“He wants me to go with him.”
“What did you say?” Jordin couldn’t imagine her sister being thousands of miles away from her, but she would never try to stand in the way of Jadin’s happiness.
“I told him that I couldn’t. I could never do that to Dad. He’s always drilled the importance of the DuGrandpre legacy.”
“Dad also wants you to be happy, Jadin. I’m sure he would understand.”
“I’m not moving to California,” she stated. “Michael understands my reasons why and while he isn’t fond of the choice I made—he understands why I can’t go.”
“Yet you seem somewhat sad.”
“I love Michael and I’m really going to miss him.”
“Well, at least you can visit him.”
She shook her head sadly. “I told him that I thought it was best to just be friends. I don’t want Michael to feel obligated in trying to maintain a long-distance relationship.”
“You just said that you love Michael,” Jordin stated. “Why would you break up with him?” Deep down, she was thrilled because she suspected he was nothing more than a ladies’ man. Jadin wanted to get married, but he always used the excuse that he wasn’t ready.
“It’s for the best, sis.”
“For you or him?”
Jadin met her sister’s gaze. “For both of us. We are DuGrandpres, Jordin. Our grandfather started this company from the ground up here in Charleston. I am proud of our duty to make sure his legacy is carried on. You remember how upset Granddad and Uncle Jacques got when Aubrie decided to become a chef?”
“Her father eventually accepted her decision,” Jordin pointed out. “Granddad is still not happy about it though.”
“Deep down, Uncle Jacques is not completely okay with it either.”
She had to agree. It really hurt her uncle when his only daughter chose not to follow in her family’s footsteps. Jordin glimpsed the longing in her sister’s eyes. She knew that as much as Jadin wanted to be with Michael, she would never choose him over her family.
Despite her mixed feelings where Michael was concerned, Jordin did not necessarily agree with Jadin’s unwavering loyalty to the family. It was time for her sister to selfishly consider her future with the man she loved. “Think of your own happiness for once.”
“I always thought that you didn’t care much for Michael,” Jadin stated, “yet you are telling me to follow him to California.”
“I don’t believe he’s the man for you,” Jordin explained. “However, it is not my right to stand in the way of your happily-ever-after.”
Jadin met her gaze. “I suppose you would like for me to do the same where you’re concerned. Right?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Ethan.”
“This isn’t about me or Ethan, Jadin. We are talking about you and Michael.”
“So if Ethan wanted you to leave the firm—would you?”
“I would consider his request,” Jordin confessed.
“You would put a man before the good of our company...our family legacy?” Jadin questioned. A look of disbelief crossed her face.
“Our legacy is woven into the fabric of this beautiful city, sis. I am a DuGrandpre by blood and nothing will ever change this,” Jordin stated. “However, I also deserve to be with someone who loves me. I want to create a legacy with my husband for our children. I would think that you’d have the same desires.”
“The DuGrandpre name is a burden we have to bear, Jordin. We can’t take it lightly.”
“You sound like Granddad,” she uttered in response.
“Granddad told us how he was threatened by a group of racists when he started the law firm. The original office was burned to the ground, but our grandfather didn’t give up. Our company was founded on his blood, sweat and tears, Jordin.”
“I know all of this, sis. I wouldn’t do anything to tarnish our history, but I have the right to live my life on my own terms—we all have that right, Jadin.”
“I’m afraid we are never going to agree on this subject,” she responded with a sigh.
“Jadin, I don’t disagree with you. I just believe that I can have a life of my own without bringing dishonor to my family. Aubrie has a very successful restaurant—this is an extension of the DuGrandpre legacy and there’s nothing wrong with it. Our legacy reaches far beyond the law firm.”
Her sister remained silent.
“I know you are beyond loyal, Jadin, and it’s a wonderful quality. I am also loyal to this family and our company, but I am not going to give up on marriage and a family,” Jordin stated. “No one requires this of us.”
“I disagree.”
“Well, I intend on living my life on my own terms, Jadin, and I suggest you do the same. If you don’t...you may one day regret it.”
“Jordin, what are you doing here?” Ethan asked, surprised that she had come to the office to see him a second time.
She lifted her chin, ran her fingers through her hair as she walked toward him—she was electrifying. Her hair, her eyes, and the way her hips swayed invitingly when she walked, screamed sexy.
The soft tap of her heels against the marble floor sounded a steady rhythm, even over the noise of the employees scurrying around in the office. She did not stop until she was right in front of him. “I came to see you, silly.”
“Let’s talk in my office,” he said.
The two walked in silence down the hallway.
Inside his office, Jordin’s eyes traveled around the room. He had added more furnishings since the first time she visited. “Very nice...”
“It still needs a decorator’s touch.”
Her perfume reached for him, flavoring the air he breathed. Ethan looked down into her eyes, saw the sparkle and knew he was in deep trouble.
“Why don’t you give my mother a call?” Jordin suggested. “I’m sure she’d welcome the opportunity to enter a bid to land the contract.”
“She doesn’t have to bid—I’ll give her a call to see if she can schedule me in.”
“I’m sure you’ll be pleased with her work.”
“I don’t doubt that,” he responded.
“I hope I’m not keeping you from anything,” Jordin stated as she made herself comfortable in one of the visitor chairs.
“I always have time for my friends.” He had a mild, interested tone.
“Really?” she asked. “I figured you must have been really busy since I haven’t heard from you. We are still friends, right?”
“I deserve that.”
“Yes you certainly do,” Jordin responded. “I mean...not one phone call or text to just say a quick hello.”
“I accept full responsibility for my actions. I have been busy too.”
She sat with her arms folded across her chest.
“How can I make this up to you?”
“Why don’t you come by my house for dinner this evening? I actually learned how to cook, although it was only