He grins.“But it feels good, doesn’t it?”
I nod, fingers grazing his wrist.“Yeah.Feels great.”
“I’ll see you soon?”
I swallow, nodding.“See you soon.”
The next day, I walk into work with a lightness in my step, something I haven’t felt in a long time.Excitement bubbles under my skin as I settle at my desk, ready to tackle the day.
“Hey,” Violet calls from across the office, looking up from her screen.“Great event Saturday.”
“Thanks.”I can’t help but grin.
“I sent you the pictures.Did you get the interview for the article?”
“Yeah, I did.”I pause, trying to find the words.“His story makes sense, you know?It all fits together.”
She nods.“Did you get a photo of him?”
I groan dramatically.“Ugh, he’s so damn annoying.”
She leans in.“What do you mean?”
“Just so photogenic.Like, it took one shot.One.And it was perfect.”I recall yesterday, the way the light caught his features, how he looked so effortlessly handsome even after sharing something so personal and painful.And then there was that moment when he looked at me with such raw vulnerability, like he was trusting me with pieces of himself he’d never shown anyone else.
Violet laughs.“Some people are just like that.So unfair.”
“How was the wedding you went to yesterday?”I ask, changing the subject.
“Oh, it was beautiful.”She sighs.“Honestly, so nice.But also, kind of daunting.You know, that many people all at once.”
“You’ll make a beautiful bride.”
She beams.“Aw, thanks.So would you.”
I glance down quickly, avoiding her gaze.My heart stutters for a second, and I almost say something about Adrian.But I don’t.Not yet.
The stakes are too high right now.I can’t risk anyone thinking I’m unprofessional, not when I’m up for this promotion.Once I get it and can finally pay off the bills that keep threatening to go to collections, then maybe I can be more open about whatever this is between us.
I shake off the thought and get back to work, pulling up my notes and typing the article.I’ll edit it after I get the first draft down, then add a photo.
By the time I finish, I’m happy with how it sounds.I attach the image, review it one more time, and then call Violet over.“Come, take a look at this.”
She leans over my desk as I show the article to her.Her eyes scan the screen, and then she grins.“This is great.And… wow.He does look hot.”
“He was easy to work with.”
“You did a really good job.”
Smiling, I email the article to Luna and head to her office.“Hey, I sent you the interview with Adrian Pierce.”I sit in the chair across from her desk.
Luna starts reading, nodding along.“Oh, great photo.”She scans the article further, her expression shifting.“Wow.His story is… heartbreaking.”
“Yeah,” I respond.“When he told me, I felt awful.His dad, everything he went through… and now he’s here, trying to start fresh.”I have to keep my voice neutral, even though his story makes my chest ache.I can’t let it show.
She exhales, looking up at me.“It makes a lot of sense now.”
I nod.“It does.”
