9 1/2 Days (18 page)

He angled his head to see Keisha swaying toward him, a half-empty glass of champagne in her hand. Danny straightened. “Yeah, I’m just a little worn-out from all of that dancing.”

“Well, I hope you recover quickly. You haven’t danced with me once tonight.” When she came over and leaned back against the rail, he could tell this wasn’t her first glass of wine.

“I think I’m done for the night—”

“You danced with everyone else. Why not me? Why won’t you dance with me?”

Her voice took on a definite edge, one that was best avoided. Danny pushed away from the railing with the intention of going back inside. She came after him.

“You know what they say, don’t you? Good on the dance floor, better in bed.”

He rubbed his head, dropping his gaze in embarrassment. He had no clue how to respond to that. She shifted in front of him to block his path. He tried to go around her again.

“Excuse me, Keisha. I’m going back in.”

She grabbed the loose ends of his bow tie and pulled, forcing him to lower his head. She planted her lips on his in a smooth, expert kiss. It left him completely unmoved. In fact, it confirmed his feelings for Jordan that a great kiss from a gorgeous woman had no effect on him at all. Danny gently pushed her away and yanked his tie from her fist.

Keisha glared at him, her voice rising. “What’s wrong with you? Men always find me attractive. They always want
me.
How can you choose Jordan over me?” She locked both arms around his neck and kissed him again, this time hard and angry and desperate.

“What the hell are you doing?”

Danny finally succeeded in breaking away just as Reece came out on the balcony. Startled and off balance, Keisha dropped her champagne. The sound of glass shattering against concrete distracted Danny for a second. When he turned back, Reece’s fist flew toward his face. Pain exploded in his head and his eye began to swell almost instantly. Keisha ran past them to the ballroom door.

“You son of a bitch,” Reece growled through clenched teeth. “I knew there was something going on.”

“I swear, it’s not what it looks like.” Danny’s fingers tentatively explored the bruise developing on his cheek.

“Neither are you. I don’t know what’s going on, but you’d better leave.” Reece shoved him back a step. “Stay the hell away from both my cousin and my sister.”

On the one hand, he felt compelled to stay and defend himself against Reece’s anger. But it was more important to get to Jordan before her cousin did. Given the animosity between the two, Keisha’s ploy would be like throwing gasoline on a lit match. Danny went back inside with Reece hard on his heels.

At their appearance, several people pointed and stared. He heard a series of whispers ripple through the gathering crowd. Danny’s eyes urgently sought any sign of Jordan. A moment later, she pushed past some of the guests to get to his side. Her gaze swept over him, taking in his black eye and unbuttoned shirt.

He seized her hand and drew her close. “We have to talk. Right now.”

Reece glared at him. “You can’t talk your way out of this.”

Jordan reached up with her index finger to tilt his chin. “What happened to your face?”

“It’s nothing—”

“Danny!”

“Danny?” Reece shifted his attention to his sister. “Why did you call him…?” He turned back to Danny. “Who are you?”

Jordan clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes darkening as she realized what she’d said. Danny pulled her aside, trying to put some distance between them, her brother and the rest of the guests drawn to the scene they were making. He had to explain. He had to tell her how he felt, but his words came out as jumbled as his thoughts.

“This wasn’t supposed to happen. It took me completely by surprise. I didn’t mean for—”

Jordan squeezed his fingers to get his attention. “
What
is going on?”

Reece lowered his voice so that only she would hear him. “I went outside for some air and caught him kissing Keisha.”

“What?” She dropped Danny’s hand.

“I didn’t kiss Keisha. She kissed me.” He pressed his palms against his temples. “Oh God, this is such a mess!”

“I can not believe—”

“Listen to me,” Danny insisted, “I can’t
pretend
anymore.”

Jordan blinked in confusion at the swift change of subject. “You promised me, Danny. We agreed.”

“To hell with that agreement! I know we made a deal, but now I can’t do this—”

“Jo-Jo, is everything all right?”

Charles Gregory’s quiet inquiry broke through the tension. Jordan turned to her grandfather with tears in her eyes. Danny reached for her hand, but she was twisting her fingers together as she always did when she was upset.

“No, Grandpa, it isn’t.”

“Jordan, wait. I didn’t tell you—”

Reece interrupted him. “The only thing you need to tell her is how sorry you are!”

Beside him, Jordan took a deep breath. “No. I’m the one who should apologize—”

Danny tried again. “
Please,
wait a minute. Let me explain.”

Grandpa Charles touched her face. “Is there something you need to tell us?”

“I lied to you. I lied to everyone.”

“Don’t,” Danny pleaded. “You don’t have to tell them. If you’ll just hear me out, I can make this right.”

Jordan ignored him. She looked around at the faces in the crowd and he could feel her start to tremble. “We’re not really engaged. We never were.” She closed her eyes for a second then continued. “This isn’t David Navarro. It’s his twin brother, Danny.”

“Not engaged?” “Who did she say he was?” Strident voices overlapped as everyone seemed to ask questions at once. “Why did you lie?” “Why did you fool us?”

Reece’s angry voice rose above the rest. “We’re not the only ones he made fools of. This guy’s been messing around on Jordan—”

“Reece, no!”

“He was flirting with Keisha the other night and I caught them out on the balcony just now.”

There was a collective gasp and the eyes that had been merely confused a moment ago now looked on Danny with hostility. Jordan began to cry softly. In an instant, her mother was at her side, trying to comfort her.

Danny reached for Jordan, but she shied away from his touch. “Give me a chance to talk to you. I just need a minute.”

“I never would have believed you’d do something like that. But, then, you’re not who we all thought you were, are you?” Angela glared at him. She led her daughter to one of the tables where several other women formed a shield around them. Then a hush came over the crowd as both her father and uncle stepped forward.

“Is this true what Reece said?” As Matt questioned him, Danny thought he detected a hint of sympathy. If anyone would believe the kiss wasn’t his fault, it might be Jordan’s uncle.

“I can explain everything, Mr. Gregory. But I have to talk to Jordan first.”

Jackson held up his hand. “Danny, is it? I think it might be best if you left now, son. We can sort this all out later.” Though his words were quiet, his voice sounded harsh.

He couldn’t believe this was happening. His stomach churned with nausea in response to the cold look Jordan’s father gave him. It couldn’t end, not like this. Danny shouldered his way through the crowd before anyone could stop him. Kneeling down beside the table where Jordan sat, he put a hand on her arm.

“There are so many things I need to say to you, I don’t know where to begin. I’ve never been in love before. I didn’t recognize it at first because I didn’t know it could happen so fast—”

Jordan pulled her arm aside and turned her head, refusing to look at him. “Leave me alone, Danny.”

He knew she was hurt and offended by that damned kiss, but why wouldn’t she listen? Was she punishing him for breaking their agreement or had he misread her feelings? His throat constricted along with his heart. He’d exposed himself completely only to have her turn him away.

Something inside him was dying, something he belatedly recognized as hope.

Getting to his feet, he looked about him and saw only the silent accusations of strangers. He didn’t realize how badly he wanted to belong until now, when the woman he’d fallen in love with and the family he’d come to cherish had shunned him. Feeling miserable and empty and alone, Danny walked out of the ballroom.

What had he said? “This wasn’t supposed to happen. It took me completely by surprise. I’ve never been in love before.” Jordan pounded her clenched fists against the mattress.
Stupid, stupid, stupid!
Hadn’t Keisha warned her that she always got what she wanted? She’d gotten the best of Jordan again.

Yet, oddly enough, a part of her felt sorry for her cousin. Because she doubted that Danny really cared about Keisha, either. An eight date man who changed his girlfriends along with his underwear wasn’t capable of love.

She covered her eyes with both hands, grateful for the temporary relief of the darkness. Her thoughts were spinning and twisting around in her head so fast they were giving her a headache.

Regret and embarrassment washed over her, but anger was her foremost emotion. Why would he kiss Keisha in such a public place, why would he take the chance, unless he
wanted
to get caught? Why else would he have done such a despicable thing? His actions were at exact odds to the sensitive, caring person she’d lost her heart to.

Danny had shown her, through his words and his touch, that she was beautiful in her own way. With him, she’d discovered that she was sexy and passionate, sensual and desirable. For the first time in her life, she was proud of her full breasts and rounded hips and curvaceous figure. She would always be grateful to Danny for that, even though he apparently hadn’t meant a single word he’d said.

There were moments when Danny had let her inside and allowed her to see the pain and the tenderness. He’d seemed to truly enjoy being with her and her family. That’s what made this whole situation so confusing. Was he so afraid to open his heart, to let her love him, that he would purposely sabotage their developing relationship?

Someday she would find a man who meant the pretty things he said, a man without ulterior motives for his actions. One day she’d find a man who genuinely cared for her and whose affection would last for more than nine and a half days.

A knock came softly just before the door opened and Camryn walked in. Jordan rolled over onto her side as her sister stretched out on the other bed. Camryn’s eyes roamed the room, noting the familiar and the changes. “I’m glad Mom kept the rosebud wallpaper, but I kind of miss the lace canopies and the teen idol posters.”

“We shared a lot of dreams in this room, didn’t we?” Jordan smiled, remembering. “And all of yours came true.”

She was quiet for a moment. “Yes, they did. At least for a while.”

“You really miss your modeling career.”

She rolled over to face Jordan, resting her head on her arm. “I don’t miss living on bottled water and cigarettes, terrified of gaining six ounces and losing a job. I don’t miss constantly being judged by my appearance. That judgment can be extremely harsh.”

“I know all about being judged.”

Her sister got up and came to sit on her bed. “I know you do, honey. I know you always envied me and Keisha to some extent. But the way you look—or don’t look—should never be the measure of your happiness. And it shouldn’t be the foundation for love.” Camryn reached for her hand.

“What I came up here to say, Jo-Jo, is don’t beat yourself up for believing in a dream when the reality was beyond your control. I know how much you must be hurting right now. But you’ll survive and be stronger for it.” Camryn stood up and gave her a little smile. “I also came to tell you that Daddy called a family meeting.”

Jordan’s heart sank and her stomach fluttered with sudden anxiety. It was time to face the consequences of her lies.

She padded down to the kitchen a few minutes later, hesitating in the doorway as her parents and brothers turned to look at her. On their faces, she saw concern and curiosity, but thankfully no anger. Camryn squeezed her shoulder before moving past her into the family room. Bracing herself, Jordan took a seat on one of the sofas, next to her grandparents.

“I’m glad everyone is here. I owe all of you an apology, but especially you two.” She touched her grandmother’s hand. “I’m so very sorry for ruining your party last night.”

Grandpa reached over to pat her knee. “Thank you, darling. But what none of us understand is how this all happened?”

Her mother spoke from across the room. “We let it be last night because we were all tired and upset. But now we’d like to know why you lied to us.”

Jordan twisted her mouth in a smile of self-derision even as tears stung her eyes. “It seems so damned stupid now.”

“Most things do in hindsight.” From his seat on the carpet, Eric squeezed her calf in a show of support.

“It all started because I wanted Keisha to stop teasing me. I know that sounds incredibly childish, but—”

“We know how cruel your cousin can be.” Her parents shared a look. “However, we felt we should let you sort it out. I see now that was our mistake.”

“It was mine, too, Mom. When I began seeing David, I—I made more of the relationship than there was. And when Keisha came up from Atlanta in May, I let things go too far. She was taunting me about my weight and bragging about all of her boyfriends… To shut her up, I said that David had proposed.”

Grandpa cleared his throat. “Your cousin is in the other room and she has something to say to you. Reece, will you please ask them to join us?”

A moment later, Celeste, Matt and Keisha walked in. Jordan noticed her aunt and uncle’s tight expressions. However, they both put an arm around their daughter as they settled on the other couch. Her cousin’s eyes were red-rimmed and her skin had a grayish pallor, as though she were hungover. She glanced at Jordan and then averted her gaze.

“I’m sorry, Grandpa. I’m sorry, Grandma. I, um, apologize for last night.”

“You owe your cousin an apology, too, young lady.”

“I know.” She dropped her chin, staring at the floor. “Sorry, Jordan.”

Uncle Matt scowled at her. “Keisha Marie Gregory, we talked about this.”

“I said I was sorry!”

“That’s not good enough.” Aunt Celeste’s voice was stern. “Your behavior was inexcusable.”

Eric made a harsh sound. “Keisha, do you realize what you’ve done? And for what?”

“Oh, that’s right. Take her side, as always.”

“This isn’t about taking sides,” Aunt Celeste said. “You’ve hurt people with your thoughtlessness and antagonism in the past, but this time you went too far.”

An accusing silence settled over the room, then Grandma tilted her head. “Jordan, honey, I still don’t understand why you felt you had to lie. You know we love you, no matter what.”

“Every member of this family is part of a couple. Each of you belongs to and is with somebody, while I had no one.” Twisting her fingers in her lap, she cleared her throat. “Whether you realized it or not, you all treated me differently when you thought I was getting married.”

“They’ve always treated you different,” Keisha muttered bitterly.

“Excuse me?”

“I’ve spent most of my life in your shadow. It didn’t matter that I was prettier or thinner or more popular—everyone always loved you more!”

Jordan frowned in confusion. “Keisha, what in the world are you talking about?”

“I was jealous, okay? I was jealous. You upstaged me all the time! I made the cheerleading squad, but everyone was more excited that you were on some national debate team.” Keisha jumped up from the sofa and began pacing the room.

“Then there was the time I was first runner-up in the Miss Maryland pageant. But all I heard about was, ‘Jordan made the Honor Society.’ Even my college graduation was overshadowed because you were accepted into law school.”

Angela spoke quietly, her voice tinged with remorse. “Keisha, we never meant to exclude you. We’re just as proud of your accomplishments—”

“Yeah, right. Everybody thinks I get more attention, but Jordan always had what I really wanted—everyone’s respect.”

Eric snorted. “I think you’ve blown things out of proportion—”

“No, she’s right.” Camryn spoke up quietly. “There were times when I was jealous of you, too, Jordan. You never seemed to realize that you’re the star this family revolves around.”

She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The two people she envied most in the world had been consumed by jealousy because of her? She never would have guessed that her cousin looked on her as competition. Jordan stood up and walked across the room. She gently touched Keisha’s arm but made no other move toward reconciliation.

“If I hurt you, it was unintentional. But this is a problem you’ll have to resolve yourself.”

Keisha’s resentful expression crumbled. Her voice broke as she tearfully met Jordan’s eyes. “Danny—it wasn’t Danny’s fault. All he ever was was nice to me. He didn’t—he pushed me away last night. I tried to kiss him, I tried to make him want me, but he pushed me away.”

A mantle of sadness dropped onto Jordan’s shoulders. Danny had told her the truth. He really had chosen her over her cousin. But she’d refused to listen when he tried to explain.

Omigod. Had he been trying to tell her he’d fallen in love with
her?

For a moment joy bubbled up inside her and she was filled with hope. Until she remembered how often he’d retreated in the face of any sign of real emotion. It was a false hope, one that would only set her up to be hurt again.

Grandpa caught her attention. “Last night you said you weren’t engaged to David. Now, you’re saying you weren’t engaged to Danny, either?”

“No.” Jordan shook her head slowly. “It was all a lie, one that snowballed until I got buried under it.”

“So how did Danny end up getting involved?” Camryn asked.

“Mom and Dad had met David at the law firm. So when I needed a fiancé these past two weeks, the only solution was to convince Danny to play the role.”

“I don’t know, Jo-Jo. From what I saw of you together, it seemed as if you and Danny really were in love.”

Her father’s statement brought a stab of pain. Jordan thought they might have a chance, but Danny had made it clear all along that he was willing to give her his body but not his heart. Despite his declaration of love, and the truth about that kiss, he would always keep her at arm’s length.

“Whatever happened between us, whatever I thought Danny and I had, that’s all over now.”