I took a deep breath. Okay, so the first thing I needed to do was get through tonight and the rest of this weekend without blurting out the three words that would surely send him sprinting for the door and likely leaving a Jordan Hawke-shaped hole in the wood.
“Sure,” I murmured, taking the glass he held out to me. “Just worn out. It’s been a long week.”
He studied me as I sipped the wine, the pinot noir completely tasteless on my tongue. “Why don’t we go into the living room and light the fireplace?” he invited. “I’ll call out for dinner.”
“I’d like that,” I lied. While it did sound fantastic, I would never be able to enjoy it now that I recognized what I felt for him.
“I also have something to discuss with you,” he continued.
Something about his words made the back of my neck tingle, but I couldn’t read his expression. Tessa teased me for years that I had the best poker face she’d ever seen, but I had nothing on Jordan Hawke. He wore none of his internal thoughts on his face. He smiled and laughed, but something behind his eyes remained hidden, a door tightly closed against everyone. Even me.
“Okay,” I replied, allowing him to lead me into the living area.
I settled on the sofa with my wine as he lit the gas fireplace in the corner. That fireplace was the reason I’d chosen this townhouse. Though it wasn’t as nice as a wood fire, I could enjoy the sight of a fire without the mess of ash and bark all over my wood floors.
When he finished, he sat next to me and sipped his wine. The silence stretched out between us. Typically I would have found it comfortable, but my nerves were shot.
My fingers trembled lightly around the wineglass and I found myself blurting, “What did you need to talk to me about?”
I felt out-of-control and on edge, a sensation I loathed. If Jordan weren’t here, I would have unrolled my yoga mat and cursed my stupidity as I moved through the poses. I probably would have shed a few tears as well.
I despised the knowledge.
“I received a job offer today,” he stated. “A very tempting job offer.”
I forced myself to focus on his words. “How was it tempting?” I asked, hoping his answer would distract me.
“Enough that I accepted,” he replied.
I felt my brows lift in surprise. Most attorneys would never accept the first offer.
“As this was the third time they’d upped their offer, it wasn’t likely to get better.”
Something inside me trembled with a sudden premonition of doom. “Wow. Which firm is it?” I asked, using every ounce of willpower to maintain the poker face that Tessa hated.
“Kant and Seton.”
I frowned at him. “I’ve never heard of them. Are they a new firm?”
Jordan shook his head, setting his glass on the coffee table. “No. Their offices are in New York.”
The shiver of premonition I felt moments ago blossomed within me. I wasn’t familiar with this feeling, the fear and pain.
“New York?” I asked, taking a sip of wine to cover the reaction I knew I couldn’t hide completely. Then I curved my lips into a smile. “That’s great. When do they want you to start?”
“The first week in April.”
I calculated the dates quickly and realized he would be leaving in six weeks. “That’s a big move to make in such a short time,” I commented.
Jordan shrugged. “Maybe but they’re making it worth my while.”
I nodded. “I can see that.” I leaned forward and placed my glass on the coffee table next to his. “It seems our time together is coming to an end,” I stated.
Jordan’s eyes locked on mine. “I’m afraid so.”
“Then we should enjoy it while we can.” I reached out and fisted his shirt in my hand, pulling him forward.
I didn’t want to hear anything else he might have to say anyway. The politely worded severing of our affair would only shatter my heart completely.
As I brought his mouth to mine, I decided it was better this way. I’d always known our fling would end. At least this way, I wouldn’t have to see him again now that he’d broken my goddamn heart.
