“I’m very fond of Sandy,” he murmured. “We all are.”
“I’m aware.”
“She’s been having a hard time lately.”
I nodded.
“I think lunch with a friend is a great idea.”
I said nothing.
He smiled, his voice quiet when he spoke. “I think with the right person, something else—which of course would remain private—would be a wonderful thing. Between two people who care about each other, it’s always a wonderful thing.”
I wanted to laugh at his unsubtle but well-meaning speech. Instead, I remained impassive.
I stood. “Anything else, Bentley?”
He shook his head, still smiling. “No.”
I headed to the door.
“Jordan.”
I turned, my hand on the knob. “Yes?”
“Have a good lunch. Take a little extra time. As you said, it’s a lovely day. Enjoy it.”
I couldn’t help my grin. “Thanks, Bentley. We’ll do that.”
Sandy and I walked to the park behind the BAM building. I carried the bag containing our lunch, and we chatted about the office as we walked. I indicated an empty picnic bench, and we headed toward it.
I handed Sandy the bag and used my handkerchief to wipe the dust from her seat and the top of the table, then laid it on the bench before she sat down.
“What a gentleman,” she murmured.
“I would hate to see that pretty suit get dirty. It’s one of my favorites.”
She lifted her eyebrows. “One of your favorites?”
I unpacked the bag, setting out the food. “Yes. Only one of many.”
Sandy studied me. “Which are your others?”
I took a bite of my sandwich, chewing and swallowing, then sipping the cold soda to chase away the hot mustard.
“All the blue ones, the green, and that lovely rust-colored dress you wear. I like you in bold colors. They suit you.”
She blinked. Took a bite of her roast beef sandwich and chewed. Frowned and took another bite, then replied.
“I have no idea what to say to that, Jordan. I didn’t realize you noticed what I wore. Certainly not enough to have favorites.”
I opened the container of carrot and celery sticks she had ordered and chomped on one before replying.
“I do notice, Sandy. It’s hard not to. You are a beautiful woman. I enjoy looking at you.”
She stared at me, wordless.
I shrugged. “I’m simply stating a fact.”
“I see.”
I decided to go for broke. I wanted to lay my cards on the table and see how she reacted. I had played it safe before, and it went nowhere.
“With your beautiful hair and captivating eyes, it gives me a lot of pleasure to watch you.” Then I winked. “You have great legs. I love it when your skirts are a bit shorter.”
This time, she gaped. She set down her sandwich and wiped her fingers. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were flirting with me, Jordan Hayes.”
“I am.”
“I thought this was friends having lunch.”
“We are friends,” I insisted. “We’re having lunch.” I drew in a long breath. “But who’s to say there can’t be more?”
“More?” she repeated.
I finished my sandwich and wadded up the wrapper, slipping it back into the bag.
“Please eat, Sandy. You are far too thin these days.”
A soft flush of color drifted across her cheeks. It was rare I ever saw her blush, but the color complemented and highlighted her delicate beauty. But she picked up her sandwich and ate.
“I was honest when I told you I missed our coffee breaks together, Sandy. You ended them, and I always wondered why.”
“I thought it was time to move on from our sad sessions,” she confessed.
“I did as well. Why didn’t you say so?”
She shrugged. “I wasn’t sure how to. I thought…I thought you would think I was being disrespectful to our spouses. To their memories. We were getting closer and it felt—wrong somehow.”
“Why? Because you were ready to look forward and not behind you anymore? Did you think I would be upset by that?”
She sighed. “It’s complicated, Jordan.”
“Life is complicated. All of it. But it’s meant to be lived.” I rested my elbows on the table, clasping my hands together loosely. “I think both Anna and Max would want us to move forward. It’s been a long time for both of us, Sandy.” I paused. “Isn’t that what you were trying to do with Mature Matchups?”
Her eyes widened. “You know about that?”
“Van told me.”
“Why would he do that?”
I met her gaze. “Because he knew I wanted to ask you out. Not as a friend having a sandwich in the park, but a proper date. I held back because I wasn’t sure you were ready, but when he told me, I knew I had to step forward before I lost you to some jerk-off on a dating app who doesn’t deserve you.”
A smile tugged on her lips. “I’m sure they’re not all jerk-offs.”
“Have you seen the profiles? Jesus, Sandy, even at our age, they all want one thing—and it’s not companionship. I’m pretty sure the Viagra manufacturers sponsor those sites.”
“Well then, at our age, as you so delightfully put it, there would be a lot of short relationships. Or a huge surge in the Viagra market—which apparently would lead to a different kind of surge—at least temporarily so.”
Then she laughed, trying to cover it up with her hand. I started to laugh with her, relieved at her teasing.
I risked it and reached for her hand. She let me wrap mine around hers, the softness of her skin warm under my touch. “Don’t go on a date with anyone on that site, Sandy. Let me take you out.”
“On a date?”
I laughed. “If that sounds too scary, then let’s just go to dinner and a movie. Or dinner and a show. A walk. Whatever you want.”
“It sounds as if dinner is nonnegotiable.”
“It is.”
“We work together.”
“And BAM has no policies against interoffice relationships. Hell, half the office is dating or married to each other, it seems.”
She laid her free hand on top of our joined fingers. “I don’t want to lose our friendship.”
“I don’t think we’ll lose anything, Sandy. All I’m asking is for us to have a meal together. Spend some time together outside the office. I think we’re both lonely.” I sighed. “I haven’t been out with anyone since Anna passed. I don’t even know if I’m ready. But I do know this, if there is anyone I would like to try with, it’s you.”
“Why?” she asked quietly.
“Because you’re beautiful. I’m not talking only your outside beauty. I’m talking about the person you are. Kind, smart, funny. You’re warm and loving. Sweet. And as alone as I am.” I squeezed her hand. “We’re both too young to be alone. I think we have a lot to offer the other person. And if we decide it’s only as friends, then so be it. But I want to explore it. Try it. With you. If you’re willing.”
She looked over my shoulder, thinking. I let her process my words. I hadn’t planned on jumping in so quickly, but it had happened naturally, and I wasn’t upset by my words.