“That she’s left to you,” he pointed out. Proof of the closeness of their families: He was privy to the intentions of EJ’s great-aunt’s will. And sure, EJ’s great-aunt Marion was still with them, in a nursing home, but seeing she was past ninety years of age, it was only a matter of time before EJ owned a piece of property worth at least five million dollars. “Not all of us have rich relatives.”
“Yeah, she’s not that rich. Her parents bought that place back in the eighties when it cost a lot less.”
But behind her disclaimer, he could see the twitch of a smothered grin and glint of delight, which drew a pang within. EJ was generous, proved in the huge list of children she sponsored and good causes she supported. But she’d also always had a thing for the finer things in life, something that was shown by her wannabe-designer clothes and focus on money, money, money so she could afford the lifestyle to which she’d like to become accustomed. It was enough to make him wonder if she’d ever get past that stage to appreciate less mercenary things. Okay, to see humble him. After all, he knew appearances mattered to her. And while she’d always said she’d rather make money than make time for romance, he wasn’t oblivious to the fact that he didn’t own the looks that turned her head. He’d seen her head turned by actors and those handsome lawyer and businessman types who wore a level of slick professionalism he’d never own. He might be paid well, but in essence he was a coder, a computer geek who had helped his friend with some of the background coding that had led Dream Match to attain global success. He was ordinary; he’d never be glamorous. He swallowed a sigh.Lord, help me to be patient.
She raised her eyebrows at him, reminding him it was his turn to speak.
“Anyway, some of us have to think about such mundane things like where to live.”
She winced. “I wish Aunty Marion would be okay with you staying there with me. The flat is big enough.”
He shrugged. “She’s got her reasons.” And they were good ones, all of them. EJ’s great-aunt Marion was a stickler for a moral code that most of society didn’t follow these days. And men sharing houses with women they weren’t related or married to was a big fatnoin her book, or so EJ had once explained. And Jordan was totally okay with that. He knew staying with EJ—even in a purely platonic friendship—was a recipe for trouble.
“So …” She eyed him playfully. “Whatareyou doing about a new place?”
Ah, the million-dollar question.Lord, I’d really like an answer soon, if that’s okay.“I don’t know.”
“I can’t believe James decided to get married and kick you all out.”
“Right? It’s hard to believe that newlyweds don’t want to share a house with three single guys,” he said dryly.
Her lips perked in amusement; then she studied him, head tilted. “But seriously, what are you and Aidan and Ben going to do?”
“I told you that Aidan has met this girl in Ireland, and the way he talks, I think he’d like to move there one day.” At her nod, he continued. “But for me and Ben, I honestly don’t know. I’ve even contemplated moving back home to Wattle Vale, working remotely and taking the train in to the city for important meetings.”
“What?” She stared at him, horror etched across her features. “I can’t believe you’d eventhinkthat.”
“Not all of us secretly call Wattle Vale Hick Vegas.”
“I don’t say that,” she protested.
He raised his eyebrows.
She bit her lip. “Okay, I have said that, but notthatmany times.”
His brows arched higher.
“So maybe I have said it a few times, but come on. Your parents are great, but who really wants to move back in with the parentals when they’re nearly thirty?” She shuddered. “I sure don’t.”
His lips pressed together. He knew EJ’s mother wasn’t as easygoing as his own, and that EJ and her mum had clashed a few times over the years. He might be a man of patience, but EJ didn’t have much of it. Which might be partly why they’d made a good pair over the years.
“Besides, you don’t really want to live there. Not when you could live here.” She gestured to the window, where the sparkling harbour promised a lifestyle he might occasionally dream about but could never really afford. He’d have to work at Donwell a solid ten more years to earn enough to buy one of the small boats that EJ often had wished aloud she could enjoy.
“Hey, I don’t mind small-town life. It’s certainly a lot less hectic than here.”
“True, but it’s also a lot more boring, don’t you think?”
He chewed his bottom lip. She’d made a bunch of similar statements lately, like the girl who’d been all wide-eyed wonder all those years ago had become a little jaded, a little more cynical, needing more and more to be happy. Which mightn’t be nice to admit about his best friend but was honest.
Her eyes narrowed. “What is it you’re not saying?”
He held up his hands. Pointing out EJ’s discontent shown in her constant need for excitement sure wouldn’t be an easy conversation. “Hey, I just don’t think you should be so quick to dismiss Wattle Vale. It’s got a lot of good qualities.”
“Like what?”
“Like your family, for starters.”
“Oh.”
