Page 68 of Last First Kiss

“I don’t know, J,” Kim says around a mouthful of doughnut. “He is kind of suave.”

“He’s a joke. A poseur.”

“I’d date him,” Connor says when he walks up. “If I wasn’t straight. And already locked down.”

“The question is,” Kim says to Connor, “wouldhedateyou?”

“Of course! I’m hot for a white guy from Alabama.”

“No offense to your partner, Heather, who I adore,” Kim starts, sizing Connor up, “but that’s not a very high bar to cross, Con. I’ve seen your hometown.”

Connor’s offense comes out in a mock gasp as he reaches for a Nutella doughnut. They continue to trade insults, none of which Jordan hears. He’s too preoccupied seething over how two more interns have joined the Cult of Javi.

“Honestly, he’s pretty cool,” Connor’s saying. “We had drinks with him—”

That catches Jordan’s attention.

He whips around. “You haddrinkswith him?”

Kim answers by shoving the rest of her doughnut in her mouth, lowering her eyes.

Connor’s cheeks flush. His shoulders hunch guiltily. “Yeah?”

“When?” Jordan asks. Demands.

“The other week?” Connor winces. “After work. He invited us.”

Funny, Jordan didn’t get an invitation. It’s not like he would’vegone. Not unless he was zip-tied, gagged, and thrown in the back of somebody’s trunk.

“You were busy. Venue browsing with the happy couple,” Kim finally says after swallowing. “It was very casual. No big deal.”

“I never said it was,” Jordan retorts.

“No, but that weird little twitch your left eye is doing said it for you,” Connor notes. He ducks behind Kim. It’s like a skyscraper trying to hide behind a shrub.

“Seriously, I don’t care,” Jordan says. “We’re all coworkers. You’re allowed to go for drinks.”

Whatever, he’s not territorial. Who cares if Javi spent time outside of work with Kim and Connor? Jordan’s known them longer. And has met their respective partners. And remembers their birthdays every single year.

Jordan learned how to share in kindergarten. Besides, this isn’t a competition.

(At least not one Javi couldwin.)

Jordan beams. “I’m sure he’s great.”

“Mm-hmm.” Kim studies him before grabbing a second Butter Toffee doughnut. “He’s still no you, J. Nice job with the McClintocks, by the way.”

Connor nods. “Tons of coverage coming in on social media.”

Jordan hasn’t noticed. He mainly uses social media for client research. Fine, and the occasional curious scroll through model-like strangers whojust happento have gone on dates with someone he knows in, like, the platonic sense. Jordan’s own accounts are rarely updated. He doesn’t even check his tags.

If something’s happening online around the wedding, he doesn’t know about it. That doesn’t stop him from flashing them a shit-eating grin. “Just doing my part to keep the company relevant,” he boasts.

And advance my career, he doesn’t add.

Speaking of…

Jordan leans past Kim. He retrieves an Orange Dream Stardoughnut from the box. With a wave, he says, “Off to meet with the boss.”