Chapter 10: : Chapter 10

My steps are measured as I walk into Serenity Solutions’ lobby, my heart heavy. It kills me to have this moment taken from me by my own insecurities. I should be filled with excitement on my first day of work, but instead, I’m dreading seeing either Theo or Archer.

I spent all weekend overthinking all of Archer’s text messages and counting my blessings that he was attending his sister’s wedding, so I didn’t have to run into him. On top of that, Theo constantly kept texting me about his move, when the last thing I wanted was to hear anything about how moving in with Kristen went. It all left me feeling worn-out, stealing away the excitement I thought I’d feel.

“Serenity!”

My heart clenches painfully as I look up to find Theo standing in the corner, two cups of coffee in his hands. He smiles at me as he approaches, handing me a cup. “I figured you’d be early,” he says. “You snuck out early to keep Ezra from bringing you to work, didn’t you?”

I look into his bright green eyes, pure sorrow spreading from my chest. “No one knows me like you do,” I murmur, hiding my face behind the coffee he gave me—my favorite, an oat milk latte with a dash of hazelnut syrup. I’ve always loved the quiet intimacy that comes with knowing little details about someone that no one else does, but now it just hurts because it’s this same level of thoughtfulness that made me think he had feelings for me too. “I really don’t want the whole company to find out that I’m Ezra’s sister, and it’d just start rumors if he drove me to work,” I tell him. “It’d defeat the purpose of applying and getting in on my own merit, and he knows it.”

It pains me to pretend I’m fine, to make small talk when all that’s going through my mind is that he must’ve woken up next to Kristen this morning and that he’ll go home to her tonight. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.

He falls into step with me, his gaze roaming over my face in that way it does when he’s got something on his mind. “Ser, is everything okay?” he asks, his voice soft. “I know the move was hectic and there’s a lot going on, but you never pick up anymore when I call. Are you mad at me for not telling you about Kristen and me sooner? Or is this about us not moving in together like we’d planned?”

The thought of speaking to him while she’s right there in the room with him doesn’t sit well with me, but how can I possibly admit that? “I’m not mad at you,” I tell him truthfully—I’m not mad. I’m hurt. “I’ve just been a little busy unpacking and settling in, that’s all.”

“If you aren’t mad, then why haven’t you spoken to Kristen once since I told you about us?” His voice is tormented, and my stomach twists when I find him looking at me like that, all because of her. “She misses you, Serenity.”

I draw a shaky breath and try my hardest to force a smile, but I can’t manage it. Does he truly not realize how I feel about him? How much pain he inflicts when he pleads with me on her behalf?

“Serenity Adesina and Theo Williams?”

I startle at the sound of my name and look up to find a blond guy walking up to us, a tablet in his hands. I nod hesitantly, and he grins. “My name is Mark Smith, and I’ll be your mentor throughout your internship.”

He guides us through the building, and I welcome the reprieve from having to answer Theo’s question. I knew it was coming, but I wasn’t ready. I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready to deal with them as a united front when I was always the one he was closest to.

“This year, a total of ten interns were admitted, and everyone was lucky enough to be assigned to their preferred department, including the both of you. You’ll join me in the design department, where we focus primarily on packaging the tech our brilliant CEOs invent in a user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing way.”

We follow Mark as he helps us get registered, taking us through the HR process and getting us company IDs and laptops. Throughout it, I can feel Theo’s gaze on me, but thankfully he doesn’t attempt to continue the conversation we were having. Instead, he focuses on work, and I try to do the same.

Mark glances at my ID and grins at the photo as he leads us to our desks. “It’s rare for anyone to photograph so well,” he says, holding up his own ID. “It’s almost a rite of passage, yet somehow, you seem to have been exempt.”

His gaze roams over my face, and Theo tenses beside me. “Must be my unruly curls,” I murmur, unsure what else to say. “My hair takes up half the photo.” They’re somewhat behaving today, and I hope it stays that way.

Mark chuckles. “Yeah, I’ve never seen hair like yours. Where are you from?”

I raise a brow and throw him a sweet smile, but it stings a little, that insinuation that I must not belong here because I don’t look like him when I was born here just like he probably was. “I’m from a small town called Rivelle,” I tell him, even though I know exactly what he means. He’s curious about my ethnicity, but that isn’t what he asked, so it isn’t what I offer.

“It’s about two hours from here,” Theo adds. “We were both born and raised there. Serenity and I are actually childhood friends. We even went to the same college and everything.”

Mark blinks in confusion, but then he forces a smile and nods. “Rivelle, wow. That’s where one of our two CEOs is from. Have you ever met him before?”

I chuckle, unable to help it, and Theo grins. “Yes, we have, actually. Ezra Sterling is a bit of a celebrity in our town,” he tells him truthfully, and I nod in agreement.

I always hated that my brother and I don’t share the same surname, because it always made me feel like we aren’t truly family. I didn’t think there’d ever come a day when I’d be grateful for it.

“That’s pretty incredible,” Mark says. “We don’t get to see Mr. Sterling frequently, but we do often have the honor of working directly with Mr. Harrison.”

Mark leads us around the corner, and as if on cue, Archer looks up from where he’s leaning against an empty desk, a beautiful, familiar-looking woman standing next to him.

My breath hitches, and Archer’s eyes meet mine. He smiles smugly as he pushes off the desk, his gaze provocative. “There you are,” he says, his voice gravelly. “At last.” My heart begins to race as he keeps me trapped with his gaze, and heat rushes to my cheeks. He knows I’ve been running from him—and he knows he’s finally caught me.

“Perfect timing, Mark,” the woman says. “I want you and your interns to join Archer and me in our product design meeting.”

“Isn’t that Emma Evans? The company’s COO?” Theo whispers.

Realization hits me hard, and my eyes widen. He’s right. I should’ve recognized her from the company’s website, and maybe I would have if I could’ve kept my eyes off Archer for more than a few seconds.

Archer grins as though he knows exactly how flustered I am, his expression far too pleased for my liking. Not in a million years did I think I’d actually work directly with him, and his amused smile makes it clear he’s well aware of that.