Page 71 of The Boss Omega
Recognition flickers across her face. “Ah, yes. We chatted last spring at the grant writing seminar.”
Graham nods, slightly sheepish. “That’s right.”
Then he turns toward me. “This is Lark,” he says. “She runs OmegaBox.”
Her eyebrows lift immediately. “OmegaBox?” she repeats. “The subscription service?”
I blink in surprise. “You’ve heard of it?”
“Of course.” She studies me with sudden interest. “You’re the founder?”
I nod, trying not to look as excited as I suddenly feel. “Yes.”
Her expression shifts into something thoughtful. “That’s an extremely clever model,” she says. “Omega-centered product ecosystems are still vastly underdeveloped in the market. Subscription models have enormous potential. I’ve been keeping an eye on how your company harnesses omega influencers to garner interest.”
For the next few minutes we talk about purchasing behavior, product cycles, and how betas are flocking to omega markets as omega-driven social media grows. It isn’t a long conversation, there’s a line forming behind us, but the energy of it leaves my head buzzing.
Finally she shakes my hand. “I would love to speak to you further,” she says warmly. “Can I set up a meeting? Perhaps we can grab coffee and you can tell me more about your company?”
“I would love that,” I tell her. And I genuinely mean it.
When we step away from the stage, I glance at Graham. He's wearing a satisfied smile and trying not to look too pleased with himself. He's failing.
"You planned that," I say.
"I may have emailed her assistant in advance to let her know you'd be attending."
I stop walking.
He keeps going, pulling me gently along. "I thought you might enjoy it."
“This was really nice, Graham. Thank you.”
He shrugs.
“It wasn’t what I was expecting, but I loved it.”
We leave the building together and step out into the cool evening air. The campus has quietened, only the sound of a group of students giggling near a bench remains. After a moment Graham slips his arm around my shoulders, pulling me gently against his side. It feels natural, easy. As though we’ve been walking this way for years instead of a handful of days.
“So,” he says. “Worth stealing the first date?”
I laugh softly. “Yes. Totally worth it.”
We walk a little farther along the path, the conversation drifting easily between us. We talk about the lecture first. About the consumer data Dr. St. James mentioned. About the idea of regional scent profiles. About tailoring OmegaBox shipments to seasonal patterns beyond warm blankets in winter and lighter ones in summer.
Eventually the topic shifts. Apparently, Graham reads everything. Scientific journals, historical texts, economics books, obscure biology articles that I’m fairly certain no normal person has ever voluntarily opened.
“You realize most people have hobbies,” I say.
“This is my hobby. I like understanding how things work.”
I nudge his side with my shoulder. “You also like assigning reading material to unsuspecting omegas. Now I have to buy her book.”
“That too.”
After a few minutes of quiet walking, I glance up at him. “Thank you,” I say.
“For what?”
