“Jake Gibson? Mikey said he’s planning to take over the room in your apartment.”
“Sure is. He’s already moved some of his things.”
My mother clasps her hands in front of her. “That’s wonderful. I hated thinking of you in that apartment all alone. You know, you should come out to visit us in Idaho soon. I’m trying to organize a trip for the family to see Mikey’s game when the Foxhounds come to town. Have you ever been out West? I hope you’ll consider joining us.” Mom’s eyes drift over to me. “Anyway, I was just telling Shelley how nice you all look tonight and how much I love her dress. Don’t you just love it?” Shereaches out to take my hand, laying it on thick. “Truly, dear, you look stunning. The navy color really complements your skin tone.”
Jordan’s magic hazel eyes shift to my face while he politely agrees with my mom. His eyes look green today, with the backdrop of the water behind him. “All the Miller women look lovely tonight,” he says diplomatically.
He didn’t even give me a direct compliment, but suddenly I’m too warm. I think I’m blushing.
“Can I persuade you to give me one dance, Mrs. Miller?” Jordan turns on his full charm and directs it at my mother.
She nods and takes his arm, allowing him to escort her away. Am I jealous of my own mom right now? As they go, I hear Mom politely mention that Jordan is welcome to stay at their house if he decides to come out to their neck of the woods for my brother’s upcoming Idaho game.
He leads her out to the floor, and it’s sort of adorable when he takes her hand in his and holds it at shoulder height, with a bent elbow, like they’re going to perform a waltz the way I’ve only seen people do in movies. They sway and box step back and forth to a medium-tempo song I don’t recognize.
“You need to go over there and cut in. I can’t take how sweet this is. I’m going to need a root canal. Go dance with him. If nothing else, do it for my oral health.” Mandy nudges me.
Mads snickers beside her. “Yeah, Shelley. Do it for theoral benefits.”
Their giggle fit starts back up again.
“Once again, I hate you both very much.” But there is no bite in my words when I shake my head and slide away to take a break down near the water.
My sisters like to tease me about the voicemail incident, but they don’t know how hard I really am crushing on him now, after our night together. I’m sure they’d encourage it, but I kindof like that I’m starting to build this private connection with Jordan. I’m not ready to put our interactions on display to be analyzed and given the sister treatment.
I want to keep him to myself. He’s funny and sweet, and the way he talks to me makes me feel special. He jokes with me, but I can tell he’s also trying to be delicate with my feelings in a way other people aren’t. I know he sees me as Mikey’s little sister, and from his point of view he’s probably just being kind, but it still feels like he cares, and that means something to me. Is it a crime if I want to keep that side of our friendship private for now?
I stand at the edge of the pier and wrap my arms around my waist, bracing against the cool breeze as the music up at the tent fades and a new song begins.
Footsteps approach from behind. “Look at this weather acting all mild like it didn’t try to kill us four days ago.”
The tiny hairs on my arms stand at attention when I recognize the deep voice cutting through the evening air. I turn to see Jordan walk toward me, casually strolling with his hands in his pockets.
I guess talking about the weather is as good a way as any to start a conversation. “Yeah, I heard the storms got really bad down here. Were you all by yourself?”
He nods. “I was. But we only lost power for a few hours at the apartments. It wasn’t too much of a hardship. I found ways to occupy myself.”
I scan his face for any sign of the smirk I would expect from most guys after that implication, but his expression is neutral. Maybe I’m the one finding innuendo where there isn’t any.
“I have a confession. I was worried about you. But I wasn’t sure if it would be strange if I checked in. I wanted to, butI also didn’t want you to think I was getting clingy after our first conversation.”
Jordan sighs as he peers down at his shoes. I think he says, “Nobody checks.” Then he clears his throat and shakes his head before looking up again. “Would you hesitate to check on Danielle or Alice if you’d accidentally sent that voicemail to one of them?”
“No, but it’s not the same.”
“Why not?”
“You know why.”
“Do I?”
When his eyes meet mine this time it’s too overwhelmingly real. My neck flushes, and my palms begin to sweat. My chest pinches, and I swallow hard to keep myself from saying the words that are too close to escaping.I want to be the one who checks on you.Because you’re different. No one else makes my throat feel tight and my body warm from the inside out like this.And from the way you’re looking at me, I think you might even be starting to feel it, too.But I can’t say that, so I stay quiet and chew on the inside of my cheek.
He runs a hand over his face and schools his expression back to neutral. “Shelley, I told you I want to be your friend. You don’t have to be afraid to talk to me. I’m not going anywhere.”
I nod and swallow again.
“I’m serious,” he says.
