Page 31 of Capitally Engaged

Jax leaned forward and took the Gatorade off the table, twisting off the cap to take a few large swallows.

“I’m okay. And sorry I bit your head off about the supplies. It’s sweet and hydrating isn’t a bad idea.” She started to mess with the wrapper on the bottle, avoiding my eyes.

“You’re welcome.”

We sat in silence for a few moments.

“So, about that kiss,” I said.

“I think that security guard might win this week’s story telling competition,” she said. “But I don’t think it should happen again.”

I absorbed her words, my emotions warring. On one hand, I knew she had a point. We werefakeengaged, and our quarters were just too tight 24/7 to add anything physical. But, on the other hand, the one I used solely in the shower since Jax moved in, I wanted to kiss those lips again. And then the rest of her.

“It’s just that we’re on top of each other—figuratively, that is—all the time, and I think it’s playing with fire to let anything get physical when it’s just us. I know we’ll still need to touch in public,” she continued when I didn’t say anything.

I nodded slowly. “I see your point. But itwassome kiss, am I right?”

Jax didn’t answer me, pushing herself into a standing position. “I’m going to take a shower and then turn in early.”

“Do you want anything for dinner? I can see what we have. If not, I might go to the gym.”

Jax shook her head. “I think Saltines and Gatorade for dinner will be perfect.”

She gathered what she needed for her shower while I stared straight ahead, trying to make myself get up and go to the gym. I was vaguely aware of the bathroom door opening and closing and the water turning on when I heard the door open again.

“Preston?” Jax stuck her head out of the door. “It was a hell of a kiss.”

At that, she shut the door again and presumably carried on with her shower. I got ready for the gym with what I knew was a huge grin on my face. My boppiest playlist playing in my ears, I pounded away on the treadmill. Maybe I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t help looking forward to falling asleep in the same room as my fake fiancée later.

Chapter

Thirteen

Preston

Jax and I slid into a more comfortable co-existence following our night at the Library of Congress. Did that involve me being more physically aware of her whenever we shared a room? It did. But this familiar, if platonic, version of our relationship was preferable to the strained version from before.

“Preston, I need the speech for the Young Liberal’s fund dinner. And also pass the lo mein.”

“I’ll have it for you in five,” I answered while pushing the white carton across the coffee table.

The primary elections in Rhode Island were in ten days, and we hadn’t left the office before seven all week. Even liaising with the campaign team seemed to take longer than normal. I couldn’t imagine what things would have been like if Jax hadn’t been around.

Her genius wasn’t limited to the office. We currently were trying to cram a Saturday’s worth of work into Friday evening at home so we could have a day off tomorrow. The weather forecast predicted a sixty-degree day and sunshine. The spring thaw had officially arrived in Washington, DC.

“Okay, sent. I think that’s it.”

“Knock on wood right now, Brandt. Open a file or your email, quick,” she responded, not even bothering to look over at me.

I smiled, bringing up my email inbox, not wanting to close my computer until Jax was finished with the speech I just sent her. There were always emails to answer.

She slammed the lid of her laptop moments later and threw it onto the couch next to her, stretching with a groan. “Okay, done. Are you sure we have to go outside tomorrow and enjoy the weather? Staying in bed all day, watching the sun from inside, also sounds pretty great.”

My phone buzzed from the table, distracting me from images of staying in bed with Jax all day. I needed to cool it. Duncan’s name flashed on the screen. I debated ignoring it, but if he was actually calling, he wouldn’t give up until he talked to me.

“Hey, Dunc, Happy Friday. What’s up?”

“Just calling to confirm you and your lovely fiancée you’ve managed to share very few details about will be at the Brandt Investing International cleanup day at the river tomorrow.”

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