Angus shot me a look. “Oh, yeah, sorry. And I’m totally ready to meet the bus boy guy.”

“You’re missing something else,” Merry deadpanned. “Like maybe some pants?”

Angus looked down at himself and laughed while being genuinely surprised, like we’d somehow made his pants disappear. He toddled back into his room, and I had to steady myself against the wall while I did Lamaze breathing again.

“Disaster,” I wheezed.

Merry gave me a sympathetic nod and patted my shoulder. “Breathe, Jordan. It’ll be fine.”

Chapter Twelve

Hennessy

I looked across the table at the man sitting opposite me, wondering what on earth I’d ever seen in him. Rob was conceited, self-absorbed, and arrogant. He took himself far too seriously and assumed he was better than everyone else in the room. Maybe it was his confidence that originally attracted me; there was always something about a guy who carried himself well. But I’d soon learnt that he expected perfection not only from himself, but also from everyone around him. And that had included me, in and out of the bedroom.

Yes, he was wealthy and successful, but he was also an absolute jerk.

He viewed people as a means to an end. If he couldn’t benefit from them, he simply walked away. Much like he’d done with me. At the time I’d been devastated, but with the view of hindsight—and now that I’d met Jordan—breaking up with Rob was the best thing to have ever happened to me.

I’d finally found someone who accepted me. The real me. And speaking of which, if this meeting didn’t wrap up soon, I was going to be late for dinner.

As Michael and Rob discussed business, I checked my watch for the tenth time.

“Am I keeping you from something?” Rob asked.

I’d stopped listening to his droning on, and his question caught me by surprise. “Oh, um. Actually, yes.”

Michael looked at me in a way that was almost as effective as a kick under the table, so I amended with, “If you’ll both excuse me for just a moment, I’ll just make alternative arrangements and I’ll be right back.” I didn’t wait for a reply. I wasn’t asking permission. So I slipped out of the room and out of sight and pulled out my phone. I was already going to miss the bus, that was obvious, and I knew Jordan would assume the worst.

I won’t be on the bus. I hit Send without really thinking it through. He would assume I was bailing on him, so I quickly thumbed out another. I’m not cancelling. Work is crazy and I’ll meet you at the restaurant. Is that okay?

I could see his reply text bubble and let out a relieved sigh.