Page 13 of What Comes Around

Chapter 5: The Other Miss Richards

A few days later, I was reviewing projected ROI models when voices drifted in from the corridor.

“…I’m telling you, this could bring in an entirely new demographic.”

I glanced up just as they passed the glass wall.

And that’s when I saw her.

Apple.

She was walking beside a man from marketing. Tim, I remembered a second later. He looked like he was doing his best not to stare at her mouth when she spoke.

“So you’re saying Sinclair is still very traditional with ads?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.

“Yes, but we’re trying to expand,” Tim said eagerly. “Influencer marketing is the next step. Knox just hasn’t prioritized it yet.”

She smiled. The kind of smile that made men forget policy.

“Well,” she said, “maybe he just hasn’t met the right influencer yet.”

That was when Apple saw me.

Her step faltered.

Our eyes met.

Her smile froze. Her gaze dropped briefly to my desk. My screen. My badge.

I leaned back in my chair and lifted an eyebrow.

Her expression tightened.

Tim followed her line of sight.

“You know each other?” he asked.

“No,” Apple said quickly, looking away.

Tim steered her toward Linda’s desk.

“This is Apple,” he said. “She’s a content creator. We’re exploring influencer marketing for Sinclair’s entertainment properties.”

Linda looked at Apple, then back at him.

“I thought it would be helpful if Mr. Sinclair could at least meet her,” Tim continued. “She has a huge reach, and Miss Apple said she wanted to discuss potential partnerships.”

Apple stepped in smoothly.

“Knox will want to see me,” she said softly. “We go way back.”

Tim looked surprised.

“You do?”

She smiled and nodded.

Linda did not move.