Page 14 of Dreaming About Forever

Except when Jordan addressed her, asking if she was okay.

She hadn’t been okay. Stillwasn’tokay. And a stranger had noticed.

She stared out the window, watching the tall, skinny palms of Los Angeles zip past them. “Which side are you on?” she asked without looking at him.

“I’m not sure I understand,” Jordan said.

Everyone she knew had already formed their allegiance. Many artists in the music industry were standing beside her. Almost every musician had either been deceived by a manager or producer, and if they hadn’t, they knew someone who had.

Jordan kept his gaze straight ahead. “I’m not the peanut gallery. I’m sorry all of this is happening to you, but I’m here to protect you.”

There was an implied “I don’t care about your problems” that stung. But wasn’t that what she wanted? A judgment-free zone.

“Fair enough. Can you tell me about the ranch?”

Jordan’s hand balled into a fist before stretching and flexing beside his thigh. “It’s quiet.”

“And…” she prodded. Did he have mixed feelings about his home? Was his family nice?

“Secluded,” Jordan added.

Alicia sighed. Getting information out of him was like pulling water out of a rock. “Anything else?”

“I’m not sure you’ll like it.”

That was unexpected. “Why not?”

There was a beat of silence before he answered. “It’s rustic.”

Oh, he was implying she’d prefer a luxury getaway. “Maybe that’s what I need. Anything else I should know? Is your family nice?”

“They’re as nice as they come. Mom will be a great hostess.”

The hint of fondness in his tone when he mentioned his mom was a stab in her chest. She hadn’t spoken to her mom in days because her attorney advised against it.

Granted, her parents hadn’t reached out to clear things up. Silence was as good as a confession.

Alicia stared at her hands in her lap, willing the sadness to leave her alone. Her parents’ and Ashton’s betrayal had her questioning everyone and everything she believed in.

“Are you okay?”

She looked up to find Jordan’s piercing gaze pinning her down. A minute ago, she’d wanted him to give her an ounce of his attention. Now, she was painfully aware of how much he could see in just one glance.

“I’m fine. Anything else I should know before we arrive?”

“I’d rather you see for yourself,” he said before turning his attention back to the window.

6

JORDAN

Despite living less than four hours from Denver International Airport and flying in and out of it for years, Jordan hadn’t ever used the private side.

The plane touched down, and the pilot gave the all clear for them to unfasten their seatbelts.

Everything about the flight from Los Angeles to Denver was a first-class experience. Traveling in a private plane was one thing, but Alicia had her own flight attendant who’d offered her everything from mineral water to coconut water. She’d picked at a bowl of fresh fruit while staring at her laptop the entire flight.

She’d stopped her questions, thankfully. Her friendliness was unexpected, and he hadn’t been prepared for how difficult it would be to keep the lines clearly drawn. If he gave in to the urge to chitchat with her, she’d quickly turn into a friend…or more.

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