Page 77 of Wildflower
“Yes, and the dev team is loving him. Can I show you?”
“Please do!”
I follow Kaia and relish the feeling of having contributed something creative to this place. And seeing Beanie in action on a screen will be a dream come true.
Kaia turns to me as we walk. “How are you doing with the animation tool?”
“I’ve been working on the trees. The leaves are moving, but I just have to figure out this shadow thing. I might have to stay late tonight so I can finish it.”
I don’thaveto, but I’d rather be here in the office than sit at home alone and think about Robin.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
birthday
MARK
It’s been a long week, and it’s only fucking Wednesday. It was difficult enough to avoid thoughts of Alice when I was in denial. Avoiding thoughts of Rey when she’s right here is inconceivable. I don’t know who I was fooling, thinking I could just hide in the upstairs office and then I’d not think of her.
Out of sight, out of mind.
That’s not a thing when it comes to Rey.
Now that I know her voice, her laugh, her scent, I hear and smell her everywhere, even when I can’t see her. And I must admit I spent too much energy today trying to get a glimpse of her. It’s getting ridiculous.
I roll my neck as the lift opens onto the ground floor for what feels like the umpteenth time today. I’ve had twelve meetings in one day, so the last thing I want to do now is go to a bloody restaurant and talk to people. Even if those people are my family—orbecausethey are my family. As much as I love them, they’re sometimes a bit much.
The office is dark, but the light is still on in the creative corner.
Itcould be Rey—an even better reason not to go check.
I stride down the hall, anyway. Just being a thoughtful boss, checking in on my late-working employee. When I reach the end, I’m not surprised to see the woman I’m desperate to avoid but can’t seem to stay away from.
She’s at her corner desk, the two large screens in front of her filled with different windows. One with a rough animation of that wobbly Frenchie of hers, which is looking further along than I’d expect it. She’s in the floral dress I spotted her in earlier today. Big red poppies and purple bluebells. Wildflowers, like her tattoos.
It seems she didn’t hear me approaching.
I lean on the glass wall behind her, and watch her as she clicks into a window of a design program.
Her fingers fly over the keyboard as she types, and I’m impressed she’s learned to code in the tool already. She hums a tune in a gentle voice, and I catch myself smiling. I could watch her all day.
She turns so unexpectedly, I don’t have time to straighten up and pretend I just arrived.
“Mark,” Rey breathes and clears her throat. “Did I disturb you?”
“No?” I push off the wall. “I was on my way out and saw the light on. Why are you working so late? Horace doesn’t have you on a deadline yet.”
“I just needed to figure this out or I wouldn’t be able to sleep,” she says, pointing at the screen with the design tool open. “I love this,” she adds. “It’s so exciting to see things come to life.”
There’s a blush on her cheeks, and she bites her lower lip—it reminds me of the photo she sent me as Alice.
I stare at her for what I know is way too long, but I can’t stop myself.
“Do you … umm … want to see?” she asks.
“Yes,” I say, my voice cracking, and I clear my throat. “Sure, what is it?” I ask and step closer.
I perch on the desk next to her. At a professional distance, of course.
