Page 18 of Last First Kiss

“Denz,” he says, panting. When did he start sweating so much? He needs a shower. “I should go.”

Denz grins. “Big day, right?”

“Big day,” Jordan says, smiling.

He ends their call. After stopping the treadmill, Jordan sprints back to his apartment.

There’s no more time to think about last night. Or stupid kisses that happened a lifetime ago.

There’s no time to think about Jamie Peters.

Jordan steps off the elevator onto the sixth floor of a gleaming building in downtown Atlanta. 24 Carter Gold welcomes him like a warmhelloof popping colors and chic decorations. It’s an open floor plan. The perfectly positioned orchid-and-gold furniture spread throughout the lobby contrasts with white concrete floors. Sleek glass-walled offices with framed partitions run along one wall, the opposite wall filled by cubicles for the interns.

There’s an effortless flow to every destination.

Jordan’s next stop: the CEO’s office.

Not before he greets a group of interns. They all smile over their coffees. Jordan waves to Connor, another event coordinator, while placing a pale blue box with a cartoonish winged doughnut logo at the front desk.

“I hope my favorite is in there!”

Kim, one of the other coordinators, walks up. She’s at least six inches shorter than Jordan, curvy and pretty, with gold-brown skin. The round apples of her cheeks are always glowing. But Jordan’s learned not to let that smiley exterior fool him. She’ll cut anyone over her favorite morning pastry.

“I got two Butter Toffee just for you,” Jordan tells her.

She swipes up both doughnuts with a grin. “I love you.”

“Not more than you love Sublime Doughnuts.”

“Very true.”

“Great job with the Walker-Wright party over the weekend,” Jordan says, unlocking his phone. “I saw the videos on their socials. Nice brand placement.”

“All my idea!” Connor announces from across the lobby.

“Allmyexecution,” Kim reminds him as he approaches.

Connor towers over Jordan and Kim. He’s six feet four with this whole college frat boy charm going for him. Chiseled features. Bright green eyes. Slicked and parted copper hair.

A blush stands out against his pale white skin when Kim elbows his side. He drapes an arm around her shoulders. “We make a great team.”

“Wonder Twin powers activate,” Kim says before offering him a fist bump.

Connor happily reciprocates.

After Denz left, Kim and Connor took over as social media directors. Jordan refuses to acknowledge that it takestwopeople to do what Denz did for the company. His cousin’s ego doesn’t need any extra boosts.

“Big day today,” Connor says.

“Is it?” Jordan reaches into the doughnut box. He procures anOrange Dream Star, the CEO’s favorite. “It’s just another Wednesday. Nothing special.”

Kim quirks an eyebrow. “So, you’re not nervous?”

Why does everyone keep asking him that?

“I don’t get nervous, sweet Kimberly,” Jordan says while grabbing a napkin. “Nerves are for the unprepared. The incapable. Amateurs.”

He spins away, walking toward the offices.