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
to stay and help clean up?” he asked, clearly
waved him off. “I’ll see you tomorrow.
face. “Thanks, Mrs. Carter. You’re the
quiet felt good after hours of discussion and debate. I gathered the scattered printouts and coffee cups, tossing them into
everything tidied, I collapsed back into my chair and pulled out my
Team just left. Presentation ready
came
Still at
About to head
you. Don’t
to drive. I
insist. Wait
his commanding tone. My Porsche was in the parking garage, perfectly capable of getting
See you
down to the lobby, waving goodnight to the security guard
Mrs. Carter?”
presentation tomorrow,” I explained, settling into one
boss making you work overtime?”
yes. But I volunteered for
alone at the curb, taking a
of leaves from a nearby tree accompanied the distant hum of traffic, each car’s headlights slicing through the darkness in a brilliant flash as they
buzzed with
Drinks tomorrow? Girls’
night’s chaos at O’Malley’s: Ryan’s confrontation, James stepping in, and
tomorrow instead? And maybe
Her response came quickly.
someplace new and fancy. Maybe that rooftop bar
text me the
Will do! Btw, how did things end with
her not-so-subtle
you everything the day
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