I used to think animals were much kinder than people. Until I met Jordan, that is.
“What kind of animals?” I get a frisson of excitement at the thought.
He takes hold of my hand, moving it from his hair, and kisses my knuckles. “Deer, elk, marmots, juncos. You can usually spot some hawks and eagles. And if we’re real lucky, we might even see a mountain lion or a bear.”
My eyes widen. “Lions and bears. Sounds cool.” I tug on my lower lip. “But if they come too close, we’ll drive away as quickly as possible from them, right?”
He laughs, and places his hand on my thigh, squeezing gently. “Right.”
He doesn’t seem to notice how my whole body freezes, which is a good thing. The freeze is a mixture of surprise, fear, but mostly want. I want Jordan’s hands on me.
“Come on, let’s get moving.”
I get out of the car and follow him over to the shop, tying my sweatshirt around my waist as I walk.
Jordan pushes the door open, and a bell announces our arrival. He lets me through first. A big man with grey hair, is behind the counter, reading a newspaper.
He looks up. “Jordan my boy, how you doing?”
“Good,” Jordan says, walking over to him.
They do that manly handshake thing that men do.
“Wade, this is my friend Mia.” He introduces me.
Wade’s smiling eyes move to me. I know he spots the remnant of my black eye and cut brow.
“Hey Mia, nice to meet you. You been in a fight there, little lady?” He hints at my face.
I instantly freeze, then relax into shutdown, face impassive, the lie flowing easily from my lips. “I had an interesting conversation with a flight of stairs after too many beers.”
Wade chuckles. “Yeah, had a few of those myself. Let me just get the keys for your jeep.” He pats Jordan’s arm and disappears into the back.
I can feel Jordan’s eyes on me. I know what he’s thinking. He’s wondering how I can lie so effectively, so easily, without a second thought.
It comes from years of practice.
Finally, I risk a glance at him. The look he’s wearing is more confusion, showing in his puckered brow, and sadness in his eyes.
“Sorry about Wade asking … you know,” he says quietly. “He doesn’t mean any harm. He’s just a straight forward kind of guy.”
“It’s fine.” I smile, shrugging it off. It’s easy to do because the shutdown on my emotions is still in place.
Leaning down close, Jordan brings his face to mine. “Pretend to the rest of the world, Mia. I understand your need to do that.” Lifting his hand, he runs his thumb over my lips. “But don’t pretend with me.”
I’m shocked to the core by him. All I can do is nod.
He cups my cheek and presses his lips to my forehead, pulling me close to his chest, saying the rest without words.
Every part of me is attuned to him in this moment.
I hear Wade clear his throat. Jordan and I part quickly.
Wade chuckles. “Here you go.” He hands Jordan the keys. “I’m lending you mine, didn’t think you’d want one of the eight seaters with just the two of you.”
“You’re sure?” Jordan checks.
Wade nods. “Take her, have fun. She’s parked up back. When you’re done, just put her back there. If I’m not here, put the keys through the mailbox.”
“Will do. And thanks again for this, Wade, I really appreciate it.” Jordan reaches over and shakes his hand.
“Anytime, son. Have a good time. Say hi to your dad for me. How is he? Haven’t seen him around lately.”
“He’s good, away at the moment. My grandpa had an operation, so he’s there taking care of him for few weeks.”
“Let him know I was asking about him,” Wade says.
“Will do, thanks.”
“Bye,” I say, following Jordan to the door. “It was nice to meet you, Wade.”
“You too, little lady.”
The instant we’re out of the shop, I ask Jordan, “How’s your grandpa doing?”
Jordan looks at me with warmth in his eyes. “He’s getting back to his old self. I called Dad yesterday and spoke to Grandpa on the phone. He was giving me grief, winding me up, so I know he’s getting better.” He smiles fondly.
“I’m sorry I haven’t asked before now. My head just gets a little filled up at times.”
“I get it.” He touches my shoulder. “Now wait here, I just need to grab something from the car.”
I watch him jog over to his car, then pop the trunk and pull out a cooler bag.
“Food for later,” he clarifies when he reaches me.
“Did you make a picnic, Jordan Matthews?”
For the first time ever, I see a blush in his cheeks. “I might have,” he mumbles and sets off walking.
Smiling, and feeling a little … glowy, I fall into step beside him and thread my arm through his. “Thank you. I’ve never had a picnic before.”
His look is one of surprise. “Never as in – never?”
“Never.” I affirm.
He presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Well, I’m really glad I’m taking your picnic virginity because I make a f**kin’ excellent picnic.”
I laugh, glad he can’t see my face right now as it’s gone somewhere close to resembling sunburnt red.
“That so?” I try to sound casual, but it doesn’t work. “Well, I have nothing to compare it against, so I’ll have to take your word.”