Page 69 of Dreaming About Forever

“Thank you for being on my team,” she whispered against the shell of his ear.

Jordan’s grip tightened around her. Did he have to let go? Did he really have to give her up? He’d give anything to keep her.

“Judges! Line up at table number one,” Connie said, gesturing to where they should go.

Alicia released her hold on him, but Jordan loosened his grip while still keeping his arms around her waist.

“You feeling good about our chances?” he asked.

Alicia glanced around the room, but she didn’t spend a lot of time studying the competition’s cookies. “I think we win either way.”

Man, this woman had him fighting the urge to kiss her.

In public. In front of the church congregation. She was his client. He was on the job.

Wow. Those roadblocks came flying at him rapid-fire style, breaking the trance he’d been stuck in.

Jordan released her and took a step back. “We make a good team.”

Clint stepped up beside them and slapped a hand on Jordan’s shoulder, but he couldn’t tear his gaze away from Alicia. Not yet.

“So, you ready to lose?” Clint asked.

“We’re not going to lose,” Alicia told him point-blank.

“You think your tree is better than our ornaments?” Clint asked, pointing to their table.

Jordan looked over to check out Clint’s cookies, hoping for a distraction from the beautiful woman who was doing a great job of making him forget his responsibilities. Sure enough, Clint and Nora had a whole table covered in what looked like colorful Christmas tree ornaments. Each had a unique design.

“I’m not worried,” Jordan said, crossing his arms over his chest.

Nora walked over and sighed. “I’m starving. Do we get to eat the cookies after they’re judged?”

“Hide your cookies, folks!” Clint shouted.

Nora shoved his shoulder. “Shut up and buy me dinner.”

Clint looked to Jordan and Alicia. “Want to hit up the diner when this is over?”

Alicia bounced on her toes. “Can we go?” she asked, turning to Jordan for his opinion.

“Whatever you want.”

She clasped her hands in front of her chest. “We’re in.”

Nora and Alicia made their way around the room, inspecting all the cookies, while Jordan leaned against the wall with Clint. Every once in a while, Alicia would look over at him with a smile bright enough to light up the night.

“Hey, man. I’m not trying to pry, but what’s up with you and Alicia?” Clint asked.

“Nothing.”

Clint scoffed. “And I’m not crazy about Nora either. Serve that cop-out to someone who might believe it.”

Jordan turned to his brother and worked his jaw from side to side. “There can’t be anything between us. It’s a part of my contract.”

“And your contract is up when?”

“Twelve days and four hours. That’s been on my mind a while.”

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