in her voice as she talked. She truly loved what she was doing—it was evident in the way she carried herself.
“Wow... I’m impressed,” Ethan stated when Jordin walked out of the courtroom an hour later. “You did an outstanding job back there.”
“Thank you,” she murmured. “I was really shocked to see you in the courtroom.”
“I wanted to apologize for last night.”
“You don’t owe me an apology.”
He smiled. “Can I make it up to you tonight?”
Jordin gave a slight shrug. “Sure, if you’re up to it.”
“I am,” he confirmed. “We need to talk.”
She scanned his face. “Sounds serious.”
He reached over and grabbed her hand. “I owe you a full explanation and I’m ready to talk to you about everything that happened.”
“Okay. Instead of going out to dinner, why don’t we just stay in?” Jordin suggested. “I’ll make something.”
“Is seven o’clock okay?”
She nodded. “I’ll see you then.”
The fact that Ethan was ready to talk made Jordin happy. She did not like the veil of distance that stood between them. Having this conversation just might be the catalyst to propel their relationship to the next level. At least, this was her fervent wish.
* * *
After dinner, Ethan and Jordin settled down in her family room to talk.
“I know that you don’t understand why I’m so angry with Lydia.”
“No, I really don’t,” she responded. “Ethan, what did your mother do that was so unforgivable?”
“She chose her drug-dealing boyfriend over her son,” he responded. “Rob was so possessive of Lydia. He didn’t even want her spending time with me. I don’t blame him as much a
s I blame her. She should have sent him on his way.” Ethan sighed irritably.
“There’s something I want to know. Why didn’t you tell me what was really going on? All you told me was that you had to move in with your father,” Jordin asked.
“Because I didn’t want you running to your parents.”
“Why not? They would’ve helped you, Ethan.”
“When my dad came, I thought he wanted to finally be a father to me, but he didn’t. He sent me off to military school so I couldn’t be a daily reminder to his wife that he cheated on her with Lydia.”
“I’m sorry you had to deal with all of this alone.”
“Growing up, I really wanted to impress you, Jordin.” He paused a heartbeat before adding, “That’s why I always tried to put a positive spin on my situation. I was ashamed to tell you that Lydia had gone to prison, but I knew you’d find out somehow.”
“Ethan, you had no reason to be ashamed.”
“Right...”
“I guess you think I wouldn’t have understood because I’m a DuGrandpre.”
“Something like that,” he admitted.
“I would have been there for you, Ethan.”
“That’s just it,” he pointed out. “I didn’t want anybody’s pity.”
Jordin gave him a sharp look. “You should know me much better than that.”
“I realize that now, but back then...”
She reached over and took his hand into her own. “I am so proud of you, Ethan. Despite all that happened to you—look at all you accomplished.”
Ethan met her gaze. “I hope that you can try and understand why I choose not to have a relationship with the two people who brought me into this world. They haven’t been parents to me.”
“Your mother wants to have a relationship with you.”
He shrugged in nonchalance. “It’s too late.”
Jordin did not respond. She could feel Ethan’s pain.
“I hope that one day you two will be able to sit down together and have a conversation, if only to clear the air.”
“I don’t know if that day will ever come, Jordin.”
“I can keep hoping.”
Ethan smiled. “Forever looking for happily-ever-after.”
Jordin grinned. “I own it.”
“I really don’t want to pull you into my craziness.”
“I’m here if you need me, Ethan.”
His eyes traveled to hers. “Thank you for being such a good friend.”
“As your friend, I recommend that we play hooky tomorrow.”
“And do what?”
“Whatever we want,” Jordin announced. “As long as it’s fun and relaxing. You’ve been so busy with the gym and the house...let’s take a break. I definitely need one and so do you.”
* * *
Jordin took Ethan to the place they used to frequent as kids where they played arcade games. They walked hand in hand maneuvering around wandering children trying to win tickets to redeem for prizes. Red, yellow, blue and green lights blinked all around them as the sounds of bells, whistles and laughter tickled their ears.
Ethan chose a racing game in the arcade. He and Jordin sat side by side, each one striving to be the top scorer.
Jordin won the first game.
“I see you’re still very competitive.”
She shrugged. “It’s me and I own it.”
He laughed.
“Remember how I used to beat you at this game?”
Ethan shook his head no. “I don’t remember it that way at all. In fact, this is not the same game.”
“It’s similar to the one we used to play,” she responded. “You’re just scared.”
He laughed. “Scared? Not me. C’mon, let’s get this over with.”
Ethan had the highest score the second time around.
“Okay, we have to play one more time,” Jordin said. “We can’t leave it as a tie.”
“You’re on.”
Jordin competed with fierceness. She stole a peek at Ethan, who looked like he was having the time of his life.
“I win,” she stated.
“That’s because I’m a little rusty.”
“A lot rusty,” Jordin corrected with a chuckle.
When they tired of playing, Jordin and Ethan gave all of their tickets to a young girl before leaving the arcade.
“That was so much fun,” she said.
He agreed. “I haven’t done that in such a long time.”
“We should do this at least once a month.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Ethan responded. “So what’s on the agenda next?”
“I was thinking that we could drive down to Battery Park and walk around like we used to do when we were kids.”
“Let’s go.”
“I want you to know that you’re not alone, Ethan. We can get through anything you’re facing—we can do it together.”
He looked at her, his gaze intense.
She was watching him, studying his expression. Jordin smiled then, stirring something within him.
Chapter 14
Saturday morning, Jordin was up early. She had just finished cleaning up when the telephone rang.
“Ethan, hello.”
“Hey, I’m in the mood to play tennis,” he said. “Want to play?”
She broke into a smile. “Sure.”
Jordin hadn’t played in a while, but she was not about to let this opportunity to spend time with Ethan pass by. “I have to warn you though. I’m a bit out of practice.”
“Just don’t put up a fuss when I win.”
Her competitive nature took over, prompting her to respond, “I’m not that bad, Ethan.”
“I’ll see you around nine.”
“I’ll be ready,” Jordin responded.
He arrived to pick her up an hour later.
“You look like you’re ready to play,” Ethan stated, his eyes traveling from her face to the white tennis outfit she was wearing. “You look cute.”
Jordin held up her racket. “Remember this?”
He laughed. “You still have that old thing?”
She nodded. “Of course. You gave it to me before I found out you were leaving town for good.” Jordin met his gaze. “I love this tennis racket because it was all I had of you.”
“When I left...I didn’t know at the time that I would never be coming back.” Ethan turned away from her. “I really didn’t want to leave, Jordin.”
“I know that you had no choice.”
“Back then, I was too immature to understand that my life had been taken away from me. I figured I’d spend some time with my dad but end up back in Charleston. It was my plan.”
“Ethan, I understand why you left and didn’t come back at that time. I just thought that you would’ve returned before now—even if it was just for a visit.”
“I guess there’s no point in looking back,” he uttered. “I’m here now.”
“Do you regret coming back here?”
“No,” Ethan responded. “I had reservations initially, but now...I’m glad to be back.” He placed an arm around Jordin. “It’s good to be home.”
* * *
An undeniable magnetism was building between them, forcing Ethan to acknowledge the truth—he could not just ignore the deep feelings he had for Jordin. They were never going to go away.
He was not looking forward to their evening coming to an end. He didn’t want to leave her. Ethan enjoyed spending time with her.
“What are you thinking about?”
He glanced over at her. “About you.”
Jordin frowned. “What about me?”
“You are incredible.”
&
nbsp; She smiled. “I think you’re pretty incredible yourself.”
Ethan found himself wanting to open up to her about his feelings. Instead, he fought the urge.
Jordin studied him for a moment. “What’s really going on with you, Ethan?”
He searched for the right words and settled on the truth. “I know it was my decision for us to keep our relationship as just friends, but I’m having some trouble with it.”
“So what are you saying?” Jordin inquired.
“You’re very special to me. I think you know that.”
“Ethan, if you’re not feeling me—just let me know,” she quickly interjected. “I’m a big girl. I can take it.”
“That’s not it at all,” he responded. “My feelings for you go beyond friendship, Jordin.”
“So do mine,” she said.
He met her gaze and smiled. “I... What happens now?”
“What do you want to happen, Ethan?”
He chuckled. “That’s a loaded question.”
Jordin laughed. “Seriously, where do you want to go with this? I know what I want and that’s to be with you.”
“I want to be with you, sweetheart.” He paused a few minutes before adding, “I love you and I’m tired of fighting my feelings.”
“I’ve been waiting for years to hear you say this,” Jordin responded softly. “I love you too.”
Their eyes met and held.
“Say it again.”
She smiled. “I love you, Ethan.”
“That’s what I needed to hear.”
Jordin wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer to her. She could feel his uneven breathing on her cheek, as he held her tightly.
Ethan traced his fingertip across her lip causing Jordin’s skin to tingle when he touched her. He paused to kiss her, sending currents of desire through her. He kissed her again, pouring into that kiss every emotion and hunger that had hounded him for the past eleven years.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, meeting his passion with her own. The intensity of the fire that bounded up between them threatened to engulf her.
“Make love to me,” she whispered between kisses.
“You don’t know how badly I’ve wanted to hear those words come out of your mouth,” he confessed. “I’ve wanted you from the moment I saw you again.”
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