Chapter 17
"Yes Mark I know."
"Great, so then everything is going well with the fundraiser?"
"Sure is. I've got a list of over forty people and the names keep coming. Everything should be set by the end of the month."
"In just enough time for the annual ball. Well done Jordan."
"Thank you Mark." She was one of the few people her boss let her call by first name, most people thought it unorthodox to do so, but he didn't seem to mind and Jordan wasn't one to argue.
Jordan watched as Mark continued to talk, but she didn't hear him. Her thoughts were elsewhere, particularly to that evening. She was overly anxious and the minutes seemed to be ticking by too slowly. She looked discreetly over at her clock and stifled a sigh. Looking back over at Mark, she watched his lips move, damn did he ever shut up?
"Jordan? Jordan are you listening to me?"
"What? Oh, sorry Mark. Yes sir, I'm listening." She blushed, no, she hadn't been listening. Damnit, where the hell was her focus today? She knew exactly where it was; it was with those chocolate brown eyes.
"You seem distracted. Something going on Jordan?"
"No sir, everything is fine." Damn! She had to get her shit in check.
Mark studied her intently.
"Really sir."
After a moment he nodded.
"Ok then, just remember, I need an updated guest and participation list by Wednesday at the latest."
"It'll be on your desk Tuesday sir."
"Great, have a good weekend Jordan."
"Thank you, you too." She watched as Mark left her office and slumped down in her chair.
****
Four hours later...
"Ok, I'm gonna finish this up on Monday Trevor, can you just keep this in my inbox please?"
Trevor looked at the clock. "You're leaving now?"
"Yeah, why?"
He blinked. "Two hours earlier than you usually leave? What's going on?"
"Nothing."
"You're a shitty liar. Now come on, what's going on?"
"It's nothing, I'm just meeting someone."
"Someone? This wouldn't happen to be a guy someone would it?"
"Maybe."
"This wouldn't happen to be Howie would it?"
"So, what if it is?"
Trevor grinned. "Bout time girl!"
Jordan rolled her eyes. "I'm simply taking him around Utah, showing him the different things. I can't imagine he knows where all the good stuff is."
"Jordan has a daaaaate, Jordan has a daaaaaaaate!!" Trevor chanted.
"Shut up! It isn't a date!"
"Oh? Then what is it pray tell?"
"It's...a meeting, an informal meeting." Jordan explained, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Screw meeting! It's a date! Finally! So when did he ask you?"
"He didn't."
"You mean YOU asked him?" Trevor gasped.
"As a matter of fact I did."
"When?"
"Monday evening."
Yeah right. I'm so proud, my girl's all grown up and going out on a date with a Backstreet Boy, I'm so happy." Trevor gushed, wiping away a fake tear.
Jordan rolled her eyes, sighing. "I'll see you Monday Trevor, have a nice weekend."
"I'm sure one of us will...maybe you'll get a little action too!" Trevor wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Jordan groaned, walking into her office, grabbing her coat and briefcase before heading back out.
****
Later that evening...
Securing the towel around his waist, Howie stepped out of the hot bathroom and walked over to the mirror, picking up the brush and running it through his short hair. To say he was anxious would be an understatement. Honestly he was kind of nervous too. He hoped the evening went well.
Walking back into the bathroom, he grabbed another towel, running it over his chest. Would she be as reserved as she normally was? Or would she be relaxed and have fun? He studied his reflection. He'd like to think people could be relaxed around him, he liked when people were easy to get along with. He patted the towel down his arms and over his chest one last time before tossing it onto the bed, his hands on his hips.
He'd pull out all the stops, be charming, sweet...sensual. Hell, maybe he'd speak a little Spanish for her, I mean, why not? Of course it was cliché, but he had it, why not use it? Anything to help him achieve his ultimate goal of breaking through, he'd do.
Howie whipped the other towel from around his waist, running it over his legs now and then up his waist, drying off the rest of his body. Tossing that towel down as well, he walked naked back into the bathroom, rubbing at the mirror.
Yes, tonight would be a night of firsts for them. A first time he encountered the kind of woman he'd always wanted, and the first time he'd wanted to change that. Smiling he turned to pull his boxers on and finish getting ready.
