“Just out the front. You still in there?”
“Thank goodness. I’m coming now.” She hurried to the restaurant foyer and hugged him.
“EJ? What’s happened? Your pants are torn.”
“It’s a long story. But you’re here just in time.” She winced. How would he take this next bit? “Look, we have a couple of potential investors who have some questions.”
“Who are they?” he asked, following her to the back room.
“Gwen is here with Neil Elton and, uh, Eric Churchill.”
His feet slowed, and she glanced behind to see his face had fallen. “Are you serious?”
EJ nodded and Jordan’s heart fell some more. “Wow.”
“Wow” was an understatement. He still didn’t know why Eric was interested in EJ, but at least he’d finally get the chance to meet the dude. And given the state of EJ, who was never less than impeccably dressed when “on show,” he bet there was a story to tell.
He followed her to a private room, where a woman with bright red hair stood chatting with two men, one of whom he recognised from his internet stalking. Ahem, Googling.
Jordan pushed out his hand. “Hey, I’m Jordan Knight.”
“My partner in crime,” EJ added, then introduced the three as Gwen, Neil, and Eric.
Gwen’s eyes narrowed, though she murmured her pleasure at meeting him.
Neil’s face drooped as he muttered, “Partner?”
As EJ explained what she meant, Jordan caught Eric giving him the once-over, his lips lifting briefly in what could only be called a sneer. And sure, he wasn’t dressed in Armani or whatever the heck it was these people wore, given Jordan wore his old jeans and a striped jumper his mum had knitted years ago, but that sneer only raised his hackles higher. The dude might be one of the richest men in Australia, but he was rude. Which again invited the questions about what he wanted to do with EJ.
“Can I get you a drink, Jordan?” Gwen asked.
“I’m happy with water,” he said, motioning to the glass bottle on the table next to a stack of clean glasses.
“Hmm, just like EJ, huh?”
As Jordan refreshed EJ’s glass then poured himself a glass of water, Gwen continued. “So, how about we take a seat and we can explain what’s going on.”
“Before we do, I’m curious to know what George’s role here tonight is,” Eric said.
George? Oh, Eric had misheard his name. “The name is Jordan.” He glanced at EJ, who smiled.
“And Jordan is the one who co-produced and co-owns Dream Match with me.”
Gwen’s dark pointed brows rose. “EJ, are you saying you are not the sole owner?”
“I’m the majority shareholder, while Jordan owns twenty percent,” EJ said. “Jordan is my right-hand man. I couldn’t have done this without him.”
His heart twisted. Right-hand man, not best friend? He refused to let a speck of his misgiving creep across his face, conscious that Eric was watching him closely. The man seemed to have the eyes of a shark, alert to everything. Any second Jordan expected a bank of sharp teeth to appear. Or a forked tongue.
“So, you two definitely aren’t going out?” Neil clarified.
“Uh, no. Not at all.”
Why that was anyone’s business, Jordan didn’t know. Apparently Gwen thought the same as she refocused the conversation on Dream Match. “So, EJ, as I was saying earlier, there is definite interest in your app.”
Jordan’s heart lifted. So maybe tonight was worthwhile after all.
“There is just one thing we wanted to check.”
