Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

Ellis

I only left Jordan's bed for school or work the rest of the week. We had a lot of sex, but we also talked for hours. We talked about our goals, our fears, our future.

Not his future and my future, but ours.

I'd never dated someone who saw me in their lives indefinitely before. Maybe it was fast to feel this certain, and yet, was it? Jordan had been my everything for over a year. Just because I'd been slow to recognize how important he was to me didn't mean he wasn't there, burrowing into my heart, all along.

We still had a lot to figure out. I had another two years of law school. Jordan had to find a job after graduation at the kind of firm he'd be proud to represent. But we already knew we'd do it all together.

When Tuesday rolled around, we ventured out of our love nest for movie night with our friends. Butterflies danced in my stomach at the prospect of how they'd all react. Austin knew something was going on thanks to my frantic call to him after Jordan and I hooked up that first time, but school and work had kept us too busy to meet up with everyone face to face until now.

We strolled up to Zach's front door, hand in hand. A loopy smile stretched across my face.

"How surprised do you think they'll be?" I asked Jordan.

"Uh, well, probably?—"

The door flew open, interrupting his reply.

"There you are," Becca said. "You guys are late! Get in here already."

"Oops," I said with a little laugh. "We must have gotten…sidetracked."

Jordan sent me a crooked grin that made my heart skip. I kind of wanted to turn around and drag him back to his bed. But Becca was already announcing our arrival.

"They're here. Who's turn is it to pick the movie?"

"I think it's Tristan this week," Zach said.

"Sounds right," Chase agreed with a nod.

We followed Becca into the living room, our hands still linked. I waited for someone to notice, to comment, but they just kept talking about the movie selection.

Well, except Austin, who was more focused on snacks.

It was like every other week. I huffed. "Hello? Do you all not notice something different?"

They all glanced toward us.

"We came here together," I helpfully pointed out.

"Okay?" Zach said. "You've come over here together a lot of times before."

"But we're holding hands!"

Their gazes drifted to our hands. Then our faces.

"Jordan and I are dating now!" I announced.

"Well, it's about time!" Becca said.

"Fucking finally," Austin agreed.

"I'm glad you figured it out," Zach said with a smile.

None of them looked surprised. Why didn't they look surprised? I turned a bewildered glance Jordan's way.

"Am I missing something here?"

"Uh, well…" He smiled sheepishly. "It kind of wasn't much of a secret I was in love with you."

I sucked in a sharp breath. Jordan had told me he loved me. I'd told him the same. But saying it in private was different than announcing it in front of all our friends.

I glanced around the room once more, taking in their smiles—or smirk, in Austin's case—and the gleam in their eyes. "You all knew Jordan was into me?"

"It wasn't hard to see," Becca said almost apologetically.

"Pretty sure you're the only one who didn't notice," Chase added.

Heat rose in my cheeks. How had I been so oblivious? And how could they all leave me in the dark?

"Why didn't any of you tell me?" I asked, a little hurt. If I'd known the truth, I could have pulled my head out of my ass and focused on the right man months earlier.

"They were just protecting me," Jordan said. "You were invested in Clay, and if you knew how I felt…"

"What? I might have chosen you months sooner?"

"That's what I said," Austin grumbled.

"You might not have," Jordan said softly. "I told myself I could never have you, that we were just friends. You wanted Clay back, and I didn't want to get in the way of your happiness."

I made a frustrated sound, then grabbed Jordan's face and kissed him hard.

Chase whistled. Becca murmured, "Aw, look at that!" And Austin gave a sarcastic clap. But I blocked them out and focused on Jordan because I needed him to know that he'd always been the right man for me.

"I would always choose you," I insisted as I pressed my forehead to his. "I missed what was in front of my face for too long, I know. But you've always been so important to me. I loved you even when I didn't know it yet."

His lips quirked. "We made it here, El. That's what matters."

I locked on his gaze. It was so full of love that my heart wanted to burst. "You're right. We're here, and we're never leaving."

Becca sighed. "This is even better than watching a romance movie."

Chase laughed. "It really is."

"Sappy as hell," Austin agreed.

Jordan pulled back from me, his cheeks tinged with pink. "Well, you made us watch you all pair off for long enough. It's our turn."

"No one's complaining," Zach said with a sweet smile. "We're so happy for you. It's too bad Skylar and Brooks had to miss it."

I glanced toward the closed laptop. Our two friends in the Ozarks must have had a scheduling conflict. They were pretty busy running a new lake resort in Swallow Cove.

"We'll call them later," I said. "They should hear the news firsthand, too."

"Oh, like we did?" Becca said. "I had to hear about it from Austin."

"Me too," Zach said.

"From Austin ?" Jordan asked, casting his friend a dirty look. "Seriously?"

"I didn't tell them you were together," he protested. "I just told them that you finally made a move. The rest they figured out when they saw you both shooting heart eyes everywhere."

"You've got such a big mouth," Jordan said with a snort. "You'd fit right in with the gossiping grannies in my hometown."

Chase barked a laugh. "He just compared you to an old lady. Maybe that's why my grandmother likes you so much."

"Oh, shut it," Austin said with a scowl. Then, "Just how small was this town you lived in if you've got gossiping grannies? "

"Granville is really small," Jordan said. "We all used to joke it got its name because it's full of so many grandparents. Those old gals are no joke either. They have a network of spies or something, because they know everything. "

"Spies, huh?" Austin perked up. "Well, I feel less offended to be compared, then. They're badass grannies."

I snorted. "They like to meddle in everyone's relationships. Even offer sex tips."

Chase cringed. "If my grandma did that, I think we'd both die of embarrassment on the spot."

Jordan laughed. "Yeah, I guess it's a unique place."

I nudged him. "You'll have to take me sometime."

He slipped his arm around my waist, tugging me closer. "Count on it. I want you to meet my family, my old friends, see where I grew up."

"I want that too."

"Okay, let's start the movie," Tristan said, getting everyone back on track. "Zach and I have an early morning tomorrow. We've got a kid in school, you know."

Jordan moved to sit in the armchair. For months, this had been our routine. One of us took the chair, and one of us took the ottoman.

I grabbed his arm. "Wait, let me sit in the chair."

He paused. "Oh, sorry, of course. Wherever you're most comfortable."

"I'm most comfortable sitting with you." I dropped into the chair then tugged him onto my lap, catching him by surprise.

He flailed a bit. "What the— Are you sure you want my heavy ass on your lap?"

"I'm sure I'd like your cute ass on me," I teased. "Besides, I weigh more than you, so I'm pretty sure you don't want me sitting on your lap."

He reddened. "Right, okay, if you're sure…"

I wrapped an arm around him and tugged him closer, settling us both into a more comfortable position. Then I kissed his neck. "I'm sure I always want you close. We've wasted too much time already."

The movie came on the screen, capturing everyone else's attention. But Jordan's gaze was fixed on mine, dark and full of emotion.

My heart quickened under that look. My blood ran a little hotter. Just like the first time he'd turned that sort of look on me. That I'd noticed, anyway.

But beneath the rush of awareness was a warmth that had nothing to do with arousal and everything to do with friendship, loyalty, and love.

"We won't waste another second," he promised. "Not ever again."