by the stairwell door, discussing the elevator fiasco and whether my game would launch on time. Their verdict? No fucking way. The loudest voice belonged to Ian.
Oh god. What was I doing here in the stairwell? There were no hours to spare in the day and because of the afternoon incident, I was a half day behind now. “I . . . I’m sorry. We can’t do this,” I muttered, dropping my hands to my side.
“Wait, what? Why not?” He raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“There’s too much going on at work. And you’re still sort of my intern, because you helped me out today. And I could get in trouble for this.” I wagged my index finger between the two of us. “You wouldn’t get fired, but I would.”
Nolan’s phone and mine buzzed at the same time. Mine was a text from Kat: check your email.
A companywide message from Ian . . . Because of Nolan MacKenzie going above and beyond today by filling in for his supervisor on the investor call, he’s being awarded this month’s Seventeen Studios MVP award. Congratulations, Nolan!
MVP awards came with a $500 Visa gift card and two free PTO days.
“Congratulations, Nolan.” I sighed, trying to stifle any hostility in my voice. Yes, I was grateful he helped me out. Yes, he deserved it. But still, a little part of me was sad, maybe even angry, that I was never recognized for my work.
He stammered, “I-I-I didn’t know this would happen . . . I—”
I cut him off. “It’s fine.” Not really fine, but whatever. “I’d been meaning to tell you something. My friend Jane has a strategic analyst position that opened up at her company, and I think you’d be great at it.” I bit my lower lip. “If you got the job, you’d have to relocate to New York. But I think you should go for it, it’s a great opportunity. I’ll email you the info.”
His brows knit together into a continuous, straight line. “Are you sure about this?”
“Yes. Sent it. Now we’re even for you helping me with the investor call.” My stomach sank as soon as his phone buzzed with my message.
He shrugged. “If you want me to apply, I will. Thanks for looking out for me.”
I glanced down the stairs so he wouldn’t see the tears brimming in my eyes. “I’m okay to drive home by myself now. Thanks again for helping me today. I’ve got it from here.”
Without waiting for his reaction, I clattered down the stairs, the metal steps echoing as the rubber soles from my boots hit each one with a thud.
Once I got to my car, I had to sit there for a minute to steady myself. So much had happened that day. Mostly all bad, but I couldn’t shake my constant replays of that kiss between Nolan and me in my head. Or the second one. Somehow, Nolan could make all the negativity in my life melt away, even for a fleeting moment.
Too bad it wouldn’t happen again.
Chapter Twenty-One
Jane messaged me the evening of her bachelorette party: Whoooooooo’s ready for the festivities? See you downstairs!
Our limousine service would pick us up first and then we’d swing by Candace’s place. At dinner the prior weekend, Candace said unenthusiastically, “I look like I’m smuggling a fifteen-pound bag of weed under my shirt. Can’t I just stay home?”
Jane was not having any of it. “Bishes, we’re all going in the limo. Platinum members get free champagne! Oops, sorry, Candace. I keep forgetting that you can’t drink. That’s more glasses for Mel and me, though!”
Before heading down to the lobby to meet Jane, I puckered my lips and turned my head upward in the bathroom mirror. I’d successfully pulled off the cat-eye look, something that took years to finally accomplish. And with a little primer, foundation, concealer, and reflective powder action, you couldn’t even tell I’d been harboring all my sleep deprivation in the two deep hammock-size bags under my eyes! I’d even bought an antiaging eye cream with caffeine micropearls to perk up and stimulate my eye area and put that on for this special night. I’d need a chisel to remove all that makeup and face product later, but that wasn’t something to worry about yet.
I grabbed my purse off the hall closet doorknob and stopped at the door. Did I need an umbrella, too? Seattleites never carried them and the only one in the closet was a golf umbrella with a honking Seventeen Studios logo on