Page 33 of Dreaming About Forever

“Hard work never hurt anyone,” Vicci said. “He learned the value of a dollar.”

Alicia bit her lips between her teeth, piecing together the stories about Jordan with the stoic man she was getting to know.

She glanced out of the kitchen to see him sitting in a metal folding chair beside the door. His thick arms were crossed over his chest, and one leg was stretched out in front of him.

But his attention? It was glued on her.

Ducking back into the kitchen, the heat spread up her neck and face. His looks did more than see her. Jordan had a way of peeking into her thoughts, drawing out reactions she didn’t mean to show.

“Is he single?” Destiny, the woman who’d given her the stony welcome earlier, asked without looking up.

“As far as I know,” Vicci said with a hand in the air. “The boys aren’t usually forthcoming about those things.”

Destiny nodded once, then turned back to her phone in her hand.

Seemed like someone was interested in Jordan’s relationship status.

Who was Alicia kidding?Shewas interested too.

“Let’s get back to work, ladies,” Vicci said as she gathered everyone’s disposable cups.

Everyone continued whispering stories about Jordan as they worked. Her mysterious bodyguard–er, security agent–was quickly morphing into a sweet kid who played every sport offered in his tiny hometown and charmed every female within a fifty-mile radius.

“He didn’t tell me until after he’d eaten two bowls that he was allergic to ice cream,” Connie said.

“He’s not allergic to ice cream! I’m not even sure you can be allergic to ice cream, unless he meant lactose intolerant,” Vicci said.

“I figured that out,” Connie said on a laugh. “Apparently, you told him he was allergic to ice cream because he had no restraint when it came to sweets.”

Vicci threw her head back, laughing strong and loud, while Connie wiped tears from the corners of her eyes.

Alicia snuck a glance at Jordan sitting rigid by the door. His arms were still crossed in front of his chest, but he had his chin down, shaking his head. The ladies didn’t care that he could clearly hear them talking about him, and he didn’t seem to mind too much. At least he wasn’t wearing a surly frown.

When the sleigh was painted and decorated, a few ladies made their apologies and slipped out early. Some had kids to get to bed or needed to be up early for work in the morning.

Jordan left his sentry chair to help clean up. He worked without speaking a single word, doing whatever he was told. Half an hour later, Alicia, Jordan, and Vicci were waving their good-byes to the remaining ladies in the parking lot.

Joy bubbled in Alicia’s chest as Connie wrapped her in a friendly hug. “Send me your friend’s address. I’ll have a signed poster delivered to her daughter,” Alicia said.

“Oh, that’s so sweet of you,” Connie said. “She’d absolutely love that.”

“It was nice meeting you.”

“It was a pleasure meeting you too.”

“Yeah, the guys are never going to believe we actually met you,” Cassie said.

Connie chuckled. “I doubt your brothers and husband are going to be as excited as we are.”

“No, but it’s still cool. Hope to see you around more.”

“I hope so too,” Alicia said.

And she did. Despite not knowing anyone at the beginning, she’d made some true friends this evening.

“I hope they were nice to you,” Jordan said as they walked toward the truck.

“So nice. I wasn’t even the main topic of conversation,” she said as she nudged his arm.

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