Page 68 of The Overtime Persuasive

We both lean toward the screen in sync, Eva taking in a sharp breath.

“This was a mistake,” she whispers. Eva looks at me, her eyes widening with regret. “Maybe if I unplug my computer I can take it back?”

I bite my lip so I don’t laugh in her face. “That isn’t how the internet works.”

“You know cold things, like ice. You don’t know tech.”

The confirmation page appears on the screen, and a cannon of gold confetti bursts across the screen beneath the words: YOUR ENTRY HAS BEEN SUBMITTED.

Eva stops breathing. Her eyes move over the screen. “I did it.”

“Yes, you did,” I say, watching as she stands a bit taller with pride. “You entered the contest.”

A smile breaks slowly across her face. “I entered the contest.”

She throws both arms around my neck and I catch her, laughing as she presses herself against me.

“Oh my God.” She pulls back to look at the screen, then hugs me again. “I might throw up.”

“Please don’t. We still have dinner.”

She laughs as I wrap my arms around her waist, burying my nose in her hair before kissing the top of her head. The bell over the door rattles as the last customer leaves.

Eva lifts her head, but neither of us lets go. For another second, she stays tucked beneath my chin. Then she slowly slips from my arms.

“Okay.” She claps her hands once and surveys the tables. “Let’s get the subscription boxes organized and my highly sophisticated faux manufacturing line set up. We’ll eat, and after that, we can start packing. Sound good?”

“Whatever you want, boss. I’m here for you.”

She disappears into the supply closet and comes out carrying an armful of flat boxes. I move to help, but she waves me off and sets them at one end of the table, arranging them into neat stacks. Then she heads back.

This time, she returns with tissue paper, ribbon, and several bags of crinkle-cut filler bundled in her arms. I watch her spread everything across the table, humming under her breath as she works.

When she catches me staring, her mouth curves. “What?”

“Nothing.”

Her eyebrows lift, but she turns and walks into the closet for a third time. This time, I follow her.

She hears me come in and glances over her shoulder. “Did you need⁠—”

I reach behind me and pull the door closed. The tiny closet is cramped, but there’s just enough room for the two of us amongst her stock and various cleaning supplies.

The latch clicks into place as she slowly turns around to face me––and my gaze immediately drops to her lips.

“I lied,” I say, slowly dragging my gaze from her mouth to her eyes. “Earlier.”

She looks at me questioningly. “About what?”

“I was distracted.”

Eva stares at me for a moment, confused at first, but then a look of understanding washes across her face. She looks around, and her smile disappears.

It’s not because she wants to leave––I know that much.

“This is a terrible idea,” she whispers. “The shop is still open for another ten minutes.”

“Probably the worst idea ever, but why not be a rebel?”