Page 30 of Then Came Love
Chapter Six
JORDAN WAS ON cloud nine Tuesday morning as she worked through program reports.
She and Jax had spent hours designing her gown last night, and other than her momentary naughty mental blip, they’d kept things professional. Well, more friendly than professional, considering they’d laughed as much as they’d talked, but they hadn’t blatantly flirted, which was good. Jax had shared stories about when he was interning, telling her about mistakes he’d made and how his cousin Josh had been the greatest mentor he could have ever asked for. A couple of hours into designing, they’d taken a break to eat dessert, and she’d discovered that Jax was as much of a sweets-lover as she was. They’d eaten the lime gelatin on the cake, like ice cream, and had both devoured it. Coco’s nanny had sent Jax texts with pictures of Coco’s evening walk, and he’d shared them with Jordan. She’d had a great time and had learned more about designing in one evening with Jax than she had during her first year of college. Jax scheduled an appointment to have Jordan’s measurements taken today during her lunch hour by someone named Roberta, and since he had a five o’clock meeting with a bride, Jordan was looking forward to seeing him at seven.
Kelly, Jordan’s loyal assistant, a petite, opinionated brunette, walked into her office carrying a vase of pink roses and set them on the desk. “It looks like Todd is stepping up his game. Breakfast yesterday and roses today? What special favors have you been doing?”
Jordan hadn’t told her that the croissant and latte were from Jax. “Planning the wedding, I guess.” Todd hadn’t sent her flowers in years.
“He doesn’t want you to postpone it again.” She plucked the card from its holder and handed it to Jordan. “You’re not going to postpone, are you? I mean, this time you’re actually getting a dress, right?”
“Yes. Jax Braden is designing it.”
“Get out of here! You’re so lucky. My sister’s best friend got married two years ago, and Jax made her the most gorgeous gown. Isn’t he hot? I know you’re engaged, but you’re still human.”
If the way her mind had veered off track last night was any indication, she might be a little too human. “He is good-looking.” And sweet and funny and patient as the day is long. She opened and read the card.
Jordan, happy belated two-year anniversary. I won’t miss the date next year. Jax
How did he even remember that after everything they’d talked about?
“What does it say?”
She shoved the card back into the envelope, thinking fast. “Thanks for handling the wedding preparations. Just like I thought.”
“And he’s sincere about it,” Kelly said. “That’s what pink roses mean. Sincerity.”
Thinking of Jax, she said, “Yeah, I know he is. Thanks for bringing these in. I have a call to make. Would you mind closing my door on your way out?”
Kelly waggled her brows. “Thanking him in private. I like it. Go, Jordan.”
She closed the door behind her, and Jordan read the card again. It was professional, not flirtatious, and they were friends, so remembering next year wasn’t inappropriate.
So why is my heart racing?
Her answer came with a heavy dose of confusion. Jax knew she was moving after the wedding and wouldn’t be celebrating a third year as the director. She looked at the flowers and told herself she was overthinking, and he was just being nice.
She grabbed her phone, pacing as she thumbed out, Thank you for the gorgeous flowers. You didn’t have to do that. She bent to smell the roses. How long had it been since she’d smelled fresh roses? She smelled them again, warming at the thought of Jax picking them out for her. Had he known what pink roses signified, or was sincerity a coincidence?
His voice whispered through her mind. There’s only one place I expect anyone to kowtow to me…In the bedroom. After I satisfy them, of course.
She swallowed hard. She had a feeling he did everything with purpose. Her phone vibrated on the desk, startling her. She picked it up, and her pulse kicked up as she opened and read Jax’s message. Half the fun in life is celebrating our accomplishments, both big and small, and two years as director is no small feat. She read it again, because it felt that good to be noticed and thought about.
Everything he did made her feel seen and special. If he put that much effort into her, she could only imagine what he did for the women he went out with.
Another text popped up from him. I was up early working on your design, and I think it’ll be helpful if you try on different style gowns tonight. I’m not sold on any of the necklines we were thinking about last night.
She’d been mesmerized watching him sketch last night. He was a true artist, taking her ideas and making them even more unique, less like a copied version of the classic dresses she adored. She typed, It’s a good thing I’m having my measurements taken today.
His response rolled in seconds later. I’ve been doing this a long time. I knew your measurements the minute I saw you in that Hervé Léger dress. I’ve already set aside the gowns I’d like you to try on. I’ll bet you a morning run together that I guessed your size perfectly.
Knowing he’d looked at her close enough to figure out her measurements was as thrilling as it was intimidating. Until she remembered their conversation about women and weight. Did she want to go running with him through the park and watch the sunrise? Heck yeah. Should she? The angel on her shoulder said no, while the devil said go for it. She didn’t like extremes, so she decided to listen to the voice in between. The one telling her that there was no harm in being happy as long as she didn’t cross any inappropriate lines, and she typed, You’re on!
THE AFTERNOON FLEW by, and Roberta was a joy to chat with while she took Jordan’s measurements. Jordan had hoped to see Jax while she was there, but she hadn’t been so lucky. Now it was nearing seven thirty, and she was standing in the most luxurious dressing room she’d ever seen, wearing a gorgeous Jax Braden original wedding gown and having a panic attack. Her chest felt like there was an elephant sitting on it and the dress wasn’t even zipped yet. She turned away from the mirror as a knock at the door startled her, and she froze.
“Jordan? Do you need help with the zipper?” Jax asked.
No. I need an ambulance.She closed her eyes, breathing deeply. This was just cold feet. That’s all it was. It was normal, natural. Tons of women probably freaked out the first time they saw themselves in a wedding gown. “Yes, but I need a minute, please.”
“Sure.”
Glad he didn’t push, she forced herself to look in the mirror again. The strapless gown could make anyone look like a princess, but she didn’t see a princess in the mirror. She saw a woman who had so much baggage she wondered how she’d lug it down the aisle, and that wasn’t the worst of it. Todd wanted her suitcases open and empty for him to fill as he wished, which meant all of her belongings, everything she cherished, would fall out as she made her way down that aisle. But she’d made a commitment to him, just as he’d made one to her all those years ago, when she was scared and alone, and he’d told her that she’d never be alone again.
But she was alone.
Reality slammed into her like a Mack truck. It was her fault she was alone. She’d put off the wedding all those times, and she had stayed in Maryland. Todd hadn’t broken his promise. He was just waiting for her to keep up her end of the deal.
She lifted her chin, determined not to give the oppressive feeling in her chest too much weight. It was only fear, wasn’t it? Fear of moving away from the area and the job she loved? Fear of letting go of the hope that she’d find Casey?
Yes, that had to be it. With another deep, cleansing breath, she slipped her feet into her heels and headed out of the dressing room.
