Page 37 of You Didn't Know Me Then
They both looked at her.
“Sorry, I was putting stuff away,” she said, wishing she wasn’t empty-handed. “I think we’ve kept Jordan here long enough, and that leaky ceiling at Books And More isn’t going to repair itself.” She said this looking at her daughter.
Jordan got up, further dwarfing everything around him. “Yes, I’d better go and see how much plumbers charge here on the weekend.” He smiled at her, and she wished he didn’t. It only served to make her heart race faster in her throat.
“Do you like my Barbie?” Naomi, who had strolled into the room behind Hope, said, holding her half-naked Barbie in front of Jordan. Hope had asked Eric to buy the newer model that at least vaguely resembled normal-proportioned women, but he had bought the classic one.
“It’s very nice.”
“My daddy got it for me. Hannah got a globe. That’s what she wanted.” Naomi’s expression indicated her sister didn’t know what a good present was.
Jordan smiled and patted the blonde head. “Those are great gifts.” He looked at both girls. “Thanks for showing me your presents. And, Hannah, thanks for the drawing.” He picked up an A4 paper that was on the bed. It had a quirky colorful globe painted on it with markers.
“You’re welcome,” Hannah said.
Hope bit the inside of her bottom lip. The happy expression on her daughter’s face pinched her heart.
“Bye, girls,” he said.
“Bye, Jordan,” the two replied together.
Hope led the way through the hall, toward the living room, feeling his gaze on her back the entire way.
“I’m sorry they kept you,” she said when they reached the living room.
“That’s okay. I was … glad.” His gaze was soft. Though she hadn’t seen much of him, she knew she’d never seen that look in his eyes. “Heard an appropriate reference to Gandhi,” he added with a smirk.
She couldn’t help but smile back. “She reads a lot.”
“Naomi’s a natural rockstar. And Hannah will do great. Model UN is definitely her thing.”
“It ticks many boxes for her.” She smiled warmly at him. While it might have been easy to spot Naomi, it wasn’t as easy with Hannah, and he had succeeded. The drawing he was holding was one proof of that.
They stopped by the front door.
“Listen, Hope,” he started as she was about to open it. “I’m sorry about—”
“That’s okay,” she interjected. She didn’t want another apology for that kiss. Not when standing here with him reminded her of how he had cornered her between that body of his and another door and how they had touched, and touched, and touched.
He nodded once. “I’d like to explain if possible. I … It’s not that I … I’d love to …” It was the first time she had seen him faltering and searching for words.
“I’m seeing someone,” she blurted. One date. No kiss. It didn’t really count, but it came right out. She didn’t want him to think that that moment in his kitchen had meant anything to her when it hadn’t meant much to him. She wasn’t sure if he wanted to ask her out or what, but even if he did, doing it only because he happened to be here wasn’t good enough. It had been a week since he had kissed her, the best kiss she had ever had, and touched her in a way that still had her burning and yearning. However, he hadn’t shown any interest in her since.
This wasn’t the type of man who would beat around the bush. If he wanted something, he would take it, like he had in his kitchen … which he had apologized for twice already. So, if he hadn’t done anything, it meant he didn’t really want to.
He nodded slowly. “You’re seeing … I hope it’s not …” The look in his eyes told her exactly who he was referring to.
“It’s someone from school. He’s a teacher. We have a lot in common.” She was sickened by her own blatant overcompensation and managed to shut up right before adding, And he’s leading our Model UN program.
Jordan pressed his lips together. “That’s great.” His expression was sincere, but his eyes were like bronze. “I’d better go check that leak. Bye, Hope.”
She closed the door behind him and leaned against it. Even if he wanted her, as tempting as it was, sheshouldn’t, couldn’t, and wouldn’t. She needed a Chris, not a Jordan. And not just for herself; she had other people to think about. People who could get attached.
If only she could think of him again as the insensitive jerk that she had thought he was at the wedding.
