“Bentley believes in rewarding staff, Jordan. To him, you are as valuable as Reid and Maddox. As any of his staff.” I smiled as I teased him. “If you’re worried about Bentley’s bottom line, I assure you he made millions on this project. And the way Maddox structured and invested the holdings, he’ll make many more.”
He chuckled, then rested his chin on his hand as he studied the papers. “He also told me I could have the condo whenever I wanted it if I decided to go ahead with this. The agent said she would help me thin out the house and put things in storage if needed.” He was silent for a moment. “One signature—one stroke on a pen, and my entire life as I know it will change.”
“Are you ready for that?” I asked.
He pushed at the papers with his finger. Back and forth, he moved them in a repeated restless pattern.
“There’s no smoking gun here, Jordan. You don’t have to decide tonight, or even this week. Maybe you should talk to your kids about it. Look at the condo again.”
He met my gaze. “That’s the odd thing. I’m not conflicted or worried. I really liked the condo, and the thought of not having to deal with all the outside stuff and being alone in the house, filled with nothing but recollections of what my life was like before, is actually a relief. I want to sign the papers. Move ahead.”
“And that worries you.”
One corner of his mouth lifted in a lopsided grin. “Yes. It’s not like me. I’m usually a very methodical decision-maker.”
“Perhaps there’s another way to think of this then, Jordan.”
“Tell me.”
“Maybe you had already thought it through. You told me when Gina brought it up two years ago, you weren’t ready. That when Gina questioned you again at Christmas, you had already begun to change your mind. You said you’ve been thinking about it ever since. As for the condo, they say you know if the place is right for you ten seconds after you walk in the door.”
He stared at the documents, deep in thought. He turned his head, a smile ghosting his lips. “You are a very clever woman, Sandy Preston.”
I laughed. “I try.” Then I became serious. “Do what it is you want to do—for you, Jordan. Nobody else.” I exhaled. “Don’t factor me into your decision.”
“Are you breaking up with me already?” he asked lightly, although his eyes were worried.
“No, but we’re still so new. Make this decision as if this happened two weeks ago, not now. Can you do that?”
“It would still be the same.”
“Then do it.”
He relaxed back into the sofa, and I handed him the glass of wine. He sipped it.
“Have you ever thought of selling?” he asked.
I glanced around the room, its familiarity comforting and safe. “Not yet,” I admitted. “One day, maybe.”
“Did you and Max buy this together?”
“No, actually, he bought it after his divorce. I didn’t meet him for almost ten years afterward. He told me we could move, but I liked the character of the house and he was settled here, and I saw no point in doing so. He’d never shared it with his wife, so there were no memories to compete with. He gave me free rein, and I decorated it to suit us. It was rather, ah, masculine when I moved in. And he’d never touched the kids’ rooms, so they were a little dated.”
“Did you ever meet his first wife?”
I nodded. “We got on quite well. She was a little shocked at the age difference, as most people were, but she was cordial. We were all adults.” She winked. “Some of them more adult-y than I was.”
Jordan laughed.
“Our plan had always been to give this place to Colin. When I’m ready to move, I’ll do that.”
“That’s very generous.”
I shrugged. “He’s the light of my life. I adore him, and he works very hard. He refused to let us pay off his student loans, so a mortgage-free home will help. I only hope one day he finds the right person to share it with.”
“I’m going to use some of the money from the sale and set up college funds for my grandkids. Neither Gina or Warren will take any of my money otherwise, no matter how many times I have offered. This way, I can help in a roundabout manner.” He took a sip of wine. “Not sure Warren will ever have a child, but I’ll set aside the same amount in case.”
“When will you tell your kids?”
“Right away. I want them to come and pick out anything they want from the house. I plan on donating a lot to charity and buying new furniture. Aside from some select items and personal things, I want a fresh start.”
“You’ve really thought this through.”
“I suppose I have.”
“Congratulations.” I raised my glass. “To new beginnings.”
Jordan lifted his glass. “If I can be so bold—to shared new beginnings.”
I touched my glass to his and tried not to blush.
This time, I failed.
Sandy
Jordan extended his hand, his expression one of indulgence. “Come aboard.”
“It’s a little, ah, choppier than the other night.”
He chuckled. “Only because of the breeze. Perfect for a day on the boat.”
I glanced at the sky. “You sure it won’t storm?”
“Nope. These clouds will move away, and the sun will be out within the hour.” He waggled his fingers. “Come on, Sandy. I got you.”
I let him pull me onboard, still nervous but not wanting to tell him why. Storms made me stressed enough on dry land. Never mind being pitched about in a boat. I wasn’t sure I could handle that.
He handed me the picnic basket I had packed earlier. “You store this below, and I’ll get us going. The light is brighter toward Niagara.”
“Okay.”
I went down the few steps and figured out the layout of the small galley kitchen, storing away our lunch. I felt the boat moving and grabbed the thermal carafe of coffee I had brought with me. Jordan was behind the wheel, guiding the boat from the marina. He held out his arm, and I slipped in front of him, his chest pressed to my back.
“I thought you had sails.”
“I do. I use the engine to get to open water or when there’s no wind. I’ll unfurl the sail in a while.”
“It’s pretty out here.”
“It is. I love being on the water.” He dropped his mouth to my ear. “I love being out here with you, my darling.”
My heart clenched at his endearment. I lifted my head, meeting his gaze. He lowered his, kissing me, his lips moving with mine.
Jordan Hayes could kiss. If it were an art form, he would be a master. Every time our mouths met, I never wanted it to end.
He lifted his head and smiled, drawing his fingers down my cheek. “That will have to hold me until we clear the marina. I don’t want to run into another boat.”
“Oh.”
He kept one hand on the wheel, wrapping his other arm around my waist. “But you stay right where you are. I like you here.”
I snuggled closer, feeling the way his arm tightened. I had to admit, I liked it right there as well.
The sun burst from behind the cloud, its rays skittering across the waves, reflecting on the boat. I lifted my face to its warmth, enjoying the feel of it and the breeze that blew around us. The sail snapped and filled, stretched tight as the boat raced through the water, smooth and steady. Jordan leaned back, looking satisfied. “We’ll be there in about an hour. I thought we’d tie up at the marina, rent a couple of bikes, hit those wineries we got the names of. Both of them are only about a ten-minute ride from the marina. We can go look anywhere else you want to, then we can head back to the boat, find a cove, and throw down the anchor. Have lunch and enjoy the sun before we head back.”