Page 26 of Then Came Love
JAX HAD BEEN quiet for so long, Jordan feared the worst. “Are they that bad?”
He looked at her with wonder. “No. Quite the opposite. I think you’ve done a great injustice by taking the safe route into health care administration instead of following your heart into fashion design.”
She gave him an incredulous look and glanced at the open sketch pad. “Now I know you’re kidding. Those aren’t even wedding gowns.” She reached over to turn the page, but he pulled it out of reach. “Come on, Jax.”
“Jordan, these are exquisite, and show such diverse talent. I’m in awe of you. Are the dresses that are similar to the old classics ideas for your maid of honor and bridesmaids?”
“No. I’m not having bridesmaids. I don’t have those kinds of close friends.”
“What about Trixie?”
“I really like Trixie and your sister. We’ve gone out a few times, and I enjoy their company. But Trixie works with our residents, and I try not to step too far over that thin gray line between personal and business relationships. Your cousin Tempest also works with me, and she’s one of the sweetest people I know. But that work connection keeps me from reaching out.”
“I understand, but I know Trixie and Tempe well enough to believe they’d keep your personal and professional relationships separate.”
“Maybe so, but I’ll be moving soon anyway, so why get too friendly?”
His jaw tightened. “What about kids you grew up with or college friends? Are you still in touch with them?”
“Not really. I had friends, but I always felt a little like an outsider because of what I’d been through. When I was younger, if I opened up about my family, girls treated me differently, like they had to be careful about the things they said and did. You know how kids say they’re dying to do something or jokingly say they’d kill someone? It never bothered me much, because I knew they didn’t mean it that way, but there were lots of things like that, that made relationships awkward. It’s just easier to have more superficial friendships than to make other people uncomfortable or try to justify my belief about Casey.”
“That must be difficult for you.”
She shrugged. “I’m used to it. But I will admit that when I saw Trixie with her girlfriends at the wedding, I was more than a little envious. She has a group of women she feels safe with, and I bet they share all of their secrets and keep them close to their hearts. I wish I knew how to make that happen for myself, but I’ve never been able to accomplish it.”
“I think it happens naturally, but you have to be open to it.”
“That’s something I’ll have to work on when I move to New York.” She didn’t want to think about moving away. “Gosh, how did we get so far off track?”
“We didn’t. This is all important, but we were talking about your sketches. If they’re not bridesmaid gowns, what are they for?”
“I don’t know. I sketch all the time while I watch TV. It’s like doodling. I have dozens of those pads lying around. But if you turn to the back, you’ll see my ideas for wedding gowns.”
“I will in a minute. After seeing these doodles, I’m curious about why you didn’t think you could make it in the industry.”
“They aren’t that good, Jax.”
“How about you let the guy who designs gowns for the stars form his own opinion?”
Was he flirting or serious? “You really think they’re good?”
“Better than good. I think they’re captivating and unique.”
“Are you serious?” His expression turned even more serious. “Oh my gosh, you are. I don’t even know what to say.” To hear that from not only a professional designer she admired but also a man she admired was a lot to process. “Thank you. I was afraid to show you my wedding gown drawings. I didn’t even think about those other dresses.”
“Knowing you’re doodling while you’re watching television and not spending painstaking hours poring over each design tells me that you have a rare, innate ability, which makes me even more curious about your decision. Did something happen that made you think you’d be better off in healthcare administration?”
“Not specifically. One of my professors hammered into us how difficult it was to break into the industry and how we’d have to live where fashion was born, in New York City or overseas. You know how that is. You mentioned not wanting to live in those places earlier. I don’t know how you got started, but I knew there was no way I’d ever make it in fashion living here, and my heart was where my family had been. So yes, I took the safer route, but I also followed the bigger part of my heart.”
“And do you enjoy your job as much as you like designing?”
“How can I answer that? I’ve never truly designed anything for anyone else. But I do love my job and the people I work with. For a girl without much of a family, I sure feel like I have a lot of grandparents.”
“That makes me happy.”
