“What fun. I haven’t been there since you left,” Jorden replied.

On the way out the door, arm in arm, Jorden and Alex strolled down the walkway to the street. A green Chevy approached. She could see two people in the car. Her eyes gravitated to the front passenger. A pair of dark brown eyes stared back at her. To Jorden’s surprise, she heard her name.

“Miss Marshall! It’s me. What are you doing here?” Nora shouted as her head slipped out the side window.

“Mama, stop. It’s Miss Marshall,” Jorden could hear Nora saying to her mother.

Jorden didn’t know what to say as the car came to a crawl. “Hi, Nora. What a surprise to see you.”

Eloise waved from the driver’s seat while she spoke to Nora. “We need to get home and not bother Miss Marshall.” Eloise looked at Alex. Jorden and Eloise exchanged glances, after which the latter pressed on the gas pedal.

“Mama, stop! Who’s that? Where’s Matt?” Jorden heard Nora’s words as the Chevy pulled away with increasing speed.

Alex’s eyes darted from the car back to Jorden. “What was the young girl talking about?”

“The girl was Nora—a former student of mine.”

“I mean who was she talking about? Who’s Matt?” Alex’s jaw seemed to tighten.

“No one special. He helped me with my tennis game last fall.”

“If there is more to this, I need to know.” He turned toward the apartment. “Let’s go back in and talk about it.”

“No!” Jorden grabbed his arm and pulled him back to her. “Honestly, there is nothing to talk about. Matt and I are only friends. He knows I am getting married and in a month he goes overseas. Please. I don’t want anything to come between us.” Jorden’s large blue eyes pleaded with him.

“I want to believe you.” Alex appeared to hesitate. “I want to. Okay . . . I’ll take your word for it.”

“Thank you. I love you.” Jorden squeezed his hand.

***

“Mama! What’s wrong with you? Why didn’t you stop for Miss Marshall?” Nora scowled at her mother. “Who’s that man?”

“Her fiancé. They plan to marry in August. I’m sure they heard you. He must be wondering who Matt is! I didn’t want you to say any more or cause problems.”

“What about Matt?” Nora asked.

Eloise faced her daughter. “From what the major has told me, Miss Marshall and Matt are just good friends. Matt has known all along Miss Marshall planned to marry someone else.”

Nora looked straight ahead, absorbing her mother’s words. “I don’t believe it. There is more than friendship between Miss Marshall and Matt. I just know it.”

“It’s none of your business—so let it go. Hear me?”

“Whatever,” Nora replied.

Chapter 60: June 1970

Chapter 60

June 1970

Amore’s looked the same, but Antonio no longer worked there.