Her eyes automatically narrowed. “Do you like pissing me off?”
“Ah, c’mon. I was trying to make you feel better and I’m new at this joke thing.” His arm went around her shoulder as they walked to the elevators. It was the first time he’d done that in the office, but it didn’t really matter anyway. Everyone knew about theirlove affairnow.
“Well, the first rule is to not make a joke about something that someone else is sentimental about. You know I love ducks.”
“Noted.” The elevator dinged and they stepped inside. “Just keep tutoring me, oh wise one. Though, I should give you fair warning. Once I’m funny, there will be no stopping me. A bad-ass with a sense of humor? You won’t be able to resist.”
She smiled. She already couldn’t.
October
When Everything Comes Together
If someone had told her a few months ago that she would be dating Tyler Evans, she would have thrown a slap at such person and the words delusional idiot would have burst out of her mouth. But they’d been together for a little over a month now and life couldn’t be more perfect. They disagreed on many things, yet they never really fought. They knocked heads all the time, yet the challenge kept things interesting.
There were still the occasional belittling articles of her in the tabloids, but that was the only con and quite easy to ignore. As the newness of their relationship faded, so did the office rumors. Now they were beginning to enjoy the feeling of just being a normal couple. Quiet dinners, romantic weekends away, watching movies, double dating with Matt and Gemma (and Neil). Everything was pretty ordinary, pretty mediocre, pretty damn fantastic.
Jordan caught the scent of freshly baked goodies before she actually saw Margo. Even though their deal had ended in August, Tyler still tried something new from her tray each week. He rarely liked the alternative, so Margo still set aside two cream donuts with the added chocolate ball just for him. She peered down at the tray and studied the variety before reaching for a tart.
“That’s got an apricot filling,” Margo warned.
“Okay. That one’s got caramel,” she said idly as her eyes swept over the tray. “He won’t eat that one…Maybe…No…What about this one?”
“Peanut butter.”
“Okay, let’s try it.”
She took two and placed it in Tyler’s box of treats. After Margo went off to serve the rest of the finance department, Jordan picked up the spiral bound booklets and the box and took it to his office.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hi,” he said, a smile instantly lighting up his face. “What are we trying today?”
“Something with peanut butter.” She heard a light groan, which was the only kind of protest she got these days. It was clear from the look on his face that he needed some time to brace himself for it, so she moved the conversation back to business. “Cost analysis per building for the last quarter,” she said, placing one of the booklets on his desk. “Board pack for your meeting on Friday. I went all out this time. There’s pie charts in there and everything ’cause I know you hate numbers.”
He smiled. “What would I do without you?”
The last report was dropped on his desk. “And here are my budgets for the next six months. It needs to be approved. I’m still busy with the segmental reports. It should be ready by Thursday.”
“Sometimes I can’t keep up with your efficiency, but I’ll get—” His smile disappeared when Matt stepped into his office.
“Matthew.”
“Tyler.”
“Trouble?”
“Fremont.”
“Bad?”
“Got it covered. Victor?”
“I’m on it.”
“Lunch meeting?”
“Tomorrow.” Tyler nodded his head towards her. “Jordan.”
