Page 21 of Then Came Love
JORDAN HAD BEEN on a dead run since the moment she’d arrived at work, for which she was glad, because it had kept her semi-distracted from thoughts of Jax. She had just enough time before the end of her workday to update the program board in the recreation room. As she reached for her whiteboard markers, her phone vibrated on the desk, and her aunt’s name appeared on the screen. She set the box of markers down and answered the call.
“Hi, Aunt Sheila. How are you?”
“Hi, honey. I’m sitting on pins and needles, waiting to hear how your meeting with Mr. Braden went.”
She’d spoken to her aunt the morning after the wedding and had told her about Todd canceling and Jax’s generous offer. “It went well. I’m meeting with him again after work.”
“That’s wonderful. I wish I had known. I could have made arrangements to go with you.”
“It’s okay. I didn’t want to take you away from your artwork for this.”
“Honey, I never mind putting work aside for you. What’s it like working with the man who designs gowns for the rich and famous? Is it intimidating?”
“Not at all. He’s not like you’d think. He’s easygoing and kind and thoughtful.”
“Well, that’s unexpected, and it’s a good thing. You have enough pressure from Todd’s family. You don’t need to be working with a difficult designer. But you sound tired or hurried. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just trying to finish up here so I can leave on time.” What she didn’t tell her aunt, and could barely admit to herself, was that she’d debated calling off her wedding today as many times as she’d thought about canceling her appointment with Jax. She was more excited to see Jax than to talk about her wedding, and that was just the tip of the problematic iceberg. She felt guilty for wanting to be around the man who had not only made her laugh more than she had in a very long time and had asked thoughtful questions and had actually cared about her answers, but had also sent the sweetest text last night: Just making sure you got home safely. Thank you for trusting me and my parents with all you’ve been through.
She couldn’t remember the last time anyone other than her aunt had checked on her well-being like that or had thought of her first thing in the morning, much less thanked her for her trust. But after what his family had been through and spending the evening with his parents, it was easy to see where he learned to be so thoughtful. His parents were very much like her own had been. She’d felt embraced by their comfort. She’d almost forgotten how good that felt.
“Okay. I won’t keep you, but just one more thing. Are you and Todd all set for this weekend? Because I can book a flight right now and be with you in case he cancels.”
“I appreciate that, but we’re all set. He’s arriving Friday afternoon, and he’s promised not to cancel.”
“Good, sweetheart. It sounds like it’s all coming together just like you wanted. Right?”
Jordan had already put her aunt and uncle through enough wedding plan cancellations. She wasn’t about to tell her she was having doubts again. “Yes.”
They talked for another minute, and after Jordan ended the call, she looked out the window at the beautiful afternoon, hoping she was doing the right thing.
“Knock, knock.”
Jordan turned around and found Ari Lexington, a portly bald man with deep laugh lines and a heart of gold. He was one of her favorite residents, and he was carrying a small white bakery box with BAKED WITH LOVE and his initials on the side, tied up in a red bow. He’d taken up baking last year for his eighty-seventh birthday, and he’d been wooing Bess Ayers, another resident, with delicious sweets ever since. The personalized boxes were a gift from his great-niece.
His glasses lifted with his smile. “Good afternoon. May I come in?”
“Yes, of course. How are you?”
He shuffled into her office in his khakis and sneakers. “Mighty fine, thank you. I’m glad I caught you before you left for the day.”
“Is that for Bess?”
“No, this is for you. Two slices of chocolate cake.” He handed her the box. “For your anniversary.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Lexington, but I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else. I’m not married yet.” She had seen many residents’ health and cognitive abilities decline over the years, and it broke her heart every time, but this would be the first indicator with Mr. Lexington.
“I know your wedding is this summer. At least the last I heard it was.”
“It still is.”
“That’s good, dear. But this is to celebrate your two-year anniversary as our director.”
She was touched that he remembered. Just that morning, when she’d received the surprise delivery from Jax, she’d had her own little celebration. “You are the sweetest man to think of me. Thank you.”
“You think of us every day, Jordan, and now that I’m baking, I have a way of paying you back.”
“You know I love working here. There’s no payback necessary, but I will enjoy eating this later.” She set the box on her desk. “I’m heading down to the hall to update the program board. Would you like to walk with me?”
“I’d love to.” He offered his arm, and they headed out of her office. “You’re on the cusp of such a thrilling time in your life. You must be excited about your wedding.”
“I think I’m too nervous to be excited.”
