Beyond the loading platform, amber and rust-colored hills rolled toward the horizon. I couldn’t focus on the view. All I saw was Douglas’s face lighting up at those projections, Sarah’s excitement over the AI, and Maxwell scribbling down Bronson’s every word.
The sound of the door opening behind me made me straighten, but I didn’t turn around. I knew those footsteps.
Warmth radiated from beside me as Aris appeared with a glass of lemonade. “I thought you might need this.”
“Thank you.” I took it and sipped it .
“I am proud of you.” His arms came around me, and I leaned back against his chest.
One of the babies delivered an enthusiastic kick right where Aris’s hand rested on my belly. His palm shifted to follow the movement, and he pressed a soft kiss to the side of my neck.
“Theó mou, you are so sexy when you are in command, yes,” he whispered against the shell of my ear. “Watching you in there... I could barely concentrate on what you were saying.”
The way my body responded to him still felt like a betrayal. But with his hands on me and his heartbeat strong against my back, distance seemed less important than this deepening connection I couldn’t stop.
I turned in his arms, searching his face for pity. I’d spent my whole life being underestimated by partners, by clients who thought my business was a hobby, by people who saw a single Black mother and made assumptions. But Aris’s eyes held respect.
“If this was Olympus, would you hire me?”
He didn’t hesitate. “Without question, yes.”
“You’re biased.”
“I am honest.” He traced my jawline. “You are extraordinary at what you do, Dede. Bias has nothing to do with it.”
I rose on my toes and kissed him. He framed my face, holding me there as the kiss deepened, over and over, until wanting him was the only thing I could feel.
“‘Scuse me, y’all…”
Sarah’s voice made me step back. She stood in the doorway, grinning. “Hate to cut in, but Daddy’s ready to call it.”
My stomach dropped. “Right.” I smoothed my blazer. “We’re coming.”
The walk back felt like a death march, my heart pounding against my ribs.
Douglas had positioned himself at the front of the room, his wheelchair angled to face all of us. Mariela stood beside him.
Bronson lounged in his chair with the confidence of someone who didn’t doubt the outcome. I tried to match his casual posture but failed miserably.
“Well,” Douglas began. “The family has reached a decision.”
The silence that followed felt thick enough to cut. Even the babies held their breath.
“Both them presentations today were somethin’ else.” His gaze moved between Bronson and me. “EchoHive’s got all the bells and whistles. No denyin’ that.”
My heart sank further with each word of praise for Bronson’s pitch.
“TMW brought somethin’ equally valuable. Deep understanding of our heritage and a vision that honors where we’ve been while pointin’ toward where we need to go.”
He paused, and I swear I could hear my pulse in my ears.
“After careful consideration, we have decided to award the Black Ember contract to TMW Marketing.”
The words didn’t register at first. Literally didn’t compute. My brain kept trying to rewind, replay, and make sure I’d heard right.
TMW. My company. Mine.
I won.
