Page 25 of Lost Times

Disappointment pricked me before I pushed it away. I’d known that might happen, so there was no use in getting hurt by it.

Offering a sympathetic smile to Jasmine, I shook my head. “Looks like he’s too busy.”

She pouted but didn’t argue. Mom, on the other hand, chimed in with a raised brow.

“You could always bring him dinner at work?”

We could, yes, but Ludwig and I hadn’t discussed how he felt about Jasmine visiting at work. I knew to keep things professional, but she wouldn’t. When I said as much, Jasmine herself chipped in.

“I can be professional too! Please, Mom?” She pulled out her best begging eyes, and my will started crumbling. When I looked back at Ludwig’s first message and the compliment he’d given Jasmine, the rest disintegrated.

“Alright, but he’s probably going to be busy when we get there, which means we won’t be able to talk to him. Meetings are very important; if he’s in one, we’ll leave the food with a note for him.”

She perked up. “And if he isn’t busy?”

Considering he was always busy, I sincerely doubted that would be the case, but still…

“Then we can probably chat for a bit,butthis is work, Jasmine. You have to remember that.”

She nodded, already back to bounding around my legs, and I gave in with a sigh, typing into the chat room.

That’s fine; Jasmine and I will bring some food by. No worries if you’re too busy to talk or are in a meeting; we’ll leave it in the break room with a note.

No one would be stupid enough to take food with Ludwig’s name on it.

This time the reply was almost immediate.

You don’t have to do that. I’m used to ordering in on late nights.

How often were those, though? Something told me the answer was ‘more often than not.’

Biting my lip, I chose my words carefully.

I know we don’t have to, and if you don’t want us to we won’t, but otherwise I really don’t mind. Besides, Jasmine is excited about it.

I was as well, to a lesser extent, but I wouldn’t be adding that.

This time it took a few minutes before the bubbles moved, and my nerves ground hard during every second of it. Just as I was going to try to take it back or smooth the offer over, he answered.

If you’re sure, then I appreciate it. I’ll try to get my meetings done quickly so I’ll have time to eat with you two.

And the fluttery warmth was back. Not bothering to douse it, I nodded to Jasmine, who watched me with wide, expectant eyes. “Looks like we’re heading into work.”

She cheered and Mom laughed, patting my back. “It’s good to see she still has her usual energy. I’m calling a cab and heading for the hotel. I have a flight out tomorrow, but maybe I’ll get to meet that man of yours before then.”

I didn’t have a chance to remind her yet again that he wasn’t mine before she was out the door after one last round of hugs. Shaking my head at her, I put a hand on Jasmine’s back and gestured toward the door.

“Come on, let’s go get food ready so we can swing it by him.”

The entire process took barely half an hour before we were standing in the main lobby of the office. Most employees were already gone for the evening, and the building almost had a haunted air to it. Shaking that to the side, I kept Jasmine’s hand firmly in mine and walked to the main office.

There didn’t appear to be anyone but him inside. Ludwig hunched over his desk, his hair in its usual perfect style, and the stacks of paperwork were once again partially hiding him. The shirt he’d chosen today was a crisp white one, and it accented his arms wonderfully when he shifted to grab something.

Forcing the hormone-driven thoughts aside, I knocked on the doorframe.

He looked up, a small smile curling his lips when he noticed us. “Come in, I just finished with the meetings.”

Dark bags lingered under his eyes, and I fought back the urge to ask how much sleep he’d gotten last night. We were at work, I reminded myself, now was not the time.

---