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

to stay and help clean

enough.” I waved him off. “I’ll see you

“Thanks, Mrs. Carter.

moment to breathe. The quiet felt good after hours of discussion and debate. I gathered the scattered

into my chair and pulled out my phone

Team just left. Presentation ready for

reply came

Congratulations. Still at the

Yep. About

come get you. Don’t drive yourself

to drive. I have my

I insist. Wait for me. 15

perfectly capable of getting me

Okay. See you

to the lobby, waving goodnight to the security guard

again, Mrs. Carter?”

into one of the plush

making you work overtime?” he

yes. But I volunteered

than I had anticipated. I stood alone at the curb,

leaves from a nearby tree accompanied the distant hum of traffic, each car’s headlights slicing through

phone buzzed with

tomorrow? Girls’

winced, recalling last night’s chaos at O’Malley’s: Ryan’s confrontation, James stepping in, and Alexander showing up unexpectedly

day after tomorrow instead? And maybe somewhere other

Her response came quickly.

new and fancy. Maybe that rooftop bar

text me the

things end with Alexander

her not-so-subtle

I’ll tell you everything the day

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