Page 174 of Last First Kiss

Yep, it’s official. Jordan hates him. There’s no turning back.

He studies the white building behind Javi. It stands out against everything else on this street. A beacon, a place big enough for so many people like Javi.

People like us, Jordan thinks, smiling.

“We should come here more,” Jordan suggests, nodding to Skye’s the Limit. “Do more events. Or hang out.”

“Without the drinking and kissing?”

“Especially that last part.”

“Sounds dull.” Javi grins. “So, what? We’re… friends? Is that too much?”

Jordan makes a face. “Definitely too much.”

“Don’t let my kindness at the McClintocks’ fool you,” Javi warns. “I still plan on beating you to that promotion.”

“I’m pretty sure I’m getting fired, so.”

“Come on,Jor-Bear. Throwing in the towel already? Where’s that competitive spirit?”

“I don’t need that to outperform you,Javier.” Jordan beams for him. “You’ll never be in my league.”

“Ah, there’s the second-best event coordinator at 24 Carter Gold we all love.”

They laugh. Jordan’s still not in the clear. There’s no telling if he’ll have a job worth fighting for in the future. But at least he haswhatever this iswith Javi. It’s not so bad.

Sometimes.

-19-?Attend the Rehearsal Dinner

It’s another week before Kami calls him to her office again.

A week of mild anxiety about being fired. Of staring at his bank account, then at his monthly bills and wondering how long he can live off his savings before moving back in with his mom and Tevin becomes the only option.

A week of job searches. Of considering new occupations. Is it too early for that reinvention stage Javi’s mom was referring to?

Except… Jordanloveswhat he does.

He loves that singular instance at the end of a party, after weeks and months of planning someone else’s milestone, where his client has that little twinkle in their eye. That recognition this is a moment they’ll never forget. They’ll never forget him.

It’s a week of exercising every morning until he’s so high on dopamine that life doesn’t feel so awful. Then another workout at night so he’s too tired to stay up. To stare at his phone, waiting.

Hoping.

It’s a week where he watchesNotting Hillin its entirety, for once. Where he inexplicably finds himself back in Decatur Square, the place where Jamie ended things the first time. He wanders into Little Shop of Stories, a bookstore with framed illustrations on the bright yellow walls and a floor made of shiny pennies and a warm staff welcoming him the moment he steps inside. It’s cozy, like a certain diner downtown. Memorable like a laugh shared over a sticky bar.

Jordan can see Jamie here, reading picture books to childrenduring story time. Aggressively recommending his favorite paperback romances to a customer who came in looking for a sci-fi novel.

Finally, Jordan gets it. The Will Thacker thing. How someone can be so earnest and clumsy and charismatic.

So wildly unexpected.

Because that’s Jamie Peters.

And, so, Jordan also spends the week missing him. Unsure what to do about that.

Now, Kami stares at him from across her desk. She hasn’t said a word for two minutes. It’s eerily reminiscent of the last time they did this.