Page 27 of Stella's Christmas Rescue
“I think you’re getting ahead of yourself.”
“Then why all the questions?”
“Just wondering about some stuff, is all,” I lie and shrug.
Her lips smooth into a straight line and she smirks, before she utters, “Mm, hmm.”
I know she sees right through me, but I’m running out of time to address it. “Chalk it up to randomness. I must be heading out.”
“Alright then, Jordan. Tell Stella hi for me.”
“What makes you assume I’m seeing Stella tonight?”
She smiles and says, “No reason.”
+++
On my drive home, I think about Mrs. Black’s words. It’s not blood that makes a family. Is Alex Stella’s brother? Was all of that a ruse? Did she concoct that story, just to get him to leave? Maybe he was threatening her…I dial up Wes. “Does Stella have a brother?”
“Yeah, Alex. Strangely, he’s a firefighter, too. I can send you a picture, so you can tell me if you spot him. He can’t be anywhere near Floyd. We know the smuggling ring tails him.”
“Is he in Witness Protection too?”
He says, “No. He didn’t witness anything.”
“So, it would be very dangerous for them to meet up, then.”
“Hell yes. He’s…wait, why are you asking?”
To lie or not to lie? Hmm. “She strikes me as the kind of woman who has a brother. She’s a little rough around the edges sometimes.”
“Oh. True. Rough is a nice word for her.”
I chuckle and ask, “Forceful might be better?”
“I was thinking ‘scared’ would be the right word. She’s been though a lot. I think she’s getting paranoid,” he sounds exasperated.
“I would be too, in her shoes. How far along is Jennifer, by the way?”
“We have four weeks to go.”
I smile, “That’s awesome, man.” Then, I pull into my long driveway. “Let me know when she pops.”
“Will do.”
10
When I get dressed for dinner, I wonder if it’s any different than when I dress for a run. I consider every detail, in case of contact. Or, in this situation, flirtation. But at least I don’t have to worry about kidnapping. Probably.
I use every detail to send the message, “No contact,” starting with mismatched bra and panties. I had been in the process of laser hair removal before my life was ruined, so my leg hair is soft and sparse. Not that it matters. He’s not going to get a chance to feel my legs. In fact, I’ll wear tights to prevent any leg contact. I pass my fishnet tights for a sophisticated argyle pattern. I’m sure he won’t like them. Guys don’t like argyle, right?
My cream skirt is short, but all my skirts are short, so that can’t be helped. And my sweater is low-cut. Maybe I should switch to a turtleneck, but all my turtlenecks are tight to make up for the high collar. I sigh. A low-cut, but loose blue sweater will have to do.
I bypass makeup, so he doesn’t get the wrong idea. Then, I bind my hair into a ponytail, and opt for my glasses instead of my contacts. Black knee boots instead of sexy heels. One look in the mirror and I think, “Girl, you’re a mess. Perfect.”
He knocks at precisely seven. When I open the door, Max brushes past me to get to Sugar. Jordan stares at me for a breath, and I do the same to him. But the cold brings me back to reality. I curse him, “Stop letting the snow in, get in here.”
He chuckles to himself, “Yeah, sure.” He walks in and removes his winter gear. His sweater is espresso brown and makes his eyes seem even sexier. For once, he’s in trousers.
