Instead of a traditional reception desk, they had a statement installation that probably changed seasonally, considering this one was all Halloween, all the way. Suspended above it, hanging from brass chains, was the company name and logo in laser-cut metal, lit softly from behind.
“I hope that’s positive judgment I’m seeing in those pretty green eyes.”
“Ooo, you said Maren’s pretty…” Emma cooed, fluttering her lids.
Sadie giggled and joined the chorus.
There was nothing I could do about the hot flush creeping onto my cheeks. Or the look Miles gave me when he noticed. Goddammit those dimples were primed to ruin lives.
He wore a suit and waistcoat in brown tweed that fit his lean, athletic form in a casually snug way. His pale blue button-down and burgundy tie finished the look and made it damn near impossible not to stare.
“It looks great,” I said, keeping my runaway thoughts in check. Especially now I knew the kids were more astute than I gave them credit for.
“What’s the surprise?” Will asked, moving one of the headphone cones off his ear. No amount of small talk was going to get in his way.
Miles considered him with a shrewd expression. “Tell you what… I’ll trade you.”
Will’s shoulders slumped and after a reluctant pause, he placed his Switch into Miles’ outstretched hand. I didn’t usually support bribery, but his attachment to that thing made it necessary. I gave Miles an approving nod as he led us into the open studio space.
Sadie and Emma both broke into a run and swan-dove into two brightly colored beanbag poofs. The rest of the area was littered with props, mock displays, and half-finished backdrops. We stopped at a jade velvet couch set perfectly by one of the floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the harbor.
“For those inclined to sit like normal people,” Miles said with a wry smile, “take a seat. I’ll be back in a minute.”
“With the surprise?”
For a pre-pubescent who spent a lot of energy trying to be the most nonchalant about everything, it was kind of cool seeing Will this engaged.
“Yeah, with the surprise,” Miles laughed, and made his way to a corner office.
Through the clear glass of the center office, I saw Adrian pacing while talking animatedly on the phone. Even when contained, his playfulness found vent in some way or another. He caught me looking and the marching stopped. A slow smile crept ontohis face, and he flashed a wink. The kind of wink that forced me to drop my eyes and fidget with the hem of my dress.
“Hey, welcome to Lumen, you guys.”
I looked up to find Ethan making his way over. And if Miles’ office persona had me reeling, then Ethan’s sent me straight into crisis.
Crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled to the elbows, and top button popped. He paired it with slim-fit suit pants in a smokey blue, with gray hairline pinstripes that would’ve been invisible if it weren’t for the afternoon sun streaming through the windows, catching them as he approached. His hair was slicked into submission, sporting a sophisticated side part he hadn’t worn before. It made him look a little younger than his thirty-one years.
I uncrossed, and crossed my legs, pressing deeper into the plush velvet seat as I squeezed my thighs together. Out of nowhere, and for no good reason, I suddenly felt absolutely certain Ethan could tell just by looking, what I’d gotten up to alone in my room last night.
“You look… really nice.” His shameless gaze dragged over me from head to toe.
I exhaled a laugh, relieved I’d taken the extra time getting ready, but played it off like a pro. “My grandma used to crochet little cozies for everything, like her teapot, toaster, toilet paper… To cover them up when she wasn’t using them.”
“What?” His smile wavered with uncertainty, and I leaned into the point.
“The cozies,” I said. “People used to say they were really nice. Because ‘really nice’ is a term you’d use for something like crocheted cozies.”
Slam dunk.
Ethan nodded, his hands buried in his pockets as he accepted his fate with as much grace as he could manage. “You got me. And may the record please show that my apologies are humble and also profuse.”
“Well, consideration will have to be made in the face of such humility and profusion.” I bit back a laugh as his face brightened. “I’m not a monster, you know.”
Ethan dipped into a low, gracious bow. “Forever my thanks.”
“You guys are so dumb.” Will rolled his eyes beside me, making us both laugh. “Can I at least get my game back while we’re waiting for Uncle Miles?”
“I thought something looked different about you,” Ethan said, much to his nephew’s chagrin.
