Chapter 177

Olivia

I stifled a yawn, staring at my computer screen while stretching my arms above my head. My back cracked in three distinct places as I twisted side to side. After hours of tweaking, our concept boards were polished to perfection.

“And we’re officially finished, I announced, saving the file one last time.

Dylan pumped his fist in the air. “Thank god. I was starting to forget what sunlight looks like.”

Ava closed her laptop with a dramatic thud. “If I had to adjust that logo placement one more time, I might have thrown myself out the window.”

“Top floor,” Marcus reminded her, gathering his sketches. “You’d definitely die. And then who would make our presentations look pretty?”

“Someone less talented and twice as expensive,” Ava replied, flashing a tired grin.

I checked the time on my phone, 9:37 PM. We’d been at it for nearly fourteen hours straight.

The team began gathering their belongings, moving with the slow, dazed movements of people who’d been staring at screens for too long.

“Anyone want to grab a drink?” Brandon suggested halfheartedly.

A chorus of groans answered him.****

“My bed is calling,” Ava declared. “And it’s saying very dirty things about how good it’ll feel to collapse into it.”

“TMI, Ava,” Marcus laughed, slinging his messenger bag over his shoulder.

filed out of the conference room until only

clean up?” he asked, clearly hoping I’d

him off. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Great work

his face. “Thanks,

a moment to breathe. The quiet felt good after hours of discussion and debate. I gathered the scattered printouts and coffee cups, tossing them into the recycling and

into my chair and pulled out

just left. Presentation

reply came

Still at

Yep. About

I’ll come get you. Don’t drive yourself

fine to drive. I have my

insist. Wait for

appreciation and annoyance at his commanding tone. My Porsche was in the parking garage, perfectly capable of getting me home. But the thought of Alexander coming to pick me up sent

See you

things and headed down to the lobby, waving goodnight to the security guard who looked as tired as

late again, Mrs. Carter?”

into one of the plush

boss making you work overtime?”

laughed. “Technically, yes. But I volunteered for

the night air hit me with a refreshing chill that was far cooler than I had anticipated. I stood alone at the curb, taking

traffic, each car’s headlights slicing through the darkness in a brilliant flash as

phone buzzed with

Drinks tomorrow? Girls’

last night’s chaos at O’Malley’s: Ryan’s confrontation, James stepping in, and Alexander showing up unexpectedly with his revelation about

the day after tomorrow instead? And maybe somewhere

Her response came quickly.

worries! I’ll find us someplace new and fancy. Maybe

text

things end with Alexander last night?

smiled at her not-so-subtle fishing for

you everything the day after tomorrow.

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