Chapter 16
She took her glasses off and rubbed the bridge of her nose. It'd been a long day and she was glad to get home. Paperwork aside, it'd been a relaxing evening. She'd made herself some dinner and took a bubble bath before starting back in on work.
She sipped at her coffee and put her glasses back on, staring once again down at the papers in front of her. She wrote fiercely, shuffling through the papers.
"Damnit where's that memo?" She looked around. "Maybe I left it in my purse." Standing, she walked over and grabbed her purse, starting to pull the contents out, scattering them on the couch next to her. She riffled through the things, checking various pieces of paper.
"Ah ha! Found it!" She smiled, swiping the paper up, causing another to flutter to the floor. She stared proudly at the paper, while reaching over to pick up the one that'd dropped. Jordan gave it a quick glance and went to set it back down when she stopped, looking at it again.
It was his number.
She tossed it down quickly, pulling away as if it would jump out and force itself back into her hand. She couldn't possibly, what would she say? No, she wouldn't do it. She turned, memo now in hand, and started filling out the rest of the information on the paper in front of her.
"Now, line twenty one should go on line...sixty six." She muttered out loud as she recorded the information. She looked next to her at the paper again and brought her gaze back quickly. She had to focus here, this was important. She started again.
"Now, If I make this out for..." She stopped again, the paper was teasing her, taunting her. "I can't do this!" Jordan reached for her purse, stuffing everything back in. She picked up the paper with the number on it and stopped again. She nibbled at her nail.
Rolling her eyes, she grabbed her cordless from the table and dialed quickly. When the receptionist asked for what room number, she told her and waited to be connected. She was crazy, she was absolutely nuts.
Her heart started pounding as the phone started ringing on the other end. Maybe he wasn't there, maybe he was out with someone. Why was she calling him? She'd promised herself she wouldn't call, and yet here she was, calling him. She could hang up, hang up before he picked up, if he even was there to pick up. That's what she'd do. She pulled the phone away, poised to press the button, when she heard a voice calling out.
"Hello?!"
Her eyes widened as she put the phone back up to her ear. "Uhh, Hello? Howie?"
"This is he, who's calling?"
"It's, this is..."
"Jordan?"
She rubbed at her temples. "Yes, it's me."
"Wow, wasn't expecting to hear from you. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I came across your number in my purse while looking for something so I thought..."
"Ahh, well I'm glad you decided to call."
She nodded.
"Jordan?"
"Oh, sorry." She rolled her eyes.
"So, was there something in particular you needed?"
"No, not really. I just, I guess I just wanted someone to talk to."
"I see. Well, here I am. Let's talk."
She smiled, setting her pen down and getting comfortable on the couch.
"How was your day?" Howie asked.
"It was alright, busy as usual. Honestly, I'm glad to be home you know, even though I'm still working."
Howie frowned. It really wasn't healthy; even he knew when to stop. Still he wondered if there was something more that motivated her to call. "Why not stop for the evening, surely it can wait till tomorrow. Come on Jordan, relax and talk with me." He whispered.
"Howie I..."
"Please?" He interrupted her.
She blinked. Looking down at the papers in front of her, she didn't know what came over her as she started to blindly gather the papers up and start stuffing them back into her briefcase.
Howie listened as he heard papers shuffling and then the sound of hooks latching shut. He couldn't believe he'd actually convinced her to stop. He smiled.
"O-ok, it's away."
"Good, doesn't that feel better?"
She squirmed a bit. "Sorta."
Howie chuckled. "Well it's a start."
Jordan smiled weakly.
****
An hour later...
She stifled a yawn.
"Sleepy?"
"Mmm...yeah, I guess so. I hadn't realized just how tired I was."
"Well, why don't I let you go then ok?"
She bit her lip; she didn't want to hang up. "Yeah, ok."
"Take care Jordan."
Her heart racing, she couldn't let him hang up, not yet. Not until she...
"Go out with me." She blurted out.
Howie stilled. Had he heard right? He was surprised they ended up talking as long as they had, and he'd learned a lot, well more than he knew in the first place. They still had a long way to go and he figured she wouldn't give him the opportunity, that looked like it was going to change now though.
"Excuse me?"
"Go out with me, Friday night. I'll show you around a bit. I can't imagine you're having much fun staying in your room all evening. I'll show you all the good stuff, outside of the things I showed the group. I...thought it might be fun to get out." She couldn't believe she was saying this. She'd tried hard to keep her distance, but something just wouldn't let this be.
"Alright, sounds good."
He accepted, it was that easy? She'd done it, no turning back.
"Jordan?"
"Oh, sorry. Ok good. So I'll come by and pick you up after work then?"
"How bout I come get you?"
"Wouldn't it be easier for me to drive?"
"It would, but it's ok. You'll have worked all day, and I don't mind. I'll just need directions and all."
"Oh, ok." Was this for real? He wanted to drive.
"So I'll pick you up at say, seven thirty? Is that ok?"
"Yes, that's fine."
"Ok, give me your address please." He jotted it down. "Alright, so I'll see you Friday at seven thirty."
"Yes, see you then. Good night Howie."
"Buenos noches Jordan." He murmured before hanging up.
She shivered suddenly, wrapping her robe tighter around her. She set the phone down, swallowing hard. Jordan shook her head, trying to erase the husky timbre of his voice as he'd said good night from her mind.
She ran a shaky hand through her hair. A curl of anticipation fluttered in her stomach. For some reason, Friday couldn't come fast enough now.
