Page 31 of On Your Knees

“Let me show you to where you will work,” Theo continues. “I have supplied you with an email, and the login details are on your desk. There is an email outlining what you will be working on and what tasks you need to complete. This one is brand new and we can hire more staff if you need us to. Ridge—” Zeland coughs and Theo pauses briefly. “Sorry, Mr. Ellington has allowed a budget for that. He wants you to run point and will pop in every so often to check on your progress. You must be something special for him to take an interest.”

“I’m not,” I mumble.

Zeland places a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t sellyourself short. If Ridge hired you himself, you must be one of the best at what you do. Now I better get back to work. It was lovely meeting you, Arlo, and I have a feeling I will see you again real soon.”

Zeland winks at me, and I push my black-rimmed glasses up my face and smile. “You too.”

I palm my forehead the second he is gone, and Theo chuckles. “You will get used to Zeland—he is a notorious flirt. Since you don’t work on his floor, you’re fair game. If he makes you uncomfortable at any stage, just let me know and I can talk to him, but he is harmless.”

Theo opens the door to the room I’m working in and my mouth drops open.

“It’s fine, honestly. Thank you for showing me to my office.”

“You’re welcome. If you need anything, let me know. You have my email or I will be around on the floor somewhere. I also left your ID card on your desk. It will get you into the staff elevators and through the lobby doors.”

“Thank you.”

With that, Theo leaves and I close the door behind him and do a happy dance while I pull my phone out of my pocket.

“Is everything okay?” my mom asks as she answers the phone.

“It’s perfect. You should see my office, and I’m the lead on this game—me, Mom. Can you believe that?”

“Of course I can, baby. You are so smart and talented. Now go before you get fired for talking on your phone while at work.”

I laugh. “Okay, see you tonight.”

I read over the email Theo sent me, and it’s all easy, nothing I haven’t done before.

A new email pops up. And my eyes almost bug out of my head.

Mr. Kross,

It was a pleasure seeing you this morning. I’ve assigned you as the lead on this project. If you’re able to launch the game successfully, we can move forward with negotiating your contract. I’ve sent over the budget, so please proceed as needed.

Feel free to reach out via email if you have any questions or require additional support.

Best,

Ridge Ellington

Chief Executive Officer

Ridgeland Enterprises

I don’t respond. Ridge doesn’t seem like a man who wants you to reply, and before I can overthink it, another email pops up.

Subject:Nice toofficiallymeet you

Hey Arlo,

It wasverynice meeting youtoday. I wasn’t sure what to expect from someone Ridge actually hired—he’s not exactly known for his warm and fuzzy selections. But you? You were a surprise. The good kind.

I’m already looking forward to seeing what you do with the project. And if I’m being honest, I’m also looking forward to seeingyouagain. Maybe next time without the office walls and awkward introductions between us.

Don’t be a stranger. Unless that’s your thing.

Zeland Reid-Ellington

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