In the high-stakes world of political campaigns, Troi has always been the steadfast force behind Jack Schlossberg's run for office. But when forces threaten to derail everything they've built, Troi and Jack must confront not only political chess gam...
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The night air was cool as we drove through the quiet streets of Atlanta, the city lights casting a soft glow on the buildings as we passed. Jack kept his focus on the road ahead, while I sat beside him, my thoughts racing. The word "date" hung in the air between us, unspoken but heavy with meaning. We both knew that this was more than just two colleagues grabbing a meal together, but neither of us could fully acknowledge it.
The car's interior was filled with the soft sound of jazz music playing from the radio, a gentle melody that complemented the warm summer night. I glanced over at Jack, his profile illuminated by the passing streetlights. There was something about him tonight that felt different—something that made my heart flutter in a way that I couldn't ignore. He was calm, confident, but there was also a vulnerability to him that I hadn't seen before. It was as if the walls he'd built around himself had come down just a little, letting me in more than he had before. I close my eyes and inhale through my nose lightly, making sure not to show how fucking nervous I was.
As we drove, I tried to focus on the cityscape outside the window, but my mind kept drifting back to Jack. The way his hand had felt in mine, the warmth of his touch, the way he had looked at me with something deeper in his eyes than just friendship. My pulse quickened at the thought, and I had to remind myself to keep breathing.
"We're almost there," he said, breaking the comfortable silence. His voice was a low rumble, filled with a mix of anticipation and something else I couldn't quite place. He was like music to my ears, addictive and beautiful.
I smiled, leaning back in my seat. "You're really enjoying keeping me in suspense, aren't you?"
He glanced over at me, a playful smirk on his lips. "Maybe a little. But trust me, you'll love it." I wanted to bite that playful smirk off his lips with my own.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we pulled up to a small, intimate restaurant tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. My excitement increased seeing the soft glow of lanterns lighting up the entrance, and the aroma of freshly baked bread and herbs wafting through the air as we stepped out of the car. Jack came around to my side, opening the door for me with a gentle smile that made my heart skip a beat.
"This place is beautiful," I said as we walked inside, the ambiance warm and welcoming, with rustic wooden tables with high booths and a candlelight casting a golden hue over everything. I looked at him, but he was already looking at me.
"It is beautiful," Jack replied, his voice low and smooth. "It's one of my favorites."
We were seated at a cozy corner table, away from the main crowd, where we could talk without being overheard. I was thankful it was cozy and quiet. I didn't want the chance for so many people to notice just him and I, eating... together... alone.
The waiter brought us menus, but I found myself too distracted to focus on the food. Instead, I watched Jack as he perused the menu, his brow furrowed in concentration. There was something endearing about the way he was so serious about choosing a meal. He had slight wrinkles on his forehead as he concentrated, a sign of his age but also what made him so special. His hair fell onto his face, tousled and clean, and the sleeves of his shirt were rolled up. I wanted to take everything off of him and mess his hair up myself.
