“A sleeper hit,” I say, nodding. “I can appreciate that.”
“It’s pretty crazy you were my age when you started Revenant,” Eugenia says.
“Just about.”
“How did you manage it and take classes at the same time?”
“I didn’t have a social life,” I admit. “When I was a senior, I entered a competition for young entrepreneurs and won ten thousanddollars. I used the money on social media marketing, and everything spiraled from there.”
That’s the point I realize Eugenia isn’t listening anymore. Her gaze has drifted toward the door. When I twist to see what she’s looking at, I understand why.
Will Grant just walked in.
I don’t remember him being on the schedule this week? But my heart escalates into a rapid thrum, pleased without my permission.
“Who isthat?” she asks.
He does look exceptionally good today, I’ll give Eugenia that. Between now and the last time he was in my office with his blue folders, he might have gone on vacation, or at the very least spent a handful of sunny days by a pool, because his skin is glowing and bronzed against his crisp white button-down and black pants. His hair is windswept, making me guess he rode his rental bike to work today. He looks perplexed as his focus drifts over the crowd.
Our eyes find each other a few seconds later and an electric spark runs down my spine. I pull two fingers toward myself in invitation. Will crosses the space to me and Eugenia.
“Are you party crashing?” I ask.
“Depends. Did my invitation get lost in the mail?”
“You’re not an employee.”
“And yet, I work for you,” he counters, tone low but amused. Will’s eyes track to the half-eaten donut in my hand. “Are those from Voodoo?”
“You bet your bottom dollar.”
“I’m party crashing,” he decides.
“Since you’re here,” I say, “this is Eugenia Thomas. She’s one of Revenant’s summer interns, and for the next ten weeks, she’s going to be my executive assistant.”
Will’s ocean eyes sparkle as he sticks out a hand for Eugenia to shake. “So,you’rethe Eugenia emailing me about Josie’s calendar.”
“Thanks for your patience,” she says. “I’m still getting the hang of it.”
“Godspeed.” He flashes her a perfect smile. Eugenia looks positively starstruck.
“Will is a consultant,” I tell her. “He’s going to help Revenant become B Corp Certified.”
“That’s amazing,” she sighs.
“Just doing my job,” he replies.
“Why did you make that sound like your job is being a firefighter who just saved a historic landmark from getting scorched?”
He throws me a look, eyes crinkled. “Got to bolster my self-importance somehow.”
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“Camila knew I was in town for another client and asked me to drop by.” Will searches the room for her. “She has something to ask me, apparently.”
She’s busy chatting, so we acquire Will a blueberry cake donut and then listen while the head of HR makes a brief speech about office etiquette. No vaping inside, please, and you can vlog so long as you aren’t sharing privileged information. When the speech is over, Will bites the inside of his cheek and shares an expressive glance with me. His body has drawn closer to mine. The unmistakable scent of his aftershave hits me, so distinctly his.
Out of nowhere, mywantslams into me again, sharper this time than the night outside Andalo.
