by Noella Royce
More importantly, I really couldn't handle any other hot dudes in my life, especially since I appeared to be fixated on a dismissive immortal to the point where I turned down the utter sweetness of Jordan. Dealing with Troy's dramatic shenanigans was the last thing I needed right now, regardless of how hot he was.
"Veda." Something about Amari's tone had me snapping my head up. He pointed to the window. "I'm not kidding. He's outside."
I turned, and felt like I'd been punched.
There was the extremely famous guy who'd destroyed my comfy California life, staring into the store and then bursting into a huge, internationally adored grin when he spotted me.
"Oh, fuck me, no," I whispered, and Amari leaned over to pat me on the back.
"I'll say this, Veda. When you do drama, you do it big. No half-measures for you, girl."
I let my head fall on the counter and groaned.
The door opened and the bell jingled. "Veda! I found you!"
I was utterly screwed.
Jordan wiped the counter and held back a sigh. The club was empty due to it being an hour before opening, and he was the only one there so far. This was a relief, since he wasn't feeling particularly chatty or social.
Hopefully the night would be quiet. The power was back on, yes, and the river had somehow filled back up to its usual level, but Maywen was rattled and people were still finding their bearings. That would ideally translate into a slow night, but Jordan had learned you could never tell how people would react to stressful situations. Sometimes they wanted to hide away at home, and sometimes they wanted to get out, party, and drink like there was no tomorrow.
Man, was he glad that Veda had quit. He still felt a painful jabbing feeling in his chest when he saw the embarrassment and apology on her face when she'd rejected him. Women didn't do that to him very often, quite the opposite, and the reality of her rejection had him reeling.
His fist closed around the dish rag and squeezed. She'd chosen Professor Slimeball over him? Really? Yeah, Adin might have been handsome, but Veda must have noticed how half the town was terrified of the asshole, and the other half had probably slept with him. Judging by the look Erica got in her eyes whenever he was around, making women fall for him was probably something he did for kicks. Dude was super intense, and probably crazy.
The image of Veda standing there with her hair escaping from an updo and wearing a dirty satin dress with sneakers sprung into his mind, and he had to admit she'd looked downright insane herself. Clearly something had happened. The police station was half destroyed, there were weirdos in hoods staggering around, and the people surrounding Veda had looked like they'd stumbled out of a warzone. Whatever she was involved in, it was major, and Jordan always did his best to avoid drama.
Life was meant to be easy and simple—that was his core philosophy—and a woman like her clearly was anything but.
He dropped down on his elbows and threw the rag on the floor. It was such a disappointment. Veda was beautiful, had amazing lips, and made him laugh. There'd been something exciting about her, something different and unique, and he'd been so sure she was into him as well. He'd have considered a more exciting life if she was involved.
There was the sound of footsteps echoing on the linoleum and Jordan jerked upright and squinted into the gloom. "Hello?" He doubted it was Jake, as the manager didn't do anything quietly, certainly didn't enter a room without a dumbass comment. The door was supposed to be locked since he'd come in through the back, but maybe someone had left it open. "We're not open yet," he called out.
"That's too bad," said a melodic voice. "I was hoping to enjoy a drink before anyone else arrived."
The interloper sauntered—and something about the way she walked was definitely a saunter—into the light surrounding the bar, and gave him a wide, bright smile.
Something about that smile made his heart beat in double time, so full of promise and mischief. Man, this was a beautiful woman—a lovely lady with an almost doll-like delicacy and sun-bright hair that shimmered like a movie star's. She was wearing a yellow dress with watercolor flowers and blue high heels, and Jordan couldn't say he minded that she looked like a splash of spring in the middle of a cold fall. She was a warm breeze, and her eyes were fixated right on him as she approached the bar and leaned forward. She smelled spicy, with a deeper scent than he'd been expecting, but he couldn't say he minded.
"Can a girl get a cosmo?" Her smile suggested it held secrets, and Jordan was intrigued. "Or would I have to wait?"
He flipped his rag over his shoulder and hit her with his best smile, the one that made most women blush. She didn't, but the corner of her eyes crinkled up in a most pleasing way. "For you, pretty lady, anything. You still have to pay, though."
"I can do that." She held out one elegant hand, and he took it in his own. "I'm Breanna."
Where had he heard that name before? "Jordan." She had a firm grip, and her fingers lingered for a moment at his wrist before letting go.
"Jordan." Breanna drew out the syllables, and it warmed his belly to hear his name in that sweet voice. "How very nice to meet you."
"You as well." He winked. "Let me get you that drink."
There was that eye crinkle again, and Jordan felt a sense of anticipation and excitement he hadn't felt since, well, he'd last thought he had a chance with Veda.
Maybe things weren't so bad after all.
To be continued in Blood Unraveling, Book Two of the Star Seamstress series!
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