Ryker checked his watch. “I’m taking you to lunch, Jadin. I’ve never seen you like this.”
“I’m warning you now—you don’t know what you’re getting into, but I’m not going to turn down a meal. I didn’t have breakfast this morning and I’m starving.”
“My car or yours?”
“We can walk to Montell’s, if you don’t mind,” she suggested. “I’m in the mood for shrimp and grits.”
“That’s fine. Where I’m parked is on the way, so we can put our stuff in the car.”
She embraced him. “Thanks, cousin. I really appreciate this.”
“Tell me what’s going on with you.”
“Michael asked me to marry him and I accepted—”
“Congratulations,” Ryker interjected.
“Yesterday, when I went to tell my parents, things went in a direction I never expected.”
He gave her a sidelong glance. “What happened?”
“My husband showed up. I’m really surprised your mother hadn’t mentioned it.”
Ryker stopped in his tracks. “Your what?”
“Yep. I have a husband and a fiancé. Well, I had a fiancé.” She grabbed his arm. “C’mon, we’re almost there. You’re going to need to sit down while I pour out all the sordid details of this mess I’m in.”
“I think I’m gonna need a drink, too.”
“I know I need one,” Jadin said, “but we’re going to have to settle for the nonalcoholic version. Come by my place later tonight and we can really tie one on together.”
As soon as they were seated in a booth beside a huge picture window, Ryker said, “Lay it on me. I need the whole story.”
She waited until they had given the server their drink and menu selections.
“My husband’s name is Landon Trent. We dated in law school. To celebrate our graduation, we went to Las Vegas. He accepted a job with the Secret Service and I was offered a job with a large DC law firm. We decided to get married and we did.”
“Wasn’t Jordin with you in Vegas?”
Jadin nodded. “She knew about the marriage. Anyway, we ended up cutting our vacation short because Aunt Rachel called to tell us about Chad’s death. Jordin and I took the first flight we could get to be with Giselle.”
“That’s right,” Ryker said. “I picked you up from the airport.” He shook his head. “Giselle hasn’t been the same since Chad died.”
“Seeing her so grief stricken... It made me realize that Landon’s job as a Secret Service agent would place him in some of the same scenarios as Chad. He was putting his life on the line daily and I just couldn’t live with that. After the funeral, I went back to DC and told Landon that the marriage was a mistake.”
The server arrived with their meals.
After blessing the food, Ryker sliced into his wood-grilled salmon. “Why didn’t you get a divorce, if that was the case?”
“Now, this is where everything gets crazy,” Jadin said. “I gave him a signed copy of the petition. I thought Landon agreed that ending the marriage was the right thing to do. I loved him so much, Ryker, and it broke my heart.” Jadin stuck a forkful of shrimp into her mouth and chewed. She swallowed, then said, “We both sat there, tears running down our faces... I had to get out of there. I told him I was going home. I told Landon to take care of everything.” The memory of that day still evoked a sharp pain in her heart.
“I’m guessing Landon never signed the papers.”
“Once I came home, I dived straight into my work. I was in the attorney training program and you know how demanding Uncle Jacques can be—he was the instructor at the time.”
Ryker nodded in understanding. “Yeah, my dad has very high expectations. He was a good teacher.”
Jadin agreed. “I was so focused on living up to the DuGrandpre name and forcing Landon out of my heart... I just didn’t think about the divorce anymore. In Nevada, it only takes three or four days for an uncontested divorce to be finalized. I trusted Landon to do his part and I thought we were good.”
“Does Michael know?”
“Yes, I told him the same day I found out. Ryker, he was so hurt, but then he wanted to meet with Landon.”
“I can understand that.”
“The three of us had dinner last night. Well, Landon and I had dinner. Michael left.”
“What happened?”
“Landon declared his love for me and said the reason he came to town was because he wants us to give the marriage a year. You know that conversation went left real quick.”
“You’ve been married all this time,” Ryker said. “What does he expect to change?”
“Oh, let me clarify. Landon wants us to live as man and wife for a year. He says we never gave the marriage a real chance.”
“From what I’m hearing, he’s right.”
Jadin sent a sharp glare in his direction.
“I’m just saying.”
“Michael was livid. He asked for his ring back, which I can understand. He flew out first thing this morning.” Jadin did not add how Michael kept harping on his humiliation. How he was going to look like an idiot. He did not seem to care that she felt bad about the situation and had apologized.
“Why? Is it because you are considering Landon’s proposition?”
Ryker’s question pulled Jadin out of her reverie.
“Michael doesn’t want to see me until I get my situation resolved, as he put it. The truth is that I don’t know what to do, Ryker.”
“Do you still have feelings for Landon? Because if you didn’t, I don’t think you would be this conflicted. You and Landon haven’t lived as husband and wife... You know, if you really wanted to divorce him, you could just do it.”
Jadin did not respond.
Ryker finished off his iced water. “This is what I think you should do. Take a couple of days off and go away somewhere, away from everybody to really sort out your feelings for both Landon and Michael. Your feelings for Landon were strong enough for you to go against all reason to be with the man you loved.”
“You sound like your mother. Aunt Rochelle told me the same thing.” Jadin wiped her mouth with her napkin. “To complicate things further, Landon moved here and is the new deputy prosecutor.”
“Apparently, he’s still in love with you.”
“That doesn’t make him the right man for me.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I’ve moved on, Ryker. I’ve been living my life as a single woman for five years. He should’ve told me that we weren’t divorced.”
“You’re angry with him.”
“Yes, I am,” Jadin admitted. “It makes me look bad. I can only imagine what people will say if it comes out. I’m an attorney and I had no clue that I was still married. How do I explain having a husband?”
“Since when did you start caring what others think?”
“Who is going to have confidence in me as an attorney? I didn’t even verify my own divorce.”
“First things first, Jadin. Decide if you’re even going to stay in the marriage. Once you decide that, then we can tackle the rest.”
“Thank you for not treating me like an idiot.”
“Uncle Etienne got on you pretty good, huh?”
“Michael has probably been my worst critic, but I know that it’s coming from a place of hurt. Dad hasn’t really said much, but my mom. She is very upset. Ryker, I don’t think Mom has ever been this angry with me.”
“I’m sure it’s more that she’s disappointed.”
She took a sip of her iced tea. “I still haven’t told Austin.”
“You’d better do it before my mother does,” Ryker recommended. “How did she find out?”
“She was at the house when Landon came to ruin my life.”
“I know you’re not happy about this, but it
’s actually a good thing. What if you had gotten married to Michael without knowing? You’d have an even bigger problem.”
“I guess you’re right,” Jadin said. “I can’t even imagine how my mom would’ve handled that.”
They finished their lunch, then headed back to the fourth-floor law firm on Broad Street, in the bustling downtown business district. Jadin glanced up at the portrait of Marcelle DuGrandpre, their grandfather. During a time of racial tension, Marcelle opened the doors of the DuGrandpre Law Firm in 1960. She felt a thread of shame as she eyed the picture. She missed her grandfather but was relieved he had not lived long enough to see this mess she’d created for herself.
Jacques DuGrandpre was waiting outside Ryker’s office when they arrived, prompting him to ask, “Dad, do you need to see me?”
“I wanted to discuss the details of the Brylan case with you.”
Jadin glanced up at the tall man, who was her uncle. “I guess you know what’s going on in my life.”
He nodded. “How you holding up?”
“I think I’m going to take Ryker’s suggestion and go away for a few days. I have a lot to think about.”
“I hear this man is our new deputy prosecutor,” Jacques said. “Looks to me like he’s come here to stay.”
She gave a slight nod.
Her uncle followed Ryker into his office.
Jadin walked into the next office, closing the door behind her. She checked her calendar.
“Good,” she whispered. “I can take the rest of this week off.” She would drive down to Jekyll Island, Georgia. It was a perfect and peaceful setting for Jadin to ponder Landon’s request.
She could not deny the mixed emotions she’d been experiencing since he sent her engagement to a crashing halt.
Jadin picked up the phone and dialed.
When she heard her brother pick up, she asked, “Are you busy? I need to talk to you. It won’t take long.”
Austin stood in her office five minutes later. “What’s up?”
“I need to tell you something.”
“Are you okay?” he inquired as he closed her door to give them some privacy.
“I am... Well, I’m not. Austin, I have a husband.”
His surprise was evident, but he did not seem particularly thrilled. “You and Michael got married?”
“No, we didn’t,” Jadin responded. “I got married a few days after I graduated law school. My husband’s name is Landon Trent.”
“Wait... I’m confused. I thought you wanted to marry Mi—”
She cut him off by saying, “I thought I was divorced. Turns out that Landon never signed the divorce papers. I’m still a married woman.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“I’m just as shocked as you are, Austin. Trust me, I never saw this coming. The sad thing is that Michael did ask me to marry him.”
“How is he taking all this?”
“Not well at all.”
“Well, you just have to wait until the divorce is final. Then you and Michael can start your life together, if that’s what you truly want.”
Shaking her head, Jadin said, “It’s not that simple. Landon wants us to give our marriage a real shot before we call it quits. He’s asked for a year to determine if we’re meant to be together.” Deep down, she could not stop herself from pondering the same thing.
“Man...”
“I can’t believe this is my life right now.”
“What do you want to do, sis?”
“I don’t know. Michael wants nothing to do with me until the divorce is final. Landon wants to stay married.”
“I’ll ask you a second time. What is it that you want?”
“I really don’t know, Austin. I’m leaving town tomorrow. I need to get away for a few days to think about my next move. I wanted you to know what’s going on.”
“I know everything looks crazy right now, but it’s going to work out, Jadin.”
Etienne opened the door and stuck his head inside. “Just heard from your sister. The doctor’s placed her on bed rest for the rest of her pregnancy.”
“What happened?”
Her father strode all the way inside. “She was experiencing some preterm labor. The doctor wants her to take it easy. Rochelle is going to take over Jordin’s upcoming court cases for the next month. Austin, can you take the ones for the next month?”
“Yes.”
“After that, Jordin will work from home until the babies are four months old.”
“Dad, I’m taking the rest of the week off,” Jadin announced. “There’s nothing pressing on my calendar until Monday. If something comes up, Mindy is familiar with all of my cases.” She had every confidence in her paralegal.
“I’ll cover for Jadin if anything does come up,” Austin said.
Etienne nodded. “I think it’s a good idea for you to take this time off. I’ll let your mother know.”
After her father and Austin left, Jadin called her sister.
“Hey, how are you feeling?” she asked when Jordin answered the phone.
“I’m fine. The contractions have stopped for now. My doctor wants me to make it to thirty-two weeks before I deliver.”
“Hopefully, the babies won’t decide to make their entrance this weekend, because I’m leaving town for a few days. I need to get some clarity on my situation.”
“Have you talked to Landon since y’all had dinner?”
“No. I don’t want to talk to him until I’ve made a decision.”
“Jadin, I know you love Michael, but I have to say that you and Landon had something special. He was your best friend. I don’t see it between you and Michael. The other thing I notice is that your eyes don’t light up the way they used to with Landon.”
“Like I said, I have a lot to ponder.”
“Have you even thought about Landon over the years?”
“You know I have,” Jadin said. “I just didn’t talk about him. The truth is that, as much as I’ve tried, I have never been able to get him out of my mind. People always say that you never get over your first love—I just figured this was the reason I couldn’t stop thinking about him.”
“Where are you going?”
“Jekyll Island.”
“Oh, I wish I could go with you,” Jordin said. “I love it there.”
“Make sure you do as the doctor instructed. I’ll call you as soon as I get back.” Jadin ended the call.
Despite her busy schedule, thoughts of Landon intruded into her day. Seeing him again threatened to rekindle old forgotten feelings. For the moment, Jadin was trapped in the memory of her own emotions.
Chapter 4
The warmth of the May sunlight kissed Jadin’s skin as she walked from her car to the entrance of the Jekyll Island Club Resort, enjoying the greenery of the tall trees. She inhaled the freshness of the Atlantic Ocean. She gently held her hat as the cool island breeze swirled around her.
Jadin checked in at the lobby and was given her swipe key card.
The porter brought her baggage up and she gave him a generous tip, for which he was grateful.
“Finally,” she whispered to herself with an appreciative grin as she entered her suite.
The clubhouse suite had a fresh sea scent to it. The sun beamed brightly as it welcomed Jadin in, the island breeze blowing gently as the blinds cackled against each other. She was all too glad to unzip her purple suitcase and pull out the summer dress she would wear later.
Jadin undressed and got into the shower.
The last time Jadin visited the island, Michael had come with her. They had explored the forest and sandy beach on horseback, although he’d complained the entire time. It was during their picnic lunch that she had gone full Nicholas Sparks on him.
Framing Michael’s face in her hands,
she’d told him, “I really think that you are my soul mate.”
He’d laughed.
Michael’s disbelief in soul mates was not really news to Jadin. Prior to that moment, they’d had a few discussions on the topic and had jointly categorized romantic destiny as a myth. The truth was that she and Michael had never been a perfect fit.
Jadin could not deny that she’d had to modify her idea of Mr. Right. Despite being tall, dark and handsome, Michael approached the world differently from her. He was more carefree, less detail oriented. The more she thought about it, Jadin recognized that, even in its healthiest form, their relationship was less than what she considered perfect.
“Our relationship doesn’t require the fairy tale of happily-ever-after,” she whispered. Michael was limited in his ability to enrich her spirit.
Landon was different. With him, Jadin felt safe enough to let her truest self out. He made her feel whole, with no piece missing from the puzzle. Her relationship with Landon had been more intense than her relationship with Michael, in both good and bad ways.
“What am I doing?” she asked the empty suite. “Michael is a good man and he loves me.”
Do you love him?
Stunned, Jadin wondered where that question could have come from. Of course, I love him. I love Michael.
Then why are you here?
She had no answer for that question.
From all she knew and had read, Jadin knew that soul mates were connected on a deeper level and were willing to take on the world as long as they were together. She knew that soul mates were mentally inseparable—despite being apart, they were always in tune with one another.
Just in the brief time Landon had come back into her life, she felt he knew and understood her more than Michael ever could. He was willing to give her the time she needed to sort this out, while Michael wanted her to make a quick decision and be done with the entire matter. He didn’t seem to understand why she would even consider Landon’s request.
Jadin did not want to hurt either man, but more than that, she did not want to make a rash decision that she might end up regretting for the rest of her life. She owed it to herself to consider both possibilities.
The next morning, she walked along the surf with flip-flops in hand, enjoying the island breeze swirling around her.
Another Chance with You Page 4