Chapter 1
Chapter 1 – “Surface Calm”
Greenville, South Carolina
Early March meant layers. Sweaters in the morning, short sleeves by noon. Nina Fraizer balanced both in a hot pink knit cardigan, sleeves shoved to her elbows, shoulder-length hair loose and windblown as she crossed the parking lot of Evans & Jones Law Offices. Her car keys jingled in her palm with a nervous rhythm—habit, not fear. Not yet.
The sun was out. Birds sang high above the city’s usual hum. It felt… good. This is manageable, she reminded herself. This is progress.
Three months since the breakup and she was still standing. Bent, sure. Still questioning her worth on most mornings. But standing.
She pulled the glass door open and stepped inside. Cool air, soft lighting, polished floors. Logan, the receptionist, greeted her with an usual eye-roll.
“Morning, Rose” Nina offered, heading straight for the bullpen in the back.
“Morning, Nina,” Rose called from across the room, eyes never leaving her monitor.
Nina smiled faintly, grateful no one asked how she was doing or how her weekend went. She wasn’t in the mood to talk about Andre. She wasn’t sure she’d ever be.
Settling at her desk, she opened her laptop, sipped lukewarm green tea, and dove into the Burrell discovery files. Paperwork never judged. Evidence, timestamps, chain of custody—it all made sense in ways people didn’t. People changed. People left. Paper stayed.
The morning passed in quiet rhythm: keys clicking, printers humming, the occasional distant voice on a client call. Around noon, her phone buzzed.
Nella: Gym later? 6:00. Also, Mom’s baking.
Nina: Sure. Please ask her to make my favorite cake!
Nella: Will do. Love ya, bye.
Nina: Love you too, bye.
The gym always felt too bright at night. Sterile. Too many mirrors. Nina adjusted the hem of her top as she stepped onto the treadmill beside Nella.
Across the room, Jordan was bench pressing under the fluorescent lights. Bald head gleaming, broad shoulders under a charcoal-gray muscle shirt, sweatpants just tight enough to be distracting. Skin kissed by sun, almond-shaped eyes—damn, the man had it going on.
But Nina wasn’t in the mood for that. Not really. Brothers like Jordan knew they looked good. They collected phone numbers the way Nina collected case files. He was probably used to women falling all over him.
Still… she watched. Because looking didn’t mean wanting. And even if it did, it didn’t mean trusting.
Andre’s voice echoed in her head—You’re lucky I even stayed. A woman your size? Nobody else will want you.
If not for Andre’s cruelty, she wouldn’t have joined the gym at all. She wouldn’t have met Jordan. For that, she might even—ugh—thank him. Privately.
Jordan laughed with one of the female trainers across the room. Nina rolled her eyes. Of course. Women probably lined up for his attention. She shouldn’t judge them—but come on. Some self-respect wouldn’t hurt.
“I honestly wish you’d stop drooling over him and just accept his offer,” Nella said through gritted teeth. “Every time we come here, it’s the same: the two of you making googly eyes like you’re already in love. Just go on a freaking date.”
“I can stare,” Nina said, not breaking eye contact with the treadmill display. “Doesn’t mean I want to be just another conquest. And I’m not gonna lie—if I did go, I’d probably sleep with him. It’s been that long.”
Nella scoffed. “Since when did you become so uptight? You used to live in the moment. You used to be fun. One bad relationship and you’ve turned into Sappy Susan.”
“Easy for you to say. You’ve never let anyone in.”
“Yeah, and that’s why I don’t have to spend hours reassembling myself from someone else’s damage.”
Nina fell silent.
“I’m just saying,” Nella softened, “you let the wrong guy in and ignored every red flag. I love you, but at some point, it stopped being what he did and became what you allowed.”
Nina blinked hard, eyes stinging. “I didn’t come to the gym for therapy.”
“Good. Then sweat it out and stop holding it all in.”
Before she could respond, a smooth, rich, voice cut in.
“Hey, ladies.” Jordan. Close. Smiling. “Nina, can I talk to you for a sec?”
Her heart skipped a beat. “Sure.”
As they walked toward the office, Nella mouthed: Say yes to the date. AND the sex. She gave two emphatic thumbs up. Nina shook her head, smirking.
Inside the small gym office, Jordan stood behind her and gently shut the door.
“I’m tired of this game we’ve been playing,” he said, stepping forward.
Nina looked at the floor.
“You’re not gonna say anything?”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes to the date. I’ve been asking you since we met. I’m not playing cat and mouse forever.”
She hesitated. “If all you’re after is sex, say so now.”
Jordan chuckled. “I never said that. I said I wanted to know you.”
He reached for her hand. “Friday night. I’ll pick you up. Give me your number.”
She blinked. “I didn’t say yes.”
“I’ve given you time. You’re too scared to say yes, so I’m making the decision for you.”
He pulled her into a hug. She stiffened, then melted. His arms felt like safety, like warmth, like dangerously good timing.
A knock on the door. “Aye, J,” Trey, another trainer, called, “Mrs. Lowery’s waiting on you.”
“Tell her I’ll be there in three minutes,” Jordan replied without looking up.
Nina stirred. “My sister’s waiting—”
“No.” His tone shifted. Firm. Final. “Stay here. Just a little longer. We feel good like this.”
“But I—”
“Stop asking.”
She should’ve been offended. Instead, she let her head fall against his chest. Just for a moment.
Once outside, she saw her sister leaning against her car, waiting and smiling.
“Well, I hope I haven’t been waiting 12 minutes for nothing. Give me something.”
Nina opened the back door of her Honda and rolled her eyes, “We’re going out Friday night, he’s going to pick me up.”
“Bout damn time! I’m so proud of you.” Nella puts her hand up for a high-five, Nina just looked at her and shook her head.
“Well, he didn’t give me a choice, he told me what we’re doing.”
“Ask him if he has a brother.” Nina’s head whips up and bursts out laughing.
“Nella, why do you want to know if he has a brother?”
“You know I love when a man tells me what to do.”
