Feb 14th, Bartlet Administration
Josh is loitering by my desk as I type, obviously bored with the CBO report he was reading earlier. He fidgets with a few things on my desk, moving them slightly, picking them up, and then sitting them back down several times. He's a flurry of unfocused energy all around me. After casually flipping through a few folders he sticks his hand into my candy dish and leans against the frame of my cubicle with his snack.
"It's empty in here tonight, he notes in passing as he checks his watch, somewhat perplexed.
Well duh, I think to myself.
I continue to type, not even phased. His constant movement and restless energy have become my new normal. Nothing to see here, folks.
He pops a candy into his mouth and then makes a face, examining the contents of his hand. "Why are these M&M's stupid colors?"
I stop typing and look at him arching a brow. Is he... serious?
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah. They're all... girly." He tosses another into his mouth. "They're different colors of pink."
"Joshua," I feign exasperation. "It's Valentine's Day."
He makes a face like a deer caught in the headlights and gulps, swallowing the chocolates as if they'd suddenly morphed into bitter pills. "...right now?"
That causes me to giggle. With any other man in the world I'd call that a cop out- but with Josh, he really had no idea. "Yes, Josh. Today."
"Oh." He looks around a bit, suddenly weary as he takes in the cards and decorations around the bullpen, before he spots the bouquet on my desk. "And, uh, those are for... you know... the holiday?"
"They are." I play it cool, acting aloof about the whole thing as I stand up and saunter over to the file cabinet. Okay, so they're from my dad. But what he doesn't know won't hurt him.
He's hot on my heels as I make my way around the bullpen, his casual nonchalance turning quickly to a nervous line of questioning.
"Do you have plans tonight?"
"How long have you known this guy?"
"Where'd you meet Mr. Floral Delivery?"
"Lilies? Really, Donna? He can't even send you roses on Valentine's Day?"
I turn and look at him, shooting him a mock glare.
"I'm just saying that red roses are the international symbol for love," he tells me, swiping the card from the arrangement. "You deserve roses, Donnatella. Red roses." That's a compliment though, in Josh's language, and for a fleeting moment I enjoy it as such. "Now lets see what your latest gomer has to say for himself."
Yeah. The sweet moment is over.
"Happy Valentine's Day," he reads out loud with unnecessary flourish, ready to mock the card no matter what it says. His voice falters, though, when he reads the signature. "Love... Dad?"
I look him straight in the eye with a satisfied smile on my face.
"Donna, these are from your father."
"How very perceptive of you." I roll my eyes.
"So, since you don't have plans..." he trails off, shoving his hands into his pocket and staring at in imaginary scuff on the hardwood floor.
"Since I don't have plans, what?" I'm not letting him off the hook.
"We can work at my place the rest of the night."
Oh.
"Andmaybegetdinnerorsomethingonthewaythere." It comes out as one long, mumbled question.
The smile is back on my face.
"Kay."
He looks up quickly, as though he's surprised by my response. I get a full dimpled grin. "Kay," he tells me, swaggering back into his office to get his things.
Josh drives us through the streets of Georgetown towards his townhouse as we chat easily about an array of topics. He pulls into a spot at the end of his block and we get out of his car, strolling towards the Chinese restaurant where we'd ordered carry out.
We wander in and Josh picks up the box containing our to go orders, his card already on file with the Szechwan Palace.
"Signature, please," the cashier calls.
Josh nods towards the receipt with his hands full. "Sign it, would you?"
I grab the pen and instinctively scroll out Donnatella, stopping myself when I realize it's Josh's card. They'll need his name on the authorization. Before I can think about what I'm doing in switch gears and add Lyman to the end.
I toss the pen down and freeze, realizing what I've just done. I blink a few times before venturing a glance at Josh.
He gives me a what looks proud smirk. I was really anticipating unbridled fear in his eyes. Red-blooded American male fear of commitment. But there isn't even a trace of that on his face. "Been practicing that," he quips.
"Yes, Joshua. When I leave the office at 2am I go home and right Donnatella Lyman all over my Trapper Keeper." I don't miss a beat.
"So what you're saying is that you're thinking of me at night..." He's being adorably smug right now.
I roll my eyes and we head back to his apartment. Oddly enough this is shaping up to be my idea of a perfect night. Chinese food and Josh.
It may not be a conventional Valentine's Day, but if I could live the rest of my life like this, near this man, I'd be a very happy girl.
