“Where else would he be all night?”
“Remember, Jenna. He’s. Your. Boyfriend.” My tone was purposely sardonic and I emphasized the word your. She did make it a point to remind me just a second before.
She shook her head, clearly annoyed. “Please ask Stenton to come out. Now!”
I moved back, inviting her in. “Jenna, feel free to search the place. Stenton isn’t here. He dropped JR off around eight and left…” Something hit me. “Unless…”
I took off for Jordan’s room. I wasn’t sure if my hunch was plausible, but explored it anyway. I cracked the door open until I saw the back of long hairy legs on the floor in a kneeling position. I gasped with crazy thoughts flying through my head about someone possibly violating my child underneath my nose.
Then I saw his head resting on the bed next to Jordan. His eyes were closed and lips parted as he slept in that awkward position. Jordan was sprawled out in his bed, sleeping contently. His father had fallen asleep next to him.
I felt Jenna gently grab my shoulder and round me with urgency to get to Stenton. I stood there with my mouth agape as she lightly tapped Stenton’s shoulder to wake him. After several tries, he stirred. Eventually he stood, a little dazed.
When he moved for the door where I stood, I murmured, “I thought you left hours ago.”
“I did,” his sleepy baritone that suddenly sounded too personal to occur in my presence rolled out. “When I walked past his room for the front door, I heard him whining in his sleep. I came back in here to calm him back to sleep and closed the door so he wouldn’t disturb you. I guess I fell asleep my damn self.”
With my mouth still hanging open and while still studying a sleeping Jordan, I nodded.
“Let’s go, Stenton. I have an early morning with mom,” Jenna whispered coldly.
She didn’t acknowledge me or apologize for her accusation when at the door as she guided him out to the front of the villa. However, she did whisper very clandestinely, “This is why I need to take this relationship to the next level. This could have been disastrous.”
I glared at the back of her head, confused. Was she threatening me or simply allowing her insecurities to slip?
When I heard the front door close, I went to lock it and then returned to bed with double the questions running through my head than I had earlier.
The next morning, Stenton came by early to pick up Jordan for fishing. He invited me, but I declined, not needing more time with Stenton. Instead, I stayed in bed, catching up on things like, scanning applicants for a newly opened position, and paying bills for the bakery. I’d also started weaving together a business plan for a second location. I eventually decided to move to the sitting area in front of the villa to be out in the sun.
I looked up when I heard familiar voices.
“She’s right here, J,” Stenton called out.
I found Jordan, carrying a tray of food.
“Thanks, baby! I’m starved.” I beamed as I accepted the tray. I hadn’t eaten a full meal since breakfast the day before. I picked through the salad Stenton brought back last night with no appetite well after I thought he’d left.
When I opened the cover, I found lots of bacon that managed to stay crispy with eggs over easy.
I paid a gander over to Stenton, who was now at the top step. “Thanks.” I knew it was his idea and the food choice was strategic. He knew I overdosed on bacon.
“Dad, I have to use the bathroom,” Jordan announced.
“Go ‘head, son. We have time,” Stenton returned.
“You guys have had a full agenda,” I offered for small talk.
“Yeah. Always fun with that little dude. It would be nice if you came.”
I shook my head. “I think last night with Jenna, alone, proved that I need to give the two of you space. The same can be granted for you and JR,” I tried offering an appeasing smile.
He glared, bunching those thick brows.