“Missed you this week,” Marissa said, leaning a hip against Elise’s desk. “Where have you been?”
Elise smiled in response. “I’ve been working with Nia Knight on her music video for her latest single. Mr. Edge was nice enough to accommodate me in order to make it happen.”
“I heard the song. I know the video is going to be amazing, especially with you having a hand in it.”
“Not you trying to make me blush,” Elise giggled.
“Kingsley and I were about to grab lunch from Joan’s On Third. You in?”
“I would love to. But unfortunately, not coming in this morning has thrown me off, so I need to catch up.” Elise answered.
“Are you sure?”
Elise nodded her head. “Yes. Go ahead. I still have interviews for my replacement that I need to get through this afternoon. I’ll eat something afterwards.”
“Okay,” Marissa relents. “I’ll see you later.” She’s off with a parting wave before Elise turns and focuses on the files in front of her.
I didn’t move right away.
I probably should have. There was no reason to linger in the hallway when I had a meeting starting in less than ten minutes and three emails waiting for responses I should have already sent.
But I stayed where I was, my attention fixed on Elise in a way that didn’t make sense for a man with a schedule like mine.
Elise had slipped back into her role like she’d never left. Laptop open, files spread neatly in front of her, posture straight, already working through whatever had piled up in the hours she’d been gone.
I exhaled quietly and pushed off the wall, closing the distance between us before I had the chance to reconsider it.
“Elise.”
She looked up immediately, like she always did when I said her name. “Mr. Edge.”
There it was again. That slight shift in tone. Just enough formality to remind me that things weren’t exactly where I wanted it to be.
“How was your morning?” I asked.
“Good. Really good. We managed to finish shooting the dance numbers today, and the playback looked amazing. Now I’m just waiting on the final cut.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing it. I know you did a great job.” I stated. My words were simple enough, but they landed. I could see it in the way she held my gaze for a second longer, like she was still adjusting to hearing things like that from me.
“Well…thank you,” she said. “Again.” I inclined my head slightly, then shifted my weight, preparing to step away. “And how did your morning go?” she asked before I could retreat into my office. “Did everything fall apart without me?”
“I managed.” I answered.
That earned me a small laugh, the sound quiet but genuine. “I’m sure you did.”
For a moment, the tension that had been lingering between us over the past week eased just enough to make it noticeable.
I let it sit there for a second before stepping back.
“I have a call in ten,” I said. “Let me know if anything comes up.”
“Of course,” she replied.
I nodded once, then turned toward my office without looking back. The moment the door shut behind me, the noise from the floor dulled into something distant. I set my phone on the desk, then picked it back up again almost immediately, my thumb hovering over the screen for a fraction of a second before I made the decision. I pulled up Joan’s On Third and placed the order without overthinking it.
Enough for the entire company. Enough that it would look intentional without drawing attention to any one person.
When I finished, I sent the confirmation and set the phone aside, turning my attention back to the work waiting on my desk.
