Chapter 22
Jordan looked at her clock; it was almost one in the afternoon. She looked at her graham crackers and blanched. They weren't doing the job for her today.
It'd been extremely hectic at the office, she was consistently running around doing so many different odds and ends, that she'd barely had time to breathe.
Finally, three meetings, and five lengthy and intense phone calls later, she'd had the chance to sit down and relax, well if you consider filling out forms and typing up a memo relaxing. She pushed her now stale crackers aside, and stared blankly at her computer screen. She really needed to get away. She jumped as the phone buzzed, her hand flying to her chest. Taking a calming breath, she reached out and pressed the button on the phone. "Yes Trevor."
"There's someone here to see you."
"Send them in." She'd be lying if she said she wasn't thankful for the interruption. The door opened and she stood, looking up, her eyes widened.
"Hello Jordan."
She swallowed hard, her heart suddenly starting to pound faster. "Howie, what are you doing here?"
Howie smiled. "I just dropped by to say hello and to see how things were going."
"Oh, well they're going ok I guess. Been kinda busy here and I haven't had the chance to..." She shook her head. "Anyway, it was nice of you to stop by." She smiled, a genuine smile. She was really glad he was here she realized.
"It's not a problem." He looked over at her desk, a slow smile forming on his lips. "Graham crackers?"
She blushed slightly. "Mmm, well, didn't have time for anything else. Sadly enough, they're stale."
Howie shook his head. "That's no good."
She shrugged. "No big deal."
"If you think I'm gonna believe that... Come on, get your purse."
"Why?"
"Cause I'm taking you out to lunch and I won't take no for an answer. You need to eat something. You can't tell me it's not hard to focus on an empty stomach. Those crackers aren't gonna do it for you."
She started to say something, when Howie raised an eyebrow and she stopped. "No, I guess not."
"Ok then, get your purse and let's go."
"I suppose I can, I really wasn't getting anything done anyway." She turned, getting her purse from the filing cabinet and walking over to him. Howie smiled, opening the door for her.
"After you."
She blinked, walking by him, catching the now familiar scent of his cologne. "Trevor, would you take any messages for me, I'm going out to get a bite to eat." She looked over at Howie.
Trevor grinned. "Sure thing boss." He winked at Howie.
Jordan groaned, grabbing Howie's hand, and leading him out the building.
****
They chatted while waiting for their food to arrive. Conversation with him was always really easy Jordan learned. They never seemed to run out of things to say, and the silence was always comfortable. She sighed wistfully, resting her head in her hand, watching him intently.
"What? Do I have something in my teeth?"
She shook her head, smiling. "No no, just... I dunno, just thinking."
"It's easier to think while looking at me?" Howie questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"I can't describe it, you have this kinda, peace about you. You look so, carefree, so...relaxed." She stopped, her face turning beet red. What was she saying and where was all this coming from?
Howie studied her intently, this was a change. She was never this open, this talkative really. Her view on him was interesting as well. He didn't really think she was paying that much attention to him up until this point, she'd kept her eyes everywhere but on him. When she'd openly started to look at him, he'd been taken off guard. It was a pleasant change to say the least. Smiling, he leaned forward on his elbows, looking deep into her eyes.
"I'd like to think that you'd be comfortable around me, that I exude an air of comfort. I see how tense you are Jordan, and all I want for you to do, is to relax and enjoy the atmosphere, and maybe, enjoy me." He said softly.
She blinked, swallowing hard.
Howie could see she was flustered and chuckled. Reaching out, he covered her hand with his, finding her gaze and holding it. "Relax Jordan."
She jumped a bit, unprepared for the contact. Oddly enough, she didn't move her hand; she didn't move her body, just continued to look into his eyes. Just then the waiter arrived with their food and the moment was gone. Slowly she sat back in her seat; her eyes now riveted to the plate in front of her. She wasn't going to even try to understand what'd just happened.
****
They pulled back into the parking lot. Lunch had been nice. They'd eating in a companionable silence and left shortly after. Now as they arrived back at Jordan's job, she found herself reluctant to leave, work didn't seem as appealing as spending time with this enigmatic man sitting beside her. She turned to look at him as he cut the engine, desperate for anything to hold on to to keep him there a moment a minute longer.
"Well, thanks for letting me kidnap ya and take ya to lunch." Howie grinned.
"Not a problem, I really needed to get out of there for a while, I feel more focused."
"Always makes work that much easier. I'm glad I could help with that."
She smiled, looking down suddenly.
"Have a great rest of the day Jordan."
"Come over." She blurted out before she knew what she was saying.
"Excuse me?"
"Come over, to my house tomorrow night. We can hang out, relax a bit. I mean...if you want." She refused to look at him, she'd feel so stupid if he looked her in the eyes and told her no.
"Ok."
She blinked, had she heard him right? Did he just say ok? She lifted her eyes to his, he was smiling.
"Ok?"
"Yeah, why not? I have nothing else planned, I'd like to hang out with you again."
"Really?"
"Yeah, besides, you suggesting not to work, I'm all for it." He winked.
She took a shaky breath in. "Alright then. How bout, say six thirty? That'll give me a chance to get changed and all."
"That's fine, I'll make dinner."
"No no, you don't have to do all that."
"No, I don't. But I want to, so let me."
She really had no choice but to give in. "Ok, that's...ok."
"Great, so I'll see you tomorrow evening then alright?"
She nodded. "Ok, see you then. Thanks for lunch"
Howie smiled. "My pleasure."
She smiled shakily, slipping out of the car, waving as he took off. She hadn't even thought of the ramifications of what she'd done, she'd gone purely on instinct and instinct had told her not to let him go without the promise of seeing him again.
Taking a breath, she turned and headed back into the building.
