Page 182 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

He offered a strained smile. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

She sat up straighter in her seat. “What’s going on? Is everything okay with the new drug? Uh, what was the name of it?” She took another bite of her sandwich.

“PZT,” he inserted.

“Yes, PZT.” It was an acronym for a long, technical word that she couldn’t remember. “I asked Piper how things were going. She said you’re in the final phase of the lab trials and are getting ready to submit an application to the FDA.”

“That’s the plan.”

“It sounds like things are right on track.”

He nodded.

“I’m so glad.” Emotion welled in her chest. “I only wish you’d developed it soon enough to save Gram and your mother.”

Regret flashed in his eyes. “Me too,” he said quietly as understanding passed between them. It had been their frustration over the disease, and how it stripped away the essence of the victims, that had first drawn them together and sealed their friendship. Both knew the depth of loss that came with Alzheimer’s.

“You did what you could. Now, untold others will be blessed.” She reached across the table and squeezed his hand, surprised to find it ice cold. In a deft movement, he flipped his hand over and clasped her hand in his. The close contact made her uncomfortable, but she didn’t want to come across as rude by snatching her hand away.

His eyes held hers. “Thank you.”

She blinked a couple of times. “For what?”

“For believing in me.”

“Of course. I’ve always believed in you.”

A shadow crossed his features. “I know you have. It means the world.”

Something flitted in his eyes—sadness, regret? She couldn’t pinpoint what the emotion was.

His voice grew reminiscent. “I often wonder what would’ve happened … if things had been different,” he cleared his throat, “if you and I had ended up together.”

She stiffened.

He gave her a wistful smile. “Before you fell head over heels in love with the military guy.”

She removed her hand, irritation prickling over her. Was Jordan hitting on her? Surely not! She didn’t know what angle Jordan was playing, but she wasn’t about to apologize for breaking up with him for Maddox. That chapter of their livesclosed eons ago, and she didn’t know why he was bringing it up now.

“You’re the only one I can trust,” Jordan continued.

For a second, she wondered if she’d heard him correctly. She gave him a hard look. “What about Piper? She’s your wife … your business partner.” Aside from the fact that Addie knew Jordan and Piper would be perfect together, she introduced them because Piper’s father Hamilton Gentry was a renowned brain surgeon turned researcher. Like Addie and Jordan, Piper lost her mother to Alzheimer’s. Just as Addie figured, Hamilton took a keen interest in Jordan’s work. He secured financial backing from investors and helped Jordan and Piper form a partnership. After Jordan and Piper were married, they, along with Hamilton, moved to New Jersey and opened a research facility.

“Yes, Piper too,” he said absently.

“She loves you very much.” Addie eyed him, daring him to disagree. She was fiercely loyal to her friend and didn’t want Jordan saying anything negative about her.

“Piper’s a good woman.” He hesitated. “She just doesn’t understand.”

She frowned. “Understand what?”

He shook his head, an apologetic smile touching his lips. “Never mind.”

She could feel nervous energy radiating off him. It was both concerning and confusing. What in the heck was going on? “Are you and Piper okay?”

A tight smile stretched over his lips. “We’re great. One of the main reasons I stopped by today is because I’d like to get the earrings and bracelet that match my mother’s necklace. I want to give them to Piper on the cruise. I forgot to pick them up when I grabbed the necklace.”

Relief surged through her. Jordan and Piper were fine. Of course they were! The two of them were the perfect couple—a match made in heaven. Besides, if something had been wrong, Piper would’ve told her. “Shoot. You can get the earrings, but the clasp on the bracelet broke. It’s at Steinway Jewelers being repaired.” She wrinkled her nose. “Sorry.”

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