Maybe she did it to protect herself, but she did it, anyway, and on some level it makes me feel better.
Mark’s billboard made her blush, but it’s clear that his stunt has taken the spotlight off the initial scandal and my exposed backside. His naked front side is a lot more interesting.
I still can’t believe he did that.
There must have been a way he could have saved his company that didn’t involve him being bare on a billboard.
That was all for me.
“Where can you find Nayara Springs?” Dean reads from the card.
“What is that?” I whisper to myself. Shit. I rack my brain. Am I supposed to know this? Mark looks at me. Is he smirking?
“Sorry, I don’t know,” I say, slumping.
“Mark, for one consolation point, you get a chance to respond.”
“Costa Rica,” he says immediately, and looks at me. “You should remember it, though.”
I cock my head at him.
“It’s where we’re going to celebrate your birthday once you’re finished at The Orion,” he says, coming towards me.
“Did you stage that?” I ask, and he shrugs. He totally did. “We’re going to Costa Rica?”
“Crickets and waterfalls,” he says, and wraps his arms around me.
“You are incredible,” I murmur against his lips before I let him kiss me.
Fern wolf-whistles, and we’re reminded of the audience we have.
“I’ll thank you properly later,” I whisper, as close to his ear as I can get, and he hums in response. It sends a vibration through me that leaves me feeling highly inappropriate things in this setting.
“When are you going?” Kate asks. “Will you be here for Christmas?”
“It’ll be after Christmas. Rey’s got a big job to complete first, and then I need to check with her boss.”
“Well, she’s very nice.”
“Indeed, she is,” he says. “I’ll need to put in a good word with her, though.” He wiggles his eyebrows.
An hour later, we’ve merged our party (except the parents, which is good, as much as I like them) with Halloween at The Orion, and I still can’t believe I’m a member here now. Aiden has roped me in, and even hired me to paint the first floor. The entire floor. I was flabbergasted when he asked me, but it’s an amazing opportunity. He said he loves my forests, elves, and animals, and that I have free rein. I adore The Orion style so much, and he admires mine, so it’s a perfect match. It’ll probably take another two months, but I’m loving every minute of it.
My art. Permanently displayed across The Orion, one of my favourite places.
Mark said he’s going to rent the place for some insane luxury augmented reality event he’s doing for the new game next year, and I’m thrilled I get to be part of it again.
It’s all coming together. I’m a freelancer. I get to create, following my own rules. Paint or draw what I pick and choose. It turns out the scandal hadonegood outcome on top of Infinio’s rapid transformation; my name and my art plastered on the internet along with my photos. And people have responded with incredible, heart-warming positivity.
Even before Aiden, I was approached by a variety of companies, including Infinio’s top competitor, andthe animation studio I applied for, both of which I turned down because I wouldn’t be able to do what I wanted.
After years of feeling stuck, I need to spread my wings. No boundaries. Just me.
Find my path.
With my passion for interior design and fantasy worlds, Aiden’s request has been a dream. And working with his highly accomplished team is everything.
I spot the head of the design team at the bar. With her extraordinary eye for colour, and the maximalist style her employees have, I’d expect her to be … louder, kind of. Like her work. But she’s a slightly uptight and reserved Norwegian woman, although she’s perfectly nice.
