“Run after him, Chloe,” Jordan called.
“I’m trying. He’s too fast.” Chloe swung her arms like she was running as hard as she could.
Alexander kicked the ball, and it went flying through the stones. “Yes!” He fist-pumped the air.
“Lucky break. Isn’t that right, Jordan?” Chloe said, pulling a mock-serious face.
Jordan folded his arms across his chest. “Yep. We’re coming for you now.” He charged toward Timothy who had possession of the ball. His little legs ran as fast as they could, and Jordan bumped into Chloe as she chased him too. They tumbled onto the spongy grass, letting Timothy score a goal.
“Woo-hoo!” He danced around the ball.
“I wish you watched where you were going. We could have won that one.” Jordan winked at Chloe, bounded to his feet, and held out his hand to help her up. His grip was warm and strong, but Chloe didn’t feel a spark of interest.
The game continued. Jordan and Chloe ran, tripped, and lost the ball over the next few minutes. Finally, Jordan scored a goal.
“Eat dirt, boys.” He jogged over to Chloe and gave her a high five. “Okay, boys. Time-out!” Jordan announced. “I need a break. Go grab a drink. You look hot and sweaty.”
They watched the boys scurry to the barbecue area.
“Oh, thank God. I didn’t think I could’ve lasted much longer.” Chloe bent over and placed her hands on her knees, drawing in deep breaths. “I need to exercise more often.”
Jordan chuckled. “These kids can wear even the fittest person out.” It looked like he might say more, but Felicity called them for dinner.
With the table piled high with excellent food, the conversation was light and fun. They chattered about many different topics. Blake and Jordan debated which beach had the best surfing. Jordan waxed poetic about their recent trip to Italy. Chloe dished some innocent behind-the-scenes stories from her job. And Felicity told stories about their time in Australia.
Rachel’s boys were disappointed Australians didn’t ride kangaroos to school and have pet koalas, but they recovered well. Everyone was enjoying the evening. Everyone, except for Theo. He sat stone faced and almost sullen, hardly speaking a word throughout dinner. Every time she tried engaging him in the conversation, he gave her the cold shoulder.
She frowned, then quickly covered it up. They were supposed to be acting as friends not enemies. What the hell was wrong with him?
Later that night, after Rachel, Jordan, and the kids went home, Chloe and Theo’s family sat in the kitchen drinking tea. Felicity glanced out the window. “Oh no, the wind’s picking up. I forgot to bring the tablecloth inside.” She started to get up. “I’d better get it before it blows away.”
Theo slid off the stool. “I’ll go.”
“I’ll go with you.” Chloe followed him outside.
They strolled in silence toward the barbecue area. The moon cast a silvery glow over the grass, and she breathed in the smell of the sea breeze. As the wind picked up, she shivered and wrapped her arms around her body.
“Here, take this.” Theo shrugged out of his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
Chloe put her arms through the sleeves and was immediately surrounded by the masculine scent of Theo and woodsy cologne. “Thanks.”
Once they reached the privacy of the barbecue, Chloe placed a hand on Theo’s arm. “You seem tense. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He picked up and folded the tablecloth. Even in the dim light, she could see his clenched jaw.
“You haven’t said two words to me all evening.”
“That’s not true.” He turned to go.
She stood in front of him to stop him from walking back to the house. “Oh, really? Ever since dinner, you’ve acted like you’re mad at me.”
He folded his arms over his chest. “Did you have fun with Jordan?”
The way he stressed the other man’s name told her exactly what he was upset about. “Do you mean playing soccer withthe boysand their uncle, Jordan?” She rephrased the question, trying to soothe his ruffled feathers.
It didn’t work. A spasm of pain flashed over his face. “You looked good together. It’s obvious he’s interested in you.” He attempted to smooth his features, although she could still make out the tenseness of his jaw. “You should set something up. He could be husband material.”
“He did ask me on a date,” she admitted. While talking on the lawn after dinner, he’d asked for her phone number so they could arrange something. Conflicted, Chloe hadn’t given Jordan an answer, and before he’d been able to press further, Felicity had interrupted them, giving Chloe time to make her escape.