Jen shook her head and saved the document she was working on. Then she closed the file folder she had open on her desk. “No. There’s just someone here to see me.”
Outside of their families and the few people they’d talked to at the North Salem block party, no one knew of their involvement. She wasn’t opposed to other people learning, but she wasn’t sure how she felt about some of the first people being her coworkers. While she got along with all of them, there was only a handful such as Eden she actually considered a friend. She’d rather not provide the office with this week’s water cooler gossip, and that was sure to happen if people saw Brett walk into her office.
Eden slipped her eyeglasses back on and picked up her paper coffee cup. “I was hoping to pass enough time so I didn’t have to do any more work today. Oh well, I guess I’ll have to spend a few more minutes at my desk.” She came to her feet. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a nice night.”
She liked Eden as a person, but as an employee was another story. Her friend had a tendency to procrastinate and waste time, which was why she’d been passed over for so many promotions despite the number of years she’d worked at the firm.
“See you tomorrow.” Jen watched Eden step out of the office, and then she turned her attention back to her desk. She didn’t want anything left out with a client’s personal information on display. While her work wasn’t top secret or anything, she believed the firm’s clients would want their privacy. She knew she would.
“You’ll never guess who’s here.” Eden’s excited voice announced she’d reentered Jen’s office. “Brett Sherbrooke. Willow is bringing him back to see someone,” she said, not giving Jen a chance to speak. “We were just talking about him. I can’t believe he’s here. I wonder who he is meeting with? I bet he’s here to see Leovanni.”
Leovanni Pike was the firm’s president, and if Jen didn’t know the truth, she would’ve made the same assumption. Should she tell Eden the truth or let her be surprised when Willow and Brett stopped at her office? “He’s not meeting with Leovanni,” she said.
Eden looked toward her, and Jen knew the second Eden realized whose office Willow and Brett were headed for. “That’s right. Willow called because you have a visitor. He’s your visitor. Why is Brett Sherbrooke here to see you?” she asked in a low whisper before glancing back over her shoulder. “Never mind. They’re almost here. You can tell me later.” She bolted from the office and down the hall.
She’d seen him in various types of clothing, but until now she’d hadn’t seen him in a suit. Standing there dressed in a perfectly tailored three-piece charcoal-gray suit, he looked every inch the polished Washington politician. It’s only Brett.
“This is Jennifer’s office.” Willow stopped just outside the doorway and gestured toward the open door.
Brett smiled. It was the same smile he’d used for the photographer who had taken the picture that graced the landing page of the Providence Gazette’s website this morning. A similar picture had been attached to an article in the Boston Times earlier in the week. Jen had dubbed the expression his campaign smile. While it looked natural, it wasn’t the same smile he shared with her or his family.
“Thank you for your help. I appreciate it,” he said, earning him a smile from Willow before she walked away.
When he turned his full attention Jen’s way, he gave her a true smile and her thoughts immediately went to their good-night kiss Sunday night. It was closing in on five thirty, so most people would be leaving for the night. Perhaps if she closed the door, she could give him a similar one now.
“I should’ve called first.” Brett moved the knot of his dark blue tie down a smidge. “I hope you don’t mind that I stopped in, but I missed you, and Providence was on my way home.”
I missed you. He’d said the same three words during each of their conversations this week. The sentiment was returned 100 percent.
“Of course not. I’m glad you did. I’ve missed you too.” Jen walked around her desk and closed the door, intending to give him at least a hug. Brett beat her to it. The moment the door clicked, he stepped close and pulled her into his arms.
“The whole drive here I had one thing on my mind,” he said.
“A sweet snack?” she asked. The man had a sweet tooth that surpassed a five-year-old child’s.
He lowered his head toward hers, stopping when their lips were mere inches apart. “Not exactly.” He brushed his lips across hers, a light caress she somehow felt from the tips of her toes to the top of her head.
“That’s what you were thinking about?”
“As well as a few other things we unfortunately can’t do in your office.” Brett winked at her.
For a moment, she considered the likelihood of anyone knocking on the office door. Almost as quickly she dismissed the idea. No matter how much you wanted to, there were some things you didn’t do in your office. “I can leave soon. Do you want to come to my house? I can cook us dinner.” And we can do anything else we want.
He touched his forehead against hers. “I’d like nothing more.”
“I hear a ‘but’ in your voice,” she said.
“But I’ve got a meeting with Carl and my team tonight.” He sounded as disappointed as she felt. “Between work and all the other events this week, it was the only time I could squeeze in a meeting with them all.”
Standing so close, she could see the dark circles under his eyes. It was clear he’d been burning the candle at both ends all week. She still believed he should take a leave of absence from work. She’d suggested it twice now, and he’d insist
ed it wasn’t necessary. As much as she wanted to, she wouldn’t suggest it again. Jen hoped either someone on his campaign team or a family member would, though. He couldn’t keep up his current schedule forever and not burn himself out.
“Can I get a rain check?” he asked before glancing at his wristwatch.
Jen checked the time too. She could pack up and head home. “Anytime.”
“Outstanding.” He slid his tie down another fraction of an inch. “If I have any hope of making it to my meeting on time, I’ve got to go. Can you leave now? I parked in your parking garage, so if you can leave we can walk over together.”