I’d brought home samples of walnut and maple too.
“That sounds gorgeous. And the floor?”
“Something to match the countertops.” I handed him a Coke from the fridge. Then I busied myself making more coffee. “James tells me you work in TV but like fashion…?”
He scrunched his nose and leaned against the island. “I love my man, but he’s shit at describing stuff sometimes. I don’t particularly like fashion, but my sister is a designer, and I’m head of makeup for her shows. Otherwise, I mostly do makeup for commercials and events.”
I was evidently full of prejudice, because he didn’t strike me as a makeup artist. I mean, I wasn’t new in the world. I’d had my fair share of twinks run after me in my day, and that was usually the type I’d expect to have such a profession.
Nate would call me a dick, but whatever.
“I have a bit of insight into the makeup world too,” I said. “I just agreed to let my eldest daughter wear it.”
He let out a laugh at that. “James told me you were funny.”
Here we go.
I leaned against the counter by the coffeemaker and folded my arms over my chest. “This I wanna hear. What else did he say?”
He pursed his lips and tilted his head. “That you’re open and easy to talk to, and that you’re hopelessly in love with your ex, with whom you have a whopping four crumb snatchers.”
Hrmm. I scratched my jaw, deciphering those words. “I’m guessing he said open because I can’t quit runnin’ my mouth about Nate. That’s the ex. And hopeless…yeah, I’m certainly that.”
I could be a vault about everyone and everything else. But where Nate was concerned, I word-vomited pathetically.
Jordan shrugged and sipped his Coke. “It makes sense, though. You’re penguins.”
I hitched my brows. “Penguins?”
He nodded and rubbed his nose. “James may have also mentioned that you broke up because you’re both Tops, and you’ve struggled to find a way to, you know, have the best of both worlds. And you’re staying together in a way for your kids’ sake.”
So, James had shared quite a bit. Not that I blamed him. I’d once shared everything with Nate, whether it was work shit or straight-up gossip that came from the kids’ schools. So many divorces, so many affairs, so many nervous breakdowns among teachers, and so much drama.
At least I was grateful I’d used the word Top with James. I hadn’t said a word about kink.
“And that makes us penguins,” I said.
“Well, yeah, kinda. Because penguins are known for making very strong connections, but they aren’t as monogamous as most people believe,” he said frankly. “They’re also vicious fighters and very protective of their young. Plus, some are hella gay.”
I coughed a laugh at the last part.
He smiled.
“Are you into birds or something?”
“I am!” He hopped up to sit on the island. “James and I, for instance—we’re black swans. Also known for occasionally being hella gay, and they sometimes steal the babies from the ladies. Which we’re trying to do with his nephew.”
I felt my forehead wrinkle. “You’re trying to steal Emmett?”
“Uh,yeah. Don’t get me wrong, James’s sister tries, but she’s way too focused on her next boyfriend, rather than giving a crap about Emmett’s friends. Who are, like, super bad for him. They do drugs and steal cars and ruin stuff.”
I furrowed my brow, suddenly wishing James had told me this. He’d only mentioned that Emmett was running with the wrong crowd. I’d at least thought the kid had a good home environment.
“In short, we want him to spend more time with us,” Jordan said. “He doesn’t have to live with us or anything, but maybe spend the night a couple times a week and let us influence him to aim higher.” He paused. “I thought James told you about him. Didn’t you play basketball together with your son?”
I nodded. “He glossed over it, I guess. I didn’t know the extent of the issues.”
“Well, fuck me twice, then—I didnotopen this conversation with an easy-breezy topic.”
