Page 65 of Broken Princess

I finally feel my lungs inflate when she steps away from him without a kiss or any other signs that he’s sampled those sinful delights between her legs. If he had, he wouldn’t be letting her walk away from him. He studies her and even though I can’t make out his eyes; I know they’re filled with desire. He won’t put off making a move on her for too much longer. That means I have to lock her back down before then.

My phone buzzes just as I’m turning down the path that leads to my dorm. Pulling it from my pocket, my heart stutters to a stop, before expanding so much that it takes up all the room in my chest preventing me from getting air.

Jordy: Sorry I didn’t make it to work today, got delayed on the way back from Carryville. I’ll have the first draft of that article for you by tomorrow.

I’m feeling lightheaded as I type my reply.

Thursday is soon enough, just make sure it’s a clean copy.

Thanks, sorry I missed my deadline.

It’s newspaper bullshit, but it’s a turning point, because she usually contacts me by email. The fact that my text went through can only mean one thing. She’s finally unblocked my number. I stuff my phone back into my pocket, along with my hands. It’s cold as shit out here with snow in the forecast. Getting Jordanna to let down her walls will take time. Time I don’t have because I know Bella’s getting bored, and if I haven’t won Jordy over before she makes a move, I’ll lose any chance I have with her, for good. Letting myself into my dorm, I come up with a plan.

Twenty-Five

Logan

Isent Jordanna’s article back to her twice for revisions. I need those updates in the next hour, if it’s going to be included in Monday’s run of The Guild. There was nothing wrong with the last two edits, but I found shit to pick apart just to run down time on the clock. We’re in the newsroom and I’m putting the final touches on the layout. What she doesn’t know is that in order to make the printing deadline I have to deliver it in person or the printer will give away our slot.

My email pings with her latest draft and I pretend to read through it, resisting the urge to look up when I feel her eyes on me. The silence stretches between us as she swivels her chair back and forth. She’s restless. Good. That’ll make her more likely to go along with my suggestion. Not that I’m actually giving her a choice.

I resize the document and place it on the lefthand column of the page, then save the file to my thumb drive. Grabbing my coat from the back of my chair, and my phone off the desk, I say, “Let’s go.”

I pretend not to see the confusion on her face. “Jordy, we’re running out of time. Come on.” I slip her book bag over my shoulder and walk out the door. I’m already heading towards the stairs when she scrambles after me, shoving her arms through the sleeves of her coat.

“Logan, where the hell do you think you’re going with my bag?” She asks catching up to me outside.

I hold the car door open, waiting for her to get in. “I’m not going anywhere with you.” She says, taking a step backwards.

“Jordanna, when I gave you the extension, I forgot the printer was closing early today. We’ll miss our run time if I don’t get this file in their hands within the hour, and they won’t take it by email.”

“Why not? They usually do.”

“Yes, but it goes into a queue. And we’ve missed the electronic submission window. If we’re gonna get the paper out on Monday, I have to deliver it in person.”

“Okay, but why do I have to go on this little field trip?”

“One, it’s your article that has us late.”

“You gave me the extension.”

“Two, I thought you’d like to see where the printer is, in case I ever need you to drop a file off.”

“Me?”

“Yes, Jordy, you. We both know you’d be the next likely candidate for editor, if I quit, or get fired.”

“I don’t see that happening.”

“Neither do I, but it’s good to have a backup and the truth is, until you started working for The Guild, I didn’t have anyone else at the paper that I trusted to do this. So, it’s been me and Mrs. Morgan.”

I drum my fingers on the roof of the car. “Are you coming or not?”

She slides into the passenger seat and I push the door closed. I knew that inquisitive streak wouldn’t let her give up the chance to learn something new about the paper. I meant what I said about her being the next likely candidate for my job. Last semester she said pretty much the same thing.

We do the twenty-five minute drive to the printers in silence. Jordanna fidgets for the first five minutes, before relaxing against the heated seats. The first flurries start when we’re ten minutes from our destination. It’s a light snow, so it doesn’t stick to the road.

Our quick drop off turns into an hour-long process because I insist on watching the printer run the first press, so I can review the print. We make a few tweaks, then I give the final approval, thank him, and usher Jordy out the door.

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