Chapter Fifteen

 

“Well, no doubt about it, darlin’. Yellow is most definitely your color. Though, of course, you look beautiful in whatever color you wear. I’m especially fond of how you look in flesh tones,” added Jordan teasingly.

Aubrey laughed, taking a sip from the flute of champagne she’d been handed within minutes after arriving at the fancy charity ball. “Hey, you just stole my line,” she teased back. “But you look pretty damned hot in this tuxedo, too. As for the dress - I love it, Jordan. It’s the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever owned, and I feel like a princess in it. And for a girl who used to love digging up worms and climbing trees and wearing her brothers’ clothes growing up, it’s a pretty big step up to princess-hood.”

He grinned at her. “Well, considering how many of my things you’ve managed to borrow over the last few weeks, I’d say you haven’t entirely outgrown your habit of wearing men’s clothing.”

She leaned her head against his shoulder as his arm tightened about her waist. “I mostly like to wear your shirts and T-shirts and other things because they smell like you. And when you’re at your office or the hospital and I’m missing you like crazy - well, it makes me feel a little less lonely to wear something of yours. Besides, I always return the stuff I borrow from you, don’t I?”

Jordan kissed her forehead tenderly. “Baby, you can keep any of my things you’d like. I don’t mind in the least. Especially since they always look better on you than they do on me. But it doesn’t sound like you’ll have much time to miss me during the day any longer, considering how well your interview at Ian’s company went yesterday.”

Aubrey nodded, a smile wreathing her face. “They were so nice to me there, Jordan. I still can’t believe they spent three whole hours doing interviews and then going over some of the current job openings they have to see if I’d be a good fit. And I think they might be seriously considering me for at least a couple of them. I’m supposed to go back next week for a second interview with the head of one of the departments, since he’s away at a conference this week. But I have a really good feeling about it.” She cupped his cheek in her hand, giving him a grateful look. “And it’s all due to you. If you hadn’t made that phone call to Ian, opened that door for me, I’d probably be applying for a job at that swanky cocktail lounge around the corner from your condo right about now.”

He scowled. “Over my dead body you would. Like I’d allow any horny drunk to flirt with my girl. Fortunately, it never came to that, and now it sounds like you’ll have the sort of job where you can have advancement opportunities, where you can have an actual career. And, more importantly, where you can stay in San Francisco. With me.”

They clinked their champagne flutes together before taking a sip. Aubrey looked around the huge, ornately decorated ballroom, where several hundred people milled about drinking champagne, nibbling on hors d’oeuvres, and chatting each other up. Every male in attendance seemed to be wearing a tuxedo of some sort, while nearly all of the females wore floor length gowns, and were dripping in jewels. She was relieved now that she’d swallowed her pride and grudgingly allowed Jordan to buy her this fabulous yellow gown and the gold metallic stiletto sandals. The gown’s strapless bodice was liberally embellished with sparkly beads and tiny seed pearls, the floaty chiffon skirt falling to the tips of her toes. He’d insisted on making her an appointment at one of the chic beauty salons in his neighborhood, where earlier today she’d been pampered with a mani-pedi, haircut, and blowout. She loved the way her hair felt right now, all smooth and shiny, and her nails had admittedly needed some serious TLC. She’d declined the salon owner’s offer to have someone do her makeup, but had taken considerably more time than she usually did when applying it herself back at the condo.

Aubrey had been looking through her very limited collection of jewelry, most of which was costume stuff and definitely not suitable for this evening’s event, when Jordan had surprised her with the simple but elegant necklace and earrings she was wearing now. The set consisted of a yellow diamond pendant surrounded by smaller diamonds and matching drop earrings, and while she’d protested greatly about such extravagance, in the end she hadn’t been able to resist his gift.

She touched the pendant now, almost reverently. “I know I told you before that you shouldn’t have bought me something so expensive, but now I’m really glad you did. If I didn’t already feel like a princess in this dress then I definitely do with this pendant and earrings. Thank you for everything, Jordan.”

He gave her a dazzling smile as she squeezed his hand. “Darlin’, you don’t have to thank me for anything, got that? Seeing how beautiful you look, and how happy you are, is all the thanks I need. And it doesn’t hurt that every other man here tonight is giving me the evil eye, wondering how I got so lucky to have the most gorgeous woman in San Francisco by my side.”

She smirked. “Well, I have definitely been getting the stink eye from a whole bunch of different women since we’ve arrived, which leads me to believe that they’re all former - ah, dates of yours.”

Jordan shrugged carelessly. “Not really, no. Maybe a half dozen at most. But the majority of the ladies here this evening are all married or otherwise spoken for. And one thing I’ve never done is get involved with a married woman. Too many complications, not to mention the fact that I have just enough scruples to stay away from that sort of situation. My guess is that most of these women are just green with envy because you’re so breathtaking. No one in this room is going to be able to compare to you, Aubrey.”

“Flatterer,” she teased. “And I think half a dozen isn’t even close to the truth. Do I even want to venture a guess as to how many women you’ve been with over the years?”

“No,” he replied bluntly. “You really, really don’t. And the only number you need to concern yourself with is one - one woman that I’ve asked to live with me, one woman that I’ve been in love with, one woman who’s the only woman I want by my side from now on. Okay?”

She nodded, feeling almost absurdly happy with his declaration. “Okay. No more talk about any of your past, um, affiliations. From here on out, Jordan Reeves is definitely a one woman man.”

His arm tightened about her waist. “Baby, that was the case from the moment I first saw you on that beach in Maui, and I can’t think of any way that’s going to change. So I’m afraid you’re stuck with me, bad habits and all.”

Her blue eyes twinkled at him mischievously. “Well, I don’t mind picking up after you now and then, but if you don’t start remembering to put the toilet seat down I’m going to tape a sign to the bathroom wall. Or make you buy one of those self-closing seats.”

Jordan grinned. “Tell you what, darlin’. Send me a link to that seat and I’ll buy one and have it sent out next day air.” He pressed a lingering kiss on her rosy cheek. “Anything for you, Aubrey. All you have to do is ask and it’s yours. Come on, I want to introduce you to a few people now.”

For the next half hour or so, they mingled with a number of the other guests, including two of Jordan’s partners at his medical practice, three of his current patients, and several people who were simply fellow patrons of the arts. Finn was there, too, with a sleek, dark haired woman who apparently was an actress on some cable TV show Aubrey had never heard of. He greeted Aubrey a little too enthusiastically for her liking, his lips lingering a bit too long on her cheek as he pressed her against him much too tightly. He and Jordan exchanged a few barbs, while the snooty actress looked thoroughly bored. It was something of a relief when Jordan made their excuses and guided her away.

“No Max this evening?” she asked Jordan. “Finn’s a real piece of work, as I’m sure you’re aware, but I actually like Max.”

“Most women do,” replied Jordan wryly. “It must be that British accent of his, because it sure as hell isn’t his charming personality. But, no, Max won’t be joining us tonight. He’s off on another of his business trips, and will be in Philadelphia for a couple of weeks trying to save some other company from bankruptcy and ruin.”

Aubrey knew that Max was a self-employed, highly-paid, and much sought after consultant whose specialty was conducting reviews and assessments of companies that were in deep financial and organizational trouble, then presenting his ideas for how to best turn things around. He was more often than not traveling, sometimes for weeks or even months at a time, and his services were in great demand not just in the United States but Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia as well.

“That’s too bad,” mused Aubrey. “And speaking of British accents - it’s also a shame that Ian Gregson couldn’t be here tonight. I would have really liked to thank him in person for arranging that interview for me. As well as meeting him and his wife, of course. Aren’t they good friends of yours?”

Jordan paused for several seconds before responding, drinking down the rest of his champagne first. “They’re certainly friends,” he agreed. “I’m not sure I’d classify them as good friends, though. Tessa’s one of my patients, as you know. And while I do socialize with her and Ian, it’s typically at big events like tonight and not on a more personal level. As for meeting him, I’m sure that will happen eventually.”

She nodded, but was a little perplexed at the rather tense note in Jordan’s voice. “What’s she like? Mrs. Gregson, I mean. Is she British, too?”

“Tessa?” Jordan shook his head. “No, she was born and raised here in the states. She and Ian had something of a secret office romance, I believe. And she’s - well, very sweet, very kind, maybe even a little shy. Ian’s insanely protective of her, and it’s pretty obvious that the two of them are crazy about each other.”

She couldn’t explain it properly, but there was definitely something off in Jordan’s tone of voice and facial expression when he spoke about the Gregsons, and in particular Mrs. Gregson. Aubrey sensed that there was some sort of back story there, something he was keeping from her, and she wondered if perhaps he’d dated Tessa once upon a time, before she had met Ian and fallen madly in love with him. If Tessa Gregson had been one of Jordan’s legion of past lovers that would certainly explain why he seemed hesitant in discussing her now.

“Well, maybe the four of us can all go out to dinner together sometime then,” declared Aubrey. “You know, as a way to thank Ian for his help.”

This time there was no mistaking the rather panic-stricken expression on Jordan’s face, even though all he said in reply was, “Sure. That would be nice. I’ll get in touch with Ian so we can arrange something.”

He changed the subject after that, but Aubrey was more or less convinced she’d hit the nail on the head with her guess about his past relationship with Tessa Gregson. There was really no other reasonable explanation for why Jordan had looked so uncomfortable at the continued mention of her name - which led Aubrey to wonder what had happened between him and the other woman in the past.

She tactfully didn’t bring up either of the Gregsons again as the call came to sit down to dinner, but some hidden, sixth sense told her there was much more to this story than Jordan would have her believe.

 

***

 

As the dinner dishes were cleared away and the wait staff began to pour coffee, Jordan breathed a sigh of relief. The evening was more than half over by now, and thus far everything had gone as smoothly as could be expected. He’d been careful not to introduce Aubrey to anyone who was a close friend or associate of the Gregsons, and who wouldn’t be able to hide their shock at noticing her startling resemblance to Tessa. Aubrey certainly hadn’t seemed to notice anything amiss, and appeared to be having a wonderful time. She was laughing and conversing with their tablemates easily, her beautiful face glowing with pleasure.

And she looked right at home with all of the well dressed, perfectly coiffed socialites, her gown, shoes, and jewels every bit as sophisticated as anyone else’s. The only drawback to her elegant appearance tonight was the fact that, dressed this way, she looked even more like Tessa Gregson than ever.

“I need to use the ladies room,” Aubrey murmured in his ear, already reaching for her gold metallic clutch purse.

“Of course.”

He sprung to his feet and pulled back her chair as she gave him a grateful smile. As she exited the ballroom for the restrooms, he couldn’t take his eyes off of her until she disappeared from view.

If someone had told him three months ago that he’d be sitting here now waiting impatiently for his date to return from the restroom, and that far from being a mere date the woman in question was also living with him, and that he was head over heels in love with her, Jordan would have laughed uncontrollably and declared that the person who was prattling such nonsense must have had way, way too much to drink. But hard as it was to believe, every bit of it was true, and he shook his head in disbelief at just how quickly and thoroughly his life had changed for the better in such a short amount of time. It had to be luck, he thought as he raised his wine glass to his lips. Good luck, of course, with a little bit of fate mixed in. There was really no other explanation as to why he’d suddenly begun to live a charmed life.

But just as quickly, with the mere utterance of his name, that great good luck ran out. His spine stiffened in alarm as he heard a very familiar, very British voice say, “Jordan. I thought that was you. Tessa and I just had to come over and say hello. And meet this mysterious new woman in your life, of course.”

Jordan was torn between cursing his suddenly very bad luck, wondering just what grievous sins he’d committed to deserve this, and praying very, very hard that there was a long line in the ladies room that would detain Aubrey for the ten minutes or so it would hopefully take him to get rid of the Gregsons.

Instead, he rose smoothly to his feet, turning to greet the elegantly dressed married couple. Ian, as always, looked like he’d been born to wear a tuxedo every day of his life, while Tessa was as beautiful and striking as ever. And in the flowing gown of champagne silk and lace that she wore this evening, her blonde hair falling in loose waves past her shoulders, she looked so much like Aubrey that it was almost impossible to believe there wasn’t some sort of familial connection between the two women.

“Ian, Tessa. Now this is certainly a surprise,” enthused Jordan, shaking Ian’s hand and then giving his wife a brief kiss on the cheek. “We weren’t expecting to see you tonight. Change of plans, Ian?”

Ian nodded. “I was able to get my business in North Carolina wrapped up earlier than expected. And one of the numerous advantages of having a company jet at your disposal is that you can fly out whenever it’s convenient. I knew Tessa was looking forward to attending this evening, so I did my best not to disappoint her.”

Tessa gazed up at her husband adoringly, her arm linked intimately with his. “You’ve never once disappointed me, darling. And I’m just happy that you’re home a day early. Being here tonight is merely a bonus.” She offered Jordan a smile. “We got here just as everyone was sitting down to dinner, however, so we didn’t have time to socialize much until now. But Ian’s right. I’m dying to meet the woman who finally tamed the notorious Jordan Reeves. She must be something really special. Either that or she’s cast some sort of spell on you!”

Tessa’s blue eyes sparkled with amusement, and all Jordan could do was offer up a polite smile in return.

“She’s, uh, very, very special,” he mumbled. “And I should actually go look for her. She left to find the restrooms but it’s been a few minutes already, and I wonder if she’s lost or something. This hotel can be pretty confusing, you know, with all of these corridors, and staircases, and I’m willing to bet she took a wrong turn. Just let me go look for - ”

“Hey, sorry I took so long. I overheard someone asking a friend for a recommendation of what to do in Maui, and of course I had to butt in and give them my opinion, since I just spent the last year and half living there. And I - oh my God. Who - who are you? And why do you look exactly like me?”

Jordan felt frozen in place all of a sudden, and could only watch in ill-disguised horror as Aubrey and Tessa stared at each other in disbelief. The expression on Ian’s face quickly morphed from shock to anger to cold, black fury, and Jordan wished with all his might that a magical hole might open up in the floor below him and suck him through a portal to anywhere but here.

“This - this is Aubrey. Aubrey Larson,” he stammered, as he took her by the elbow. “Aubrey, meet Ian and Tessa Gregson. Turns out they were able to attend tonight after all.”

But his feeble attempt to normalize this awful turn of events was met with stony silence from Ian, and complete disregard from the two women who continued to stare at each other in visible astonishment. Aubrey tugged her arm from his grasp, opening her mouth as if intending to speak, but no sound escaped. Tessa had paled considerably, and grabbed hold of a nearby chair to steady herself.

Ian was so furious that Jordan was vaguely surprised steam wasn’t escaping from the top of his head. He took Jordan by the arm, his grip like iron, and growled, “We need to talk. In private. And you’d damn well better believe you’ve got a lot to answer for.”

Jordan dug his heels in, no easy feat considering that Ian was admittedly far stronger than he was, and placed his hand on Aubrey’s shoulder as he tried desperately to get her attention.

“Aubrey,” he began faintly. “This - I was going to explain all of this to you. It just never seemed the right time. And I know it’s been a shock, for all three of you, but if you’d let me explain it all. Please.”

But his words appeared to fall on deaf ears as Aubrey shrugged his hand away, not even acknowledging his presence as she and Tessa continued their stare down. Ian, meanwhile, was all but pulling him along now as he hustled him out of the ballroom, apparently not giving a damn about all the curious pairs of eyes focused in their direction.

Ian didn’t slow his pace until he’d located a semi-secluded alcove a short distance from the restrooms. He all but shoved Jordan up against the wall, and the murderous expression on his handsome face was terrifying enough to give a grown man nightmares.

“Before you start floundering around trying to explain this fiasco, answer me this one question first,” Ian demanded in a low but ominous voice. “What the bloody fuck do you think you’re doing anyway?”

Jordan eased himself away from the wall, straightening his tuxedo jacket as he glared at Ian. “If you’d stop overreacting, not to mention strong arming me, I have every intention of explaining everything. But not until you calm the hell down.”

“Calm down!” exclaimed Ian in disbelief. “For Christ’s sake, Jordan, you just gave my wife the shock of her life, not to mention giving every gossip in that ballroom enough fodder to last weeks, and you want me to calm down? I think, under the circumstances, that might be expecting a bit too much of me, don’t you agree?”

Jordan exhaled sharply. “Yeah, I guess so. But I can explain this. At least as much as I know of the facts. I mean, I can certainly explain how and where I met Aubrey. The part about her and Tessa looking like - well, twins - is as much of a mystery to me as it is to everyone.”

Ian crossed his arms across his chest, as though he didn’t trust himself otherwise not to slug Jordan in the jaw. Or the gut. Or, considering that Ian still kept up the boxing skills he’d honed at Oxford, somewhere even more painful. “Go on,” was all he said in response.

“You probably won’t believe this - because it was hard for me to believe at first - but meeting Aubrey was purely a one hundred percent coincidence. I met her in Maui, on my first day on the island. I noticed her on the beach because - well, noticing gorgeous women is sort of what I do and she’s undeniably the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Except, of course, for Tessa because they obviously look so much alike,” babbled Jordan anxiously. “And when I got to know Aubrey I realized how well suited we were to each other, how great we got along together, and how much I enjoyed her company. And since her job assignment in Maui was due to end soon I invited her to visit me in San Francisco for a little while. But once she arrived and I saw her for the first time in weeks, it hit me that I had fallen in love with her. Which is why I called to ask if you could arrange an interview for her - which she’s very, very grateful for, by the way - because she needed a job and I was desperate for her to stay in San Francisco. And - and that about sums it up, I think,” he finished weakly.

Ian closed his eyes, massaging a spot near his right temple. “Good Lord, I didn’t ask for a day by day account of how your relationship with this woman unfolded, Jordan. But there are two things you are going to answer for me, by God. The first one is this - what is Aubrey’s connection to Tessa? Because I don’t believe that it’s simply mere coincidence that the two of them look so much alike. How old is Aubrey exactly? More importantly, what do you know of her background?”

“She’s twenty-five,” Jordan replied hurriedly. “And she’s from San Diego originally. I haven’t met her parents or any other family members, but I do know that she’s - well, that she was adopted as a baby. And of course the same thought crossed my mind when I realized how closely the two of them resemble each other. But don’t you think Tessa would have known about the existence of a - a sister or cousin or someone who shared the same genetic traits?”

Ian’s eyes snapped open. “Given that Tessa’s mother was severely mentally ill, with full blown bipolar disorder, and more often than not the most irresponsible, incompetent mother one could ever imagine, almost anything is possible. But, for Christ’s sake, Jordan, tonight was not the time and place to spring something like this on Tessa. You know how vulnerable she can be, how much she’s been through in her life. You should have told us weeks ago about this, should have broken the news to her far more gently than the shock you just gave her. Which brings me to my second question.”

Jordan scrubbed a hand over his face. “I know I screwed up big time, Ian. And I’m sure this has been just as much of a shock for Aubrey as it has been for Tessa. I thought about telling her so many times, but I could never figure out how to even begin.”

“Of course you couldn’t,” sneered Ian. “And we both know why that is, don’t we? I mean, how do you even begin to tell the woman that you’re supposedly in love with that she’s simply a substitute for the woman you really want? The woman you could never have because she belonged to someone else.”

Jordan’s spine stiffened in outrage. “Now, listen here, Ian! That is so far from the truth it doesn’t even merit an explanation. But I will explain, even though none of what you just said is true. Aubrey and Tessa are totally different women, and Aubrey is the one I’m in love with. Not your wife. And for you to even suggest otherwise is a crock of lies.”

“Is it?” demanded Ian arrogantly. “I don’t think so, mate. Come on, Jordan, you’re not fooling anyone here, and certainly not me. It’s been the worst kept secret in San Francisco that you’ve had a hankering for my wife ever since you met her. Everyone knows, even Tessa. But she’s too kind and compassionate to have ever said anything to you about it, and the only reason I never confronted you myself was to spare her any embarrassment. Now, however, to bring this woman into our world - this woman who looks just like Tessa - well, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what your ulterior motives are. You finally figured out that you couldn’t have my wife so you went out and found the next best thing. Does that about sum it up?”

Jordan’s fists clenched in fury, and it was all he could do to keep from slugging the sanctimonious bastard in the face. “God damn you, Ian,” he hissed. “That’s not the way it is at all. It’s not even close to what the truth is.”

“Then what is the truth, Jordan? Or do you even know the answer to that? Because you sure as hell haven’t been truthful with me, have you?”

At the sound of Aubrey’s furious voice, Jordan and Ian both turned towards her. She was standing only a few feet away from where they’d been arguing fiercely, and it was rather obvious from the hurt, angry expression on her face that she had overheard a good deal of what had been said.

With an overwhelming sense of desperation he rushed to her side, trying with all his might to take her into his arms and comfort her, but she was having none of it. She took a few steps back, holding up a hand to stop him from advancing any further.

“Don’t touch me,” she told him in a hollow, awful voice. “Especially since I know the truth now. What a stupid fool I’ve been, what a naïve little idiot. This whole thing has been a big fat lie, hasn’t it? You coming up to me on the beach in Maui that first day - you noticed right away that I looked like - like her. That’s the only reason you approached me, isn’t it?”

Jordan shook his head. “Aubrey, no. That’s not it at all. Just let me explain everything. Please.”

Aubrey took another step backwards. “I think it’s already perfectly clear, Jordan. You were in love with another woman - a married woman - and when you realized you’d never have her for yourself you set out to find an acceptable substitute. And by some bizarre stroke of fate you met me. Now, I have no idea why a woman I’ve never seen before looks so much like me, but that’s really not the point here. The point is that you were obviously thinking of her every time you and I were together, imagining that it was her you were with and not me. That - that’s sick, Jordan. Sick and twisted and creepy.” Tears began to trickle down her flushed cheeks. “You should have told me,” she whispered brokenly. “From the first time we met. Should have found a way to tell me that you knew a woman who looked just like me - and that you were in love with her.”

“I’m not in love with Tessa,” Jordan barked. “Don’t listen to what Ian says, he’s got zero idea about my feelings.” He turned to glare at the other man. “And he should go look after his own woman and give the two of us some privacy.”

Ian scowled but didn’t argue, striding briskly in the direction of the ballroom in search of his wife, who was no doubt every bit as upset as Aubrey appeared to be.

Jordan attempted again to comfort her, placing his hand on her arm only to have her shake it off. “Come on, Aubrey. You’ve got to give me a chance to explain. I fully admit to screwing this entire situation up big time, should have told you about Tessa from the very beginning. But I swear to you that nothing ever happened between us, that she was always Ian’s from the very first time I met her and I always respected those boundaries. As for that bullshit Ian just tried to spout about you being a substitute for her - well, that’s just nonsense.”

“Is it?” demanded Aubrey, impatiently wiping the tears from her face. “I’m not so sure about that. And this so-called infatuation you’ve had with Tessa Gregson for I don’t know how long would certainly explain why you were so hell-bent on getting a date with me. It would explain why you even approached me on the beach that day to begin with. You noticed that I looked like her and couldn’t pass the opportunity up. Tell me the truth, Jordan. When you took me to bed for the first time, did you pretend it was really Tessa there with you, or did you even know it was me?”

“Of course I knew it was you!” he exclaimed angrily. “Christ, what kind of a pervert do you think I am anyway? It was obvious to me within five minutes of meeting you that you were nothing like Tessa so far as your personality was concerned. That the two of you were as different as night and day except for the physical appearance. And you were the one I wanted to be with, Aubrey. The one I begged to come and visit me in San Francisco. The one,” he added softly, “that I’m actually in love with.”

“Love!” she scoffed. “God, what exactly does a lifelong bachelor like yourself - an admitted manwhore - know about love? I don’t think you have any idea what real love feels like, Jordan. Because if you really loved me you wouldn’t have kept something like this from me for weeks - months.”

“I was afraid of screwing things up,” he admitted. “I told you several times that I’m totally new to this concept of relationships, and have no idea how it’s all supposed to unfold. And I was so happy to have you with me, so thrilled that you’d agreed to stay in San Francisco, that I didn’t want to take the risk of spoiling everything. There just never seemed to be the right time to tell you about Tessa. But it seems that I’ve managed to screw everything up anyway.”

“You should have told me,” she whispered. “This - tonight - meeting her this way. I can’t even explain what a shock it’s been. And I’m sure it’s the same for her. Both of us deserved better from you, Jordan.”

“I know,” he acknowledged sadly. “I’m an idiot, no question there. But I’d like to explain it all to you now, Aubrey. Can we go somewhere quiet where we can talk? There’s a rooftop bar in this hotel that should be private. Or we can just go back to the condo.”

“No.” Aubrey shook her head firmly. “I can’t talk to you now, Jordan. Can’t be with you. I need some time to let this all sink in. And I’m so pissed off at you that all I can think about is throwing every heavy object I can get my hands on at your head. So this is what’s going to happen. I’m going to get a cab back to your condo, pack up my stuff, and find a hotel room for the night. Tomorrow morning I’m catching a flight home to San Diego where I can try and make some sense of all this. I don’t want you contacting me or pressuring me or trying to see me for awhile. All right?”

Jordan opened his mouth to argue, to do his damndest to convince her otherwise. But then he glimpsed the stony, stubborn expression on her face and realized that there was nothing at all he could do right now to help his cause. Aubrey was furious and hurt - rightly so - and with a sinking feeling he accepted that all he could do right now was to give her space, and hope that she could eventually find it in her heart to forgive him and give him another chance.

“All right,” he murmured hoarsely. “I know how badly I’ve hurt you, Aubrey. How angry you must be feeling right now. But please believe me when I tell you that it’s really you I love. That you’re the only woman in the world I’ve ever felt that way about, ever said those words to. You, Aubrey, and not some other woman who just happens to look like you.”

Her blue eyes were sad. “I’m not sure I can believe anything you tell me right now, Jordan,” she replied tiredly. “Look, if and when I feel like I can listen to you without wanting to hit something I’ll give you a call. Until then, just leave me alone.”

As she swept down the hall towards the staircase that would lead her to the lobby - and out of his life – all Jordan could do was watch her go, his heart breaking a little more with every step she took.