Page 24 of Then Came Love
“Okay, Jonathan. Let’s give Jordan a little breathing space.” Jax was used to Jonathan’s theatrics, but he knew he could be a bit much for others.
“My apologies,” Jonathan said. “But if you need a hairstylist, Chicki Redmond or Sarah Whiskey at Chicki’s Salon in Peaceful Harbor are absolutely magnificent. Sarah works wonders with makeup, too.”
“Sarah Whiskey? Is she related to Finlay Whiskey?” Jordan asked.
“Yes, they’re sisters-in-law.” Jax turned his attention to Jonathan and Emiko. “If you’ll excuse us, we were just about to sit down and eat dinner.”
“I will be honored to work on your gown,” Emiko said.
“Thank you,” Jordan said. “It’s an honor for me to meet the people who make the magic happen.”
Jonathan peeked into the conference room. “What on earth? Is that Jell-O and pretzels?”
“Yes, now get out of here.” Jax ushered him down the hall, and Emiko followed.
“Are we in financial crisis?” Jonathan whispered. “Has the world as I know it ceased to exist?”
“No, now go, please, and lock the front door behind you.” Jax laughed as they headed out. “Sorry about that.”
“He’s a riot,” Jordan said as they went into the conference room.
“I’d like to say he gets punchy at the end of a long day, but he’s always like that.”
“He must be fun to work with.”
Jax handed her a plate. “I’m lucky to work with a team of talented professionals and one talented jokester.”
They loaded up their plates and sat down to eat.
“This was so thoughtful of you. Where did you have this made?” Jordan pointed her fork at him. “And don’t say a gentleman never tells.”
He arched a brow. “I’m very well connected in the culinary world.”
“That was a very coy answer, Mr. Braden.” She spread a cloth napkin over her lap.
“Might I remind you, Ms. Lawler, we’re here to talk about your gown, not my ability to trade favors.” He filled their champagne glasses for a toast. “Here’s to new friends and beautiful gowns.”
They clinked glasses, and Jordan took a sip. “Hawaiian Punch. You don’t miss a thing, do you?”
“I guess we’ll see.”
She broke off a piece of a pretzel, dipped it in the sauce, and took a bite. “Mm. This is good.”
“As good as your parents’ recipes?”
“Well…” She wrinkled her nose, and they both laughed. “I’m kidding. It’s delicious, but I’m not sure anything could taste better than food my parents made just for me and Casey.”
He’d thought a lot about how much she must miss hearing her family’s voices and seeing them. But he hadn’t thought about how much she probably missed the little things he took for granted, like being able to enjoy his mother’s cooking and popping in for a visit whenever he felt like it. But they’d already had such serious talks. He didn’t want to bring it up and put a damper on her good mood.
They made small talk and joked around as they ate. Jordan dipped the pretzels and the pigs in blankets in honey mustard and told him stories about a phase she’d gone through when she put honey mustard on everything. Even pancakes.
After they finished eating, she sat back with her hand on her stomach, as she had the night before. “That was so good. I’m stuffed.”
“Should I put the gelatin and cake in the fridge?”
“Don’t you dare.” She laughed. “I just need a few minutes for my stomach to settle, but I definitely want to devour them.”
He liked that hint of fierceness and bit back the urge to make a comment about wanting to devour her. “I’m glad you’re not afraid to eat the things you enjoy. Women worry so much about their weight, but beauty has nothing to do with size and everything to do with who a person is and how they treat others. A pretty person can be a jerk, and that makes them ugly, no matter what their size. Then take someone like yourself, for example. You could gain two hundred pounds, and you’d still be beautiful.”
