Joshua makes a hangdog face.“I thought biting was against company policy.”
“So is strolling in late, but here you are.”Eve chews her sandwich, but I notice the way her eyes linger on her friend.
Joshua winks at her.“I won’t tell if you won’t.”Eve flips him the finger.
With the board having approved the presentation, we still have a month or so for the actual launch so the work is getting hectic.However, the date Eve mentioned is still in the back of my mind.
As the office winds down for the day, people start packing up their things and shutting down computers.The golden light through the windows is fading to dusky purple.I’m still at my desk, my laptop closed, scrolling through restaurant options on my phone.
I’ve been at this for twenty minutes now, comparing menus like it actually matters.When did planning a fake date with Eve become something I’m genuinely excited about?When did I start caring if they have that Italian wine she mentioned liking, or whether their pasta primavera is any good because I remember her ordering something similar last month?
This is supposed to be about keeping her safe.About getting Luis to back off.A protective measure, nothing more.Except I just checked if this place has panna cotta or crème brûlée—something mildly sweet—because I remember she doesn’t go for the heavy desserts when we eat at her place.What is wrong with me?
“What are you doing?”
I look up as Eve comes back from the washroom and leans against my desk, her palms braced behind her, hip resting against the edge.The large funky hoops she’s wearing today—geometric shapes with little beads—catch the light when she tilts her head.I should get her some more of those.Diamond hoops, maybe.Or those gold ones with the abstract designs I saw at that jewelry store last week, the ones that looked like tiny sculptures.
Wait, what?
“Planning our date.”I clear my throat.“Trying to find somewhere nice.”
“Steven blabbed, by the way, if you haven’t noticed.”She glances around the office.“Everyone knows we’re dating now.Good job with that.”
I shake my head.“He probably told Flora, and you know how she is.”
“The whole office knew by lunch.”
She looks around before asking.“So where are you taking me?”
“Eager to go out with me?”
Her cheeks flush immediately.“That's not—I just don’t want you pulling some prank on me.”
I glance around.The office has mostly cleared out, just a few stragglers at the far end.The space feels suddenly intimate, just the two of us in the dimming light.I stand and move closer until there’s barely any space between us.
“I promised,” I whisper.“No pranks.”Her breath catches, and I notice the way her fingers curl against the desk.“Come on.”I straighten, grabbing my jacket before the moment stretches too long.“It’s a surprise.Grab your stuff.”
We head to the parking garage together.The building is quieter now, people streaming toward the exits as closing time approaches.I catch myself watching the way the dying light catches in her hair through the windows, and I need to get a grip.
“Follow me to your place,” I tell her when we reach the cars.“We’ll drop yours off.”
“Why?”
“Just trust me.”
She studies me for a moment, then nods.Twenty minutes later, we’re pulling up to her apartment complex.She parks and climbs into my passenger seat, still looking confused.
“Seriously, why?—”
“That’s why.”I point to a car across the street.Its headlights flick on as I pull away from the curb.
Eve goes rigid beside me.“That’s Luis's car.”
“I know.”
“Does he not have a job?”I muse, checking the rearview mirror.Sure enough, he’s following us at a distance.“Like, what does he do all day?”
“Hedoeshave a job,” Eve says, her voice tight.“That’s what I don’t understand.How does he have time for this?”
