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“Sorry to interrupt. They need you for the auction rundown.”
He straightens, his professional mask sliding back into place, but not before he gives me a soft smile that nearly breaks my heart.
“Of course,” he says, his voice crisp and businesslike. “I’ll catch you later, Lila.”
And just like that, he’s gone again.
Pulled back into his world. Back to the centre of the room, where the stars orbit him and I’m just another flicker on the edge of the sky.
Chapter 12
OCTOBER 2024
Spring melts into summer, and summer cools to autumn before I’ve even noticed the seasons changing. Six months in my own place has given me a sense of peace and ‘adultness’ I’d never experienced before. The walls are no longer stark white but adorned with a selection of carefully selected prints, and I have a bookshelf filled with some of my favourite photography books along with a few romance novels I’d picked up here and there. The little wooden block Marcus gave me sits prominently on the bookshelf, right in front of one of my favourite books, which just so happens to be about a couple with a fifteen-year age gap. Total coincidence. So I have a thing for older guys. So what?
“Did you hear?” Carter says, swivelling in his chair to face me as I walk up to my desk. “Reid’s quitting. Moving to Barcelona, apparently.”
I set down my coffee, the news hitting me with unexpected force. Reid is one of the Project Managers who handles most of the nightlife accounts – the position I’ve been eyeing for the past year.
“When?” I ask.
“End of the month. Harrison says he just handed his notice in today. And -” Carter stands, sipping his iced coffee. “You’ll never guess whose name I heard being thrown around as his replacement for the Sapphire campaign?” He waggles his eyebrows meaningfully.
I stare at him, my jaw dropping. “No.”
“Yes,” Angela chimes in from her desk opposite mine. “Tell her what else he said,” she waves her hand excitedly at Carter.
“So, Harrison was in on the senior management meeting yesterday, and Stephen was singing your praises. Said your work showed ‘remarkable vision and creativity.’
“Stop! He didnot!”I exclaim, my hand flying to my mouth.
“He did,” Carter insists. “The Sapphire account is fucking huge, Lila. If you nail this - ”
“Ifbeing the operative word,” I say, sitting down and logging into my computer, trying not to let myself get carried away with ideas.
The screen beeps with a meeting notification as a pop-up appears:Stephen Ackton – 10:30 AM – Meeting Room 2.
Carter peers over my shoulder.
“Told you,” he gloats, sitting back down in his chair with a proud smirk on his face.
***
“Sapphire Lounge is our biggest account this quarter,” Stephen says, his usually stern face lit up with a rare enthusiasm. “The owner is particular about his vision, but he’s giving us creative freedom within certain parameters.”
I nod, trying to keep my expression poised and professional, though inside I’m practically vibrating with excitement.
“I’d like to give you the lead on this, Lila,” he says, sliding a sleek blue folder across the table toward me. “Reid recommended you before he submitted his notice, and Marcus backed that up strongly. He said you’ve got the instinct and the energy this project needs.”
My heart stutters.Marcus recommended me.
“Thank you so much,” I manage, my voice somehow sounding steadier than I feel despite the rush of adrenaline in my veins. “I won’t let you down.”
“I know you won’t,” Stephen says, leaning back in his chair. “You’ve got what it takes. I knew that when I hired you.”
As I leave the conference room, clutching the folder to my chest, I feel weightless. Not just from the thrill of being trusted to lead our biggest campaign, but from the quiet echo of Stephen’s words still ringing in my ears.Marcus backed that up strongly.
Almost two years ago, I’d walked through these doors as a nervous newbie, never having worked a professional job in my life, worrying that the corporate world would destroy me. And now I’m going to be leading our biggest campaign?