Finding Jordie: Things aren't always what they seem. (The Love Lies Bleeding Series Book 1) (29 page)

“Oh, before I forget. About that other situation, about me having a stalker? I... I don’t see how that’s even possible.” I had my “you-men-think-you-know-it-all” tone in check when I said it.

“I don’t know, Jordan. It was just a passing thought Frank and Richard came up with. Richard has been looking into it.”

“It isn’t possible.” I dismissed their speculations by shaking my head.

“Of course it isn’t.” Nathan opened the front door and picked the pizza up from the doorstep. He buzzed down to Frank and thanked him for bringing it up. We ate our cold pizza while Nathan helped me find a laptop for Emma online. “I think she’d prefer an iPad rather than a bulky laptop,” he said.

“I know what that is,” I announced with pride and enthusiasm. She had an iPod, and actually had mentioned an iPad a few times. It was almost instantaneous. After a few clicks one would be delivered by Tuesday.

“That’s kind of dangerous for me, shopping without leaving the house. My Lord, the deals I could find. I’d probably go broke.”

After I had a long talk with Emma, she assured me, more than once, that Nathan staying with us while filming was more than fine. Nathan promised her she could go on set whenever she wanted and could even bring a friend. She could barely contain herself and just went on and on about how she couldn’t wait to meet his fellow cast mates. I myself was far less enthusiastic about the cast mate situation—he’d finally found out who his female costars would be, and they were, of course, all gorgeous—but the fact that he would be here, with me, trumped any uneasiness I had about some chicks he’d be working with. Well, for the time being anyhow. He had a bit over a month free before he began filming, so over the next five weeks Nathan, Emma, and I did a lot of touristy things—family things—and it was great.

There really was so much we didn’t know about one other, and we utilized every minute we could to fix that. He left towels on the floor, ate peanut butter straight from the jar, and liked to watch television before he fell asleep. It drove me crazy. I left empty coffee cups everywhere, I never had peanut butter in the house, and I hogged the comforter, which irked him beyond belief. Funny enough though, it was the little things that made me love him even more.

Frank had gone back home to L.A. about three weeks earlier to spend some time with his family before Nathan needed him back while he worked. Things had been
perfect
. There’d been no creepy phone calls, the paps had backed off considerably, and the bar was doing great. I’d worked two weekends since we got back from L.A. I had to be getting soft because I actually complained that my feet and back hurt. Okay, yeah, I was out of practice.

Rachel had really stepped up to the plate when it came to running the place. I owed her a hell of a lot more than just two weekends off, that was for sure. She must have been exhausted because I called her every day that week and she never answered. She’d just send me a random text that she was sorry but she’d been busy at the bar and then spending whatever time she could with Tyler. Well, that made me feel like a Class A asshole slave driver. I missed my best friend.

I could tell Nathan really missed Frank, too. If you thought about it, Frank was Nathan’s Rachel. Always there for him, always covering his ass, and would never betray him.

“Frank will be by in a few to visit and discuss my schedule,” Nathan announced as he came down from the bedroom.

I tried Rachel again to see if I could talk with her, but she didn’t answer again. I’d catch her at the bar, I decided.

When Frank walked in he shook Nathan’s hand and gave me a bear hug, feet off the ground and all. I don’t think he realized he knocked the wind right out of me, but to have him back was a good feeling. They sat at the table and I grabbed some drinks. Before they got down to business Frank filled us in on all the details of his trip home and told us his wife and one of his daughters were coming to visit in a few weeks. You could see the excitement in his eyes. I checked the time on my phone a few times. After the last one, I realized they’d stopped talking.

“Jordie, are you late for something?” Frank asked with a scowl.

“No, not that I know of. Why?”

“Well, you seem very preoccupied by something and keep checking the time.”

I glanced up and both of them were staring at me.

“Oh, no, no, I wasn’t checking the time. I want to catch Rachel before work.” I rushed the words out shoving my phone in my pocket as I stood up.

“No!” Nathan said and startled me because it wasn’t like him to shout like that.

“Um, no?” It was my turn to scowl.

“I mean, no. She isn’t working tonight. I forgot to tell you. Tyler texted me. She needed a night off. He said Amber and Isobel would be fine with the guys for one night. It’s not like it’s a Saturday or anything.” He stammered a bit.

“Okay, but why didn’t she call me?” I eyed him suspiciously.

“I don’t know, Jordan, I’m just the messenger,” he snapped and looked back down at his paperwork.

“She must be upset with me because I dumped my responsibilities on her.”

“I’m sure that has nothing to do with it.” He kept his eyes on the papers in front of him. I knew him well enough now to know there was something he wasn’t telling me.

“Is she okay, Nathan? She isn’t sick or missing or something is she? Your friend didn’t, like, hack her up in a million pieces and shove her in a freezer somewhere, did he?” I stood up and slammed my hands on the table.

“No, Queen of the Dramatic, she isn’t dead somewhere. She just needed a day to rest. That’s all.”

Whatever, Mister Moviestar, this is my best friend we’re talking about.

He pulled out his phone, hit a button, then another, and placed it on the table as it rang through the speaker.

“What?” Rachel answered, annoyed.

“Rachel!” I shouted before Nathan could say anything.

“Oh, hey Jords, sorry I bailed tonight. I just need a day to relax and get some personal shit done. I just paid my bills so now I’m going back to my couch and finish watching this marathon of
Cupcake Wars.
Did you know they put bacon in cup cakes? How effing gross is—” I heard Tyler’s voice cut her off, and she was quiet for a second.

“Talk tomorrow okay? I love you, biotch.” She hung up. She hadn’t given me a chance to say anything.

I guessed she really did just need some rest.

“See? Not dead, just tired.” Nathan slid his phone off the table and back into his pocket.

“All right. Whatever.” I moved over to the couch, plopped down on it, and groaned with frustration. Well, I guess that answered all my questions—
not
.

“I can’t believe you start work tomorrow. You’ve spoiled me. I’m so used to you always being here now.” I sulked as I put the dishes from dinner in the sink. “Emma, go get ready for bed, please,” I said when she brought her plate in.

“I’m excited you’re starting tomorrow. I’ll get to meet Leena Thompson!” she squealed.

The ever-so-wonderful pang of jealousy ripped through my stomach, and I mocked the words
Leena Thompson
with a sour face. Neither of them saw me, though, as I loaded the dishwasher.

“Yep,” Nathan said from behind Emma. He kissed my head and thanked me for a great dinner as he rinsed his plate off and put it in the dishwasher.

“Thanks,” I muttered.

“Oh no, I know that tone.” He eyed me with a smirk.

“It’s nothing, shut up,” I spit out and he chuckled.

“You know, I could arrange for you to come with me every day if it makes you feel better.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I rolled my eyes. I knew he loved me. I trusted him completely. But still, what woman wouldn’t be jealous? “I’m going for a smoke.” I followed Emma out of the kitchen.

“Wait for me.”

It was a beautiful May night. You could see the city for miles from the rooftop. The last thing I wanted to do was discuss Nathan’s hall pass to lip-locking with gorgeous women, but I guessed it was inevitable.

“Babe, I know when something is bothering you, and I know
what
it is that’s bothering you right now. What I don’t know is
why
you’re doubting me. Have I ever given you a reason to doubt how I feel about you?” He wrapped his arms around me.

“No,” I said softly.

“Then please explain to me why it bothers you so much.” He turned me around. He had the slightest hint of a smile on his lips.

“I’m glad you find this fucking amusing, Nathan.” I tried to turn back around but he held me in place.

“I don’t find it amusing. I find it adorable, and it makes me happy that you love me so much.”

“I’ll just try to forget that you’re across town somewhere womanizing a gorgeous blond, brunette, and whoever else is thrown in the mix.” I couldn’t keep the emotion out of my voice. “How would you feel if the roles were reversed?” I asked in a small voice, careful not to make eye contact with him.

“I’d feel exactly how you do, but this is my job. I promise I won’t be thinking of them while I’m acting.” He lifted my chin and gave me a soft smile.

“I know.” I sulked.
Doesn’t mean I have to like it, stupid movie star man.

“Besides, when you’re working and all those men flirt with you, you don’t think that drives me insane?” He raised an eyebrow.

“What? Nobody hits on me, Nathan.”

He let out a huge laugh and pulled me in closer to him. “You can’t be that oblivious, baby.”

“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes and chuckled.

“Okay, Jordan. Whatever you say, honey, whatever you say.” He rocked gently back and forth with his arms around me and planted a soft kiss on my forehead.

“Once Emma goes to bed I think I’m going to hit the sack, too. I’m exhausted.” I managed the words out through my yawn.

“You’ve been sleeping a lot the past week. You feeling okay?” His eyebrows scrunched together with concern.

“Yeah, I feel great, just tired. You, fine sir, exhaust me.” I grinned.

“And I plan on exhausting you some more once I get you downstairs.” He flashed that sexy-as-all-hell grin my way that sent my tummy into the famous flip-flops. I loved that feeling.

“Well, when you go to work, that expression and the nut job smile stay home. Got it?” I demanded playfully as we headed down the fire escape.

“Deal.” He laughed.

Nathan helped me finish cleaning up from dinner and before I dragged my tired ass upstairs, I checked on Emma. It was nine o’clock and the kid was out cold. I slowly drudged up to the bedroom. I grabbed a t-shirt and a pair of shorts and climbed into bed. I had grown accustomed to the television being on before I fell asleep. Believe it or not I even appreciated it. I could see much more with the dim light it gave off. Then again, before Nathan, I didn’t have much to see so I hadn’t really needed it on. He climbed into bed right after me and pulled me tight. He ran his long fingers up my arm to the back of my neck as I played with the little patch of hair on his chest then traced my finger along his torso, skimmed his neck, and up to his lips.

“These bad boys are mine.” I looked up at him and he grabbed a fistful of my hair at the nape of my neck, guiding me up to kiss him.

“All yours forever, babe,” he whispered as I climbed up to straddle him. I felt him against me as soon as I brought my body down on his. He pulled me in as close as possible as he grasped my behind and grinded into me. His mouth possessed mine, passionately, lovingly, and savagely all at the same time.

“Marry me,” he breathed into my mouth between kisses.

I pulled back and sat straight up. “What?” I was panting.
He didn’t say what I think he said, did he?

I heard the tug of the chain from the light on the nightstand. The soft glow made me squint until my eyes had adjusted.

“Marry me, Jordan,” he said again.

His words sent my belly into that blissful turmoil, and as my eyes finally adjusted, his blue eyes burned straight through my green.

“I love you. Marry me, please?” He sat up so our foreheads touched.

“Yes,” was all I managed to say as I felt the sting of the tears burn my nose and eyes.