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Jordin had such a warm, loving spirit and she was always smiling. Ethan loved her sense of humor and the sense of freedom she seemed to have in her life. Not only was she beautiful but she was intelligent as well. There had always been an undeniable magnetism between them, which probably explained why he was sitting in a parked vehicle across the street from the law firm, watching as she and Jadin walked to the bistro located on the corner.
Coward.
Ethan had missed her greatly but was unsure of the best way to approach her, especially after he hadn’t bothered to stay in contact with her over the years. He knew that in deciding to move back to Charleston, they would run into each other eventually.
But as strong as his attraction was to Jordin, Ethan knew that he could never act on those feelings. A relationship other than friendship between them could never work because they were from two very different worlds. But also because love was not a part of his plans for the future. He was focused on his company and didn’t have the time or the inclination to deviate from the driving force that had been guiding him since college.
Ethan pulled up the collar of his jacket and turned the key in the ignition. He drove to his hotel. The home he purchased would not be ready for another two weeks.
He sat down in the living area of his suite and picked up the television remote. Jordin was still at the forefront of his mind. He considered calling her at the office, but decided to wait until he found the right words to say to her.
Ethan tried watching TV, but when he couldn’t find anything to his liking; he gave up and reached for a magazine on health and exercise trends.
He was interrupted an hour later when his friend Chandler called.
“How did your interview go?”
“Okay,” Ethan responded. “It’s just not something I enjoy doing. I’m thinking of hiring someone to handle publicity.”
“Have you talked to Ryker or Jordin?”
“Not yet,” he answered. “I’ve been so busy with the gym...”
“You might as well know that I told Ryker you were in town.”
“That means that Jordin knows as well,” Ethan uttered. “She was going to find out eventually, I guess.”
“Her knowing is not such a bad thing, is it?”
“No.”
“Have you visited any of the old haunts?”
“I did a ride-by on my bike a couple of times,” Ethan confessed, “but that’s about it. I didn’t go by my old neighborhood though.”
“Are you worried that you’ll run into your mom? My aunt said that she saw her at the market last Saturday.”
Ethan swallowed his surprise. He’d had no idea that Lydia was back in Charleston. “She’s the least of my worries.”
“I’m sure she’s heard by now that you were moving back.”
He chose his words carefully. “It doesn’t matter to me. She’s not a part of my life anymore.” Ethan changed the subject by asking, “What time are we meeting for dinner tomorrow night?”
Their conversation ended ten minutes later after setting a time to meet.
He got up and made his way to the master bathroom where he showered and put on a pair of sweats.
Jordin.
He found himself wanting to open up to her about everything, but to feel her pity was much more than Ethan could bear. He had no idea how much she’d heard about that awful period of his life, but staying away from Jordin would not be easy, especially when his new office was a block away from the DuGrandpre firm.
Chapter 2 (#u73d0c6ba-1f59-595d-b676-c83d4a99b120)
I have no business being here, Jordin thought as she strolled through the doors of the 4200 Broad Street building where Ethan’s new offices were located. She’d debated most of the morning whether to show up at his place of business. Although Jordin had not heard from him, she decided to take the initiative.
She’d chosen a black-and-white color-blocked dress with a pair of red shoes and red accessories for work today. I always get compliments whenever I wear this outfit. Jordin imagined her look would also garner Ethan’s attention.
A sense of pride flowed through her as her eyes traveled around the lobby area with a two-story atrium filled with large vases of flowers and a stunning collection of abstract artwork. Ethan had chosen a great location for his home office.
She followed the sign to the elevators and took one to the top floor.
The elevator doors slid open.
She walked down the short hallway to the penthouse suite.
Jordin entered with determination through the double doors that led to the reception desk and waiting area of Ethan’s company.
She smiled at the receptionist, but caught sight of the man she longed to see. “Ethan?”
Their gazes locked across the room. Jordin noted the brief reaction of shock and pleasure in his chocolate-brown eyes before it faded into a businesslike stare.
Ethan excused himself from the person he was talking to and quickly walked toward her.
Smiling, Jordin met him halfway.
He looked so good. She gave him a quick and not-so-subtle once-over. Ethan was no longer the scrawny boy she remembered. He had grown taller and was built solid like a military tank. She doubted there was an ounce of fat anywhere on his body. He was all muscle. However, his movements were fluid and agile.
The words, “Hey, stranger, what are you doing here?” popped out of his mouth almost immediately.
“I’ve been here all along,” she replied smoothly. “It’s you who disappeared without a word. Then you come back into town and I don’t even get a phone call.” Jordin tried to maintain her cordial tone.
She heard his sharp intake of breath.
“You’re right,” Ethan said after a moment. “Things were crazy for me back then and I didn’t want to involve you in that madness. As for now, I had every intention of reconnecting with you, but as you can probably understand, it’s been a busy time for me.”
Jordin broke into a smile. “I’m glad you decided to come home. I have missed you so much.”
The tenderness in Ethan’s expression amazed her. “I missed you too.”
Her only emotion was relief.
Jordin glanced around. She could feel the heat of the receptionist’s gaze on them.
“How about a tour of your new office?” she suggested in a low voice.
“I have to warn you that there’s still a lot of work left to be done,” Ethan told her as he escorted her down the hall. “I guess we’ll start with my office.”
“Did your employees relocate here with you?”
“Most of them did,” he responded. “I was quite surprised because I hadn’t expected so many to want to leave Virginia.”
As soon as Jordin walked into his office, she said, “I don’t know what you were talking about, Ethan. This place is amazing.”
She loved the contemporary look. Ethan had combined leather and fabric furnishings for a unique, yet professional representation of his company. The camouflage chairs looked to be custom designed.
“The furnishings are from my old office,” Ethan explained. “I think it’s time for something new.”
“I think it fits your Boot Camp Gym branding.”
Jordin swallowed past the dryness in her throat, her hungry gaze taking him in. He wore a suit, black with faint pinstripes running through the expensive fabric; a crisp, pale gray shirt and a perfectly knotted burgundy tie. Ethan’s eyes were a rich, dark brown and his caramel-tinted face had chiseled features with a strong jaw. Everything about the man sizzled with sensuality.
Once inside with the doors closed, he said, “I’m sorry about that, Jordin. I want you to know that I regret not staying in contact with you.”
His intense gaze made her breath go ragged. “So why didn’t you call or write me?”
“At the time, I thought it was best.”
She embraced him, surprising them both. “It was a long time ago.”
“A lifetime ago,” Ethan responded as he held her close. “From the looks of it, you were too busy to miss me. I hear you’re a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom.”
Stepping away from him, Jordin broke into a smile. “I don’t know about that, but I do fight tooth and nail for my clients.”
He gestured for her to sit down in the green leather chair near the window. “It’s what you always wanted.”
Ethan sat down in the other one.
“It’s in my blood,” Jordin responded as she settled against the chair cushion. “You’re the one who’s doing big things around here. I’ve read all about your success. Ethan, I’m so proud of you.”
“I found something I was passionate about and things just kind of took off from there.”
“I’m going to have to check out your gym.”
His eyes slid casually over her body. “The programs are rigorous.”
“What are you trying to say, Ethan?” Jordin asked with a grin. “You don’t think I can handle your boot camp program?”
“It’s intense. Do you believe you’re up to the challenge?” he questioned.
Jordin met his gaze. “Definitely.”
“The gym will be open in a couple of weeks,” Ethan announced. “I guess we’ll find out what you’re made of then.”
She laughed.
“How is your family?” he inquired.
“They’re great,” Jordin responded. “How about your mother? Have you two been in contact since you’ve been back?”
Ethan’s smile disappeared as he walked over to his mahogany desk and stared down at his reflection in the uncluttered surface. “She’s the last person I expect or want to hear from,” he stated in a curt tone.
Jordin was stunned by the look of loathing on his face. It was clear that he held a lot of resentment against the woman who had abandoned him. She swallowed hard before saying, “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t be,” he uttered. “I’m not.”
She stared, wordlessly. Jordin could not believe he was talking about his mother like that. At one time, the two shared a very close relationship.
“I know it sounds harsh, but I see no point in pretending.”
Jordin wanted to ask what happened after he left Charleston, but had a feeling this was not the right time. They would have the chance to have that conversation in time.
Finally, she said, “I’m just happy you decided to come back home, Ethan.”
“It was not my original intent,” he confessed. “But now that I’m here...seeing you again...it’s all good.”
“Deep down, I always believed that you would return,” Jordin stated.
As their eyes met, she felt a cold shock run through her.
“To be honest, I vowed never to return to this place.”
“This is just more evidence that I’m always right,” she responded, wanting to lighten the mood.
Ethan chuckled. “That statement proves just how wrong you are.”
“You have always been a sore loser.”
They both laughed.
Jordin glanced down at her watch. “Ethan, I need to get to court, but I wanted to come by and see you.”
“I’m glad that you did. It’s good to see you.”
Ethan walked her out of the building and to her car. He handed her a business card. “Text me your phone number.”
“Definitely,” she responded with a smile. “I’m thrilled you’re back.”
Jordin stared with longing at him before getting in and turning the key in the ignition.
Ethan’s really back. Jordin had to see him for herself before she actually believed it. His return was an answer to her prayers.
Upon her arrival at the courthouse minutes later, Jordin parked her car, and then texted her cell and home numbers to Ethan. She anticipated hearing from him within a few days. The prolonged anticipation was almost unbearable.
Ethan’s obvious resentment of his mother was still at the forefront of Jordin’s mind. She shared a close relationship with her family, although she understood that his situation, like many others was a different experience. It was one of the reasons she chose to specialize in family law. She also volunteered at a women’s shelter twice a week and offered pro bono services to families who could not afford legal fees. She worked to keep as many families together as possible.
Her heart ached over Ethan’s pain. Jordin could not fully comprehend how a mother could just abandon her child like that. When they were younger, Ethan once told her that he suspected his mother’s boyfriend, Rob, was a drug dealer. Like Ethan, Jordin did not care for him and had no idea why Lydia was so in love with someone like Rob. He was controlling, possessive and verbally abusive to both Lydia and Ethan.
