Pleased, I recited my number to her. She typed it in and said, “I’m going to text you so you have mine.”
A few seconds later, my phone chimed in my bag.
“There. Now we can keep in touch,” she stated, tucking her cell back into her purse. She turned to me and gave me a firm hug. “It really was fantastic meeting you, Tanya. You’re exactly the kind of woman I hoped my boy would meet someday.”
I hugged her back, relieved that she seemed to like me. “I’m glad. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you since Jordan told me about the summer he moved to Texas.”
She released my waist and stared up at me in shock. “He told you about that?”
I nodded, confused by her obvious reaction.
Then she smiled brilliantly. “Oh, Tanya, you aren’t going to understand this now, but I’ve just decided I love you.” She took my hand and squeezed it tightly. “You have no idea, dear, no idea, how much it means to me that he found you.” Before I could respond, she blinked her damp eyes and turned to Jordan. “You had better call me this week. I realize you’ve got a lovely woman in your life now, but I would still like to hear your voice from time to time.”
Jordan grinned and nodded, enfolding Joyce in a hug.
“Tanya,” my dad murmured.
I turned away from the sweet sight of Jordan embracing his aunt and hugged my dad. “Did you enjoy brunch, Dad?” I asked.
“I did,” he replied. “I enjoyed meeting Jordan more. He seems like a good man.”
“He is,” I declared softly.
“Good,” my father said, squeezing me tighter. “My girl deserves a good man. I was beginning to worry you’d stopped looking for one.”
I laughed softly. “Well, you’re a hard act to follow.”
He released me and shook his head. “Smartass,” he teased.
Shrugging, I replied, “I learned from the best.”
“I know you’re not talking about me,” he scoffed.
“You’re right, I’m not. I’m talking about Tessa.”
He laughed. “I’ll see you both on Thursday.”
The final goodbyes were shared and Jordan helped me into the car that the valet had pulled around while we were all talking.
As we drove away, I turned to him. “I think that went well.”
“It did.”
“I think my dad likes you,” I continued, wondering why he suddenly seemed so distracted.
“I think he likes Joyce more,” he muttered in response.
I couldn’t help it. I had to laugh.
“She handled it well,” I teased.
“That’s what worries me,” Jordan stated. “It was obvious she likes your father as well.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“Only if they get married. Then it would be awkward,” he stated.
“I think it’s a little early to be talking marriage,” I argued.
He grinned at me. “You’re right. Let’s give it a week.”
“How about we change the subject?” I suggested, a bit of bite in my tone.
Jordan laughed and took my hand, lacing our fingers together before resting our joined palms on his thigh.
“As you wish.”
