Page 36 of Dreaming About Forever

“I guess that means I’m shopping too,” Jordan said, trying and failing to look put-out.

“Are we still decorating at your place tomorrow?” Caroline asked her mom.

“Yes. I’ll make supper, then we can get started. I think Jordan and Alicia have some errands to run in town tomorrow.”

“We do. I need new clothes,” Alicia said, holding out her arms. “I didn’t know how to pack.”

Caroline looked her up and down. “I have some sweaters and coats that are probably your size. I’ll bring them tomorrow for you to try on.”

Alicia could more than afford a new wardrobe, but Caroline’s immediate kindness caught her off-guard, and she couldn’t turn down the kindness. “I appreciate that.”

“Are you planning to go to the school Christmas play?” Caroline asked. “Some of our friends have kids in it, and it’s usually really entertaining.”

Alicia looked at Jordan. Her social calendar was filling up fast, and while she wanted to do all the things, how quickly would word get to the reporters about her little vacation?

Jordan raised one brow and nodded. “It’s your decision.”

That was a foreign thought. She rarely got to make decisions on her own. Her producers told her what to sing, her team planned her concerts and events, her designers chose what she would wear.

Even her parents had pushed her toward Ashton. Would she have dated him if her parents hadn’t convinced her it would be good for her image?

“I’d like to go. I’ve never been to a Christmas play.”

Jordan tilted his head. “As you wish.”

Alicia rolled her eyes. “My boss says I can go.”

Caroline laughed as she placed paper angels on the tree. “That’s rich. Jordan has always liked to boss people around. He has a thing about control.”

“I’m not controlling,” he said.

“You just like things done your way,” Caroline added.

“Not necessarily my way. I just like for things to be done the correct way.”

Alicia took the opportunity to study Jordan. She could see what his sister was hinting at, but Jordan hadn’t been controlling as much as protective of her, and she was coming to treasure his new trust.

Caroline placed the last angel on the tree and wiped her hands on her apron. “I’ll get your macarons. I need to start closing up. Alicia, you want something?”

“Do you have anything sugar-free?”

She didn’t look at Jordan. He’d seen her approved foods list, but he probably had formed his own opinions about her diet.

“Sure do. Come pick what you want,” Caroline said as she waved Alicia over.

After picking out a carrot cupcake, Alicia said her good-byes and followed Jordan and Vicci back onto the sidewalk.

“You find something you wanted?” Vicci asked.

Alicia held up the small white bag containing her treat. “Carrot cupcake.”

“Sugar-free?” Vicci asked.

“Alicia is diabetic,” Jordan said.

Alicia stalled for a moment. Had she told him she was diabetic?

He opened his hand, reaching for the bag. “I can carry that for you.”

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