Chapter 8 #2
“Look, I think we’ll be finished by the time you get here. Where are you anyway?”
“I’m just passing the Glebe light rail station.”
Maybe there’d still be enough time, after all. She glanced up, saw she had the attention of the whole table. “Sorry, I need to go. I’ll call you when I’m done.”
“Praying for you. You’ve got this. And God’s got you, remember?”
She nodded, then realised he couldn’t see her, so she murmured “thanks” and ended the call. Then pushed her shoulders back anew and glanced at the prospectus on the table.
Dream Match. Her life’s dream. Here went nothing.
“That was a pitch and a half!” Gwen murmured thirty minutes later in the ladies’ bathroom. “You nailed it, girl!”
Her heart lifted. Judging from the varying expressions of her audience, it hadn’t seemed like she’d nailed it. Apart from Neil, whose face held a distinct similarity to a puppy dog’s expression, with his dark, eager eyes fixed on her like she might offer a treat. “I’m glad you think so.”
Gwen nodded. “Eric told me he thinks it’s great.”
“Really?” Her heart thudded. If the son of a squillionaire was excited, then maybe they could privately float Dream Match and wouldn’t need to list it publicly.
Gwen’s eyes met hers in the mirror. “There’s just one thing.”
“What’s that?”
Her nose wrinkled. “It’s probably best Eric tells you himself.”
Oh. She thought she’d done a pretty good job at avoiding him tonight. The idea of speaking privately with him seemed a step too far. “Okay.”
She glanced at her phone. Now would be a great time for Jordan to appear. She’d messaged him as soon as she’d finished, and he’d said he still planned to drop by, but this tension Eric had created made her wonder what was wrong now.
She dried her hands and returned to the private room. Two of the others had gone, but Eric and Neil remained, quietly chatting. They broke off as she returned, just as her phone rang.
She glanced at it, a soul sigh escaping at the name. “Excuse me. I need to get this.” She paced back. “Where are you?”
“Just out the front. You still in there?”
“Thank goodness. I’m coming now.” She hurried to the restaurant foyer and hugged him.
“EJ? What’s happened? Your pants are torn.”
“It’s a long story. But you’re here just in time.” She winced. How would he take this next bit? “Look, we have a couple of potential investors who have some questions.”
“Who are they?” he asked, following her to the back room.
“Gwen is here with Neil Elton and, uh, Eric Churchill.”
His feet slowed, and she glanced behind to see his face had fallen. “Are you serious?”
EJ nodded and Jordan’s heart fell some more. “Wow.”
“Wow” was an understatement. He still didn’t know why Eric was interested in EJ, but at least he’d finally get the chance to meet the dude. And given the state of EJ, who was never less than impeccably dressed when “on show,” he bet there was a story to tell.
He followed her to a private room, where a woman with bright red hair stood chatting with two men, one of whom he recognised from his internet stalking. Ahem, Googling.
Jordan pushed out his hand. “Hey, I’m Jordan Knight.”
“My partner in crime,” EJ added, then introduced the three as Gwen, Neil, and Eric.
Gwen’s eyes narrowed, though she murmured her pleasure at meeting him.
Neil’s face drooped as he muttered, “Partner?”
As EJ explained what she meant, Jordan caught Eric giving him the once-over, his lips lifting briefly in what could only be called a sneer.
And sure, he wasn’t dressed in Armani or whatever the heck it was these people wore, given Jordan wore his old jeans and a striped jumper his mum had knitted years ago, but that sneer only raised his hackles higher.
The dude might be one of the richest men in Australia, but he was rude.
Which again invited the questions about what he wanted to do with EJ.
“Can I get you a drink, Jordan?” Gwen asked.
“I’m happy with water,” he said, motioning to the glass bottle on the table next to a stack of clean glasses.
“Hmm, just like EJ, huh?”
As Jordan refreshed EJ’s glass then poured himself a glass of water, Gwen continued. “So, how about we take a seat and we can explain what’s going on.”
“Before we do, I’m curious to know what George’s role here tonight is,” Eric said.
George? Oh, Eric had misheard his name. “The name is Jordan.” He glanced at EJ, who smiled.
“And Jordan is the one who co-produced and co-owns Dream Match with me.”
Gwen’s dark pointed brows rose. “EJ, are you saying you are not the sole owner?”
“I’m the majority shareholder, while Jordan owns twenty percent,” EJ said. “Jordan is my right-hand man. I couldn’t have done this without him.”
His heart twisted. Right-hand man, not best friend?
He refused to let a speck of his misgiving creep across his face, conscious that Eric was watching him closely.
The man seemed to have the eyes of a shark, alert to everything.
Any second Jordan expected a bank of sharp teeth to appear. Or a forked tongue.
“So, you two definitely aren’t going out?” Neil clarified.
“Uh, no. Not at all.”
Why that was anyone’s business, Jordan didn’t know. Apparently Gwen thought the same as she refocused the conversation on Dream Match. “So, EJ, as I was saying earlier, there is definite interest in your app.”
Jordan’s heart lifted. So maybe tonight was worthwhile after all.
“There is just one thing we wanted to check.”
“Of course. I’ve got nothing to hide.”
Gwen gestured for Eric to speak. Eric, who hadn’t moved from his slouched position, one arm stretched along the back of a chair, like some medieval prince taking his leisure while the court jesters entertained him.
“What is it you wish to know?” EJ asked.
Jordan hoped he was the only one who had noticed a wobble in her voice.
“There’s no need to be worried,” Eric said. So he’d noticed too. “I’m just curious about what you mean about the religious aspect of it.”
Gwen nodded. “It feels a little exclusive in this day and age.”
“Oh!” EJ glanced at Jordan.
He subtly shook his head at her, heart whirling.
Was she seriously considering removing that part of Dream Match?
That’s what set their dating app apart from others.
The fact that it wasn’t sleazy or focused on appearances like so many others.
It wasn’t designed to be something where people hooked up but rather found genuine connections, people who might want a long-term relationship with a view to marriage.
Not random flings that left people feeling used and abused.
Jordan cleared his throat. “EJ and I have always been very clear that Dream Match is an app that is designed to help singles in the Christian market. We don’t make apologies for that.”
“But don’t you think that is limiting your market? It’s definitely limiting your exposure.” Eric studied him.
“We prefer to think of it as providing assurance for those who don’t want to deal with the sleaziness of some of the other dating apps out there.”
“Sleaziness?” Gwen’s eyebrows rose like she was offended.
“What are your thoughts, EJ?” Eric asked, as if he thought Jordan might be lying.
She peeked at Jordan, then shrugged. “It’s why we started Dream Match, just like Jordan said.”
“Hmm.”
Jordan gritted his teeth. Why did that one sound spear doubt? Eric was obviously a master at manipulation and had an agenda a mile wide. But why he was interested in Dream Match still remained blurry.
Jordan exhaled slowly, so glad EJ had asked him to come.
He could see this was hard for her. As soon as this was over, they’d have that big talk that was obviously needed.
No way did he want to see her falter on the very values that made Dream Match so necessary for today.
Rural and regional Christians loved the app’s focus on them.
“Do … do you have any other questions?” EJ asked.
Aww, now the dude had made EJ second-guess herself. Jordan’s hands fisted, and he kept them under the table.
“Not at this time, no.” Eric leaned forward. “But I hope that if I do, you’ll answer my questions.”
“Um, sure.”
“It might help if you don’t block my calls.” Eric’s smile now reminded Jordan of a crocodile. “You did block my calls, didn’t you?”
EJ’s lips pressed together, her usual composure far away as she clearly struggled with what to say.
Defensiveness rose within Jordan, as he longed to say she’d blocked Eric for good reason.
“I’m guessing that’s why you didn’t text me back to say thank you for the flowers.”
Eric had sent her flowers? Why?
Before Jordan’s frustration at Eric’s presumption could leak, the dude with the puppy dog eyes finally spoke. “I, uh, have to go. I’ve got an early start tomorrow.”
As did Jordan. But he was going to talk with EJ, as it was clear she was struggling.
“Thanks for listening, Neil,” EJ said. “And for your help before.”
Neil’s chest puffed out. “Your hero, right?”
“Right.”
Neil glanced at Jordan. “Nice to meet you.”
“And you.” They shook hands as Gwen and Eric conferred quietly.
Jordan turned to EJ. “So, are you ready to talk?”
“Oh, Jordan, I wanted to ask you a few more things, if that’s okay,” Gwen said, with a blinding smile at Jordan.
Jordan glanced at EJ. “Uh, sure.”
“Hey, EJ, did you have a ride home? I’m going your way and could drop you if you like.” Neil could give puppies lessons in how to get fed treats.
“I thought I’d do that,” Jordan said.
“But you live in the opposite direction,” EJ said.
“Looks like she doesn’t want to go with you,” Eric drawled.
Jordan might’ve heard the pastor preach on loving one’s enemies this morning, but right now that message seemed impossible.
“Look, I live on the north shore, and I’m really happy to drop you home,” Neil said. “My car isn’t too far away.”
EJ glanced at Jordan, her look apologetic. “I feel bad abandoning you, but it is on his way, and I’d be making your long day even longer if I made you stay.”
“I don’t mind,” he said quickly. “I know we have a lot to catch up on, and—”
“Are you ready, EJ?” Neil asked, his coat draped over his arm.
She glanced at Jordan again, then sighed and hugged him. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. Call me when you get home, okay?”
“Okay.”
She gave a hug to Gwen, but not to Eric, Jordan noted with satisfaction, and he watched her leave, praying she’d be safe.
Then he turned to see Gwen and Eric watching him, their twin smirks disconcerting, and he wondered just what they wanted. With EJ and with him.