Chapter 20 #3
“Gwen’s haircut and colour makes it look pretty recent to me.”
“Come on, EJ. You don’t believe a silly picture, do you? It’s obvious it was photoshopped. You know how people get, how jealous they can be.”
“It’s weird how there are all these other pictures too.” Jordan tapped his phone and the screen filled with other images. So many more. Most from a TikTok account that seemed determined to expose Eric Churchill, but there were also paparazzi shots, online magazines, candid photos from parties.
EJ studied them, then studied Eric, whose face said he was prepared to bluff it out, then Gwen, whose face said that she wasn’t. “You’re a cheat.”
“Come on, babe. She means nothing to me.”
Gwen’s gasp said that was news to her.
EJ turned to her half-finished meal and pushed it away. Carefully folded her linen napkin and placed that on the plate. Glanced around the table, encountering eyes that variously showed bemusement, horror, and dismay. And then there was Jordan, unreadable still.
She pushed out her chair.
“Don’t make a scene,” Eric muttered, clasping her arm.
But she wrenched away, taking a step toward Jordan, who was also standing now.
“We’re done.”
“Babe, no. You’re my Dream Match, remember?”
She scoffed. “You were never my Dream Match. You’re not even real. I don’t think you’d know a real relationship if it bit you on the backside.” An unfortunate turn of phrase, but she didn’t care.
“I think it’s fair to say that Dream Match won’t be needing any of your investment,” Jordan said.
She nodded. “This is over. It’s all over.”
“No, it’s not. We want your app, and we haven’t spent all this time just for you to walk away.” Eric lunged for her, but she stepped back.
Jordan muscled in front of her. “It’s done.” Jordan glanced at her. “Did you have anything to say?”
The room was spinning. She could barely think. “I don’t know what to do,” she murmured.
“Get your things and we’ll leave.”
That she could do. She grabbed her bag, and yes, her leather jacket too, avoiding Eric’s hand as he tried to touch her again.
Nausea rumbled through her belly, and for a second she wondered what it would be like if she were to puke on him.
Then decided she was in enough trouble already and didn’t need to add extra drama.
But while she couldn’t look at Eric, she could send Gwen an icy glare, which seemed to work effectively as Gwen dropped her gaze.
“Just walk out slowly, with your head held high,” Jordan murmured, grasping her elbow. “You’ve got nothing to be ashamed of.”
That wasn’t true at all. She was ashamed of so much. Ashamed of her behaviour towards Jordan. Ashamed of how she’d once wanted to be like these people who she now realised were selfish at their core.
What did it matter how much money somebody had if their heart wasn’t good?
And she knew her own heart wasn’t good. And hadn’t been good for a long time.
“Please, get me out of here,” she murmured.
He steered her past various diners, some of whom had their phones out. The sight of phones whacked a stiff smile on her dial as she exited.
“Miss Bennett? Was something not to your liking?” the ma?tre d’ asked.
“Yes.” She didn’t like being made a fool of. Didn’t like the fact she’d been so gullible. How could she call herself a matchmaker if she couldn’t pick the right man for herself?
“Miss Bennett is not feeling well,” Jordan said, as she ascended the stairs that led out of there.
Once outside, she barely noticed the cool temperature. Or the people. She felt hot, cold, shivery.
“Oh, Jordan.” She flung herself into his arms, and he held her for a long, long time.
A measure of peace was found here. Strength too.
Goodness. Honesty. Integrity. The qualities she really wanted.
Qualities that for so long had felt far away.
She rested in his arms, wishing she could imbibe some of the decency that made Jordan Knight the best and most honourable man she knew. Her knight in shining armour.
Then a voice came behind her. “EJ, it was a mistake.”
She slowly drew away from Jordan and turned to face Eric. Jordan’s hand warmed the small of her back, giving her courage. “Sure was. I can’t believe I fell for your schtick.”
“I can explain—”
“No. I don’t want to hear it. Jordan was right. You could never partner with Dream Match because you don’t even know the meaning of the word love, do you? Apart from loving yourself and thinking you’re so much better than everyone else.”
“EJ, that TikTok site is full of fake news. There are people out to get me because they don’t like the business decisions I’ve made.”
“Please.” She rolled her eyes. “Don’t make excuses. It doesn’t change what you still did. I always knew you had a reputation, but I thought you’d changed. What an idiot I’ve been.”
“But—”
“No.” Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t ever want to speak to you again. You disgust me.”
A seagull sailed through the darkness and swooped low then veered away.
“Ugh! Gross!” A white trail of what looked like bird dropping now splattered Eric’s shirt.
Hysteria bubbled up as she turned to Jordan. “Can … can we go, please?”
“Sure.”
And she followed him away from the noise, to where a familiar face stood, biting her nails.
“EJ?”
“Oh, Ellie.”
She collapsed into her sister’s arms and let Jordan and Elinor lead her away.