She turned to follow her friends, deciding that the deck was too filled with characters she couldn’t tolerate to wait up here for Asher to return with her wine. As she meandered to the stairs, she thought about Chicago and how at home she’d felt there. And then she thought of Kimber, who still lived there.
Whenever Gloria had a problem in the past, she’d run to Kimber. They were best friends, but since she and Landon became an item, their son Caleb following shortly after, Gloria found herself backing away some. Simply because her friend deserved the time and space to focus on her family. And Gloria, even though she was Kimber’s friend, was definitely a third wheel in that situation.
With Brice hinting that she should go back home, she wanted to call Kimber more than ever. Even though Kimber admitted she’d miss Gloria, she had been one hundred percent supportive of Gloria moving to Evergreen Cove. If Glo laid out Brice’s offer, she knew her friend would give her an honest opinion.
That’s what she needed. Not only someone to talk to, but also someone to ground her. Someone who knew her well enough to know if Chicago was the right call. No judgment. Just honesty. She palmed her phone and tapped in a text: Why don’t you live closer? I’m going crazy and need you to tell me I’m not.
Even if she was.
Because only a crazy person would fantasize about sleeping with a man who could see straight through to her soul while further considering moving back to the city she’d just moved from less than six months ago.
Crazy.
She slipped her phone back into the pocket of her dress, not expecting to hear from Kimber soon—she did have a very busy life with two businesses, a toddler, and a husband—then moved to the stairs leading down to the…
What the hell?
There, beneath the shadow of the deck and stairs, was Broderick, sliding tongues with a cute, petite brunette. Whose shoes looked so familiar…
Oh, man! Are you kidding?
Freaking Jordan. As in Hawk’s mother, Asher’s baby-mama, the Cove’s resident scourge, Jordan.
Ricky’s mouth left Jordan’s and he was all smiles, saying what, Gloria couldn’t make out. His hands were wrapped around Jordan’s ass, and he didn’t seem to be parting from her company anytime soon.
He also didn’t notice Gloria at the bottom of the stairs, mere feet away from where they stood against the support beams for the deck. Which was why Glo heard Jordan clearly when she said, “I’m so glad to be rid of Hawk for the night.” She wound her fingers into Ricky’s hair. “I’d rather spend it with you.”
“You won’t be sorry,” he told her.
“Seriously?” Gloria barked, her blood pressure shooting into the danger zone.
Jordan spun to face her as Ricky’s head jerked up. The look of surprise melted off Jordan’s face and was replaced with derision. “Sorry, honey. This one’s taken.”
“I don’t care who you kiss.”
“Hey, Gloria,” Ricky said with a smile. A completely clueless smile.
She ignored him. Right now, her sights were set in on Jordan, who, in this moment, reminded Gloria of her own mother so much, she could feel resentment bubbling up.
Gloria’s mother had made a habit of prioritizing men—and drugs and booze—over her own child.
“Can I help you?” Jordan asked.
“Did I hear you say you’re ‘glad to be rid’ of Hawk for the night?” Gloria repeated as calmly as she could muster. “You can’t even pretend to have your shit together, can you?”
Ricky looked back and forth between them, clearly confused.
“If you would like to discuss my son—mine and Asher’s son,” she quickly amended, “call my mother.”
“Sounds about right. She’s the one who cares for him while you go out and bed hop,” Gloria growled.
Ricky’s eyebrows disappeared into his disheveled hair.
“I don’t recall this being your business,” Jordan snarled.
“I know what you’re doing.” Gloria pushed the length of her hair over her shoulders. “You’re manipulating Asher with his son to get what you want. But only when it’s convenient for you. You don’t even care if you spend time with Hawk, do you? Time Asher would open a vein to get with his son.”
“Asher’s son.” Ricky’s face went pale.
“Yeah,” Gloria told him with a nod. “This is Asher’s baby-mama.”
“Fuck.” Ricky took a step away from Jordan, pushed his hands into his hair, and looked like he might puke.
“Basically,” Gloria said in agreement.
Not willing to give up, Jordan put a hand on Ricky’s chest. “It’s fine. Nothing is between Asher and me except for my kid.”
“Keep it up, Hawk won’t be between you either,” Gloria interjected indignantly. How dare Jordan pull this kind of crap at Asher’s party? And what was she doing here, anyway? “Asher deserves a chance with his son and you’re damn lucky he hasn’t taken his millions and pulled Hawk out of your custody. Oh, I’m sorry. Out of your mother’s custody.”
Jordan stepped closer, fists balling at her sides in agitation. Her stance was threatening but the fact that she had to crane her neck to look up at Gloria wasn’t.