I barely registered the tension in my shoulders until my stomach gave a soft, hollow reminder that I hadn’t eaten. I exhaled slowly and leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temple.
At least during this busy period of my life, Adrian was home, not away on a project. Even though there were times when we were truly overwhelmed and still needed Avery’s help, having Adrian at home meant Haille didn’t look for me as much. As if simply knowing her father was there made her world feel secure.
“Still alive?”
I glanced up to see Harley, sleeves rolled up, faint shadows beneath his ocean eyes betraying a lack of sleep.
“Define alive,” I muttered. “If this last AR balance doesn’t tie, I might actually cry at my desk.”
He huffed a short laugh. “Final reconciliation?”
I gave a small nod.
“Figures,” he said. “Month-end close is brutal this time.”
He straightened, already stepping back. “I’ll be right back.”
I frowned. “Harley—”
Too late.
Before I could answer, he was already turning away.
Twenty minutes later, he was back, dropping a paper bag and a coffee onto the corner of my desk like it was part of his job description.
“Lunch,” he said simply.
I blinked at it, then at him. “Harley, you didn’t have to.”
“You’ve been glued to that spreadsheet since morning,” he replied. “I figured you forgot what food is.”
I reached for my phone. “Let me transfer you. I’ll pay you back.”
He shook his head immediately. “No need. I bought mine too. Same place.”
“That’s still—”
“Elena,” he said, not unkindly. “It’s fine.”
I hesitated, then sighed, setting my phone back on the desk. “Okay. But next lunch is on me.”
A grin tugged at his lips. “Deal.”
We bumped fists lightly before he headed back to his desk, and only then did I realize how hungry I actually was.
Not long after, my phone vibrated against the desk.
Adrian.
I glanced at the screen just as my manager, Thomas, appeared beside my desk, tablet in hand.
“Elena, do you have a minute? I want to go over the AP aging before we finalize.”
I hesitated for half a second, then turned the phone face down. “Of course.”
The call went unanswered.
By the time we finished reviewing adjustments and deadlines, I dove straight back into work, telling myself I’d call Adrian back in a minute.
