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the sand next to Rob and watched them frolicking around, splashing one another. Rob was sitting so close that she could feel the heat emanating from his body and thought that he could surely hear her heart racing.
    â€œThey’re great kids, Jordan,” he said matter-of-factly.
    â€œThank you,” she whispered.
    â€œYou’re very lucky to have them.” He sighed. He was watching them closely when she turned to look at him.
    â€œI know it’s not any of my business and I hope you don’t mind my asking, but why haven’t you settled down and started a family?” She would understand if he didn’t reply, but inside she was dying to know. Was she hoping for an ego boost by hearing him say he’d never gotten over her? She groaned inwardly, hoping she wasn’t that shallow.
    Without taking his eyes off her sons, he said, “I got close to it once. But she was a career woman and the thought of living in a small town, raising a family and doing the soccer-mom thing wasn’t appealing to her.”
    Jordan felt a pang of jealousy she had no right to have, then chastised herself for being ridiculous.
    â€œIt’s funny; it was the exact opposite with Eric. He was the one who didn’t want the whole family thing. He resented my getting pregnant with Joseph because it meant I wouldn’t be able to work any longer. He eventually gave in and accepted the idea of me being a stay-at-home mom, but he never liked it. In his eyes, I should have been content with a career and should never have wanted to be a mother. I couldn’t help it; that’s the life I always wanted to live.”
    Rob sat in stony silence for a moment, remembering all the times he and Jordan had discussed their future and how they would have a bunch of kids and grow old together. Their plans had always included having kids right away, Jordan staying home with them while Rob got his architecture career off the ground.
    â€œI guess it never occurred to me that anyone wouldn’t want to live that life,” he said with a sigh. Did Jordan remember all those plans? Did she ever regret giving their dream up? Not sure he wanted the answer, he switched gears. “So, I live vicariously through my sister with her kids. I get to be their favorite uncle and spoil them rotten with none of the real responsibility.”
    â€œClaudia?” Jordan said as she suddenly remembered. “Oh my gosh! How is she? Does she live here now, too?”
    â€œYeah, Claude’s great,” he said with affection. “She’s been married forever and has four kids now.” At Jordan’s shocked expression, he nodded. “I know, hard to believe that my party-hearty sister settled down to be the ultimate domestic wife and mother, but she did and she loves it.”
    â€œGood for her! Do you see them often?”
    â€œI have dinner with them at least once a week. She has three daughters and a son. I love my nieces, but I find I favor my nephew; he needs all the help he can get with that many females around!”
    Jordan laughed. “I’m sure he does.” She watched her sons as they dug in the sand before turning back to Rob and sighing. “Sometimes I feel that outnumbered.”
    She hadn’t meant to share that much about her life with him or with anyone—at least not yet. She loved her sons more than life itself, but there were times when the responsibility of being both mother and father to them was overwhelming. Her family didn’t seem to understand, and she was sure Rob wouldn’t either. Suddenly Jordan felt very self-conscious that she had spoken her feelings out loud. She ducked her head and tried to think of something else to say to change the subject.
    Rob could hold back no longer. The need to touch her became too strong to resist. He reached over and gently placed a hand on top of hers where it rested on her knee and then squeezed. Jordan’s eyes widened at