“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 being 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.