Page 79 of Smooth Moves
Already Jordan found herself biased against the woman, which made no sense. She’d met Naomi plenty of times before and respected her. Heck, she loved that Naomi was a take-charge woman running her own company.How’s that for empowering, Miriam?And knowing Naomi dated Reid put her off-limits with Cash. Even better.
But now that Jordan and Cash were dating, Naomi had the power of veto by proxy—since she dated Reid. It made sense when Jordan thought about it, but when she said it out loud, she sounded like a lovesick moron.
No, not lovesick.Like-sick. She couldn’t possibly love Cash, not so soon into just knowing him. Of course, it didn’t help that she liked everything about him. Even the way he tried bossing her around or acting like he was so superior. She took that as his big-man status. When folks were afraid of you, you didn’t have to hurt them to prove a point. And she had a feeling Cash had been proving himself for a very long time.
She stood with him at Naomi’s front door, loving the cute cottage in Greenwood. She envied this place, the same way she wished she lived somewhere nicer than that rundown apartment complex in Northwest Seattle. Not that she didn’t appreciate the affordable rent, but she’d like to eventually live in a house that looked like the place Cash shared with his brother, with nice furniture and in a decent neighborhood. Maybe in a few years she’d have enough saved up to rent a small cottage like this one, but most likely in a less desirable neighborhood.
“What are you thinking?” Cash tapped her between the eyes. “You have a frown just there.”
She smacked his hand away. “Cut it out. I’m trying to focus on being nice.”
“Being nice takes focus?” He chuckled. “Oh, sorry. You’re serious?”
“Yes. I can be myself around you and the guys. But fancy people think I’m too aggressive. Puts them off.”
“Fancy people?” He frowned then nodded. “You mean Naomi. Because even though my brother acts fancy with his tuck-in shirts and khakis, he’s like me, only much, much weaker.”
She grinned.
“Hey, just stating the facts.”
So she was laughing when Naomi opened the door, looking beautiful in jeans and a scoop-neck silk tank. Jeez. Even dressed down the woman looked model-gorgeous. Cash gave Jordan a gentle push inside, and she turned to frown at him.
“Well, move. You’re taking up space doing nothing but stalling.”
“Jackass,” she muttered and gave herself a subtle once-over. Unlike Naomi, Jordan didn’t look spiffy in casual attire. She looked…casual. She’d worn her hair down tonight, and the shaggy strands were at best clean. Jordan couldn’t afford a hundred-dollar haircut, and if they didn’t like it, too damn bad.
Her T-shirt was clean, her shorts not new but decent enough. And her sandals showed large feet without painted nails.
“I’m so glad you came,” Naomi told her and smiled at them both. “Reid’s helping with the salad.”
“Oh man. Vegetables?” Cash groaned. “What happened to Chinese?”
“My favorite place closed down.” Naomi sighed. “Now I have to hunt for a new takeout place. But don’t worry. I have something you’ll like. I think.”
Cash let out a dramatic sigh. “Are we at least having anything that used to walk on its own?”
Jordan swallowed a laugh.
“You and Reid.” Naomi shook her head. “Yes, as a matter of fact. We’re having burgers and fries with a side salad.”
“Sounds good. Thank you for inviting us.” Jordan handed Naomi a plate. “Cash told me we didn’t need to bring anything, but you’re supposed to bring something to dinner,” she said more to Cash than Naomi. “So I hope you enjoy dessert. It’s a homemade apple strudel.”
Reid rushed over. “Oh, wow. Hi guys.” He took a look under the aluminum foil protecting dessert. “This smells amazing.”
“My woman can cook.” Cash wrapped an arm around her waist.
Jordan felt like a prize heifer being appraised. “Thanks for the shout-out, but I can manage.” She wiggled her way out from his arm.
Reid slugged Cash in the arm. “Your womanseems a little nervous. Relax, Cash.”
“She’s fine.”
“She’s right here,” Jordan said, feeling less than enthusiastic about the evening as it progressed.
“Ignore them,” Naomi said. “Cash is obviously beating his chest, in case we didn’t get the fact that you arriving together means you’re a couple. And Reid is doing his best to make sure you stay without bolting before we even get to dessert. Apparently he’s been through this with Cash before.”
Jordan leaned closer to ask, “So Cash makes a habit of bringing women over?”
