Page 55 of Feel It in the Air

She huffs out a breath, as if she were the fire-breathing dragon in a fairy tale, then stomps back to her desk. Aaron looks up at me, circling his temple with his pointer finger to indicate that she’s crazy. Which, I have to agree with him. I can only hope that whatever Mabel reports back to her crew reflects that same thing.

The buzz of my phone against the desk steals my attention and I look down, heart jumping at Gus’s name.

Gus

In case you were unaware, I had a great time this weekend. And I really hated waking up without you in my arms this morning

Same. On both counts

Good

Side note: sending you an email about an idea I had and a project I want to work on. Jace mentioned something this weekend about the SafeSounds Widget and how the patent is expiring, and I think there might be a work-around to extend it. Just so we have official record of my taking on the project

Fine by me. I told y’all when this all started, nothing changed, you can still take on whatever as long as it fits whatever parameters Percy has

I know. I just want to follow the rules ;)

Speaking of breaking the rules, when can I take you out again? You busy tonight?

I sigh, my chest filling with a swarm of butterflies. There’s no controlling the silly smile that takes over, and I know that if anyone were to look at me, they’d think I was as twitterpated as a tween at a boy band concert.

Which I am.

Still, I know we need to pump the brakes. Teresa’s outburst from earlier is a clear example of why.

We need to be careful.

I know.

Says the man who winked at me in the office

No one saw that

Teresa did. And promptly lost her shit.

She doesn’t know anything

No, she just thinks you’re playing favorites. And she hates me enough as it is. We don’t need to give her any more of a reason.

Looking up, I make sure that she isn’t staring at me. Because that would be the cherry on top of this sundae. For all I know, she’s keeping a logbook of my every move and has notes that at this very moment say I’m sitting at my desk texting. If she only knew who I was texting.

I have good money she’s jealous because Willa took to you. They worked on a project last year and it didn’t go well. So the fact that she sees you and Willa together probably kills her

Oh. Well, that’s an interesting piece of information. And one that shines a light on a lot. A lot.

Since I can’t hang out with Gus at the office, most days I end up eating lunch with Willa and Bronwyn. Something I have loved. Something Gus thinks is dangerous. Something that makes the comment about earning my spot make a little more sense as well. Maybe this isn’t all about Gus, but the fact that she feels slighted all around.

Perceived woman on woman professional crime.

Good to know

Still, we need to be careful…

I know. And you’ve worked hard to get here

I don’t want to do anything to put your beautiful mind at risk

My heart squeezes, the butterflies taking flight. The more time I spend with him, the harder it is not to fall for him. In fact, it’s impossible. And I’m lying to myself if I say that I haven’t already started.