Chloe blinked. She hadn’t expected that.
"It’s fine," she said, choosing her words with care. "You were protecting your son. That’s what parents do. I understand that."
"Maybe so." David put his fork down, his calloused fingers resting flat against the white tablecloth. "But Jordan’s had a rough few months. We’ve been worried. Real worried. When we heard he was seeing soone, we got defensive. Probably too defensive. That doesn’t make it right."
"You weren’t rude," Chloe said. The lie ca easy. "You asked direct questions. I don’t have a problem with direct."
"My wife tells I’ve got the finesse of a sledgehamr." David’s mouth almost smiled. "Can’t say she’s wrong."
Jordan had been quiet through the whole exchange, his posture rigid, like he was waiting for the floor to collapse. Now he cut in.
"Dad, you really don’t have to—"
"Yeah, I do." David turned to face his son fully. "Chloe didn’t back down. That takes spine. Especially when you’re sitting across from your boyfriend’s parents for the first ti, trying to leave a decent impression."
"I wasn’t trying that hard," Chloe said. The words slipped out before she could catch them.
David laughed. A real laugh, rough around the edges but genuine. "I like this one. Jordan, do not ss this up."
"I’ll do my best." Jordan’s hand found Chloe’s under the table. His fingers laced through hers, warm and steady.
Susan returned just as the waiter ca to clear their plates and ask about dessert. Nobody wanted anything. Jordan paid the bill before his father could reach for his wallet, which earned him an approving nod from David.
"You’ll have to co to our house for dinner soti," Susan insisted. "I’ll make pot roast. Jordan loves my pot roast."
"I’d like that," Chloe said. Surprised to find she ant it.
David shook her hand. His grip was firm. "Take care of him."
"I will." Chloe t his eyes. "I promise."
They said their goodbyes. Jordan opened the car door for Chloe. She slid into the passenger seat, her blue dress riding up her thighs as she settled in.
Jordan’s eyes tracked the movent. His jaw clenched again.
Good. Suffer.
He got in the driver’s side and started the engine. Neither of them spoke as he pulled out of the parking lot and onto the main road.
The silence stretched between them. Not uncomfortable. Just. Heavy. Full of things neither of them wanted to say yet.
Finally, Chloe broke it.
"Your parents are nice."
"They liked you." Jordan glanced at her, then back at the road. "My dad doesn’t laugh like that for just anyone. Trust . I’ve known him eighteen years."
"He was testing . The whole money question thing." Chloe’s voice was flat. Matter-of-fact.
"I know. I’m sorry about that."
"Don’t be." Chloe turned to look out the window. Newport Beach rolled past. Dark storefronts. Empty sidewalks. "He was right to ask. If I was so gold digger looking for a payday, that would have been his chance to figure it out. I would have done the sa thing in his position."
"But you’re not."
"No." She traced patterns on her thigh. Slow. Repetitive. "I’m not."
Another silence. This one sharper. The kind that had edges.
"You were incredible tonight," Jordan said quietly. His eyes stayed on the road. "The way you handled my dad. The way you talked about your father. About your family. You were. I don’t even have words for it. You made them see the real you."
Chloe’s throat went tight. "I almost cried twice."
"You didn’t, though. You held it together." His hand left the steering wheel and found her thigh. Warm. Solid. Real. His palm pressed against the soft fabric of her dress. "I’m proud of you."
Don’t cry now. Absolutely do not cry now.
She put her hand over his. Their fingers overlapped. "Your mom thinks we’re moving too fast."
"We are moving too fast." Jordan’s thumb rubbed small circles against her leg. "By every normal standard, this is insane. We’ve known each other for what, a week? Two weeks?"
"Two weeks tomorrow." Chloe’s fingers tightened on his. Her nails pressed lightly into his skin. "Does it bother you?"
Jordan was quiet for a long mont. They stopped at a red light. He turned to look at her fully.
"No," he said. "It doesn’t bother . You bother . In the best way. You make . I don’t know. Want to be better than I was."
Chloe’s chest felt too full. Too tight. Like sothing was expanding inside her ribs and she couldn’t breathe around it.
"That’s the sappiest thing you’ve ever said to ."
"I know." Jordan grinned. "You bring it out."
The light turned green. He pressed the gas. His hand stayed on her thigh.
Chloe shifted in her seat. The dress suddenly felt too warm. Too tight. The mory of her earlier teasing ca rushing back.
I told him I was going to take these clothes off him the second we got ho.
Her body responded to the thought. Heat pooled low in her stomach. Her breathing quickened.
Jordan noticed. Of course he noticed. His fingers flexed against her thigh.
"You okay?" he asked. His voice had dropped an octave.
"Fine." Chloe pressed her thighs together. "Just. Thinking."
"About what?"
"About keeping a promise I made earlier."
Jordan’s grip tightened. "Chloe."
"What?" She turned to look at him. His knuckles were white on the steering wheel. His breathing matched hers. Shallow. Quick. "I just said I was thinking about it. That’s not against the rules."
"There are no rules."
"Then I can think about whatever I want." She moved her hand higher on his thigh. Not touching anything important. "And right now I’m thinking about getting you out of that suit."
The car swerved slightly. Jordan corrected imdiately.
"You’re going to kill us," he said through gritted teeth.
"I’m sitting in my seat with my hands to myself." Chloe smiled sweetly. "This is all on you."
"Bullshit." But he was grinning now. "You’re evil. Actually evil."
"You love it."
"I really do."
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