“Sure,” I say, setting my coffee down. “What’s up?”
“How would you like to head to London?”
Cue theTwilight Zonetheme music. My heart does a frantic, guilty jolt. Does she have ESP, or am I just that transparent? “London?” I sputter, nearly choking on my lukewarm caffeine.
“Yes.” She sets the folder on my desk. “Riverton has requested two senior engineers to support him with the Vortex Rise project. They’re entering the final testing phase and want more eyes on-site for review and adjustment.”
I blink, staring blankly at the folder and waiting for the part where she explains why she’s tellingmethis. I’m not even close to being a senior engineer.
“But,” she continues, her eyes twinkling with that sharp intelligence that makes me think she sees exactly what’s going on in my head, “I’ve decided it’s a better opportunity for one of my junior team members to get some real-world exposure. The London office already has enough senior staff to handle the heavy lifting. What they need is someone with fresh eyes and a quick mind.”
I should be jumping at the chance, but the logical part of my brain won’t shut off. “Won’t he be angry if someone like me shows up?”
“He can live with it,” she replies, not missing a beat. “Once you’re on the plane, it’ll be too late for him to complain.” Her tone is dry, but there’s a flicker of amusementin her eyes. “I asked Jared first, but he declined. You’re next in line. You interested?”
Okay, so Anya does in fact have ESP. It’s yet another item to add to the list of reasons I want to be her when I grow up. “Yes,” I say immediately.
Her brows rise. “That was fast. I thought you’d at least take a few more seconds to think about it. Especially since you and him don’t exactly see eye to eye.”
I glance away. “We worked things out during the site visit. But even if we hadn’t, it’s still the London office. I’d like to see and experience exactly what it’s like for myself. I’ve heard a lot ofinterestingthings about it.”
Translation—I want to see this Mr. Harris in person and figure out how I can whip his butt for always picking on Theo. I don’t care if he’s the COO. Being a junior engineer doesn’t mean I’m blind to a bully.
“Good answer. Connections matter in this company if you want to get ahead.” Anya nods approvingly. “Anyway,” she says briskly, shifting back into work mode. “It’ll be a short assignment—a week, maybe two. You’ll shadow the on-site leads, help with data validation, and fetch the coffee. It’s a valuable learning opportunity.”
“Thank you,” I say, trying to keep my excitement contained.
“Travel arrangements are being handled by the main office,” Anya continues. “You’ll likely fly out early next week. Riverton’s been there about a week already. Do you have any questions?”
About a million. But none of them are work related. “No. After I read the project brief, maybe.”
“Great. IM me if you need anything. I’ll be in meetings most of the day. I don’t know how Riverton manages it all.” She sighs, then heads down the hall.
When she’s gone, I lean back in my chair, letting out a long breath. Now that I’ve had a few minutes to let the reality of it all sink in, the excitement is curling into nerves. Howwillhe react to seeing me in person again? To me showing up onhisturf this time? Will he be the supposedly volatile man I first met? Or will he be the man who spent hours arguing about sitcoms and sent me a box of gold-dusted chocolate? I hope I haven’t just ruined everything we’ve built.
I shake my head, forcing my thoughts aside before I can spiral any further. “Don’t overthink it, Kaori,” I whisper under my breath, tapping my fingers against the edge of my desk. “Focus. Get through today. Then you can let your mind wander.”
And with that, I return my attention to the CAD file.
I’m curledup on my couch later that evening, clad in my PJs, video chatting with Alice. Her squeal when I break the news to her nearly blows out my eardrums.
“Kaori is coming to London-town!” she shrieks, grinning so wide, I can practically see the reflection of her ceiling light in her teeth. Alice is sitting in her own bed, stroking her dog’s head absently. “Finally! I’ve been waiting ages for you to visit.”
“You act like I’ll be on vacation. But I’ll be working,” I emphasize.
“Work, schmork.” She waves that off.
“Should I be recording this?” I tease. “Because the Alice I know wouldnevereven think of shirking her responsibilities.”
“That was the pre-uni Alice. The adult me is a littlemore spontaneous and not completely opposed to missing a class once in a while—especially if it means seeing her boyfriend.”
I can’t help laughing. She’s got that right. She’d do anything for Art. “Whoareyou and what have you done with the real Alice Wales?”
“I’m evolving,” she corrects, leaning forward until her face practically fills the screen, “Now tell meeverything.”
And I do.
Alice listens intently. Her eyes sparkle with mischief when I finish. “Kaori,” she says, “Youlikehim. There is no way you arejustfriends.”
