"Sure. And if you like it that much I'll be happy to play the song again." He captured her hand so she couldn't escape, then gave her a little tug so she'd sit down again. "Right now I'm more interested in what you write about."
Deep breath, Lucy. You can do this.
"I write . . . don't laugh . . . love stories."
"Really?"
She nodded. When he didn't laugh, she gathered the courage to continue. "Actually, I've written several stories about two characters who meet during an adventure. They're both after the same treasure, so throughout the books each is trying to outsmart the other. Of course, all the while they're falling in love. Sort of like Indiana Jones meets Katniss Everdeen."
For a moment he just looked at her, like he couldn't figure out whether she was serious or had seriously lost her mind.
"What inspired you to write?"
How did she explain that because her own life had been so miserable, the only way to find happiness was to write characters and help them find their own.
"There's a really long explanation, but for the most part I got the idea one day while I was"-­wrapping a bruised rib-­"waiting for my class to hand in their work. The whole story unfolded in my head in about five minutes. Of course, it took me much longer to actually write the work."
"I'd love to read them."
"Oh. No, you wouldn't." She scoffed and looked away, suddenly finding the castle backdrop on the stage riveting. "But it's kind of you to say so."
He tucked two fingers beneath her chin and turned her head so she'd look at him. "I'm not really the kind of guy who bullshits about things, Lucy. So unless you're trying to insult me by saying you don't think I'm smart enough to read because I'm a dumb jock-­"
"I would never say that!"
"Then why is it so hard to believe that I'd want to read your stories?"
The sincerity in his eyes knocked her over. How was it that this man kept surprising her?
"Okay. It's not you. It's me. I've never let anyone read my work. To be honest, I just don't have that much . . . confidence."
"You're one of the smartest people I know."
Apparently not smart enough.
Once upon a time she'd thought being smart was her ticket out of a miserable life and into something wonderful. But even with her high IQ, she hadn't been smart enough to trust her instincts and she'd walked right into a nightmare.
"I'm sure what you've written is wonderful," Jordan said. "But no one will ever discover that until you take a chance. That's what life is all about." He leaned back. "Hell. I'm taking so many chances these days I can barely keep up with myself."
"You mean with your sister."
"My sister. My entire family, for that matter. My career." He sipped his champagne, watching her over the glass. When he was done he tilted the flute in her direction. "And you."
"Me?" She pointed to herself like there was someone else in the room he could be referring to.
A slow nod came with a smile. "In case you haven't noticed, I've been chasing you all over town. I took a chance you wouldn't shut the door in my face after the way I treated you on graduation night."
His honesty took her aback, and only one response would do. "Why?"
"You intrigue me. You challenge me. And to be honest, I just flat-­out like you."
"I've . . . never had anyone say that before."
"You're kidding."
She shook her head in beat with her pounding heart.
"Well, then I'll have to remember to say it more." He leaned in. "I like you, Lucy."
"I . . . like you too."
"Great." He stood and held out his hand. "Then how about we make some more memories."
She put her hand in his. "Where to now?"
"The corner."
"Like a make-­out corner?"
"Nope. Saving that for later." He led her to a small, curtained-­off area, pulled back the black drape, and gave her a playful push inside. "Right now we're going to make complete asses of ourselves in this photo booth."
"A photo booth?" She looked at the window and camera light in front of them and immediately felt intimidated. She'd never done anything like this before.
"Stay here," he said. "I'll be right back."
He was gone only a minute. When he came back his arms were full of props-­a colorful zebra print hat, a bright boa, a pink jeweled tiara, a huge mustache on a stick, and glitter-­framed glasses.