“I’m so glad to hear all that, Jordan. Thank you for saying so.”
“It’s all your doing, Ms. Raffi.”
She shook her head in argument. “No. Sonya just needed a springboard. I’m just glad I was able to help her find one.”
He took a swig of his beverage and turned back to focus on her. “I wanted to ask you about something actually, to maybe see about maintaining her momentum.”
“I’ll help any way I can.”
“She’s already signed up for those swim classes at the center. I wanted to see about her taking your art class, as well.”
It would have been a terrific idea. If only he’d asked a couple of weeks ago. “I’m afraid my class has ended, Jordan. I only have one session in the summer. There isn’t enough interest once the season really kicks into gear. The children don’t want to be cooped up in a room indoors on hot days when they could be cooling off on the beach or at a pool.”
Jordan’s expression clouded with disappointment. “I see. Makes sense.” He uttered a small curse under his breath. “Looks like I blew it. Again.” He seemed to have added the last word almost on a whim.
“Maybe I could stop by once in a while? Show her some basic techniques.”
He broke into a wide smile. “You would do that?”
“Of course. It’d be my pleasure. I have plenty of time now that I won’t be teaching again until the fall.”
He rubbed his chin. “Then why don’t we make it a regular thing?”
“Regular?”
“Yes. You could be a tutor of sorts. Maybe once or twice a week.” He took a swig of his beer before continuing. “Who knows? The arrangement might do wonders for Sonya. It might even serve as a therapeutic outlet. One of the specialists we consulted mentioned art therapy as something we should consider.”
Jess held her hands up to ward off the idea before he went any further with it. “Whoa. I need to be clear. By no means am I licensed or qualified as an art therapist.”
He shrugged. “I understand that.”
“I’d simply be spending some time with her. Showing her how to paint.”
“I understand that, too. But it could be a start. It would at least give us an idea about whether Sonya might find it helpful.”
Jess chewed the inside of her lip. On the surface, Jordan’s proposal seemed like a reasonable suggestion. Only something about the whole scenario didn’t sit right, made her uneasy. But she’d be doing it for Sonya.
“Of course, I’d be paying you for your time,” Jordan added.
There it was again. Jordan was so ready to throw money at an issue in order to address it.
“I refuse to be paid for this, Jordan.”
“But—”
She cut him off. “I mean it. There will be no money involved.”
Her resolve must have sounded clear in her voice for Jordan didn’t bother to argue, he simply gave her a small nod. “All right. When can you start?”
CHAPTER SEVEN
JESS BLEW OUT a breath of exasperation before she could answer Jordan’s question. Somehow, she’d just agreed to regularly visit Jordan Paydan’s home to provide artistic lessons to his little sister. How in the world had that happened?
“I can’t start until next week,” she finally answered. “I’m heading out of town this Friday.”
He quirked an eyebrow in question. “Oh? An exciting trip planned?”
If only. No, the reason for her absence was not one she was looking forward to. “Something like that,” she answered. “In fact, I’ll be heading into your old home city. Manhattan, to be precise. There’s an event I’m expected at.”
“An event?”
She nodded. “An awards ceremony. My mother is due to receive an industry award. But she’s out of the country still. I’ve been asked to go retrieve it for her at their annual dinner.”
“Sounds prestigious.”
“Oh, yes. It was emphasized to me repeatedly exactly how prestigious it is. I don’t dare dream of missing the honor in her place.”
She hadn’t meant to sound so put out. But Jordan’s reply confirmed that she had indeed. “You don’t sound like you’re looking forward to it in any way.”