Claimed (For Her 3)

My tray is almost empty, and I’ve got an extra cookie for her on it. I pick it up and put it on her tray, and the beaming smile she gives me is almost enough to do me in.

“You know the way to a lady’s heart,” she says, taking a bite of it.

Food is the way I’ll make her fall in love with me. My pop always told me that was the secret of his happy marriage to my mom. He kept her fed and remembered all her favorites. Could it really be that simple? I’m starting to think the old man was right.

She glances down at her watch, and her eyes get big. “Damn, I’m late. This was so nice, Jordan. I’m glad to have finally made a friend at work. Do you want to do lunch again tomorrow? I don’t think I have anything planned, but sometimes my calendar shifts around. I could always email you since I know where you work.” She laughs at her own joke, and I just nod dumbly. “Okay, perfect. I’ll shoot you an email tomorrow. This is always quick and easy for me, so is the cafeteria okay?”

I nod again, and this time she gives me a shy smile. “I know I talk a lot. Maybe next time I’ll let you get a word or two in.”

She clears up her empty tray and waves over her shoulder as she heads for the elevator.

I don’t know how long I sit there, but it must be a while because when I look up, Paige is standing over me.

“Seriously, Jordan? I had to check the camera to find you.”

“Sorry, I was having lunch,” I say, and stand up to see the room empty.

“Yeah. And now it’s time to go,” she says, looking at me like I’m an idiot.

Sure enough, the sun has set, and I’ve been sitting here all day thinking about my brown-eyed beauty and how I’ve just met the woman I’m going to marry.

“Hey, you okay?” Paige asks as we leave.

“Yeah,” I say, smiling. “I’ve never been better.”

Her eyes narrow, and then they get big. “Oh shit,” she exclaims, shaking her head. “I know that look.”

“What look?” I ask.

She laughs mirthlessly. “Sorry, buddy. I hate to be the one to tell you, but you just got claimed.”

I feel the smile pull at my lips, loving the sound of it. Jay definitely claimed me.