I’d deleted Damon’s number back in college, determined to get over him, and none of his social media accounts had been active in months. I called his office and asked to be put through.

“What is this regarding?” his secretary asked.

“Damon leant me some clothing and I need to return it.” 

The stunned silence on the other end of the line kicked up the unbidden image of a walk of shame. I did still wear his t-shirt to bed. And he wasn’t getting that back! It was my favorite! 

“It’s nothing scandalous,” I assured his secretary. “Just his suit jacket. Is he available?”

“Mr. Mae is in meetings all day. I can take a message and get back to you about return arrangements.”

“That’s okay, I can just drop it off during my break. Your office isn’t too far away.”

“Wonderful! Just find me when you get in and I’ll take care of it. Thanks!”

As soon as I hung up, I packed up my work and Damon’s wrapped jacket. We’d only recently made amends—I didn’t want to screw it up by hoarding half his outfit. Although those deep pockets were great… I even found a coconut chapstick hidden in there! I always thought he was a peppermint man. Too bad there hadn’t been one of his business cards in there with his personal line so I didn’t have to awkwardly field questions from his secretary to make sure she didn’t think we’d slept together.

I mean, we had. But not recently!

I really had to stop thinking about the past, even if I was living in it.

Since it was a nice day, I walked to Damon’s office. The fresh air did wonders to clear my head. I’d never had reason to go these few extra blocks, but the tulip bulbs and murals were absolutely gorgeous. The smell of grilled meat from a nearby sandwich shop almost tempted me away from my mission. It was my lunch break. But I’d hate to keep Damon—or anyone—waiting.

A soft-gurgling wall fountain in the Gibbons Group building put me at ease right away. Soft instrumental Top 40 music played in the elevators on the way up to a well-lit, bright office.

As I approached the well-organized secretary’s desk, my gaze was drawn to the sparkling clean ceiling-to-floor windows of the CEO’s office. Damon was inside, his hand in his hair, head down as he marked up whatever proposal was on his desk. I bit down on my smile. He looked just like he had during history tests.

The bright-eyed young secretary at his desk rolled her chair in my direction. “May I help you?”

“Yes, we spoke on the phone? I’m here to deliver…” Frowning, I switched the jacket from one arm to the other. “I thought you said he was in meetings all day?”

“He is.”

I glanced at his office. Nothing about his tunnel vision body language indicated he was on a phone or video conference. If they were going to lie about his whereabouts, they should at least close the blinds or something. This was probably why my dad had opted for solid walls.

Damon and I had only gotten closure of some kind the night before, anyway, and I would’ve hated to spoil it by making a fuss about bothering him at work when I didn’t even expect to see him. 

“I’ll just drop this off with you, then?” I said.

“Yes!”

As I handed over the jacket, I gave Damon’s spacious office one last look.

He looked up, his hair mussed, and I froze.

How did he manage to paralyze me with a glance?

I forced myself to smile and wave as his posture slowly straightened, his eyes wide.

Oh, he was coming to the door!

“Alina?” Damon asked, his tone steeped in disbelief. The top buttons on his shirt were undone enough to show his undershirt and his tie was loose around his neck. “You’re here.”

“I brought your jacket back.”

“Thank you,” we said at the same time. 

I laughed. “I guess our reconciliation really put us on the same page.”

“Guess it did.” Damon smirked.

We both glanced at his secretary, who excused herself without making eye contact, most likely to find some kind of coat room.

“Would you… like to come in?” Damon asked, gesturing to his office.

“I wouldn’t want to impose. Your secretary said you’re in meetings all day.”

“My client is late. I’m just going to reschedule with him, I think, which should give me… oh, ten minutes?”

I snickered behind my hand. “Sounds about right. You’re a busy man.”

He rolled his eyes and offered me that winning smile. “It paid off, in the end.”

“Yes, it did. Look where you are now.”

“Yeah…” He held the door open for me, standing close enough I could smell the same deodorant he’d used back in high school. “One second, I need to tell Marianne to reschedule.” 

He stepped out into the hall, leaving me to marvel at the entrepreneurial-focused books on his shelves, framed team photos, and the sleek slate desk. I rubbed the smooth leaves of a tiny succulent while a pepper plant soaked up some rays by the windows. Damon could see the whole city from here. He could see Martin Enterprises, too.

I wondered if he thought of me… of us…

Honestly, though, this was wonderful. He could manage it all from this office. The heaps of propositions he could make from this big desk to improve the lives of his whole company, the knowledge and staff ready to help at a moment’s notice…

I wanted this.

I wanted to be CEO. To lead. To have the resources to take care of everyone that would last beyond the next three years of future knowledge. But more than the position, I wanted respect, power, passion, and peace. All the things this visit was stirring up in me. Things I hadn’t had for a long time in my other life.

I belonged here.

I could change things.

I wanted a legacy I had some say in building.

Damon walked back in and stuck his hands in his pockets. “So, what do you think?”

“It’s beautiful.” I smiled, hugging myself. “I almost wish—” I shook my head. “I know the merger didn’t work out, but I hope we can work together on something else, one day. I look forward to seeing your presentation.”

“Thanks. Did you come in here for a reconnaissance mission?” Damon glanced at the blinds as he sauntered over.

Something about the casually salacious implication possessed me to sit on his desk and cross my legs, challenging his authority over his propositions. “I have my own ideas. I don’t need to steal them from anybody else.”

He blinked softly and smiled. “I know.”