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For the next two hours, we worked on the copy and graphics until my neck started to hurt. I excused myself and got up to walk around the office, stretching my arms and rolling my head from side to side.
“You still have that problem with your neck?”
“Yes. It’s gotten worse as I’ve gotten older. I think too many nights bent over my laptop and desk haven’t helped.”
I sat down again, and JC’s strong hand began to massage my shoulder closest to him. Without realizing it, I closed my eyes at the sensation and remembered how delicious his massages were. I almost moaned. Then I felt a pang of guilt and opened my eyes. What would Noah say?
“Thanks, you can stop now.”
I looked into JC’s eyes and saw a glimmer of sadness.
“Do you want to order dinner? I’m starving. I only had a salad for lunch.”
He didn’t answer me but scrolled through his phone. A few seconds later, he was ordering everything I loved from the sushi place, Golden Sun, around the corner from the office.
“How hungry do you think I am?” I asked.
“You said you were starving. I can’t have you hungry when I need that lovely brain of yours to produce.”
I smirked at him and went back to rewriting copy while he worked on improving the graphics on the ad. We could’ve kept a few of the people from the marketing department, basically my employees, to stay, but I didn’t see the point. I had been working copy for years, and JC was quite adept at graphics design. It almost felt like we were together again at Carver and Carver.
An hour later, JC was sitting on the small brown leather loveseat and spreading tins full of sushi on the glass coffee table. After he finished, he sat on the floor next to the table and began to eat.
He patted the floor next to him, “Are you going to join me?”
“JC, I’m hardly dressed to sit on the floor.”
“Come on, don’t be a spoiled sport. It will be like old times.”
I decided to sit on the opposite side of the table facing him. I didn’t want to be that near to him. Working so closely with him for the past few hours had me aroused. Something I should not be. I loved Noah, and he would soon be my husband. The last thing that should be happening was attraction to my former fiancé.
JC finished chewing his piece of tuna and rested his chopsticks on the paper plate. “What do you do for fun? You never told me.”
I followed his lead, putting down my chopsticks and looked at him. “I’m involved in volunteer work when I have time.”
JC smiled. “You always did have a soft spot for people.”
“And animals. I volunteer at the Humane Society.”
“Anywhere else?”
“The Lift Me Up women’s shelter program.”
“What do you do there?”
“Organize collections of lightly used business wear. I’ve also run seminars and mentor to help women get back on their feet.”
“Where are these women from?”
“Some were homeless or battered by their significant others. They need a hand to feel self-worth and streamline back into society as productive citizens. We’ve had several success stories. It makes me feel good to help someone in need.”
“You’re a good person, Lexi.”
“I’d like to think I am. I try. It’s a humbling experience. You should join me.”
JC nodded and went silent as he continued to eat. When we reached toward the same tin for the last California Roll, I felt electricity as our fingers brushed. I quickly pulled my hand away, and JC smiled. I don’t think he realized why I had withdrawn so suddenly.
“You can have it. I know it’s your favorite.”
