1121 words, this chapter
Chapter Two, Secret Admirer
He went back to Security. Getting involved in work pushed the matter from his mind, until lunch. He went to his locker to grab a jacket and found another small box inside. This one looked like the boxes Jess had earlier, only much smaller.
He opened it and found two croissants. He smiled. Jess had mentioned croissants earlier and had been to a bakery that very morning.
Jess was definitely the secret admirer. He took a bite. It was delicious, strawberry. He laughed. He noticed another note.
"Something sweet and tender...like you."
His eyebrow went up. "Tender?" he asked out loud. "I think I'm insulted." He took another bite anyway.
After eating them, he went to find Jess. She was inside the canteen, in line at the food stations. "Hey."
She smiled. "Hi."
"So...my admirer's been at it again."
"Really? What did you get this time?" she asked, moving her tray along.
"Oh...croissants."
She looked up. Then she turned. "Croissants?"
"Yeah, like the ones you told me you had this morning? You were right, the bakery does make delicious ones."
"Coincidence."
"Was it?" he asked, with a smirk.
"Of course."
"Right."
She shook her head. "Becker, it wasn't me."
"Oh, come on, Jess."
"Why would I tell you I had been to the bakery if I intended to surprise you? It doesn't make sense."
"Sure it does...you're clever."
She laughed as grabbed a chocolate pudding. "Thank you, but I wasn't this time."
"It is a bit obvious and your plan of trying to throw me off by feigning innocence isn't working."
"I'm not feigning anything. I didn't do it!"
"Right." He smiled.
"Becker, I'm serious! I'm not your admirer."
He stared at those blue eyes and smirked. "I don't believe you."
She smirked back. "I think you want it to be me. I think you happen to be an admirer...of me."
He turned pink. "I...don't, I'm not. I only think it was you because of the bakery boxes this morning. By the way, the box they came in looks similar."
"Of course! Bakery boxes don't have much variety!"
He scoffed.
She paid for her food and moved. "I think you want it to be me so much its clouding your judgment. Why would I leave clues?"
"To throw me off, Jessica."
"Look," she said, sitting down. "If you're determined to think its me, then fine, but you'll be disappointed."
"We'll see," he said, standing above her.
"Are you going to eat? Or are you just going to stare at me?"
He laughed. "I'm not really hungry."
"Ooh, the secret admirer has you that revved up, huh?" she asked with a teasing smile.
He smiled back. It had to be her.
"You have a secret admirer?" asked Connor. He was at the table with the rest of the team.
"Yeah," said Becker staring at Jess.
She knew he was, but she went on trying to ignore him.
Abby looked at them. She laughed. "You uh, think it's Jess?"
"It isn't!"
"It just seems...like something she'd do."
"Not really," said Matt. "Jess doesn't seem that bold."
Becker scoffed. "Have you seen her outfits, Matt?"
Jess shook her head.
Everyone else laughed.
"I agree with Matt," said Connor. "Jess wouldn't leave little gifts around, it's too..."
"Silly," said Jess.
"I don't know..." Abby said slowly. "She might."
"Not helping Abby!" she squealed.
Becker laughed. "Like I said, we'll see."
"I think it would be fun to have an admirer who left you tokens of affection," said Emily.
Matt raised his eyebrow. "You do?"
She nodded. "Provided they were personal."
"What did she give you, Mate?"
"Connor, it wasn't me!"
Becker smiled. "So far...croissants and a mug with a big red heart."
"That does sound like Jess," said Abby.
"It wasn't...oh, the heck with it," said Jess.
"You'll confess?"
She dropped her fork and turned around. "There is nothing to confess! Instead, I'll just ignore you."
She turned back around. "All of you." She glared at them.
The table laughed.
"I do not wish to insult...anyone," said Emily, with a glance at Jess, "but those are not the gifts I would send an admirer."
"Oh?" asked Matt.
Emily shook her head. "I would send something small and minor at first, perhaps a card."
"A lo..o..ove note," said Connor, drawing out the word and making a funny face.
Jess shook her head.
"Then I would send something like...a fine liquor."
"Ooh, I like how your mind works, Emily," said Connor.
Matt nodded. So did Becker. "No offense, Jess, but she's got you beat so far," said the Captain.
Jess narrowed her eyes. She shook her head, forcing herself not to turn around and pay Becker attention.
"Then perhaps...cigars," continued Emily.
"Cigars?" asked Matt. "Really?"
"There is nothing like a fine cigar."
"She's right," said Becker.
"You don't smoke!" cried Jess, turning around and ruining her 'cold shoulder' approach.
He laughed. "Not on your list, huh?"
"I don't have a list, Becker!"
He smirked.
"You have partaken of cigars, though, Captain?" asked Emily.
"Yeah, I've had one or two. You're right, the quality definitely differs. The kind passed out at a bachelor party for instance, seem to be cheaper. Now, Generals? They can afford the good kind."
Jess shook her head. "Oh, well, then, let's hope your admirer is a General."
He laughed. "You're upset."
"I don't like being accused of something I didn't do!"
"Accused?" asked Abby. "You aren't in trouble, Jess. There's nothing wrong with a little...romantic game."
Jess turned red. She stood up. "It isn't me!" she screamed. Everyone in the canteen looked.
Becker laughed.
She turned around. "I hate you."
"Now, now. That's no way for an admirer to be."
"Then it's good I'm not one."
"Ooh!" cried Matt and Connor.
Jess picked up her lunch. "I'll eat somewhere else."
"Jess, don't go!"
"No, Abby. You're all getting on my nerves." She stood up and glared at Becker. "Some more than others." The little form stomped off.
"We were rather rude," said Emily.
"She started it."
"Unless, Becker, it really isn't her," said Abby.
"It's her," he said with a smile.
"Why? Do you want it to be?" asked Connor with a dopey grin.
Becker turned pink. "No. I, just...I have to go...security..."
"Stuff," answered the team.
He turned from pink to red and hurried out.
The table all laughed.
End of Chapter Two