“So, how do you want to split this up? Should I do product research while you start coming up with some logo ideas?” he suggests.
I go to argue—because that’s what I always do with him—then pause and take in what he said, thinking I actually like that idea. I’ve always loved doodling ideas for logos and hated doing the research part.
I don’t want to let him off that easy though, so I let out a breath and roll my eyes, just to be a little overdramatic, then stand and push in my chair. “Fine. Want to meet again after lunch to go over what we’ve come up with?”
“Okay by me.”
He stands and leaves me there, feeling like an idiot holding my things and not moving. When I do, I turn and see Jana staring at me with wide eyes.
Trust me, Jana, you’re not the only one who’s surprised by today’s turn of events. I just hope we manage to get through it without killing each other first.
CHAPTER THREE
Zoe
I spend the rest of the morning with my Prismacolor pencils and sheets of paper, working up multiple concepts and then blending some ideas together. I know a lot of people in the industry use computers now with programs like Photoshop and Illustrator to design logos, but I’ve always loved the pencil-to-paper method better because I feel like I can be more creative and not so focused on how to make the computer program create what’s in my mind.
A teacher once told me my imagination was the only thing holding me back. Now I laugh because, in actuality, it was always the computer holding me back because I wasn’t as good at making it do what I was imagining.
Thankfully, I brought my lunch today, so I head to the break room to grab it. Of course, David is leaning up against the counter, staring at his phone, which he’s quick to put away once I enter the room.
“Do you always enter a room so quietly, or is dramatic always your default?”
“Looking at porn is frowned upon in an office setting,” I state as I open the fridge.
“Obviously, I wasn’t looking at porn,” he bites back.
I shrug. “If you say so.”
He pushes off the counter with a scowl. “Not everything in my life revolves around whatever inappropriate narrative you’ve built in your head.”
“Pity,” I mutter, pulling out my container. “It really spices up my workday.”
I move to the microwave, put it in, and look at the panel, trying to decide how long to heat it up for. Before I can hit any button, he steps in just close enough to hit the Express option twice, giving me one minute on my food.
I glare at him. “Do you mind?”
“You were taking too long,” he says smoothly. “Decisiveness is important in business.”
“It’s a microwave, not a boardroom.”
“Tell that to the seconds you waste debating leftovers.”
I roll my eyes and lean against the counter opposite him. “Are you always this bossy, or do you save that just for me?”
His jaw tightens a fraction. “You bring it out in me.”
“Oh, I’m flattered.”
The microwave hums between us, loud in the silence. I can feel his attention on me without looking. When I finally do glance up, he’s already watching, his expression unreadable.
“What were youreallydoing on your phone?” I ask casually.
“None of your business.”
“So, itwassomething interesting.”
His mouth twitches despite himself. “You spend an awful lot of energy thinking about what I’m doing.”
