got off easy. If I go with Mary-Lou we make an entire day of it. Of course we dress for it,” she said slipping her black pumps off. Jordan reached down and scooped her feet onto his lap. “What are you doing?” she gasped.
“Your feet hurt. I thought this might help.” Jordan massaged the top of one foot, then the next. At first he felt her tense up, but slowly she began to relax. “Is that any better?”
“God yes,” she replied and moved her feet from his lap. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he said. She was looking at him as though she wanted to say something. “What is it?”
“You…surprise me sometimes.”
“I told you, I’m not who you think I am,” he said.
Was it his imagination or did she look sad? Maybe she really had wanted to go to the mall. Or maybe he pushed on the wrong pressure point on her feet, but she didn’t look happy. He was tempted to pursue his assumption, but he’d give it a little time. If she wanted to talk, he was here to listen. It was very possible that she was once again comparing him to Marvin.
That’d definitely put a damper on her mood.
It wasn’t long before the limo pulled up in front of her apartment. Gianna still didn’t seem to be herself. She didn’t even put her shoes back on. Just sat there looking out the window.
“Did you change your mind?”
“No. I have to do this,” she said.
Now he was really confused. “Gianna, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.” He hoped she didn’t feel pressured into inviting him up to her place. That’s not the guy he was.
“Sometimes it’s not what you want, but it’s what you should do,” she said. Gianna finally turned towards him and said, “I’m sorry. I know you must think I’m crazy, but there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
It sounded bad. Whatever it is, he could tell it was hurting her. “And you want to talk about it now?”
She nodded. “Maybe while we have coffee.”
“Okay.” He opened the door and got out. She followed him and they made their way up to her apartment, not saying a word. The silence concerned him. He was going to give her all the time she needed. And if she ended up not saying anything, that would be okay too. It’d have to be. Because I’m not Marvin. I won’t manipulate you into doing anything you’re not ready for.
As he sat at the kitchen table watching her make the coffee, he could feel his cellphone vibrating. Someone was really trying to reach him.
Gianna turned and said, “If you’d like to take the call in the other room, I understand.”
“It can wait,” he said.
“How do you know? You haven’t even looked at your phone. Besides, I make a better coffee when I’m not stared at,” she said.
Jordan gave in and got up and went into the other room. When he pulled his phone out he noticed it was Sal. There was only one reason why he’d call. Marvin. He could call, but he needed to be very cautious as to what he said.
In a soft tone he called Sal back, “I’m…busy. So I take it this is important.”
“He’s located her company. He’s been pacing back and forth for about an hour waiting for her to return. I would guess he probably had called and left her messages as well.”
Shit. That didn’t take very long. But he needed to go and update Gianna. At this time of day he didn’t believe she was going back to the office, but one never knew. She was as dedicated about her business as he was about his.
“If he heads here, let me know.”
“And where are you exactly?” Sal asked.
“I’m at Gianna’s,” he said.
“Have you told her yet? I mean about Marvin?” Sal inquired.
“She knows what she needs to do. Just let me know if anything changes,” Jordan said. He ended the call and when he turned around, he found Gianna standing not far from him holding two mugs of coffee.
“Am I interrupting?” she asked.
“No. Just…work.” He took the mug from her and right away he felt sick about not telling her. “Hell, Gianna, I need to talk to you too. Why don’t we sit down?” She did as he asked and he took the other side of the couch.
“Do you want to go first or me?” she asked.
“I will, because maybe you won’t want to talk to me afterwards.” He