Chapter 11
Monday morning she sat at her desk, staring hard out the window. For all her trying, she couldn't seem to stop thinking about the other night. He was staying for a few weeks? But why? And why did she care? She turned in her chair and stopped. "What?"
"You looked so pensive, what were you thinking about just then?" Trevor asked.
She waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. "Nothing, it's nothing. Did you bring me those forms?" She asked, not wanting to linger any longer on her moment of weakness.
"Yeah, they're right here. You're gonna need copies of the follow up form too, probably about thirty. Want me to get those for you as well?"
"If you would please, I'd appreciate it." She smiled, taking the forms from him.
"No prob boss." Trevor smiled and headed back out the door.
She looked the form over, leaving one out, before standing and filing it in the cabinet. She sat back down, staring blankly at the form. What did he mean that she could count on seeing him again? Just by running into him or did he mean...
Groaning in frustration, she turned to her computer. It didn't matter what he meant. So if she ran into him again, she ran into him. Nothing big and she wouldn't think about it anymore.
****
"That's right sir I'm just about done. Ok, I will. Thank you." Jordan hung up the phone and pressed the button to print. She nibbled at the graham crackers she'd brought from home and stared down at the papers scattered in front of her. It was one o'clock and she still hadn't eaten lunch.
This was typical for her of course, she wasn't big into three meals a day and generally let it slide, today, however, she seemed to be overly hungry.
There was a buzz and without lifting her gaze from the papers, she pressed the button on her phone. "Yes Trevor."
"Howard Dorough's here to see you."
She choked, grabbing her bottled water she took a long swig before putting it down. "What?!"
"He's here, he's requesting to see you."
"Uhh, ok, send him in please." She brushed the crumbs off her face and skirt and tried to look casual as there was a knock at her door. She cleared her throat. "Come in." She ducked her head, she didn't want him thinking she was actually looking forward to this. Her heart sped up as she heard the door open.
"Jordan?"
Slowly she lifted her head, pretending to be so engrossed in the submission forms she was looking over that it was painful to tare her gaze away. She stared up at him, her breath catching suddenly, memories of the other night came flooding back again, she forced them away as she stood. "Mr. Dorough, to what do I owe this visit?"
He smiled, she'd gone back to being professional. "Ms. Fairview, since I'm no longer here on business matters, do you think we can go back to casual conversation? Honestly, it'd be kind of weird to be professional now since when things were strictly professional we were on first name basis, why change now?" He stated, an eyebrow raised.
Damn him, totally pulled the rug out from under her. "Of course Howie, please, have a seat." She settled back down in her chair as he sat. "Now, was there something that I could help you with?"
"Actually, there is."
"And what's that?"
"Lunch."
She quirked an eyebrow. "Lunch Howie?"
He nodded. "Yes, you can help me with lunch by having it with me."
She blinked. "Thank you for the offer, but I really can't. I have these forms here that I have to look over and..."
"When do they need to be turned in?"
"Well they don't, I'm just double checking to make sure that they're appropriate and that all the information on them is correct you see."
"Oh, well then, I don't see why you couldn't stop for lunch."
"It's really much more complicated than it seems I assure you. Thank you for the offer."
"Is that lunch?" Howie asked, pointing to her crackers.
She felt her face burning, she didn't need to defend her crackers to anyone. "Yes, yes they are."
Howie brought his gaze to hers. "Are you satisfied?"
She opened her mouth, satisfied with what? With her life? Her job? Of course she was, she couldn't be happier, how dare he?! "I most certainly am. I love my job and what I do. It's my life, just what are you insinuating?"
Howie blinked, a slow smile forming over his full lips. "I was talking about the crackers, are you satisfied with the crackers. Apparently there's something else on your mind."
"O-oh, yes, yes I'm satisfied with them." She was stupid! What was she thinking? Of course he'd meant the crackers.
He continued to stare at her.
"Howie..."
"Jordan."
She stopped, looking at him.
"Have lunch with me." He demanded softly, he would not take no for an answer.
"Ok."
****
She was still trying to figure out why she said yes. Now, as he stared at her across the table in the restaurant they'd decided on, she knew why...his eyes. She just couldn't seem to say no to him when he looked at her with those eyes. Still she was puzzled.
Ever since she'd walked into that conference room last week, he'd been persistent in his pursuit of her. She couldn't imagine why, she figured she had to be older than him. She studied him carefully as he looked out the window, waiting for their food to arrive.
She'd seen his age when she was looking through his information form, but she couldn't seem to remember. Narrowing her eyes she assessed him. She'd guess late twenties.
"You can ask you know."
She blinked, looking away quickly, he'd noticed her looking. She felt her face burning in embarrassment.
"Excuse me?"
He smiled. "Whatever you're wondering about me, just ask."
"I wasn't wondering anything."
He simply looked at her.
It was pointless. "How old are you?"
He chuckled. "How old do you think I am?"
"Is this one of those things where you tell me you can be as old or as young as I want?" She looked at him skeptically. Howie grinned then and she felt the flutters rise in her stomach.
"Maybe."
"Ok, I'll bite. I say late twenties."
"Very good, I'm twenty eight."
That seemed right, she most was certainly older than him. She'd always been told she didn't look her thirty three years, but sometimes she felt it. She nodded, taking a sip of her water, now looking out the window. Howie studied the restaurant. He was still rather surprised that she'd accepted his offer. He'd been prepared to do some more convincing, but it hadn't been necessary. She certainly was a hard one to figure out, but everything he liked in a woman. She'd be very interesting to go out with.
A short time later, their lunch arrived and they ate quietly. Once lunch was finished, Howie was enjoying his second cappuccino, when Jordan announced she should be getting back.
"Thank you so much for lunch Howie, I appreciate it."
"My pleasure I assure you."
She smiled.
"Here, this is the number of the hotel I'm staying at and the room number. I'd love for you to give me a call sometime and we can get together or talk, which ever you prefer. I look forward to your call. Until then..." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it gently before standing, taking the wallet with the bill and heading up to pay.
He always did that. Just when she thought she'd one upped him, he went and did something like that. She stared down at the number. Now what?
