Page 5 of Lost in the Light

“That sounds great. I think you’d be so good with kids. You’re so patient,” I told him honestly.

“Adam suggested it and I like the idea. I was thinking, maybe if it works out, I could look into opening something similar myself. I’d need investors and stuff, but Ash and Eli have a ton of contacts.”

“You think you’d enjoy that?” I knew he’d hated his previous job.

“Yeah, I do. I just want to do something meaningful and this would give me that, plus I have the experience in sport and a business degree to handle that side of things. It makes sense I guess. It’s probably a dumb idea. I’ve just been thinking.”

“I don’t think it’s dumb. I think it sounds amazing and I know you could do it. I’d help too, if you wanted me to? I’m useless at sport, but maybe I could help with the business side of things.”

“Really?”

“Really. I mean, I don’t have any experience, but I need to find something to do, and like you said, a program like you mentioned would be rewarding and important work. I like the idea of being part of it.” I said honestly. It really did appeal to me. I wasn’t sure I could handle a real job, but if I could work with Jordan, that would help, wouldn’t it?

“That would be awesome, princess. The whole idea is pretty pie in the sky right now, but if I know I don’t have to do it alone, that makes it less scary.”

“Like you’re scared of anything,” I scoffed.

“I’m scared of plenty.”

“Maybe I could come with you next week, if that would be okay? See what this center is like and what they do?” I suggested shyly.

“Definitely. I’ll speak to Ash and Kane, and clear it with them. I’m so much more excited about all of this now, Addy. Thank you,” he gushed, happiness in his voice.

“Me too,” I agreed with a genuine smile. My demons were quiet and the nightmare was gone as I already started thinking up what would need to be done to raise funding for such a venture.

I shut off the water and stepped out of the shower, quickly wrapping myself in a towel, and another around my hair.

“You okay? Still feeling steady?” Jordan asked with concern.

“I’m a little shaky, but I’m good,” I replied honestly. “I’m also covered now,” I added as I placed my hand on his wide shoulder to steady myself.

He turned and smiled broadly as he took my hand in his. He was always handsome, but when he smiled it was like something magical happened, and everything just seemed better and brighter.

“You should just be a model,” I sighed a little dreamily.

“That a compliment, princess?”

“Of course it is. Look at you! You’re gorgeous. There’s not a runway on this earth that wouldn’t want you gracing it,” I told him with a wave of my arms up and down his taut, perfect body.

“Glad you think so, babe,” he told me with a cheeky wink. Then suddenly I was midair. I squealed as he lifted me into his arms bridal style and covered my cheeks and forehead with pecks of his lips.

I was laughing hard by the time he stopped, my hands on his shoulders and clutching him tightly.

“You’re so beautiful when you smile like that,” he told me as he looked into my eyes, all of the playfulness gone and replaced by heat, both in his eyes, and shooting down my own body.

“I really want to kiss you right now,” I whispered a little breathlessly.

“No complaints here.”

“You know I can’t, Jordan,” I sighed as I forced myself to look away from his intense gaze.

“I know the only thing stopping you is yourself and the crazy thoughts going on in here,” he said as he tapped my temple, holding my entire weight in just one arm.

“I can never be what you need.”

“You’re already everything I need, Addy. If this is all we can ever have, then I’ll take it. I’m falling for you so damned hard.”

“I think I’m falling for you too,” I admitted. “But everything is just so complicated.”

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