Another Invitation To Dinner

Another Invitation To Dinner


Tessa didn’t expect to see Jordan standing at her door that morning, hands tucked into the pockets of his hoodie, his smile warm but cautious,the smile of someone trying not to intrude yet deeply hoping they’re welcome.

For a moment, neither of them moved.
The quiet felt strangely familiar, like echoes of a time they both remembered but didn’t speak about.

“Hey,” Jordan said gently. “Can I come in?”

“Sure,” she replied, stepping aside.

He walked in slowly, eyes moving over the room as if memorizing every detail. Naya was curled on the couch, tiny legs folded under her, completely hypnotized by Cocomelon. She didn’t even look their way.

Jordan’s face softened. “She looks better.”

“She is.” Tessa exhaled. “The doctor said it wasn’t serious, but you know me… I had to keep her home this week. Just to monitor her. The anxiety wouldn’t let me do otherwise.”

“I get it,” he said softly. “You’re doing great. She’s lucky to have you.”

Tessa gave a small smile, the compliment landing deeper than he probably intended.

Jordan stepped closer to the living room, careful not to interrupt the child’s focus. He watched Naya for a few seconds, admiration flickering in his eyes.

“Can I…?” he asked.

“Sure,” Tessa nodded.

He knelt beside the couch. “Hey, Naya,” he said quietly.

Naya finally blinked up at him, surprised, then broke into a small shy smile before staring back at the screen.

“It’s good to see her smiling again,” Jordan whispered, standing up.

After a moment, Jordan looked around again as if searching for something to fix or carry or lift. “Is there anything you need?” he asked. “Anything at all? I can run errands, get groceries, help with…”

“No,” she cut in gently. “Thank you, but we’re okay.”

He nodded, even though she could tell he still wished she would give him something to do.

Jordan cleared his throat. “Um… my mom asked about you yesterday.”

Tessa blinked, surprised. “About me?”

He smiled, softer this time. “And Naya.”

Tessa raised a brow. “Ohhh.”

“She’s… been thinking a lot. Reflecting. She’s not the same woman from years ago.”

Tessa’s eyes narrowed slightly, skepticism mixing with curiosity.

Jordan continued, “She’s been asking if she could invite you all to dinner. Just a simple one. Nothing formal. She wants to reconnect. She wants to meet Naya.” He paused.

Tessa looked away, unsure.

Memories flickered across her mind, some warm, some cold, some painful. The past was complicated. The people in it even more so.

Jordan stepped closer, his voice low. “I wouldn’t force it. And she told me not to push. But she genuinely wants this.” He held her gaze. “She’s changed, Tessa. She’s been trying.”

Tessa pressed her lips together.
If it had been years ago, she wouldn’t even have entertained the idea. But Jordan had a point people could change. His mother had been dealing with her own battles. Maybe this was her attempt to mend what she broke.

She finally whispered, “Okay… yes. We’ll come. Dinner is fine.”

Jordan’s relief was immediate, visible, and sincere. His shoulders softened, his eyes brightened.

“Really?”

“Yes,” she nodded. “Just tell me when.”

He grinned wider. “Thank you, Tessa. This means a lot, more than you know.”

She smiled back, small but genuine.

After a few more minutes of light conversation stories about his mother, updates about his work, gentle jokes about Naya’s obsession with Cocomelon, Jordan stood to leave.

“I’ll text you,” he said at the doorway. “And if you need anything, call.”

“I will,” she promised, even though both of them knew she probably wouldn’t.

He stepped outside, gave her one last warm smile, and walked away.

Tessa watched him go as she closed the door gently.

………

Damien drove Adrian to his hotel with a mind full of static. The engine hummed, the city lights passed in a blur, but all he could hear was Adrian’s voice replaying the same words.

“It's just business, it's not like you'll end up being best friends.”

It made his skin crawl.

At the hotel entrance, Adrian unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to him.

“Think about it. Not for you, for the people who rely on you. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it'll expose you to bigger clients.”

Damien forced a nod. “I’ll talk to the board.”

Adrian smiled and pulled him into a brief, brotherly hug. “Good. And Damien?”

“Hm?”

“If you’re serious about Tessa…don't hold back, tell her how you feel. Women deserve clarity.”

Damien exhaled through his nose, looking away. “I know.”

Adrian slapped his shoulder playfully, grabbed his bag, and walked into the hotel.

Damien watched him disappear through the glass doors before pulling away from the curb.

As he drove, the irritation crept back in, Julius Blackwell’s smug face haunting the edges of his thoughts. The arrogance. The power games. The reputation stained with corruption. Damien hated everything the Blackwells represented.

But Adrian was right, he wasn’t responsible only for himself. There were hundreds of people who relied on his leadership.

Still, teaming up with the Blackwells felt like swallowing broken glass.

He tapped his steering wheel, breathed in sharply, and reached for his phone.

He called Evelyn.

She answered on the second ring, her voice brisk but warm. “Hey. Everything okay?”

“Yes. I have news.”He paused. “We’re getting the Utah project back.”

She gasped softly. “Damien… are you serious?”

“Yes.”

“Oh my God!” Evelyn’s laughter echoed through the speaker. “Damien, that’s amazing! The team is going to lose their minds!”

He didn’t smile. “There’s a condition.”

She lowered her voice. “What condition?”

“We’d be working with the Blackwell Enterprise.”

A beat.

“…Oh.”

“Exactly.”

But then, Evelyn’s tone shifted. “Damien. It’s business.”

He frowned. “You know how they operate. They are unpredictable, ruthless and dishonest.”

“We ain't perfect either,” she cut in. “Damien, this project is huge. This could change everything for Holt Consortium. Working with the Blackwells doesn’t mean trusting them. It means using them the same way they’ll try to use us. You’re smart enough to navigate that.”

Her confidence in him always disarmed him.

“You really think we should go through with it?” he asked quietly.

“I think it would be a mistake if we didn’t.”

He swallowed, staring at the road ahead.

“And about your father’s company,” he added, “when are you leaving?”

“A few weeks,” she replied smoothly.

Evelyn knew she wasn't leaving. She just wanted to keep him on his toes.

He hesitated. “Evelyn.”

“Yes?”

“Is there anything I can do to make you stay?”

The silence after the question was heavy, thick.

Then she laughed soft, breathy, but tense. “Damien… I don’t think that’s possible.”

But he could hear the truth behind the words.

“After the board meeting,” he said quietly, “we’ll talk. Properly.”

“Okay,” she whispered.

He ended the call slowly, his mind tumbling.

By the time he reached home, he felt the pressure settling deep in his chest.
Nothing about his life was simple anymore.

And soon decisions would have to be made.