Page 66 of Then Came Love
“You should probably make that call. Do you want your co-workers to know that he was unfaithful?”
“Yes. I want to put that on a billboard so people know who he really is.”
“That wouldn’t embarrass you?”
“I’m already embarrassed that I stayed in an unhealthy relationship for so long. His cheating is just the icing on the embarrassment cake.”
“But think about it, Jordan. Preparing always brings better outcomes. What do you want people to know about why it ended, if anything? It’s okay to say you grew apart.”
“That’s the truth. I think I fell out of love with him a long time ago. I just couldn’t own up to it until you opened my eyes.”
“Okay, but why don’t you think it over? I’ll support whatever you decide, and when you’re ready, you can take off your ring and figure out if you want to wait until your co-workers notice and ask about it, or rip the bandage off and tell them up front.”
“I have to tell the ladies who made me the gloves, and Finlay and Isla. I feel so bad for wasting everyone’s time.” Her heart pitched. “And I’ll pay you for the time you put into designing my gown.” She pulled the ring off her finger and closed her fist around it, the finality of it drawing more unwanted tears. She swiped angrily at them. “I’m not crying about him. I’m just…”
He grabbed tissues from the counter, wiping her tears, then handing her another wad of them. “Todd was a big part of your life for a long time. You’re allowed to mourn the man you thought he was and the relationship you had. It’s also okay to be pissed off that you have to deal with the aftermath. It’s all okay. And you’re not paying me a penny. Knowing you’re no longer going to be taken advantage of is payment enough.”
“I can’t believe you’re not running in the opposite direction. How can you be so understanding?”
He brushed her hair away from her face. “I care about you, Jordan. I’d have to be a callous self-centered jerk not to want to help you heal.”
“I hate how weak that makes me sound.”
“Not weak. Just hurt, and don’t waste your energy worrying about my family or my staff. They won’t think you’re into me for any reason other than my charming personality and sexual prowess.”
She laughed softly. “I can’t even roll my eyes at that, because it’s partially true. They’re probably used to women falling at your feet. Oh my gosh. Jax. The auction. I’m going to need to save my money so I can win you.”
“You already won me. I backed out two days ago.”
Her brows knitted. “After I told you I couldn’t see you? Why would you do that?”
“Because the only woman I care about is sitting right in front of me, and I wasn’t going to get up onstage and pretend otherwise.”
“I don’t even know how to respond to that.”
“You don’t have to respond. Just know it’s true. I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart. You’re stuck with me and all my charms.”
She laughed softly. “Thank you for making me feel better, and just so you know, it wasn’t your charms or your looks that first caught my attention. It was the energy when I walked into the room. That first time our eyes connected, I felt like I knew you, or I was supposed to know you, and then we talked, and yes, I got swept up in your charms. But what stuck with me for all those months was who you were and how I felt when I was with you. You were so inquisitive and open and easy to talk to. I immediately felt like I wanted to know you and for you to know me. I’d never experienced that before.” She opened her hand, looking at the ring. “I should have returned this eight months ago, because those feelings were the reason I postponed the wedding the last time.”
“You weren’t ready to end things then.”
“That’s what my aunt said when I talked with her last weekend.”
“Why don’t I take care of returning this?” He took the ring out of her hand and put it in his pocket.
“Are you sure? I can deal with it.”
“I know you can, but you’ve got enough to figure out.” He hugged her. “Does he have any of your things at his place? Or is any of his stuff here that needs to be returned?”
She shook her head. “We lived out of a suitcase when we visited.”
“Sorry, sweetheart, but that says a lot.”
“I know. When I look back, I see all the signs I missed.”
“I’d say I wish you and Todd had never gotten together, but if it weren’t for that relationship, we might never have met.”
That made it worth the pain. “Where does this leave us, Jax?”
“Where we probably should have started in the first place.” He took her hand again. “Ms. Lawler, would you do me the honor of having dinner with me tomorrow night? I promise to flirt incessantly, maybe grope your leg under the table, and to leave you on your doorstep with nothing more than a good-night kiss.”
That Braden charm gets me every time.
“I might also cop a feel, but I promise I won’t step foot inside your house until you’re ready for more. What do you say?”
“I think my neighbors might like the copping a feel thing a little too much.”
“Okay, a discreet feel in the car.”
She giggled, a little giddy thinking about making out with him in a car. That was on her bucket list. “I would like that very much, Mr. Braden.”
He rose to his feet, bringing her up with him. “So, this taking-it-slow thing. Can it start after we shower together, or would you like me to leave now?”
She untucked the towel, allowing it to drop to the floor. “I might be a little confused right now, but it would be selfish of me to deny us a little something to remember on our lonely nights apart.” She hooked her finger into the waist of his sweatpants, tugging him forward. “These need to come off now, please.”
