Now it was his turn to be surprised. “Do you?” He couldn’t picture her on two wheels, with a clunky helmet on her head.
“I’m guessing you have this diva image of me in your head, where all I do is ride in private cars, wear expensive clothes, and attend elite parties.”
He bit the inside of his cheek so he wouldn’t react.
“But I’ll have you know I grew up like Lucy. In a regular immigrant household, living a regular life.” She looked from the bike back to him. “My dad taught me to ride a bike.” A fondness softened the corners of her eyes. “In Canada, downtown Vancouver, there’s this beautiful path along theocean. It’s perfect for cycling. It was my go-to summer activity on days off from filming. Cycling around Stanley Park is top notch. If you ever get up there, you should try it. You’d love it.”
Jordan stared at her, frankly a little stunned that she was suggesting outdoor activities to him. “Yeah, maybe I will,” he said finally, then continued to push his bike toward the door.
“So, um, where do you live?” She trailed beside him, the tapping of her heels echoing in time with the clicking of his bike spokes.
A strange awkwardness settled between them. Making casual, friendly conversation with Vanessa was not something he was accustomed to.
“I rent a basement suite that’s a ten-minute bike ride east from here.” He pushed open the door, holding it ajar for her.
She paused in the doorway and scanned the street before ducking back inside.
“You not leaving?” he asked, still holding the door open.
“Oh, Anderson isn’t here yet, and it’s kind of dark. Don’t really feel like waiting in the cold.” She chuckled, but there was tension in her laughter that made him scrutinize her more closely.
He’d seen people hide behind their smiles before, but this was different. One hand clutched her phone to her chest, while the other fidgeted with her bag strap. She bit her lip and stared out the window like she was expecting someone other than Anderson to show up. When their gazes met, she quickly looked away.
Stepping back, Jordan let the door shut, enclosing them in the foyer. He regarded her as she studied the tips of her shoes, her hair falling forward to hide her face.
He didn’t want to care, damn it. Didn’t want to feel thetightening in his gut that told him something wasn’t right, but he couldn’t stop himself from asking, “You okay?”
Her head snapped up, eyes piercing his. Her pupils were slightly blown, but the familiar spark of indignation was alive and well.
“Of course I am,” she shot back. “I don’t love waiting alone in a dark, scuzzy neighborhood. Can you blame me?”
No, he couldn’t, because he knew what could happen. He begrudgingly admitted that he also didn’t like the idea of her waiting anywhere alone in the dark. “I’ll wait with you.”
Her irate huff had him biting back a smirk. There she was.
“You don’t need to stay. I’m more than capable of waiting inside a closed, well-lit building by myself for a few minutes.”
Well-lit, his ass. He leaned his bike against the wall, crossed his arms, and stared out the window beside the entrance.
“I don’t need a babysitter.”
Of course she didn’t, but when he glanced at her, her features were already more relaxed, so he stayed put and stared out the window again. Her irritation was something he was used to, and he preferred it to the apprehension and unease that had been there a moment before.
“It’s past dinnertime. Don’t you have a microwaved meal to go home to or a protein shake or something?”
When he didn’t answer, he heard a huff of frustrated breath behind him and caught her muttered,so annoying,as headlights came around the corner. Anderson pulled up in front of the building and leapt out of the SUV, rushing to the door with a contrite expression on his face.
Jordan held the door open for the man.
“My apologies. There was an accident on the bridge that caused delays.”
Vanessa breezed past Jordan, offering Anderson an easy smile. “I wasn’t worried for one second. Thanks for coming to get me.”
She strutted past both men and climbed into the idling SUV, leaving Anderson to give Jordan a confused eyebrow lift.
Jordan shook his head. “Get her home safe.”
He waited until the SUV turned the corner to head back to the Pearl District. Then he climbed onto his bike and followed them just to make sure she got home.
