Page 45 of It Happened Again

I didn’t respond, which was answer enough.

Lacey entered the room then, her heels clicking like an accusation against the hardwood floor. She passed out folders without meeting my eye. The tension had grown sharp lately, especially when her hand lingered a little too long on the folder she slapped down on the table in front of me.

“Site walk-through at Orion is at four,” she said, her tone clipped. Again. Another tiny crack in the professionalism I used to admire. Maybe I should have intervened sooner. “I confirmed Maisy will be there.”

I nodded. “Thanks, Lacey.”

No response.

Archer scowled and gave me a pointed look after she left the room. “You need to handle that.”

I scoffed. “I had one discussion with her.”

“Clearly it requires a part two or an addendum.”

“Arch, would you just talk to her for me?”

“No way. I seem to repel every woman I come into contact with lately. I thought maybe I had a chance with Sophie, but she’s had nothing but excuses when I’ve asked her out. Jesus, you have two women and I can’t even get one. What the hell is wrong with me?”

“Nothing, Arch. You haven’t met the right one yet. And I don’t have two women, only one perfect one.” As his twin, his pain resonated with me. Blissfully happy, I wanted that for him, too. “I thought you were starting up with Dax’s MINT?”

“I filled everything out for my profile, but I haven’t pulled the trigger yet. It feels like a copout to use a service like that, doesn’t it? Like I’m some desperate millionaire who can’t get a date.”

I cocked my head. “You are.”

“Screw you, man. Are you driving us in the Maybach today or what?” We had a day full of meetings, the last of which would be at Orion this afternoon. I couldn’t wait to see Maisy.

“Only if you promise to move forward with letting Dax’s algorithm match you up with some sweet honey,” I said.

“Fuck. Fine. Let’s get the hell out of here.”

Later,at Orion, during the final walk through on the first phase of the wing, Patterson praised us for getting the projectdone. Our crews were already tackling phase two of the wing, given the buzzing construction noise and activity nearby.

Satisfied, we followed Patterson’s lead as he moved us into Maisy’s specific room, where she was waiting for us. She took over then, and impressed me, and likely everyone.

“Welcome Dr. Patterson and everyone. Now that the room is finished and ready for testing, congratulations, everyone. You are the first people to test it.” She glowed, and had each of us wear the feedback devices containing censors that would track our physical responses, send the data to her system, and then analyze it.

She walked us through the progressions in the room. Her ponytail high an bounding with each step, and dressed in a pale soft pink suit, she looked every inch the brilliant, sexy scientist I had fallen so damn hard for.

While the CEO nodded throughout, seemingly happy with her results so far, his questions hinted otherwise, grilling her for the details of what she would present at the company’s event, now coined the Orion’s Big Idea Symposium.

“At the symposium, your winning idea will lead and gain the majority of the spotlight, while the other top five ideas will play a minor role in being showcased for the evening as well,” he concluded.

If she was upset by that, Maisy never showed it. Her smile never faltered. Then again, we were in her calm space; she was a little too calm about it.

Patterson praised her efforts so far, adding some pressure, though. “Just to be clear, this is a very important symposium, Maisy. The night you present, our investors will be in the audience. We need to impress them and put our best foot forward. Dr. Stone will reach out to you tomorrow to start her review of your work and to help you prepare your presentation.”

“Wonderful. I look forward to it. Thank you.” She finished the meeting with polite handshakes to everyone and retrieving the feedback devices as they exited. I could tell from her body posture the situation set her back, though.

I thought everyone had left the room, when I turned and brought her in for a quick hug. “You did great,” I whispered, my lips skimming along her forehead.

“You might think so. But why do I feel like Patterson has lost faith in my project?”

“No. You’re reading too much into it. He’s a leader, trying to get the best performance out of you, that’s all,” I explained.

“And you’re my guy, always in my corner, ready to cheer me on?”

“Don’t you know that’s my favorite job—Maisy’s personal cheerleader?” I leaned down for a quick kiss, but heard someone clearing their throat behind us.

---