Only For You. Jacquelin Thomas
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poured coffee into a black mug. “I’ll have to see if I can set up a movie date with them or something.”
“I’m sure they would love it.”
Jordin picked up a plate containing fresh fruit and a bagel. “The more time I spend with those little girls, the more I want to have children of my own. I can’t wait to be a mother.”
“You’d definitely be good at it,” her sister responded.
She studied her sister’s face. There was a hint of sadness behind Jadin’s eyes. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“I know you, sis,” Jordin stated. “You mentioned that you and Michael talked—is everything good between you two?”
“He’s been offered a job with a large law firm in Beverly Hills.”
She met her sister’s gaze. “Is he going to take it?”
Jadin nodded. “He wants me to go with him.”
“What did you say?” Jordin couldn’t imagine her sister being thousands of miles away from her, but she would never try to stand in the way of Jadin’s happiness.
“I told him that I couldn’t. I could never do that to Dad. He’s always drilled the importance of the DuGrandpre legacy.”
“Dad also wants you to be happy, Jadin. I’m sure he would understand.”
“I’m not moving to California,” she stated. “Michael understands my reasons why and while he isn’t fond of the choice I made—he understands why I can’t go.”
“Yet you seem somewhat sad.”
“I love Michael and I’m really going to miss him.”
“Well, at least you can visit him.”
She shook her head sadly. “I told him that I thought it was best to just be friends. I don’t want Michael to feel obligated in trying to maintain a long-distance relationship.”
“You just said that you love Michael,” Jordin stated. “Why would you break up with him?” Deep down, she was thrilled because she suspected he was nothing more than a ladies’ man. Jadin wanted to get married, but he always used the excuse that he wasn’t ready.
“It’s for the best, sis.”
“For you or him?”
Jadin met her sister’s gaze. “For both of us. We are DuGrandpres, Jordin. Our grandfather started this company from the ground up here in Charleston. I am proud of our duty to make sure his legacy is carried on. You remember how upset Granddad and Uncle Jacques got when Aubrie decided to become a chef?”
“Her father eventually accepted her decision,” Jordin pointed out. “Granddad is still not happy about it though.”
“Deep down, Uncle Jacques is not completely okay with it either.”
She had to agree. It really hurt her uncle when his only daughter chose not to follow in her family’s footsteps. Jordin glimpsed the longing in her sister’s eyes. She knew that as much as Jadin wanted to be with Michael, she would never choose him over her family.
Despite her mixed feelings where Michael was concerned, Jordin did not necessarily agree with Jadin’s unwavering loyalty to the family. It was time for her sister to selfishly consider her future with the man she loved. “Think of your own happiness for once.”
“I always thought that you didn’t care much for Michael,” Jadin stated, “yet you are telling me to follow him to California.”
“I don’t believe he’s the man for you,” Jordin explained. “However, it is not my right to stand in the way of your happily-ever-after.”
Jadin met her gaze. “I suppose you would like for me to do the same where you’re concerned. Right?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Ethan.”
“This isn’t about me or Ethan, Jadin. We are talking about you and Michael.”
“So if Ethan wanted you to leave the firm—would you?”
“I would consider his request,” Jordin confessed.
“You would put a man before the good of our company...our family legacy?” Jadin questioned. A look of disbelief crossed her face.
“Our legacy is woven into the fabric of this beautiful city, sis. I am a DuGrandpre by blood and nothing will ever change this,” Jordin stated. “However, I also deserve to be with someone who loves me. I want to create a legacy with my husband for our children. I would think that you’d have the same desires.”
“The DuGrandpre name is a burden we have to bear, Jordin. We can’t take it lightly.”
“You sound like Granddad,” she uttered in response.
“Granddad told us how he was threatened by a group of racists when he started the law firm. The original office was burned to the ground, but our grandfather didn’t give up. Our company was founded on his blood, sweat and tears, Jordin.”
“I know all of this, sis. I wouldn’t do anything to tarnish our history, but I have the right to live my life on my own terms—we all have that right, Jadin.”
“I’m afraid we are never going to agree on this subject,” she responded with a sigh.
“Jadin, I don’t disagree with you. I just believe that I can have a life of my own without bringing dishonor to my family. Aubrie has a very successful restaurant—this is an extension of the DuGrandpre legacy and there’s nothing wrong with it. Our legacy reaches far beyond the law firm.”
Her sister remained silent.
“I know you are beyond loyal, Jadin, and it’s a wonderful quality. I am also loyal to this family and our company, but I am not going to give up on marriage and a family,” Jordin stated. “No one requires this of us.”
“I disagree.”
“Well, I intend on living my life on my own terms, Jadin, and I suggest you do the same. If you don’t...you may one day regret it.”
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