Swallowing hard, I decided it was time to take another risk and open up to Joyce, just a bit.
“He does the same for me, you know,” I admitted. “I feel…different with him.”
Joyce’s eyes misted over with tears and she squeezed my hand tighter. “Then I’m doubly glad he met you.” Abruptly, she released me and leaned back, blinking her eyes rapidly. “Okay, enough of that talk. I just wanted you to know how I felt and to tell you that you shouldn’t let him push you away if he tries. It’s obvious to me that he cares for you deeply.”
“I care for him too,” I shared.
She blinked away more tears. “Okay, enough! Let’s eat pasta. Carbs make everything better.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
An hour later, Joyce and I were still chatting as we walked back to the building, our bellies full of pasta and a shared piece of excellent tiramisu. She had insisted on paying for lunch despite my attempts to refuse. I relented when she promised to let me purchase our meal the next time we met. I had a feeling she would convenientlyforgetthat promise when the occasion arrived, but that was an argument for another day. At the moment, I needed to get back to the office.
“Thank you so much for taking me there, Joyce,” I said. “I had no idea that restaurant existed but I will definitely be going back.”
“You’re welcome, dear. I hope we’ll be able to do this again soon.”
“I’d love that,” I replied.
As we entered the lobby, I immediately saw Jordan coming out of the little cafe in the middle of the massive atrium. His eyes locked on me then drifted over to his aunt. Then he smiled.
He looked pleased to see us together as he walked toward us. “Joyce, you told me you wanted to go to lunch with Tanya soon, but I didn’t expect it to be quite so quick.”
“You know me, sweetie, I don’t let the grass grow under my feet.”
“Of course you don’t.”
He leaned in and kissed her cheek, then gave me the same treatment. I could almost swear I felt eyes on us. Sure enough, when he stepped back, I saw several of our coworkers loitering near the cafe, coffees in hand as they watched us.
Jordan and I might have spent nearly every night together over the past few weeks, but we’d kept our relationship out of the office. Other than the occasional lunch together, we rarely saw each other during the working hours.
By greeting us so warmly and kissing me on the cheek, Jordan might as well have announced to the entire firm that we were an item. This usually would have annoyed me, but my relationship with Jordan was different.
We weren’t a short-term fling. This was serious. Plus, if the coworkers who just witnessed Jordan’s display of affection shared with the other employees, maybe I wouldn’t have to watch women in the firm flirting with him all the time.
While it was likely harmless flirting, it still rubbed me the wrong way.
Of course, now I would have to tell Cynthia before she heard it through office gossip. Though she was my assistant, we were also friends. She would definitely be hurt if I didn’t tell her personally.
I barely paid attention as Joyce and Jordan chatted, responding when I thought I should. Soon Joyce was heading out the door, refusing Jordan’s offer to walk her to her car.
“Sweetie, I’m hardly elderly. You need to get back to work.” She kissed his cheek and gave him a hug. “Now, don’t wait two weeks before you call me again or I’ll be forced to come visit you at the office.”
She gave me a hug and kiss as well.
“Thank you again for lunch, Joyce,” I said.
“You’re welcome, dear. We’ll do it again soon.”
Waving over her shoulder, she walked out the door into the sunshine.
As Jordan and I walked toward the elevators, I noticed that our coworkers had disappeared, likely already sharing the news that the Snow Queen was dating the new partner.
“So, why did it sound like a threat when Joyce said she would come to the office to see you?” I asked him.
Jordan smiled at me, his eyes twinkling. “It was. I’ve asked Joyce never to come into the office. She’s somewhat…distracting.”
I laughed because he was right. Joyce was larger than life.
