It shocked me to find out that Jude wasn’t coming in to work the next morning. My heart was racing on the way there, anxious to know if he had more to say, but then I reached my desk and found an email from him, and my racing heart had settled a bit.

Subject: Meeting

I flew back to Santa Ana for another meeting. Please make sure the files and presentations for Fox are organized for tomorrow morning. You may work at home today if you’d like.

Judas Clement

C.E.O of Clement Architecture

I sighed, and took him up on the offer of working at home. Without him in the office it was just too boring.

While I packed up, I wondered if he’d skipped Monday on purpose. After walking out on him, I felt bad about it when I got home, but I didn’t regret it. I was upset, and had thought a little too much about the future.

Instead of thinking about the now, and how much I was enjoying my time with him, I was thinking ahead to a place and time we hadn’t even reached yet.

I enjoyed my time with Jude.

I liked the way he looked at me, and how he took good care of my body, doing things to me that no other man had ever done to me before.

Why couldn’t I just accept what was going for us right now, and think about the consequences later? Being invested in a man like Judas Clement wasn’t such a bad thing…was it?

* * *

I got home a little before 7:00 p.m. that same night and the house was quiet. Carrie was most likely working, but she’d made dinner for me, something I loved so much about her. Sometimes I’d skip dinner and just eat a piece of fruit if I had too much work to do. She knew this and couldn’t stand it, so she’d whip something up so I couldn’t make an excuse about not eating.

I worked at a messy dinner table, covered in papers, prints, and an empty bowl of spaghetti, for several hours, until my phone rang. I wasn’t expecting the name that showed up on the screen. To be frank, I hadn’t thought much about him since Friday night.

I answered the phone and put on a chipper tone. “Hi, Tyler,” I chimed.

“Hey, Jenna. What’s up? Haven’t heard from you since yesterday. Everything okay?”

“Mmm-hmm, yeah. Everything is fine. I’ve just been a little busy with work. I have a huge project to organize for my boss so I’ve had my hands full.”

“Oh, I see. Well, maybe you can take a break for an hour and catch something to eat with me?”

I chewed on my bottom lip, sitting down in my chair. I couldn’t do it, and I honestly didn’t want to. I figured maybe if I rejected his offers, eventually he would just stop asking and maybe even stop calling. But I wasn’t that person.

I hated confrontation.

“I wish, but I really have to finish this. This thing is due tomorrow morning and my boss will kill me if something isn’t right.”

“He sounds strict,” he said.

“He can be.” I bit a smile, just thinking about how strict he could get with me.

“Okay, well, if you want to take a break, just call me. I’ll drop whatever I’m doing for you.”

I laughed. “Thanks, Tyler. Talk to you soon, okay?”

“Okay–”

He had more to say but I ended the call before he could get the chance. I couldn’t do this to him. He was such a nice guy, but he wasn’t Jude.

Before I could place my phone down and get back to work, a chiming came from my computer. An email.

Subject: Need to know

You didn’t respond to the email earlier. Just want to know you’re okay. I don’t want you to be upset, Jenna. You know the rules.

Judas Clement

C.E.O of Clement Architecture

Sighing, I straightened my back and responded to his email.

Subject: Re: Need to know

Mr. Clement, I’m fine. I got a little carried away with my feelings last night but I’m better now, and I’m not angry with you. Yes, I know the rules and I’ll stick to following them from now on.

Jenna Taylor

Executive Secretary of Clement Architecture

I waited several minutes before getting his response.

Subject: Re: Re: Need to know

Well, if you’re not angry, attend the gala with me. As my secretary and as my date…but only we will know that last part.

Judas Clement

C.E.O of Clement Architecture

I laughed softly and shook my head, responding immediately.

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Need to know

I probably won’t attend the gala, Mr. Clement. I don’t even have a dress for the occasion. I can’t just go out and buy a Dior or Versace dress to show off like you and your family can.

Jenna Taylor

Executive Secretary of Clement Architecture

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Need to know

If you had the choice to pick, which would you prefer? Dior or Versace?

Judas Clement

C.E.O of Clement Architecture

I debated for a bit.

Subject: Re. Re: Re: Re: Re: Need to know

Probably Dior.

Jenna Taylor

Executive Assistant of Clement Architecture

Subject: Re. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Need to know

Don’t make any plans after work tomorrow. I’ll have you flown to San Francisco, where you can pick your favorite Dior dress and be fitted for it. Now you have no choice but to attend the gala with me.

Judas Clement

C.E.O of Clement Architecture

Wait.

Was he serious? Did he really want me to go so badly that he’d buy me a thousand-dollar dress just to be sure I showed up? I scoffed, but couldn’t stop beaming. How was any woman supposed to pass up the opportunity to be fitted in a one-of-a-kind designer dress?

Subject: Re. Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Need to know

You are out of your mind, Mr. Clement…but I’ll be sure all plans are cancelled for tomorrow afternoon.

Jenna Taylor

Executive Assistant of Clement Architecture

I smiled and shut my laptop, my teeth sinking into my bottom lip. This push and pull was becoming a dangerous game and I knew it, yet I was sinking into the clutches of this budding romance like quicksand.