“I’m surrounded by strivers. Every last one would eat their co-workers for lunch to get ahead. So, any opportunity would be surrounded by a gang of piranhas. Plus, there’s nothing right now.”
She chuckled. “Ah, I had no idea. I mean, our agency has different campaigns kicking off, but they’re fully staffed. I’m not sure how I could help.”
“Keep me in mind?”
“As long you don’t tell the other piranhas.”
“No chance,” she confirmed.
Today, Orchid was cheered by the sunny walk to her office. She texted Mandy a photo of a billboard that dazzled with colors and space, swirling around the angelic face of a cherub baby. Advertising as art.
Orchid checked her notes. She wanted to be prepared for this morning’s meeting with one of Joan’s smaller ad agencies from a past role. Orchid wondered if any opportunities might present themselves. Orchid had donned an outfit that reflected her optimistic outlook, a white dress layered with shimmery platinum feathers and leather cuffs. Sweet with an edge of badass.
Orchid entered the conference room. Joan was standing to one side and conversing with a well-built man dressed right out of GQ. “How’s my favorite creative genius doing?” Joan asked the man, whose back faced the door.
“Dex? He’s doing well. You know our pro bono military ad campaign? The one designed to encourage hiring our service-injured troops?” His pride was evident in the squared stance of his broad shoulders.
Joan nodded.
“It was nominated for an Effie.”
“Oh, congratulations!”
Orchid was barely listening to their chatter about marketing awards. The only free spot among her coworkers was across from posh Princeton, attired in his typical starched suit and pocket kerchief. She considered introducing herself to Joan’s visitor, but there was no sense calling attention to the fact that she was the last to arrive, even though she was right on time.
“Hey,” said her friend Violet.
Orchid waved and slid into the open chair, then placed her coffee onto the gleaming white tabletop.
Joan turned to face her team. “Now that we’re all here,” she said, glancing at Orchid, “I’ll turn over the meeting to Mr. Walker, the head of counterAgency.”
Orchid shifted towards the fit gentleman, then froze.
“You can call me Phoenix,” he was saying to the group.
The angular cheekbones, the strong jaw, the intensity of his azure eyes. Every line, every twitch of a tendon told a story, one that raised her curiosity to a new level.
Orchid caught Phoenix’s attention and proffered a little shake of her head. That tiny motion requested discretion. He composed his expression as Joan waved a farewell.
“I can’t stay,” Joan said, already at the doorway. “You’re in good hands, and you’ve already been through introductions. Mostly. Tata!”
Damn! She had arrived on time, but had missed something.
Phoenix took the few steps to the front of the room, chatting as he walked. “It’s great to meet Joan’s team. I’m impressed by the work you’re doing.”
A clean soap scent wafted over Orchid as he passed near her, a light touch of something alluring. She locked into his familiar cobalt gaze framed by thick lashes. His full lips, straight nose and masculine brow were impossibly perfect, even by daylight. The faint stubble indicated he hadn’t shaved this morning. She couldn’t tear herself away long enough to see Violet’s reaction.
“I’m Orchid, by the way, Orchid Paige,” she blurted, to make up for her missed opportunity.
“Nice to see you,” he said. One side of his mouth twitched up.
The whole night came flooding back. The sticky floor, her hand on that bathroom doorknob for an eternity as they volleyed Chinese phrases. How his proximity had brightened the bar’s beer smell to something light and clean.This was the guy who guarded the bathroom door and didn’t even hit on me afterwards. Do gentlemen still exist?Her ears buzzed with possibility.
Princeton looked from Orchid to Phoenix, probably upset over being left out of this tête-à-tête. “Go tigers,” he said, and tugged at a deep orange cloth peeking out from his breast pocket.
“Princeton fan?” Phoenix asked. He must’ve recognized the school colors.
“More than that, my parents named me after the school I was destined to attend. I graduated cum laude.” His precise diction tapped out a familiar line.
