The morning air was cooler than it had been all week, but Naya still felt heat along the back of her neck as she stood by her door, keys in hand. She'd been ready for work ten minutes earlier, dressed in a slate-gray wrap dress and low heels, but she'd waited. Phone in hand, pretending to scroll, listening.
Silence in the hallway.
She eased the door open just enough to peek out. No sign of movement, no familiar tall frame, no charcoal shirt.
Good.
Naya stepped out, locking her door quietly before heading toward the elevator. It wasn't as if she had to avoid Adrian Hale every morning, but after last night's surprise of him moving in right across the hall, she wasn't in the mood for more awkward pleasantries. Especially before coffee.
The elevator ride down was mercifully solitary. She crossed the lobby and stepped out into the fresh air, the smell of asphalt and faint bus exhaust already drifting from the main road. She made it to the stop without incident, sliding into her usual seat near the back.
As the bus rumbled toward downtown, she mentally braced herself for the day ahead. Celeste Winters. The meeting. Caldwell Florence's sharp, watchful eyes.
---
By the time she reached Evercrest Solutions, the morning rush had hit its peak. People in tailored suits and dresses moved through the lobby like a polished current. Naya scanned her pass at the turnstile and made her way up to the 19th floor.
The glass-walled conference room was already half full when she arrived. Caldwell Florence stood near the head of the table, reviewing something on a tablet. Celeste sat two chairs down, flipping through a folder with the kind of casual confidence that said she wanted everyone to notice she was early.
"Naya," Caldwell greeted without looking up. "Glad you could make it."
"Good morning," Naya replied, sliding into the seat across from Celeste.
Celeste's eyes flicked up, her smile polite but laced with something cooler. "Morning, Naya. I was just telling Caldwell I think the Merigold pitch could use a fresher hook. Maybe something with more..." she tapped the folder lightly, "—emotional appeal. You know, to make it… less predictable."
Naya set her notebook down. "Interesting. Considering the client specifically asked for understated elegance, I thought the current angle fit the brief."
Celeste tilted her head. "Understated doesn't have to mean dull. But maybe I'm just seeing it differently."
Caldwell's gaze moved between them. "Let's keep this constructive. Naya, walk us through your version first. Then Celeste, you can share your adjustments."
Naya nodded, flipping to her prepared pages. "The core of my concept is timeless sophistication. Merigold's brand history leans heavily on heritage and craftsmanship. Our visuals and copy will echo that muted palettes, clean serif typography, minimal ornamentation, but with subtle storytelling woven into the campaign narrative."
She kept her voice steady, making deliberate eye contact with Caldwell, though she could feel Celeste's attention like a needle point.
When Naya finished, Celeste leaned forward slightly. "It's solid. But I think there's room for something more… evocative. Instead of muted palettes, what if we incorporated a signature accent color, deep marigold, maybe? A little more vibrance could make the ads stand out in luxury publications. And for the copy, why not layer in more sensory language? Make it feel warmer, more personal."
Caldwell nodded slowly. "Noted. I'd like both of you to refine your proposals. We'll present both to the client and let them decide which direction they prefer."
"Of course," Naya said evenly.
"Happy to," Celeste added, her smile edged with victory.
---
By the time the meeting broke, Naya felt the tension in her shoulders. She headed for the break room, craving coffee, only to find Celeste already there, stirring sugar into a porcelain mug.
"You know," Celeste began lightly, "I hope you didn't take that in there too personally. It's just business."
Naya pulled a paper cup from the stack. "I didn't."
"Good. Because Caldwell's watching both of us closely. She likes competition." Celeste's tone was sweet enough to almost mask the barb. Almost.
"I'm not here to compete with you, Celeste. I'm here to do my job."
Celeste sipped her coffee, eyes holding Naya's over the rim. "We'll see. Sometimes the lines blur."
Before Naya could respond, another coworker came in, and Celeste's smile widened as she greeted them like nothing at all had just been said.
---
The rest of the day passed in a blur of emails, revisions, and quiet, lingering glances from Celeste whenever they crossed paths.
By the time Naya stepped off the evening bus, the sun was dipping low. She adjusted her bag and started toward her building, only to see a familiar black sedan parked in its usual corner.
Adrian Hale leaned against the driver's side, hands in his pockets, posture relaxed.
"Twice in one day," he said as she approached.
"Technically, yesterday and today," she replied, keeping her tone neutral.
He smiled faintly. "Fair enough. Long day?"
"You could say that."
"Didn't take your car again."
She arched a brow. "You keeping track?"
"Just observant."
They walked toward the entrance together, his stride unhurried. The conversation moved in fits, small talk about the weather, a passing comment on the neighborhood, but it felt easier than last night.
They reached the lobby, and Adrian held the door for her. "You seem tense."
"I'm fine."
"That's not an answer," he said, amused.
Before she could respond, a voice carried across the lot behind them.
"Naya!"
Her steps faltered. The voice was deep, familiar in a way that made her chest tighten. She turned slowly.
Liam stood near the sidewalk, one hand raised, eyes fixed on her.