Between Deadlines and Desires

asses. It was the kind of place that curated its ambiance like a mood board-so

before Layla-no, Lily-had forced her into a dress and an Uber, mutterin

e State stood tall in the distance, reminding her that she was still

ep, threaded with a faint smirk. "I'd say it's been

rned.

e he

k J

ses, sketching patterns on diner napkins

he edges of his dark hair now, and his confidence had aged into something more

ying to confirm he wasn't just a ghost con

changed a b

eyes trailing the sleek cut of hi

a lazy shrug. "Well-my company d

urse

ays did

derestimated how h

hickened with the weight of memories-so

quietly. "After graduation.

istake. But I've thought about y

about me while you built you

every time I rejec

of her before she co

t enough to blur the bou

" he said. "You're still the

ice soft but edged with so

d his head

no

work with me. Start your fashion line. No red ta

heart s

ed back.

should've backed you years ago. And I won't

rld went quiet. Just

her pho

TON

omach

dn't a

t

ing name on her screen un

the shift in her expr

clutch. "Clinton doesn't usually call. I

rattled," Rick said, r

rushed her skin, lifting a st

ward and tucked

t because of the rush of warmth it stirred. So

," he said softly. "But strength doesn't mean you ha

ded too close

decision tonight

ied. "But I am asking you to let

se couldn't help itself, t

ton

owed slightly with the rooftop breeze. His gaze

ddenly, divided itself into two men. O

belonged

n Rick, narrowed. The r

coolly. "Didn't know t

ays a pleasure, Reign. Still c

crackling like a live wire. "Cl

eyes didn't leave Rick. "Then I tra

d, her voice dropping, wo

ust once. "It's no

lightly in front of her. "I

etween them. "St

or a moment, his mask cracked. Just

you weren't in the office. You're never not in the office

rong in his voi

t, and the contact grounded her,

led. "I

rooftop," C

"No. Real air. Awa

for a reply, she wal

er, Olivia pressed her back

lt eve

sts of

ure of he

time in years, the