"Amazing," he said honestly. "Best chocolate chip cookie I've ever had."
Her smile bloomed again, and Jude felt that familiar tightness in his chest that seemed to happen whenever she looked at him like that. Like he was someone worth smiling for.
It made him feel like his heart was too big for his chest.
"I was thinking of taking some to the security building later. For you and the team," she said, then seemed to catch herself. "I mean, if that's okay with you."
The thoughtful gesture touched him. She'd been thinking of him, of his team. The confirmation that he occupied space in her thoughts when they weren't together, the way she did in his, was both thrilling and frightening.
"They'd love that," he said. "We don't get many homemade treats."
Angela's cheeks flushed pink, and she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear in a gesture he'd come to recognize as a nervous habit. "I enjoy baking for people. It makes me feel useful."
The simple statement hit him harder than it should have.
After everything she'd been through, everything she'd been denied, she still wanted to take care of others. Still wanted to contribute, to matter.
"You are useful," he said, the words coming out more intense than he'd planned. "More than useful. You're—"
He caught himself before he could finish the thought, before he could tell her that she was precious, that she mattered more to him than anyone else.
The kitchen suddenly felt too small, too intimate, with just the two of them surrounded by the domestic warmth of her baking.
His heart was far too involved already. Perhaps the upcoming conversation with Duncan about this should have happened sooner.
"I'm what?" she prompted softly, and when he looked at her, he saw something vulnerable and hopeful in her expression that made his resolve crumble a little more.
The sound of footsteps in the hallway broke the moment, and Jude stepped back instinctively, putting distance between himself and Angela just as Duncan appeared in the doorway.
"Jude, perfect timing," Duncan said, though his gaze moved between them with what looked like curiosity. "Ready for our meeting?"
"Yes, sir," Jude replied, grateful his voice came out steady despite the way his pulse was still hammering from the interrupted moment with Angela.
"Actually," Duncan continued, his attention shifting to Angela, "these smell wonderful. Mind if I steal one before we disappear into my office?"
Angela's face lit up again as she selected a cookie for her father. Jude watched the easy interaction between them, noting how Duncan's presence seemed to both relax and energize her. The relationship between them had grown stronger over the past few weeks, and Jude was glad to see it.
"Take some with you," Angela offered, already reaching for a plate. "I made way too many anyway."
"You're spoiling us," Duncan said with a warm smile as he accepted the plate of cookies.
Jude found himself reluctant to leave the warm circle of Angela's attention, but Duncan was already heading toward thedoor. He forced himself to follow, though not before catching Angela's eye one more time.
"Thank you for the cookies," he said, and the soft smile she gave him in return made his chest tighten all over again.
As they walked through the hallway toward the office, Jude's mind raced with how to begin the conversation he'd requested.
Duncan's office felt smaller than usual as they settled into their chairs, the familiar space suddenly charged with the weight of what Jude was about to confess. Duncan poured himself a cup of coffee from the service on his desk, offering one to Jude, who declined with a shake of his head.
"So what’s up?” Duncan asked. “You didn’t specify what we need to discuss.”
Jude still hadn’t figured out how to broach the subject, so he jumped in using a professional perspective.
“I want to pursue assigning Angela a bodyguard.”
Duncan frowned. “Why? I thought we were going to wait on that until after the situation with Jim was resolved.”
As Jude struggled for an explanation, Duncan continued to regard him with an intense stare. He’d never felt this way in the man’s presence before, and he didn’t care much for it.
