“Mom, hi.” Linc kissed her cheek.
“Hello, honey.” She turned to Jordan. “It’s been a while. You’re looking well. It’s good to see you again.”
“You, too,” Jordan murmured.
Melly’s gaze shifted. “And you must be Aurora. Welcome,” she said warmly.
Aurora studied Melly, who was a contradiction. On the outside, she was a wealthy socialite, but on the inside, she obviously had a warm heart. The young girl needed to relax enough to see the hidden parts of Linc’s mother.
“Hi,” Aurora said. “Thank you for your generosity. I know it can’t be easy for you to overlook who I am.”
Jordan winced.
“Aurora–” Linc started to speak, but Jordan grabbed his arm, indicating he should let the two women find their footing.
Melly stepped over to Aurora. “To me you’re a young woman who got a raw deal that wasn’t of your own making. My son likes you and wants you to become part of the family.” She took Aurora’s hand. “So when I say welcome, I mean it. And I can’t wait to have a baby around again. It’s not like my sons are rushing to give me grandbabies,” she said, shooting Linc a pointed look.
“Well, Chloe’s getting married, so you can focus on her, too,” Linc said, obviously eager to take the spotlight off of him.
“Speaking of Chloe, she can’t make it today, but she promised to call you later,” Melly said to Aurora. “Now how about we go inside?”
Max picked up the bags and followed them in through the garage and the lower level, with Aurora gaping at the enormity of the mansion and the décor. Aurora had bought suitcases in Florida so she could pack her things and bring them to New York. Max placed those in the bedroom Melly had chosen for Aurora to stay in. Then he excused himself and said he’d be waiting when Linc was ready to head back to the city.
Linc left the women and excused himself to make some calls. The man was constantly working, Jordan thought.
In the half hour they’d been in Aurora’s new bedroom, it became clear Melly intended to treat Aurora like a daughter, and the young girl relaxed, becoming more like her normal, talkative self.
It didn’t take long for Melly to realize Aurora was sadly lacking in clothing and to take charge of the situation. She announced they were going shopping.
“Jordan, come with us please?” Aurora asked, obviously overwhelmed.
But Aurora needed to get to know Melly, and Melly hadn’t extended the invitation.
“I can’t,” she told Aurora. “I have laundry and things to catch up on at home. But you have fun! I’ll check in later, okay?”
Aurora stepped forward and pulled Jordan into an awkward pregnant hug. “You’re the best. You’ve been so good to me.”
“You make it easy.”
“I’m going to get my handbag and freshen up. I’ll be back in a couple of minutes,” Melly said, walking out of the room.
Aurora swept her arms around. “Look at this room! It’s meant for royalty!”
Taking in the queen-size bed with a gorgeous floral spread in beautiful colors, draperies on the windows and a large television on the wall, a private bathroom and walk-in closet, Jordan had to agree.
“It’s gorgeous. There’s space for a crib in here, too. Or you can put the baby in the room next door.” Jordan turned toward her. “You’re going to have to go shopping for baby supplies. But something tells me Melly is going to want to help,” Jordan said with a grin.
Aurora sat down on the plush mattress. “She’s really sweet. I think I’ll be happy here, at least until I can figure out my life.”
With a nod, Jordan joined her. She wasn’t going to pressure her now with questions she already knew Aurora had no answers to. “When Melly gets back, I’m going to go find Linc.”
“Speaking of Linc, how long have you two been together?” Aurora asked.
“What?” Jordan whipped her head toward Aurora. “We aren’t together. We’re just friends and I work for him.”
Aurora raised her eyebrows. “R-i-i-ght.”
“What? Why wouldn’t you believe me?” Jordan asked.
Aurora shrugged. “Because you two are close. I’ve been with you both for over a week now, and I see how you look at each other. How you read each other’s mind. Stuff like that.”
Dipping her head, Jordan closed her eyes and shook her head. “We’re just friends,” she insisted. “Look around you. You’re overwhelmed by this kind of wealth and they’re your family. I don’t belong as anything more than his employee and close friend.”
“That sounds stupid.” Aurora pushed herself up and stood, bracing a hand on her back, her belly protruding in front of her. “It should be about how you feel, not how much money you have. But I get what you mean. I’m not sure I fit in here, either.”
Jordan rose. “You will learn to be comfortable,” she assured Aurora. “I promise.”