Page 31 of Everything She Wanted

“What’s that?”

“Let me know how I can support you.”

You’re doing so much already.

I nod and thank him again.

I float the rest of the way home. My mind knows it’s just a colleague being nice, and that there’s nothing more to it. But deep down, my heart wishes for something more. So much more.

10. Progress

Another week rushes by in a flurry of meetings, marketing plans, pitch decks, emails, and late nights to get through it all, and I find myself loving every moment even more now. Nick is so easy to talk to, and I look forward to every interaction with him, from our meetings every other day to his impromptu visits to share the latest tech news. I know it’s all business, but my delusional heart hopes that he craves seeing me as much as I crave seeing him. After this morning, I almost believe he might. He left an extra-sweet matcha latte on my desk with a Post-it that said: “Just the way you like it :) —Nick.” I read it several times like a lovesick teenager before tucking it away inside my filing cabinet.

It’s nearly 5 p.m. when Tom and Nick appear at my door.

Tom walks in and Nick lingers behind him. “Great, you’re still here,” he says. “I have something I’d like to run by you.”

“Hi Tom. Yes, sure. Come in,” I say, even though he’s already standing right in front of my desk.

“I know it’s early days, but Nick shared that you’re doing an incredible job with the pitch decks, and that you’ve even walked him through your presentation.”

Nick smiles at me over Tom’s shoulder.

“So next week, there’s a conference in Minneapolis. The leadership team will already be away at conferences in New Orleans and Denver, so we can’t be there. If you’re willing, we could have you step in.”

My heart leaps. This is the chance I’ve been waiting for. “Yes, I’d love to.” I try not to sound too enthused, but I’m thrilled.

“Great. It’s a long shot as these investors have turned us down before, but we’ll try to set things up again. At the very least, both of you can network and make connections.”

“Both of us?” I ask.

“You and Nick. You can tag-team it.”

I rub my hands up and down my arms to hide my discomfort and anticipation at us being away overnight together.

It’s fine. Nothing’s going to happen.

“Sounds great.”

“It’s next week, so clear your Wednesday to Friday.”

“Will do,” I say, somehow without shaking.

Tom leaves us alone, and I get up and walk toward Nick, but don’t get too close.

“Thank you.”

“For what?” he says nonchalantly. “I didn’t do anything.” He pauses and then adds, “It was all you.”

My eyes follow him as he heads back to his office and my heart floods with happiness.

11. The Wedding & The Hacker

I have to leave.” I pull Eshaan aside as soon as I get the call from work.

“What? Right now?”

“Yes. It’s work. There’s an emergency.”