“—like he’s the Phantom of Animation. Oh, you’re not listening to me at all, are you?” Lennon’s voice carried amused accusation.
“Sorry,” I dragged my focus back to them. “You were saying something about late-night musical compositions?”
“I was testing whether you’re completely gone for our girl,” Lennon’s grin widened. “And you absolutely are. It’s adorable.”
Heat crept up my neck. “She’s—”
“Magical? Revolutionary? The best thing to happen to this company and probably your entire existence?” Lennon waved their hand dismissively. “Honey, you’re preaching to the choir. I’ve been Team Alex since day one.”
I pulled out my phone, needing a distraction from Lennon’s uncomfortably accurate assessment. The selfie with Dom’s character cutout filled the screen—both of us grinning like idiots, my arm slung around the cardboard warrior’s shoulders.
Perfect.
Me:Look who I found at Alexs studio. Your characters shorter than I expected. Can you sign it for me?
I attached the photo and hit send, then pocketed the phone and turned back to Lennon, who was watching me with obvious interest.
“So,” they settled against the reception desk like they were preparing for an in-depth report. “Tell me everything. How did you two meet? When did you realize you were completely screwed? What’s your five-year plan?”
“That’s a lot of questions.”
“I’m a very curious person, Finn. Also, Alex never brings anyone here. Ever. You’re either very special or she’s having some kind of breakdown, and frankly, you don’t look like the breakdown type.”
My phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen and snorted. Dom had responded with a single middle finger emoji, followed immediately by a second text.
Dom:sign your own shit asshole
“Something amusing?” Lennon leaned forward, trying to peek at my phone.
“My brother’s a child,” I showed them the emoji response. “This is what passes for sophisticated communication in the Walker family.”
“Your brother?” Their eyebrows shot up. “Wait.Walker? As in...” They gestured toward the cardboard cutout.
“Dom is, unfortunately, my twin,” I couldn’t stop my mouth from hitching to the side.
Lennon’s jaw dropped with all the subtlety of a drawbridge. “You’re Dominik Walker’stwin? Holy Hermes, that explains the bone structure. And the ridiculous charm. And why you’re not even slightly intimidated by this place.”
“Should I be intimidated?”
“Most people are. Alex has a reputation for being brilliantly terrifying when she wants to be. Apex predator energy.” Lennonstudied me with renewed interest. “But you’ve probably seen worse, I’d guess. Military, right?”
“Navy pilot,” the automatic response came out before I could edit it.FormerNavy pilot felt too complicated for casual conversation.
“Ah,” something shifted in Lennon’s expression—their eyes flicking across me in shrewd assessment. “Casey’s going to want to meet you. He’s got this whole theory about military procedures and creative problem-solving. Very into systems and efficiency.”
“Casey’s the—?”
“Creative director. Handles art, design, writing, et. al. Dabbles in programming and code. Real renaissance man,” Lennon pushed off from the desk. “Come on, let me show you around before Alex emerges from whatever important thing she’s orchestrating.”
The main floor revealed a space designed for both creativity and function—open collaborative areas balanced with quiet corners, natural light streaming through large windows. As we passed Oliver’s office, I caught the murmur of voices behind pulled privacy shades.
“Break time,” Lennon announced, leading me into a space dominated by an impressive espresso machine. “Also known as Casey’s secondary office and Jordan’s kingdom of overcomplicated brewing methods.”
A man with dark wavy hair and sharp features looked up from what sounded like a very serious conversation with a French press. He wore slim dark jeans and a shirt covered in tiny geometric foxes.
“Did someone say my name?” he smiled.
“Casey, meet Finn,” Lennon made introductions with a flourish. “Alex’s incredibly handsome and charming boyfriend, and Dom’s twin brother.”
