“You okay? I heard you had a visitor,” she said.

Annie sighed. “Yeah.”

“Molly heard yelling.”

“Oh, just a little.”

Jordan set their lunch on the desk, then she sat down beside Annie on the sofa. “Want to talk?”

Annie sighed again. “It’s not really Derrick that’s got me blue,” she said. “Although he did call me a slut.”

“I’m sorry,” she said. She draped an arm around Annie’s shoulder, and Annie leaned against her.

“That hurt. I pretended it didn’t, but it did.”

“Need me to go beat him up for you?”

Annie smiled. “That would be a sight.” Annie turned her head to look at her. “It’s all good with him though. I think he finally realizes that we’re not ever getting back together.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

“My mother. She’s the one who told him. And some of the things he said, well, they obviously came from her mouth.” She leaned closer to Jordan. “It’s just so depressing, Jordan. I know she’s embarrassed about me being pregnant, but it’s not like I’m sixteen or anything.”

“I know.”

“And she’s not in the least bit excited about being a grandmother. How can she shun me like this? I keep thinking that she’s going to come around, you know?”

“She will.”

“I don’t think so. I didn’t tell you this, but last week when I had my doctor’s appointment, I asked her to go along. I told her I needed to go shopping for maternity clothes and I wanted her help.” Annie shook her head. “She said she was too busy.”

“Oh, honey, I’m sorry,” Jordan said. “I would have gone with you.”

“I know you would have. I made Suzanne go with me. We had fun. But still…my mother was too busy for me.” Annie buried her face against Jordan. “It’s breaking my heart.”

Jordan wrapped both arms around her and held her tight. She heard sniffling and knew Annie was crying. That sound tugged at her heart, and she pulled Annie even closer, feeling a profound need to protect her.

“The only thing you can do, Annie, is keep trying. We can have them out to dinner again.”

“Oh, yeah, the last time was so much fun,” she mumbled.

Jordan smiled and kissed Annie’s head. “Maybe we should have my parents over at the same time. They know each other.”

Annie pulled away. “Your parents are normal,” she said. “I would be embarrassed for them to see my parents like this. Because honestly, I never thought they would have this reaction.” She wiped a tear from her cheek. “I knew they would be upset, but I thought it would pass. I thought eventually they would be excited. I mean, I’m almost thirty. It’s not like I have a whole lot of years left to have kids.” Annie slammed her hand against Jordan’s thigh. “And all those years with Derrick, she practically begged me to give her a grandchild. Now she acts like this?”

Okay, so Annie was getting pissed. Well, Jordan thought, that was better than feeling guilty and hurt.

“Maybe you should tell her that,” Jordan suggested.

Annie sighed. “I’m sorry. God, my hormones are all over the place,” she said with a wave of her hand. “I’m not normally a crier.” She smiled at Jordan. “You’re so good to me. Why is that?”

Jordan shrugged. “We’re friends.”

Jordan felt her breath catch as Annie leaned closer, brushing her lips against Jordan’s cheek. Jordan didn’t breathe again until Annie pulled away.

“Thank you for being here.”

“You’re welcome.”

Their eyes held for a long moment, then Annie smiled. “Did you get extra cheese on my enchiladas?”

“I got extra everything for you,” Jordan said.



Chapter Twenty-Four

Annie stood at the corner of the deck, watching Jordan and Brandon untie the Jet Ski. Jordan was in her typical bikini top and water shorts. Annie was used to seeing her like that now, but she found herself staring at her nonetheless. God, it was like she had a crush on her or something.

Of course, she already suspected that. Who knew her crazy hormones would lead her in this direction? As if sensing her watching, Jordan looked up. Annie matched her smile, feeling her pulse race just a little. At that, she wondered what the hell was wrong with her. But despite that thought, she didn’t take her eyes off Jordan as she stood in the water next to the pier.

“Hey, girl.”

Annie blinked several times, finally turning her attention to Suzanne. “Hey. Glad you came,” she said, moving closer for a quick hug.

Suzanne’s gaze followed Annie’s back to the bay. “What are you staring at? Brandon’s a little young for you, isn’t he?”

Annie hoped she wasn’t blushing. “Nothing. Just…lost in thought.”

Suzanne leaned on the railing much like Annie was doing. “So how’s it going with Jordan? You still like living here?”

“It’s good. She’s been great.”

“No quirks?”

Annie smiled. “You mean because she’s gay? No. I like her a lot. She’s been so good to me.”

“Because of Matt?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, because she’s his sister.”

Annie shook her head. “No, I don’t think that really has anything to do with it. We just clicked, right off the bat. You know, you meet someone out of the blue and you hit it off. It’s been like that with us,” she said. “We fell into a friendship and it’s been…well, easy.” Annie paused, afraid she was saying too much. “Jordan’s been here for me through all this,” she said. “And she hasn’t blinked. Nothing seems to throw her off.”

“I should have been here for you more,” Suzanne said.

Annie waved her apology away. “No, that’s not what I was implying. You and Aaron are friends with Derrick. I wouldn’t want to put you in the middle of that,” she said. “Derrick flipped out, like you said he would. And my mother is still out of the picture. She barely speaks to me.” She shrugged. “And every day, Jordan is there. She’s…steady. She makes me feel like everything is going to be okay. No matter what, she’s always…steady.” Annie looked back to the bay, watching as Jordan and Brandon made their way back up to the house.

“So where’s Britney?” she asked, changing the subject.

“Oh, Jessica took her. They’re inside watching TV.” Suzanne smiled at her. “Well, you look good, Annie. You look happy.”

Annie smiled too. “Thanks. I feel good. And I am happy.”

“You’re not wearing one of the new blouses we picked out,” Suzanne noted.

Annie looked at the oversized tank she had on over her bikini top. “I know. I’m going to tell everyone today. I can’t hide it much longer,” she said, touching her belly.

“Are you getting more excited?”

“Actually, I kinda am,” she admitted. “I might as well. It’s not like it’s going away,” she said with a laugh.

Jordan and Brandon came up on the deck, and Brandon pointed at her. “Are you ready to take a spin?”

Annie shook her head. “No way. Not after last year. You almost drowned me.”

Brandon laughed. “I rescued you right away.”

“Take Molly,” she suggested. Molly had been sitting at the other end of the deck reading a book. She looked up when she heard her name mentioned.

“You want to?” Brandon offered.

“I’ve never been on one before,” Molly said.

“I promise I’ll go slow,” Brandon said.

Annie laughed. “Don’t trust him,” she said. She turned to Jordan. “Suzanne brought Britney, her daughter. Maybe you could take her out later.”

“Of course,” Jordan said. “I’m going to check on Staci and see how the margarita machine is coming along. Suzanne, would you like one?”

“Sure. But I’ll come inside. I probably need to rescue Jessica.”

“Apple cider?” Jordan asked her.

“Just a bottle of water, thanks.”

Jordan nodded and touched Annie’s arm briefly as she passed by. Such a simple touch, yet Annie felt it all the way down to her toes.

She turned her gaze back to the bay, barely registering Brandon and Molly as they sped away from shore. Her thoughts were solely on Jordan—Jordan and these crazy feelings she was having. Crazy, yes. She was pregnant with Matt’s baby and she had a crush on his lesbian sister.

Just having a crush on someone—anyone—was unusual for her. But Jordan? A woman?

Crazy.

* * *

Jordan hadn’t been too keen on the margarita machine, considering Molly and Steven were still in high school and Jessica hadn’t even reached her twentieth birthday yet. But Annie had talked her into it. Two of Brandon’s buddies were coming later, and Staci had brought her boyfriend. Still, she would limit it to only one batch. Maybe she was being paranoid, but she didn’t want anyone to overdo it.

“God, I’m getting old,” she murmured.

“Still worried about them drinking too much?”

Jordan turned, finding Annie watching her. She smiled at her. “Yeah. I need to relax, I know.”

“They’re all responsible. They’ll be fine. Besides, Staci is going to make up a pitcher of nonalcoholic margaritas for those under twenty-one.”

Jordan nodded. “Good. So did Brandon really leave a box of Fat Larry T-shirts out by the door?”

“He said since we were closing the store early, he wanted to leave something as a prize. He put out the ones with the old design on them,” Annie said. “He did ask me first. I hope it’s okay.”

“You’re the manager,” Jordan reminded her.

Annie bumped her shoulder with her own. “Yeah, but you’re the boss.”

Jordan touched the hem of Annie’s tank top and tugged on it. “You look nice,” she said. That was an understatement. Annie looked beautiful.

Annie’s eyes held hers. “Thank you.” Annie took her hand and squeezed it. “You look nice too,” she said quietly, her gaze drifting downward.

Jordan’s breath caught and she dared not speak. Annie smiled and dropped her hand, then left without another word. What the hell was going on with them? The touching? The looks between them? Now flirting?