#aaronpierrefics

Characters:

Jackson "Jack" Howard - Played by Aaron Pierre

Elizabeth "Liz" Jefferson - Played by Jayme Lawson

Description:

In the heart of New Orleans, Jackson Howard spends his days in the comfort of his New Orleans Herald Office and his father’s old beat up leather journal. And on the rough pages of that journal sit the most beautiful words about the one so far, yet so close. The gracious Southern belle who’s laugh captivates his every waking moment shouldn’t be all Jack thinks about, but Elizabeth Jefferson is one hell of a woman with one hell of an aura. For three years, Jack - ironically enough - can’t garner the words to confess the deep affection he feels for Liz. And how could he? With so many roadblocks and her own relationship stopping him, Liz is nowhere near in reach. However, Jack’s luck may work in his favor - as a birthday wish and a strange twist of events catapult Liz further than he could ever dream of. With one night and a whole lot of obstacles, can Jack finally muster the words to make Liz his entirely

Hope you enjoy!

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A Thursday at the “New Orleans Herald” is just as busy as a Monday or any other day in a busy city.

 With stories walking in and out, journalists chasing down stories, and editors for a rush print - it gives me just enough drama for me to need to decompress for a while. And I’m okay with it. 

Darin and I walk through the lobby, taking the elevator to the third floor where the editing department is located. As I await the door’s opening, I imagine Liz sitting at the desk right in front of the mechanical door. 

Usually, she’s answering a call - subduing a yelling individual with all the class in the world. 

When the doors open, she’s not there. 

A pang of disappointment appears in my chest and I try to choke it back. But it follows me as Darin and I get off of the elevator and book it for the break room, where my second cup of coffee is calling.

 “I think you should talk to her today. I mean, it’s your birthday and I’m sure your luck is up. Maybe she’ll give your shy ass the time of day,” Darin advises with a shrug as we walk down the long hallway lined with conference rooms and closets. 

“I thought you didn’t believe in luck? And how is insulting me encouraging?” I chuckle slightly, my ears perking up when I hear Liz’s familiar laugh echoing down the hall.

 “Tough love, brother! That’s what I believe in! Now pull off your tighty whities, pull on your boxers, and go talk to her,” he exclaims, stopping by the break room door.

 In the reflection of the conference room across from it, I can see Liz and Pamela standing at the counter, presumably waiting for a pot of coffee to finish. I hesitate, all the words and none coming to me at the same time. Darin nudges my back, practically making me fall into the room. I turn back to him, silently cursing. 

“Go on! Be a man!” he whisper - yells, banging a fist against his chest. I exhale deeply, adjust my suit, and turn the first step into the break room.  

“Good Morning Ladies,” I greet them, my eyes stupidly glued to the floor as I make a beeline for the refrigerator. From the corner of my hooded eyes, I can see the easy conversation between Pamela and Liz come to a halt; Pamela’s eyes dripping over me like I’m fresh meat. She plays with the necklace resting against her chest, eyes narrow as she breathes me in. Liz notices Pamela’s drastic change in attitude and is amused. She pulls away from the refrigerator, holding a bottle of coffee creamer, and walks over to the counter. 

 “Good Morning, Jackson. You look mighty dapper this morning!” Pamela swoons, playing with the ends of her curly hair.

 Pamela - who works in publishing on the fourth floor - often makes an appearance next to Liz on the third floor. Being friends in and out of work, they spend a lot of free time together. So much so that I know Pamela has had a crush on me since I stepped foot in here. 

And every day, the comments get more and more creative.

I smile modestly, stepping next to Liz to gather a cup of coffee. “Well, thank you. You look nice today, Pam. You as well, Elizabeth.” I glance at her just under my eyelashes 

As Liz turns to grab a mug that is just behind my arm, the space between us suddenly fills with tense air, our eyes connecting as she almost runs into me. Her eyes hold a burning, faraway look; a story playing out in them just from a singular glance. I reach behind me awkwardly, pulling the mug she was reaching for and handing it to her. She smiles gently, handing me the cream and sugar she was occupying. “Thank you, Jack. I suppose you dressed up for your big day?”

 There’s nothing super spectacular about my outfit. Nothing beyond my favorite pair of Khakis, my father’s old green sleeveless vest, and brown loafers. 

The outfit comment doesn’t stop me though. 

I replay Liz’s sentence and hear the slight inflection in her voice when she mentions my “big day”. 

My body heats in a full blush.

I swallow hard, watching her expression turn into an amused one. I’ve only mentioned my birthday in passing maybe twice since I’ve been here. I can’t imagine her tucking away the information like this.

 “You remembered?” I whisper, almost breathless. 

She smiles. “Everyone needs friends for their thirtieth. Plus, Pamela made sure I didn’t forget.” Liz glances over at Pamela knowingly.

Pamela hides her face in her coffee cup. I take a sip, swallowing slight discomfort and a bashful expression on my face. 

“You’re too kind, Pam.” 

“And you’re too fine, Jack.” she winks. 

I choke slightly, wiping the dribbling coffee on my lip as Liz snickers. “Pamela, behave,” she warns warmly. 

“Oh come on, Liz! We all know Jack here is one stud of a man! You’d be a fool to recognize that he isn’t.”

I glance over at Liz, who runs her hands over her pearls, stammering for an answer. 

“Um, well. I’m in a relationship,” she offers. 

“And you still have eyes,” Pamela fills in.

Liz falters nervously, tapping her nails against the mug she’s coddling. She glances at me quickly. I avoid her eyes. She clears her throat.

“I’m sure Jack has plenty of women who can tell him he’s handsome. I’d be redundant at that point,” she chuckles nervously. 

“So you do think he’s handsome?” Pamela interrogates with a raised eyebrow.

“Pamela!”

“I’m not letting up, Liz! I can’t be the only one in this damn office who thinks Jack should be on some cheesy calendar somewhere!”

 I can’t help but look at Liz, searching for a glimpse of confirmation. She chews on her lips as the wheels in her mind turn. 

My wheels turn.

Despite her relationship with Melvin, does she find me attractive? 

Does she know that I can never stop thinking about how attractive she is? And not in a way that’s sexual - just pure appreciation for a creation that is unbelievable. 

I get lost trying to read her eyes, and I barely hear her response.

 “You are very good-looking, Jack. Any woman would be lucky to have you,” she smiles gently.​​ Tightly.  

Pamela coughs aggressively as she sips her coffee. I smile at her and Liz returns to whatever she was doing.

 As I pour my cup of coffee and reach over Liz awkwardly to return to pot, I can’t help but hear her very safe response on replay. 

Any woman would be lucky to have you.

 I would be one lucky man if I ever got the courage to say what my mind screams.

 I’m praying for the awkwardness - Liz’s avoidance and Pamela’s gawking - to subside when the big man sends a Hail Mary in the obnoxious form of Darin himself. 

“Hey, Jack! The boss wants to talk to us real quick,” Darin calls as he sticks his head in the door. My shoulders fall as a rush of adrenaline pumps through my body. Liz continues to find solace in her cup of coffee, which saves me from uncomfortable eye contact. 

 I grab my coffee from the counter, turning to Darin with an appreciative look.

 “It was good seeing you ladies,” I mutter, acknowledging both Liz and Pamela before damn near sprinting out of the room. 

Darin and I aren't even a foot away from the break room before he starts interrogating me. 

“You got to her yet?” he whispers like a gossiping teenager, making me roll my eyes. 

“How was I? They were already having their own conversation!” I swallow a hot gulp of coffee, hoping it’ll settle my nerves. 

“Man, you need to get your player game up! Have you learned anything from me!?” Darin exclaims. 

I smirk as I walk into the office.

“No! And I’d like to keep it that way.”

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A/N: Hello beautiful people! If you don't know yet, my name is Kelsi and I'm a published romance author and poet! While I love the world of being able to share my sappy work with a bunch of willing readers, I've had the desire to get back to my roots - FAN FICTION! It never left me and I'm so happy that I'm writing again! Technically, all of my published work is some sort of fan fiction and this excerpt is no different. This snippet is a chapter from my first novel, "If She Knew"- a poem/poetic romance featuring these beautiful characters. I hope this caught your attention and if you wanna know more about this book, following my instagram and tiktok - @allshedoesiswrites - for updates and cute content! If you're intrigued to know about Jack and Liz's story after this chapter, copies are available for purchase on Barnes & Noble and Amazon! I hope I caught your attention and i hope you stay and read awhile