A Lot like Love (FBI/US Attorney #2)(56)

“Hello, Nick McCall, or should I say, Nick Stanton, whoever the hell you are today—I’d assumed you hadn’t called because you were on another undercover assignment, not because you had your dick stuck in some skinny blond bitch. I thought you told me this wasn’t about another woman? Guess you lied about that. And why am I not surprised? It’s what you do for a living, after all. Lie to people.”

The remainder of the brunette’s tirade became muffled as she climbed into her car, then she slammed the driver’s door shut and everything went quiet.

Tennyson sat in his own car—motionless—still holding the phone in his hand.

Ho-ly f**k.

After the brunette drove off, he made a call of his own.

“Mercks. You are not going to believe this. I think I’ve got something on Stanton. I mean, I’ve f**king got something. We need to run another background check. This time on the name Nick McCall.”

Twenty-one

AT EIGHT O’CLOCK that evening, DeVine Cellars was hopping. Thursdays often were the store’s busiest nights, as people liked to get their wine situations settled before the weekend. Tonight was no exception.

Andrea pulled Jordan off to the side. “There’s a Nick Stanton on the phone for you. He says it’s important.”

“On my cell phone?”

“No, the store phone.”

“Thanks, Andrea.” Jordan went into the back room and picked up the extension. “Hello?”

Nick did not sound pleased. “I’ve been calling your cell all day.”

“I got your messages; I just haven’t had a chance to call you back.”

“We need to talk about Lisa,” he said.

“There’s not much to say other than what I already told you in my message.” She’d called Nick after Lisa had exited the store in a snit—no clue why that might be—and left a message saying that he might want to keep his eye out for semipsycho, yoga-pant-wearing ex-girlfriends.

“I’m sorry she approached you at your store. That was way out of line.” He paused. “What did she say to you, exactly?”

“Well, she asked some questions about us,” Jordan said. “Then there was some talk about your no-relationship policy. How you always tell the women you get involved with that you don’t date anyone seriously.”

There was a long silence on the other end of the line.

“Oh.”

So it’s true, Jordan thought.

Nick exhaled raggedly. “Look, Jordan—I can’t leave the office right now because I’m working on something that’ll take another hour. But we need to talk. I’ll come by the store as soon as I’m free.”

She tried to sound flip. “There’s really nothing to talk about. After all, it’s not like you owe me any explanations. Although my character was somewhat surprised to learn that you’re one of those guys with lame commitment issues.”

So much for flip.

Nick paused. “I have a good reason for being one of those guys, you know.”

Please. “Those guys always have their reasons.” Jordan could hear the noise from all the customers outside. “I need to get going. I’ve got a store full of customers.”

“No, Jordan, we have to—”

There was a knock on the door, and Andrea stuck her head in. “Sorry. There’s a customer out front asking to speak with you.”

“Unfortunately, sweetie, I really have to go now,” she said to Nick. “I’ll call you back later.” She hung up the phone before she said anything else she’d regret.

With a deep breath, she plastered on her best smile, determined to focus on work. She turned back to Andrea. “Thanks. Did this customer say what he or she wants to speak to me about?”

“He. A very good-looking he,” Andrea said with a grin.

Jordan tiredly rose from her chair. “Please tell me it’s not Xander Eckhart.” She definitely was not in the mood to deal with that situation right then.

“It’s not Xander. This guy says you owe him a case of wine.”

Curious, Jordan followed Andrea out of the back room. The store was crowded, and nearly all the tables were filled with customers drinking wine. She spotted the mystery man, sitting by himself at a table near the dessert wine and champagne section.

He eyed her appraisingly as she walked over. “Jordan Rhodes. Good to see you again.”

She stopped before him and smiled. “Cal Kittredge. It’s been a while.”

AN HOUR LATER, Nick swore under his breath, cursing the lack of parking spots in front of DeVine Cellars. He found one a block away, parked the car, and climbed out. He was a man on a mission tonight, and his target was Jordan Rhodes. Whether she wanted to or not, they needed to talk.

He strode up to DeVine Cellars just after nine o’clock. He peered through the front window, knowing he’d likely see her closing the store.

Bingo.

His eyes followed as she walked over to the bar in her black silk shirt, slim-fit skirt, and high heels. Before going inside, he allowed himself a few seconds to watch her as she grabbed a bottle of wine and carried it over to a table in the corner.

She really was gorgeous. Any man would be lucky to—

Nick stopped midthought, suddenly catching sight of the guy she was with. Medium to tall build, model-perfect brown hair, with a scarf wrapped around his neck despite the fact that it was seventy degrees inside the store.