Page 22 of Capitally Engaged

She took a big sip, her eyes closing as she savored the warmth and taste.

“So, what were you up so early for, anyway?”

“Five is usually when I start on work days. Weekends too, sometimes.”

“Gross. I like to pretend there isn’t even one of those in the morning.”

I laughed. “Early bird gets the worm and all that. And anyway, my early morning habits paid off this morning, because I found a solution to one of our problems.”

“We have problems?” she asked, swinging her legs off the bed and padding over to the paper bag I set on the edge of the TV stand.

“I bought a new couch.”

Jax still rustled through the bag, her back to me.

I continued. “You know, so you can have the bed to yourself. I got something new that hasn’t been in my family since Duncan went to college, so I think it should be soft enough to sleep on. Maybe I should have gone to a store to try one out... I’m not often this impulsive, but we need a new couch, so I got one...”

I trailed off when I realized Jax was frozen, her hand in the bag, her back rigid.

“They’re chocolate croissants. Like I said, I need to know more about your food restri?—”

“You got a new couch?”

“Well yeah,” I said, no longer feeling sure of my decision.

“Why?”

“Well, I thought it might be good to have separate spaces to sleep in. You know, so we don’t keep... magnetically joining each night.”

“I see. I didn’t realize it was a big problem for you.” Jax’s voice was like ice. Shit, had I hurt her feelings? She’s the one who put the pillow between us every night. I assumed she wanted boundaries, just like I did.

“I mean, it’s not a problem per se, I just don’t want you to be?—”

“What time did you say my meeting with the senator is today?”

My mind scrambled, trying to keep up with our conversation and understand her reaction to my news.

“It’s at eleven.”

“Got it. Okay, I’m going to go take a shower. I know this is your place, so I don’t have any right to ask, but I’d really appreciate it if you weren’t here when I got out.”

Yep. Definitely pissed. This felt a lot like a fight Spencer told me about when my dad bought a new outdoor patio set without clearing it with Margaret. Did she want to help pick out the new couch? It would stay in my place after... after this was all over.

“Okay...” I said slowly, trying to tread carefully. “If that’s what you want, I can give you some space.”

She nodded, avoiding my eyes. She gathered some clothes out of the drawer and headed toward the bathroom.

“Jax...” I said, trailing off, not sure what I meant to say next. I just didn’t like the idea of us parting like this, even if I’d see her in a few hours.

She avoided my gaze, even as she turned toward me. “Don’t worry. I’ll be the doting fiancée when I see you. I just need a hot shower to wake up. I’m not a morning person after all.” She met my eyes for the first time since I brought up the couch and smiled. The facial movement didn’t reach her eyes.

“Okay, I’ll see you at the Senate staff entrance at 10:45? I’ll meet you there then?”

She nodded and disappeared into the bathroom with a click of the door locking behind her. She felt entirely out of my reach, physically and emotionally. I started getting dressed for the day on autopilot, using water from the sink to fix my hair. I wanted to honor Jax’s request, even when it put me at a disadvantage. I thought getting this couch would be a good thing, but it seems I had a lot more to learn about my fake fiancée than I realized.

Chapter

Nine

---