On the eve of her birthday

Jordan Hadley went to see an 80s movie in the theatre. She met a man — Pike Lawson lounging near her in careless magnificence, talking to her in his deep voice about the movie. His features were angular and striking, and he was easy, kind, and gentlemanly. As for Pike, he had never beheld a more perfect beauty. Jordan had a perfect pout, dazzling blue eyes, beautiful, big, soft curls and a sweet innocent smile. Her light flow of talk, and her lively familiarity of manner with a total stranger, were accompanied by an unaffected naturalness and an easy inborn confidence in herself, which secured her his respect.
When her boyfriend Cole phoned both of them one by one, Jordan was surprised to realise that Pike was Cole's father. Pike was equally stunned. They listened to him, perfectly aghast with astonishment. Apparently, Cole and his friends had planned a birthday party for Jordan and consequently, the landlord had complained to the police about the over-zealous mischief-makers. They went together to release Cole out of jail.
Pike invited both of them to move into his house because the landlord had thrown them out of their apartment. It was extremely generous of him to offer, but Jordan couldn’t impose. He assured her that it would be no imposition. That was very lucky for them.
Pike was a bachelor, and had steered clear of love affairs all his life. His ex, ie Cole's mom Lindsey had only wanted to threaten him and aggravate him.
Pike and Cole were both in a great measure responsible for Jordan, though possibly Pike's responsibility was greater than his, in so far as he took it more seriously. He bore his share of that inestimably precious burden with a manly tenderness. In the course of their residence with him, Jordan came to feel a strong friendly regard for him. Cole was old enough to do wrongs, but not old enough to be wise. The discovery of his betrayal gave her such a shock, that she was perfectly incapable of speaking for the moment. All that happened after Cole left them, only increased her strong regard and sympathy for Pike.
In spite of his uptight and gruff attitude, Pike was a very attractive man in some ways. He was in his late thirties, and age had not dulled his powers. He felt relaxed and comfortable with Jordan. When she was not studying Landscape Design or working at the bar, she kept the house clean and spotless, and made sure he had a hot meal on the table when he walked in after a long day at his construction company. He enjoyed her omelettes, rolls, and drinking coffee with her. She listened to nostalgic, old-fashioned 80s music. She was, in fact, the noblest, the most adorable, of women he had ever beheld, or even imagined to exist. A sensation began to steal over him — a sensation that quickened his pulse, and raised a fluttering at his heart. He had thoughtlessly allowed himself to form an attachment — a serious and devoted attachment — to Jordan. The misery of self-reproach kept him waking and wretched for hours.
After wearing and wasting her palpitating heart with the regret, common sense had illuminated Jordan. She did not care, though the vile world would slander trample and tread upon their lives; why should she? While they had love they had the best of life.

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