The fact that I’m asking myself means I’m reasonably certain it’s probably not.
I pretend to check my e-mail on my phone while he rushes around to finish getting ready. Yes, I’m dangerously sliding toward the precipice when it comes to Jordan, but I’m a trained professional, okay?
Literally, I am. In more than one meaning, in this case.
I’ve got this.
He starts to pull his ID badge on, and that’s when I speak up. “You might want to leave that in your pocket, for now. You don’t want everyone knowing you work for the campaign.”
“I don’t?”
“Not when you’re out and about.” I explain why and show him mine’s tucked in the inner pocket of my blazer. as we head down the hall to the elevator.
He’s not wearing a blazer under his coat. “Am I dressed all right? I didn’t even think to ask.”
“If you’re in the office, jeans and a button-down is fine. But if you’ll need to be out and about, you’re okay like this.” He did add a tie, and the knot’s perfect.
Not sure why that makes my soul twinge a little.
“Should I buy a couple of blazers?”
“You’ll want to rent a tux for the inaugural balls. Do you have a plain suit for the swearing in ceremony? I’ll make sure you’re seated with the rest of us.”
He grimly smiles. “My funeral suit. Mimi made sure I had one.” His expression turns sad. “Didn’t realize I’d be wearing it to her funeral so soon.”
I wince. “Sorry.”
“No, it’s fine.” He forces a smile that breaks my heart. “I really miss her.”
Yesterday, while he mentioned her several times, I didn’t dive deep into a conversation about her.
Except I want to get to know him better. I decide to hold that conversation until we sit down. There’s a good breakfast restaurant only a block away, so we head off on foot. After we’re seated and have placed our orders, I offer him a smile. “Sleep well?”
“Yes, thank you.” That smile of his, man. Bashful and…
Adorable.
“I’ll get you set up with your own desk today. I’ll probably put you in my office.”
His eyes widen. “Oh! I’d be happy with a folding table in a corner. I don’t want to put you out any.”
“You won’t be, long as you don’t mind sharing with me. We’ll be working together a lot, so it’ll make my job a little easier, rather than having to hunt you down when I’m there. Plus, I’ll be on the move a lot with Senator Samuels. It’ll almost be like having your own office, sometimes.” The waitress brings our coffee and waters. “And I certainly won’t mind the company when I’m there.”
That earns me another of those bashful smiles. “I’ll try not to be a pest.”
Oh, baby boy.
That feels so fucking right for him. Obviously, I don’t dare utter it.
“Listen to me—you’re not a pest.” I opt to divert the conversation. “Tell me about your grandmother.”
He wraps those long, graceful fingers around his coffee mug. “Mimi was my world. I owe everything to her.” He meets my gaze and I spot the unshed tears in his eyes. That it’s still fresh and raw to him tugs at me again. “She died last year. Stroke. She laid down for a nap and never woke up.”
“I’m so sorry.”
Another pained, forced smile that makes me struggle not to get up and hug him. “Of all the ways to die, there are far worse. Last thing we said to each other wasI love you. No pain, no fear, no struggle.” He sips his coffee. “I should be so lucky.”
“I get the feeling you’re not close to your parents.”
