I linger for a second, my gaze trailing after the empty doorway Theo just disappeared through. With a small, frustrated sigh, I turn and follow Elena toward the back of the habitat. “I wish he’d left that darn phone in the car,” I mutter, more to myself than her.
“That makes two of us,” Elena says sympathetically as she leads me into the prep area.
The air back here is ice-cold, a sharp, biting chill that carries the heavy, unmistakable scent of salt water and fish. Elena has me disinfect my hands and shoes, then invites me over to the shallow side of the pool. From a large, galvanized barrel, she replenishes the herring in her bucket.
“Theo doesn’t usually bring anyone with him when he comes to visit,” she says lightly, her eyes twinkling with a bit of mischief. “In the four years I’ve been working with the belugas, I’ve only ever seen him stand at that railing alone. You must’ve made quite an impression.”
He’s been coming here that long? I thought he’d onlymoved to Orlando about a year ago. Then again, I forgot that’s how old the office is.
“We’re just friends,” I say quickly.
“Mm-hmm,” she hums, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
The belugas drift toward us. One of the whales glides close enough that I can see the ripple of muscle under its white skin, the dark marble of its eye fixed on me. When I hold out a fish, it takes it with a gentle nudge. Its skin feels like wet velvet against my fingertips. As it pulls away, it exhales through its blowhole, a burst of cool, salty mist that dampens my arm.
Out of instinct, I glance sideways. Through the thick, distorted glass of the tank, I can make out the dark silhouette of Theo. His phone is in one hand, but he isn’t really looking at it. His gaze keeps drifting back to me, sharp even through the glass, watching us.
The realization settles in my chest that I’m the first person he’s brought here. It’s one thing to show a coaster to a fellow coaster nerd, but to share the one place you visit to find sanctuary and decompress? It makes me feel... special. The lines between a professional and personal relationship have never felt so blurred.
Twelve
“Hey, kiddo,” Leon calls out as I exit the elevator
“Morning, Leon.” I try to offer a wave, but I’m currently a walking balancing act with my oversized tote, a drugstore bag crinkling with hidden treasures, and a cardboard coffee carrier.
“Need a hand?” he asks, already reaching for the load.
“Please.” I exhale in relief as he takes the coffees and the heavy box.
“Where am I headed? Your desk or the break room?”
“My desk.”
We weave through the cubicles toward my station. “Glad I caught you,” Leon says. His voice drops into a whisper. “I wanted to give you a heads-up that we’re changing things up for the team dinner tonight. Lina’s is out.”
“Oh?” Strange. Given how much a certain somebody likes Lina, I’d never thought I’d see the day he’d pass up a chance to see her. “What’s the plan?” I set my tote down and give him my full attention.
A faint twinge of pink appears around Leon’s cheeks. He adjusts his glasses. “Lina is joining us for dinner.”
I freeze, then slowly a grin spreads across my face. I clap my hands together. I can’t believe my work dad finally did it! “I knew she’d say yes if you just worked up the nerve to ask.”
“It wasn’t easy. I stood outside her restaurant for about an hour, but I did it,” he admits.
“I’m so proud of you!” Before he can react, I wrap my arms around him in a quick, fierce hug.
When I release him, he appears equal parts terrified and relieved. “Thanks. I didn’t think it’d be this hard, but I haven’t had to ask a woman out in... well, let’s just say it’s been a minute.”
I giggle. The idea of Leon, the man who is always willing to go toe-to-toe with Theo when he’s in a volatile mood, getting flustered over a dinner invite is surprisingly sweet. “Are you sure you don’t want dinner to just be the two of you? I’m sure the guys wouldn’t mind.”
“No,” he says quickly. “Like I said, my dating game is nonexistent. I need my work family there for backup in case I’m a dud.”
I lightly bump his arm with my shoulder, offering him my most encouraging“you’ve got this”look. “You won’t be a dud, Leon. Trust me. You’re charming, you’re brilliant, and you’re a great listener. Lina’s going to love finally having you all to herself. So where’s the new spot?”
“I was thinking we’d hit up Takeuchi’s, the new sushi place off North Orange Street.”
“You know me.” I grin, the thought of spicy tuna and miso soup already making my morning better. “I’m always happy to have sushi.”
Leon doesn’t head back to his desk immediately. Instead, he lingers and removes his glasses to clean the lenses. “I haven’t asked the guys yet,” he says, leaningagainst my desk, “but I thought you might want to invite Theo along.”
