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All I can reply with is a shrug. “I honestly don’t have a satisfying answer for your question.”
“But you do have an answer. Any answer will do.”
“Environmental disasters are only becoming more prevalent with time,” I say. “It’s been shown time and time again that these events disproportionately affect the most disadvantaged communities, and the time is now to develop and bring in the very best prediction and emergency response system it is possible to create. Asclepius serves to connect every single department, working hand in hand with 911 operators in order—”
“Stop pitching. I’m already sold,” Will cuts me off. Looking over the papers sprawled across his desk, he takes a deep breath and runs a hand through his hair.
For a second, I imagine it’s my hand raking those rebellious curls. My fingers tingle with the sheer delight of this secret thought, while my gaze wanders over to his slightly parted lips. Damn, my mind is so deep in the gutter, I’m pretty sure I just saw one of those mutant alligators crawling out from the darkest corner.
“We’re aiming to put in a bid with FEMA in about six months,” he says, dragging me back into the harsh and unforgiving reality. “Think you’ll be ready with a prototype of the program by then?”
“Six months? Are you insane?!” I instantly cover my mouth, realizing what just came out of it. “I’m sorry. Knee-jerk reaction. Six months. Erm… Wow, that’s tight.”
“Can you do it or not? I’d hate to miss the bidding window,” he replies, unshaken by my outburst. His self-control is truly a masterclass for the rest of us, puny mortals living in his giant shadow. “I can throw in a bonus, if you want.”
“How big is the bonus?”
He smiles. “I might change my mind and forget the bonus altogether. Would you still consider a six-month deadline?”
“I’d do it in three if it got FEMA’s seal of approval,” I reply bluntly. Will may be thornier than Pepe, my surviving cactus, but I’m still the bigger prick in this room, much like he insisted earlier. I might as well slide into that title and wear it like a badge of honor if it helps me live through the madness that’s about to unfold. “But I do want to live outside this office, so yeah. Six months is doable. I’ll need overtime.”
“I’ll pay. But only if you think you can hack it. I’d rather wait until next year if you have doubts.”
“I’ll need a couple of experienced engineers,” I say. “Their knowledge will help me iron out some of the theoretical kinks before I write them into the software. That’ll buy me a couple of months, at least.”
Will takes a moment to think about it, his lips stretching into a deep, confident smile that sends my senses buzzing. “I’ll give you my best guys for the task, Olivia. You’ve brought a literal golden goose into my company, and I’m gonna make sure you help it lay all the eggs we need to push Bucklow Tech upwards and into the frickin’ stratosphere. It’ll be a tough journey, but if you’re willing to work with me on this, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded accordingly.”
“Okay…”
His determination alone is enough to get me up on a tightrope if that’s what it takes to succeed in his universe. Will is a different animal to the tech guys I’m used to. He’s past the point of theory and has been making a fortune in practice. The things I could learn from him would be enough to fill a couple of heavy books, and I’m lucky to have this opportunity.
The fact that he’s also insanely hot and attractive comes as a bonus, though I don’t know what I can do with any of it. I’m but a mortal with a very tight deadline, while he walks among the gods of California.
What have I gotten myself into?
CHAPTER6
WILL
Despite the rocky start, Olivia soon proves herself to be one hell of an asset. My instincts were right about her, but it’s still a delight for me to draw these conclusions after less than a month. She is first through the door every morning, and the last to leave every afternoon. I literally have to push her out of her workspace and out of the building when she forgets herself. Her dedication is extraordinary; it’s up to me to make sure she doesn’t forget to live, too.
Some might say I’m overreacting with this work-life balance obsession, but the figures I get from HR every year prove that I’m doing something right. I’m fine with waiting another month for a project since I know it’ll be done right. I’m not gonna stop anyone from working overtime, either, but only as long as there are healthy boundaries, and that is precisely what I’m helping Olivia learn now. She doesn’t know when to stop.
“How is she doing?” Zara asks me one late afternoon.
The door to my office is open, and I have a clear view of Olivia hunched over her workstation, checking notes and feverishly typing away at her computer. She knows some of the code by heart, I can tell.
It’s a pleasure to watch her work. It’s a pleasure to watch her, period, especially when she forgets herself and doesn’t realize that I’ve got my eyes on her. The way she tucks a lock of that strawberry blond hair behind her ear. The way she bites into her lower lip whenever she gets stuck on a line of code. The way she pulls back and takes a deep breath when it gets overwhelming.
“I’m thinking she powered through those doctorates like a monster,” I mutter, unable to look away from her. “Her classmates must’ve hated her guts.”
“Earth to Will.” Zara reminds me of her presence.
I give her an innocent smile. “Sorry. You were saying?”
“How is Olivia doing?”
“Very well. She’s mostly self-sufficient, but Nathan and Max help her out on the technical side of things.”
