He relayed her order, doubled to include himself. Finally he closed his phone and ditched his suit coat over the back of a wooden chair, the wide bed visible through the part in the slightly open connecting door.
She took in the framed prints on the walls, each photo portraying a stage of construction of the hotel. All but one small family photo resting by his computer … She started toward it, curious, but Jordan waylaid her.
He took his glass in one hand and her elbow in his other. “The balcony?”
Since she could swear he’d phrased it as a question rather than an order, she decided to go along. “The balcony, yes.”
Lord love him, after she sat, he even thought to swing another wrought-iron chair around to prop her tired feet while they enjoyed the final fading rays of the day. He really was pulling out all the stops.
Sinking back into her seat, she sighed at the amazing view of the waves rolling against the private beach. “You’ve got a great piece of prime property here.”
“Thanks.”
She enjoyed the beauty of the sculptured landscaping, empty now, but soon undoubtedly to be flooded with people. “Who needs blood pressure medicine with a mood stabilizer like this?”
His eyebrows drew together. “A lot going on to stress you out lately?”
She rested her hand on her stomach. “I’m excited about the baby, don’t get me wrong. But the news certainly frightened me at first.” She didn’t have much in the way of positive role-modeling for motherhood.
“I wish you would have told me.”
“The thought of doing that really sent my heart pounding.” She pulled out the pins from her French twist and shook her hair loose in the ocean breeze.
“I’m that scary?”
“I wouldn’t say scary, exactly.” Intimidating. “Pushy.” That sounded nicer.
“You’re as diplomatic as the rest of your family,” he answered wryly.
Actually, she was usually the family diplomat. “I don’t believe you mean that as a compliment.”
He stayed silent, his executive face in place as he studied her for a lengthy moment while seagulls scavenged along the talcum-white shore for a late-day snack. “So clue me in to what I have done to warrant such great fear. You don’t tell me about our baby for months. After being left out of the loop about my own child, I come to you directly—calmly, I might add.”
He had a point. She stared at her feet, guilt pinching as much as her shoes. She kicked off the heels and wiggled her toes. “Uh, I’m sor—”
“Wait, hold that thought. I’m not finished.” He held up a hand. “Then I do the heinous, awful thing of proposing marriage. And when you crush my spirit by turning me down, I ask you out on a date.” He thumped himself on the forehead. “Damn. I sure am one helluva jackass.”
Laughter bubbled inside her. “Okay, okay, you’ve made your point. You’ve been more than fair, and I was wrong not to tell you sooner. I apologize, and I really mean it. This is simply something I’ve needed time to become accustomed to myself, but I’m here with you now. No matter what happens with these dates of ours, you will be a part of our child’s life if that’s what you want.”
“Don’t doubt that for a second.”
His steely determination sent a shiver up her spine and her arms around her swelling waistline protectively.
“When Emilio told you about my pregnancy, did you let him know about us?”
He shook his head, leaning back in his chair, water glass tapping against his knee. “I wanted to speak with you first.” His eyes widened. “So your whole family doesn’t know I’m the father yet. Not even your twin. Damn. You’re a good secret keeper. I could use someone like you in my company.”
“That’s why I didn’t want to go out tonight. I’ve kept the baby news under wraps by wearing bulky clothes and staying away from the social scene for the most part, but my stomach has really popped these past couple of weeks. Once you and I are seen out in public together, people will make the logical connection. I need to tell the family about us first.”
“Let’s do it then. Call a family meeting.”
He had to be kidding. He actually wanted to be there when all the Garrisons heard she’d hooked up with Jordan Jefferies? Of course, she would have to inform her family sometime.
“Actually, we all gather every Sunday for dinner so that would be the easiest, most logical time.”
“All right, if you think this is the best way. They’re your family.”
The problem was, there would be no best way to tell them about Jordan Jefferies—the head of her family’s rival company. A rivalry that still existed even though somewhat softened since Emilio entered the fold.