Just One Night (The Kingston Family #1) - Carly Phillips Page 0,51

at the young woman who was special in her own right. “Yes, you do belong. You’re part of their family and don’t you ever forget it.” She squeezed Aurora’s hand tight and released her grasp. “Come on. Let’s get back before people wonder what happened to us.”

They returned to the party to find Willow holding the baby, who needed to be fed. Aurora hurried to her daughter, and Jordan sat back down beside Linc, feeling numb after the confrontation she hadn’t asked for or wanted.

In what day and age did people talk about class as if where you came from mattered? She didn’t understand it, and she resented everyone in this room who tried to make her feel less than. Her parents had worked hard to give her a good life, and Jordan wasn’t the least bit ashamed of their jobs or who they were. In their hearts, they were better people than anyone who’d looked down on her today.

“Are you okay? You look pale.” Linc caressed her cheek, and she did her best not to lean into his touch the way she wanted to.

She nodded. “I haven’t been feeling great the last couple of days. I think I’m just tired.”

Concern etched his handsome features. “Why don’t you take some time off. A few days until you’re one hundred percent.”

“Thank you but I’m sure I’m fine.”

“Well, if you wake up and you don’t feel great, stay home.”

She nodded.

Aurora returned after feeding the baby and walked over to Jordan and Linc’s side of the table. “Did Jordan tell you about the bitch in the bathroom?”

Jordan flinched. She should have told Aurora not to say anything, but it hadn’t even occurred to her.

Linc’s eyes narrowed. “What is she talking about? What happened?”

Aurora, who was holding Leah against her shoulder and patting the baby’s back, looked from Linc to Jordan, understanding filling her gaze. “Oops! I need to go sit down. It’s easier to burp her when I’m sitting,” she rattled, then turned and walked back to her chair.

“Jordan?”

“It was no big deal. Just a run-in with Angelica. Nothing I can’t handle.” She’d thought that was true, but then why was she trembling inside? Why was a lump forming in her throat? And why was she nauseous again?

“Dammit. What did she say to you?” He looked furious, his eyes turning a deep blue, color highlighting his cheekbones.

She forced in a breath of air. “Listen, there are things women say to each other when they’re…” She trailed off. There wasn’t anything she could come up with to placate him. “It doesn’t matter. I handled it.”

His body vibrated with anger. “But you shouldn’t have to handle her at all.”

“I’m wiped out. I’m going to call a car to take me home. You stay with your family for the end of the party. Okay?” Her fingers shook as she picked up her purse and searched for her phone.

He put a hand on her trembling one. “I can leave. It’s practically over anyway. At least those horrific games are.”

That made her laugh. “I don’t want to take you away from the party or your family.”

“My decision. Let’s say our goodbyes. Everyone will understand.”

Because she knew she couldn’t win, she gave in. They made their rounds of thank-yous and goodbyes. Aurora promised to text pictures of the presents she hadn’t yet opened and share them later.

And though, when they reached her apartment, Linc wanted to come upstairs and make sure she was okay, she insisted she wanted to fall into bed and go to sleep. Despite his concern, he gave in.

But he didn’t look happy about it.

* * *

Back in his apartment after the party, Linc poured himself a glass of Macallan 18 and settled into a chair in the living room, kicking his feet up on the leather ottoman in front of him. He lifted his glass, studying the amber-colored liquid. Today had been … interesting. A baby shower wasn’t an event he’d like to repeat, but watching Aurora’s face as she took in the room, the stack of presents, and the number of people who’d come was worth sitting through the torture.

He didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life, but it was way too soon to ask or pressure her in any way. The conversation would come in time.

His thoughts turned to Jordan and today’s mess, courtesy of Angelica. It wasn’t like Chloe hadn’t warned him about the women at the club and in their family’s world, but it had been hard for