Page 73 of A Million Times, Yes

I drained the rest of the bottle. “What’s your objection to time? I told you that was what I needed. Yet here you are.”

“I gave you time.”

“Two days.”

“And it felt like a fucking eternity.”

“Jordan—”

“We don’t have to talk about my family.” I didn’t know how, but he seemed even closer. “It’s a wound we don’t have to reopen, although at some point very soon, we should finish the conversation from the other day. But here, now ... I just want to spend time with you.”

Emily came up behind me and wrapped an arm around my waist, resting her face against the side of my shoulder. “You don’t look like a delivery driver.” She laughed. “Hi, Jordan. It’s nice to see you again.”

“Good to see you, too, Emily.”

I turned my head just enough to see my best friend’s profile. “See himagain?”

“I might have run into him the other day when I came looking for you in Bettie’s room.”

“And you two talked ...” I wasn’t asking. I was stating what was now obvious.

“We talked for a hot second. Nothingmajormajor,” Emily replied.

Was that the truth? Or was that all she was willing to divulge while she was in front of Jordan? Or all she was willing to give me in general?

As soon as we were alone, I’d find out.

I’d also ask if she was the reason why he was here. Because I wouldn’t be surprised if Emily had something to do with it. Not that he wouldn’t have come up with the idea on his own; the man was relentless in pursuing me. He called. Texted. My mind just wasn’t in a place where I could give him the response he wanted.

“Maya, the poor man is standing in the hallway, holding something that smells delicious. Are you going to invite him in? Or are you going to make him wait out there all night?”

I let out a small hum while I looked at Emily. “I haven’t decided.”

“Small piece of advice if you do let him in.” She snorted. “All our roommates are home, and they’re going to smell that food and comeinto the kitchen like vultures.” She smiled. “Which means you better take Jordan into your bedroom to eat it.”

I let out a huff. “Of course that would be your suggestion.”

“I think it’s a hell of an idea,” Jordan said.

“And of course you would say that,” I muttered to him.

It wasn’t just a look or a glance that he gave me—it was the type of stare that had the power to make me feel it across my whole body.

Did I want to bring Jordan into my space? Into the privacy of my bedroom? Where my door would be shut? Where we would be alone? Where—

“Well?” Emily questioned me, causing my thoughts to come to a screeching halt. “What’s it going to be, bestie?” She nodded toward Jordan. “I’d hate for the food to get cold.”

Her expression told me she cared nothing about the food changing temperature. She just wanted me to invite Jordan in.

They were on the same team. That was clear.

When the air came out of my lips, it made a whooshing sound. “You two are unbelievable ...”

“While she’s deciding,” Emily said, ignoring me, “why don’t you come in and put the food in the kitchen so you don’t have to stand there and hold it.”

Even though there was plenty of room for him to turn sideways and slip through the entryway, he didn’t. He stayed right where he was.

His gaze hadn’t moved either. It was locked on me. Intensifying. “I’m not going anywhere unlessyouinvite me in.”