But if she did, he’d have a chance to see her occasionally.Could they make a long-distance romance work?
“Kayn rented a car for you,” Mr.Wallach said to Heath as they gathered their belongings once the plane had landed.“Boone’s still a couple of hours away yet.”
“Wildstone’s even farther from Seattle, Mr.Wallach, so I understand.I have to say I’m a little intimidated by all this special attention,” Heath said.
“Call me Ezreal.Mr.Wallach is my father.Kayn likes your work and wants you to be happy with us.We try hard to be a good employer.”He shrugged.“From a practical point of view, happy employees do better work and change jobs less often.”With a grin, he stepped over to scoop up Brand and tickle the child before following his wife from the plane.
As they disembarked, Heath stayed close to Quinn, as a real fiancé should.He’d normally have done it anyway because they were friends, but this change in their relationship had muddied everything.He didn’t know what he should and shouldn’t do around her.
On the tarmac, Joe stood by an SUV.Sara walked up to Heath while Ezreal buckled the kids into a second SUV.
“I meant to mention this on the plane.You’re staying with us.All the partners have apartments at headquarters, and Kayn would have put you up there, but they’re remodeling at the moment, and it’s chaos.We have lots of bedrooms to accommodate Ezreal’s extended family when they visit.I hope you don’t mind.”She looked unsure.“You’ll have easy access to headquarters, since you’ll be on the campus.”
“That’s very kind,” Quinn said with a smile.
“We’ll meet you there, then.”
“They’re so normal,” Quinn commented when Sara had gone.
“No spoiled entitlement issues with them, that’s for sure,” Heath agreed.
“Do you find me spoiled and entitled?”Viktor asked from behind them.
“Sometimes, especially when you first arrived.”Quinn glanced back at him.“You’re getting better, though, and you’re more likable now because of it.”
Viktor pulled a face.“Merelymore likable.”His voice had taken on a wistfulness Heath hadn’t heard before.It made him wonder what life was like for him in Glenloria.
“If you’re ready…” Joe called from the SUV.He’d opened the trunk for them and stood waiting by the driver’s door.“Mr.Wallach suggested I drive, since you’re not familiar with the area.”
“Thanks.I appreciate it.”Heath grabbed a bag.“I hate driving in unfamiliar places.”
“I understand, because I’ve had jobs all over the country.Since I’ve been to work for REKD Gaming, I’ve even done quite a bit of travel internationally.Driving in the UK is a pain.”
Not sure if Quinn would want him to sit in the back with her, Heath hesitated.Viktor made the decision by taking shotgun.
Joe served as a great tour guide as he drove them down what turned out to be a scenic route.He was full of information about North Carolina and surprised them by mentioning that Boone got several feet of snow every winter.
“And I always thought of the South as being hot and humid,” Heath said.
“Theyarein the Blue Ridge Mountains.”Quinn winked at him, which lifted his spirits.Maybe she’d worked through whatever had been troubling her, but he intended to ask her about it.
When they approached the outskirts of Boone, Joe’s commentary shifted to the REKD Gaming headquarters.
“You’ll find the design of the building differs from most big-box-type office buildings.If you see it from the air, it looks like a wheel but missing the outer rim.Each of the spokes is a department—Programming, Art, Music, and Story.The business offices are in the hub.”
“The aerial photos are pretty cool,” Heath added.“What I’m really excited about is seeing what it’s like when everyone working on the same project is together.”
“You know that’s where they’ll try to get you,” Quinn said softly, leaning closer.“They’ll hope the group synergy will pull you in.”
“I guess I’ll have to invite them to visit the Citadel, then.”Heath felt confident they’d understand why he had no intention of moving away from there.
“You’d really never leave?Not even for your dream job?”Quinn’s face had moved so close, he could feel the warmth of her breath on his cheek.
Heath wanted to put his arm around her shoulders, but he satisfied himself by lacing their fingers.
“Working with my familyismy dream job.”
“But it’s not your only dream.You said working for REKD Gaming was one, too.”She lifted her gaze and met his.Her eyes dropped to his mouth, and then widened before straightening, her cheeks flushing.
