Page 44 of Dreaming About Forever

“All good,” Jordan said, leaving no room for further explanation.

“Good to hear,” Levi said, looking over his shoulder at the throng of people filing into the building. “We’d better get to our seats. Give me a call if you wanna hang out while you’re in town.”

“I’ll do that,” Jordan said.

“It was nice to meet you,” Ruby said with a cute little wave as she turned to follow Levi.

“Nice to meet you too.” It really was nice to meet some of the people in Redemption Ridge. Small introductions weren’t overwhelming, and they left her wanting more of those personal interactions.

Jordan gestured for Alicia to turn, moving around the crowd. “You need to use the side entrance.”

Oh. Side entrances were the story of her life, but she’d stupidly hoped she’d get to be a regular person here. Jordan had probably lined up a string of special treatments for her. She rarely asked about what all went into securing her safety. She was just a person like anyone else, but no one looked at her like a fellow human being.

“Hey!” a man called from behind them.

Jordan turned and stepped between Alicia and the man. “The entrance is that way.”

The guy waved, but it was more of a dismissal than a greeting. “Dude, is that Alicia Carver?”

Jordan rested his hand on his belt, and the small movement triggered a cold sweat on Alicia’s brow.

“Back off, Tim,” Jordan said, stern with a heavy warning.

Alicia peeked over Jordan’s shoulder to see Tim raise his hands.

“Come on, man. I just want to see her.”

“You can see her on TV,” Jordan countered.

Tim threw his hands out to his sides. “I don’t see a big crowd of bodyguards.”

Alicia tucked her shoulders in and prayed the man would go away. Most people were just excited fans, but Jordan’s reaction to this guy was the opposite of his carefree camaraderie with Levi and Ruby.

“I’m sure your wife is looking for you,” Jordan said.

“What do you know?” Tim scoffed. “Forget this.”

“He’s married?” Alicia whispered to Jordan’s back.

“To Destiny.”

Alicia remembered meeting Destiny at the church. Her cold and calculating appraisal didn’t give Alicia any friendly vibes, just like her husband.

She didn’t want to wish ill on strangers, but those two seemed to be made for each other.

Jordan turned around, and she found herself flush against his chest. Looking up into his shadowed face, she lost her breath before he spoke.

“We should get inside.”

Oh, right. Jordan was trying to make his way into the school play, and she was standing right in front of him as if she didn’t know how to walk.

She turned, putting a few steps between them, but Jordan moved back to her side.

He leaned close until his warm breath brushed her ear. “Stay close to me,” he whispered.

She wouldn’t have a problem following that order.

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