Jordan glanced at me, and I lifted one shoulder. “Yes, he is,” I stated.
Colin chuckled. “Teasing. How about we reschedule? I’ll call you tomorrow.”
I shook my head. “No, stay. You can have dinner with us.” I drew in a long breath of air for bravery. “Get to know Jordan.”
Colin smiled widely. “I’d like that.”
I picked up the bottle of wine. “I’m going to check on dinner.”
Colin headed toward the living room. “I’ll get us drinks.” He clapped his hands. “This is gonna be fun.”
I met Jordan’s amused gaze and mouthed, “Sorry.”
He shook his head and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “He took that well,” he muttered.
“I forgot,” I whispered. “I forgot about our standing date because of you—you befuddled my head!” I slapped his chest. “What are you doing to me, Jordan Hayes?”
He lifted my chin, his eyes twinkling. “Not what I want to be doing right now.”
That odd giggle escaped my throat. Jordan grinned and kissed the end of my nose. “I’m looking forward to getting to know him a little. I know how much you adore him.”
Colin appeared in the door.
“Hey, kids, the sooner we have dinner, the sooner I leave, and you can get back to, ah, doing what you were doing. Let’s go!”
I threw him a look that should have had him writhing on the floor. Instead, he grinned widely. “Come on, Jordan. I know Nan is sexy, but I have some great scotch I keep here I’m willing to share.”
Jordan chuckled and squeezed my hand as he moved past me. I sighed as I headed to the kitchen.
This was going to be an interesting evening—not at all what I planned—but interesting, nonetheless.
Sandy
I sat back, sipping my wine, listening as the two men I adored got to know each other. When I’d walked into the room earlier, they had been standing by the fireplace, talking in low voices, looking serious. But when they saw me, they both smiled and seemed at ease. Every time I left the room, their conversation began again, and I wondered what exactly they were talking about. They certainly seemed to have a lot to say to each other.
At dinner, Colin was his usual chatty self, catching me up on all the things happening at the hospital and in his life. He was busy, happy, and seemingly quite comfortable with Jordan. We kept the conversation neutral, and the atmosphere was cheerful.
He finished his second helping of dinner and set down his cutlery.
“Awesome coq au vin. One of your best yet.”
Jordan hummed his agreement as Colin picked up his wine.
“So how long have you two been an item?” he asked casually.
I cleared my throat. “Not long.”
“You looked pretty friendly when I walked in the door.” He winked. “And I’ve never known you to forget about me coming over.”
I felt my cheeks flush, and Colin began to laugh.
“Nan, are you blushing?” He slapped the table as he chuckled. “Jordan Hayes, what kind of effect are you having on her?”
Jordan joined in his amusement. “A good one, I hope.” He reached for my hand and squeezed my fingers.
“I asked Sandy out a few weeks ago, Colin. We get along very well.”
“I noticed,” Colin deadpanned.
“I know you were close to your grandfather, and I hope my relationship with Sandy doesn’t upset you. But I’m very fond of her, and I think she is of me as well. Surely, you want her to be happy?”
Colin sat up straighter, all teasing gone. He regarded Jordan and me briefly. “I want nothing more than for her to be happy. I haven’t seen her smile like this for a very long time, and if you’re the cause, then you have my full blessing. Not that you need it,” he added with a shrug. “You’re both adults and can do with your lives whatever you choose.”
“I would prefer to have your blessing,” I said, meeting his eyes. He reminded me of Max—he had his eyes and the same tall, slim build. “I wasn’t looking for a relationship, but…” I trailed off.
Colin shook his head. “No, you’re too young. Gramps would have wanted you to be happy. That was always one of his biggest worries. He knew, just like I do, that you have too much love in you not to have someone to share it with. He and I talked a lot about what would happen once he was gone.”
That surprised me. “I didn’t know.”
He smiled. “He didn’t want you to. We talked about a lot of things.”
Jordan interrupted us. “Your grandfather was a great man. I met him several times, and I liked him a lot. He was very kind when my wife passed.”
Colin smiled. “That doesn’t surprise me. He was a kind man to everyone. He loved my nan fiercely.”
“I know.”
“Will you care for her the same way?”
Jordan shook his head. “I can’t. No one will ever love Sandy the way Max did. I’m not looking to compete with him, Colin. The same way Sandy will never replace my wife’s spot. But we can love another person just as strongly, though in a different way. How I feel about Sandy doesn’t take away the life I shared with my Anna. I believe my past helps me to be able to love another person because I know the joy that brings. The loneliness another person can dispel.” He leaned forward, his gaze steady on Colin. “I think Sandy and I can build something special together.”
“You seem to be moving fast.”
Jordan laughed, sitting back. “At our age, we have a wealth of experience behind us. We don’t need to play games or test the large dating pool. I like your nan, she likes me, and that is all we need to know. We don’t have the luxury of years ahead of us. If we’re happy, then we’re grabbing it. Living life now. Case closed.”
Colin was silent, mulling over what Jordan said. Jordan lifted his wine and sent a subtle wink my way, making me smile.
I picked up my wine. “How are all your Tinder dates going, by the way? Any interesting, ah, hookups lately, Colin?”
He began to laugh. “Point taken, Nan. You’ll be happy to know I deleted the app. I met a new nurse at the hospital. She is quite—” he swallowed “—lovely. She reminds me of you, actually. We’ve had three dates, and I was thinking of bringing her to meet you.” He grinned. “Maybe we can double one night.”
I smiled, hiding my surprise. Colin had never brought anyone to meet me. “I would like that.”
“Me too.”
He stood, placing his napkin on the table. “I should go. I have a five-a.m. shift tomorrow.”
“What about dessert?”
He shook his head. “I’ve interrupted long enough.” He reached across the table and shook Jordan’s hand. “It’s been a real pleasure. I hope to see more of you.”
“You as well.”
Colin winked. “You will.”
I walked him to the door, and he turned to hug me. “I like him, Nan.”
“I do too.”
“I meant what I said. Be happy.”
“I’m trying.”
He pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Keep trying, Nan. I like seeing you this way.”