“I need to check with you if we can use some of the codes from that old video call app you guys developed a few years ago. There will be a lot to improve, but it’s still better than starting from scratch.”
“Yeah, sure. Steven was the lead on that one. Check with him if there’s anything else you need.”
“Perfect. Also, did you look at that script I sent you?”
“Not yet. I’m about to, though, if you want to supervise me—as the project leader and all.”
She bites back a smile. “I trust you, Coleman. But don’t fuck it up, or I’ll have to take action regarding your incompetence.”
“What actions?”
“That’s a story for another time. Tonight, maybe?” She’s right by me now, looking like her nerdy self in her Jurassic Park T-shirt and high-waisted jeans.
“Looking forward to it,” I reply with a smirk.
Her hand comes to my jaw for a tender graze, as if she can’t hold it back. The door is wide open, but my screens hide the touch.
“Did you enjoy our little breakfast this morning?” I ask, hoping we can do that again in the future.
She nods with a tender smile. “I also enjoyed the one you cooked for me, you know. Salty pancakes or not.”
“I promise I’ll get better at it, freckles.”
“It’s alright if you don’t. I’m in this for better or worse, baby.”
“Marriage vows, already?”
“You haven’t proposed yet, so I’m taking matters into my own hands.”
My hand reaches for her hip, my index hooking into the belt loop of her jeans to tug her closer. As if reading my mind, she leans in. We exchange a quick peck, separating right as someone enters the room.
“Oh, come on, guys,” Kevin scolds us with amusement. Andrea sets some distance between us before turning to the intruder. I shoot him an annoyed glare, which he ignores. “I get the lovey-dovey phase right now, but let’s avoid getting in trouble over PDAs, yeah?”
“Sorry,” Andrea says with a wince. “I’ll leave you guys alone. Lex, tell me when you’ve gone through that script, please. It’s the last issue we have before running our tests.”
“Wait, while I have you two,” Kevin says, halting her exit. “Dinner at our place Wednesday evening. Shelly insisted, and I’m not one to refuse my wife anything.”
Andrea and I silently consult each other. Michelle has wanted to have us for weeks, but it was never the right time. “I’m free,” Andrea decides.
“Me too. You can tell your wife we’ll finally have that dinner.”
“Great, she’ll be delighted.” Kevin grins. Andrea gives him a nod and leaves, closing the door.
“Are you here for a full report?” I caustically ask Kevin as he steps toward the sofa.
“Well, you left the party before I could ask, Lexi. Shelly was a little offended by the way you snuck out, by the way.”
“That’s why I sent the flowers.”
Smirking, he settles down on the sofa, arms crossed. “So, how did itgo with the Walkers?”
“Great. Her parents are amazing, and her abuela is… one of a kind.”
“In a good way, I hope.”
“In the best way. That week there was… I don’t know, eye-opening.” I stand from my chair and walk around my desk to lean on it, facing in his direction. “Your family has always been kind to me, and they welcomed me into your home when we were kids—and even now. But with the Walkers… It was different.”
“That’s because they might actually become your family,” he explains, understanding. “You and Andy are on your way to building a life together, and what’s hers will become yours, and vice versa. Family included.”
