As the stragglers started filtering out, Jesse realized how late it was.
She needed to get going before she missed the last bus to her neighborhood.
Finishing the last of her wine and quietly excusing herself, she moved to collect her things from her desk. Accepting a few last-minute hugs and farewells until it was just her and the bag filled with her meager belongings.
Checking to make sure that she had everything, she smiled when she noticed an unexpected addition to her bag.
A small bouquet of wildflowers, tied together with a pretty blue bow.
“You all packed up?”
Jesse squealed in fright and spun around to pin a grinning Jax with a glare, the hand with the bouquet held tight against her chest.
“You scared years off my life,” she griped at him. “Someone needs to put a bell around your neck.”
Jax shrugged and leaned his hip against her desk, his hands shoved in his pockets.
“I don’t think I was being particularly quiet, but I guess your mind was on other things,” he said with a meaningful look at the flowers in her hand. “You got my gift, I see. I wasn’t sure what flowers you liked best, but these seemed cheerful and made me think of you.”
Jesse looked down at the flowers and gently ran her fingers over the petals as she tried to untangle her tongue.
Get yourself together, girl.
“These are from you?” she finally managed.
He nodded and reached into the bag and brought out the pen he’d given her. He bopped her on the nose with it and gave her a gentle smile.
“And this. Along with the shell, and rock, and cupcake.”
It was the first time in their week together that he acknowledged he was the one behind her new valuables.
“Oh.”
Nice, really articulate, Jesse, she mocked privately.
“Uhm, thank you.” Her eyes darted to his face and away, the telltale burn of a blush starting on her cheeks. “I loved all of them.”
“I’m glad. I hope it makes you think of me when you’ve got your new placement.”
Like she needed any help with that.
“I came over to say thank you for your help this week. And every other week, really. Everyone I’ve spoken to mentioned how they enjoyed working with you, so I know it won’t just be me that misses you here.”
The words, so soft and sincere, took her breath away.
“Thank you. That really means a lot to me.”
Before she knew what was happening, Jax stepped right up to her and pulled her closer. His arms wrapped around her shoulders and she returned the hug before her brain had really caught up to what was happening. One of his hands cupped the back of her head, pulling her closer.
The feel of his body against hers further fried all her circuits.
“I’ll see you again soon.” He promised in a soft murmur. His mouth touched her temple for a sweet kiss goodbye before he let her go.
Jesse watched him until he disappeared into his office before she gave one last hopeful look around. With his office door closed and no one else in sight, Jesse decided she couldn’t keep waiting and forced herself to get moving. She couldn’t keep lingering, hoping she got to see Devon one last time before she left.
She slung her handbag onto her shoulder, hooked the other into her fingers, and walked towards the elevator.
Pressing the button, Jesse stood back and waited. At the sound of hurried footsteps behind her, Jesse glanced over her shoulder.
Relief and pure happiness spread through her.
“I thought I might have missed you,” Devon said with a serious expression that made her stomach dip as he came to a stop next to her.
“Almost,” Jesse replied faintly.
“I tried to finish the call as quickly as I could, but you know how Mr. Patil likes to chat.”
Jesse laughed at his disgruntled expression.
“Oh, but he is lovely. Just a bit lonely, I suspect.”
“Lovely, or lonely, I still wanted to make sure that I caught you before you left.” It was a gentle knock to her already shaky reserve, and Jesse struggled to keep it from crumbling when he gave her the barest of smiles.
These Monroe men were really hitting all the soft spots tonight, Jesse thought dazedly.
The elevator doors opening saved Jesse from needing to answer..
Feeling more nervous than she had ever been before, Jesse settled into the center of the elevator. Devon did the same next to her. Their shoulders touching and their hands …
Jesse’s breath stuttered in her throat.
Their hands hung next to each other, a mere breath apart.
Neither of them moved.
The doors of the cab closed, and moments later, it lowered. A popular pop song played in the background, but Jesse couldn’t think of its name. All she could think of was how Devon’s presence encompass every fibre of her being. His every breath becoming hers. His every movement causing the fine hairs on her arms to stand on attention.
An electric thrum danced along her body and settled in a swirl in the pit of her belly.
Jesse never knew that standing next to someone could be considered foreplay, but here she was.
Slick.
Aching.
“I’ll miss you around here,” Devon said when the cab came to a stop and Jesse stepped out on shaky legs with Devon right beside her.
Please.
“I’ve enjoyed having you with me the last few months.” He continued like he wasn’t shredding her heart with every tender word.
Stop.
“I’m sure you’ll be happy to have Laurel back in her place,” Jesse forced herself to answer and turned a shaky smile up at him.
He shrugged.
“Absolutely. She’s been with me since the beginning and it wouldn’t feel right without her here but -”
He trailed off and slowly brought them to a stop, looking uncharacteristically uncertain as his eyes searched hers.
Jesse’s heart strained to hear the unspoken words.
“I looked forward to seeing you there every day.”
Fuck.
Tears pricked at Jesse’s eyes and she quickly looked at her feet.
“You won’t forget me, will you, Jesse?” He asked softly when he touched her chin to raise her eyes to his.
“I don't think I could ever forget you.” She answered with a painful breath.
He nodded, his gaze so intent on her face it felt like he was trying to memorize it. The moment stretched on. His body almost touching hers. His finger on her chin. The noise of the outside world barely filtering through the bubble that surrounded them.
Before Jesse could gather the courage to return his touch, Devon moved his hand from her chin and brushed the curve of a cheek.
Something inside her ached to call out to him when he turned and walked away.
She could feel that hopeful, beautiful feeling he inspired in her start to whither with every step he took away from her.
Be brave.
Without giving herself too much time to second guess, she takes one … two … three steps toward him.
“Devon!”
Before he could properly turn around to face her, Jesse was in his space. Toes straining when her face lifted towards his. A delicate brush of lips. A stolen moment in time that seared itself into her very soul.
And then she was gone.
Rushing off into the night a little braver than she had been that morning.