Lori

The MedVax conference room has the faint smell of coffee and stress. Philip, all smooth smiles and shiny shoes, is talking like he’s auditioning for the lead in his own personal rom-com.

I’m pretending to take notes on my tablet, nodding occasionally, but my attention isn’t on him. It’s on Marcel.

She’s seated across from me, every inch the polished professional. Her pen glides over her notebook like she’s scribbling the secrets of the universe.

But I see the tension in her shoulders, the sharp flick of her wrist when Philip laughs at something I said.

It’s subtle, but I know Marcel too well.

She’s irritated.

And the reason? Philip can’t stop talking to me.

“You know, Lori,” Philip says, leaning forward a little too casually, “your designs are exceptional. It’s rare to see someone so bold in this field. Creative and confident—it’s a dangerous combination.”

I glance up at him, offering a polite smile. “Dangerous? I think you’re giving me too much credit.”

Marcel’s pen pauses mid-stroke.

“Bold isn’t always what wins clients,” Marcel interjects, her tone razor-sharp. “It’s about meeting expectations and delivering consistent results. Wouldn’t you agree, Philip?”

Her voice could cut glass, but Philip doesn’t seem to notice. Or maybe he does, and he enjoys the show. Either way, I can feel the temperature shifting.

I should probably stay professional, steer the conversation back to the campaign, but where’s the fun in that?

“Well,” I say, tilting my head just enough to catch Philip’s eye, “I think creativity and consistency go hand in hand. You need both to really make an impact. Right, Philip?”

Philip grins, nodding like I’ve just said something groundbreaking. “Exactly. That balance is rare, but clearly, you’ve got it, Lori.”

Across the table, Marcel sets her pen down with a little too much force.

“Balance is important,” she says tightly. “But so is focus. Which is what we should get back to if we’re going to keep this project on schedule.”

The tension in her voice is enough to make me bite back a grin. Marcel isn’t the type to snap, not openly, but she’s right on the edge. And for some reason, I can’t help myself.

Philip shifts in his seat, oblivious. Or maybe not.

“Of course,” he says, but then he glances back at me. “Still, I’d love to pick your brain sometime, Lori. Maybe over drinks? Your perspective is refreshing, and I think I could learn a lot from you.”

His smile lingers a little too long, and my own falters. I glance at Marcel, whose expression is unreadable, except for the faintest clench of her jaw.

“That won’t be necessary,” Marcel says before I can respond. Her tone is final. “Lori’s time is better spent refining the designs for the next phase. We have tight deadlines to meet.”

Philip blinks, clearly caught off guard by the iciness of her response. For a second, even I’m surprised.

“Actually,” I say, because I can’t let it go, “I think I can make time. It’s always good to get fresh perspectives, right, Marcel?”

Her eyes snap to mine, dark and unyielding. For a second, I think she’s going to tell me off right here in front of Philip. Instead, she just presses her lips into a tight line.

“Fresh perspectives are useful,” she says coolly. “But they’re no substitute for focus and discipline.”

Philip chuckles awkwardly, sensing the shift but unsure how to handle it. I lean back in my chair, crossing one leg over the other, and shoot Marcel a pointed look.

She doesn’t even acknowledge it.

The meeting wraps up quickly after that, with Philip thanking us both and leaving with one last lingering smile in my direction. As soon as the door closes behind him, the room feels heavier.

Marcel stands stiffly, her arms crossed, glaring at the closed door like it’s Philip’s fault she’s upset.

“You’re unbelievable,” she says finally, her voice low and sharp.

I raise an eyebrow. “What? I was being polite.”

“Polite?” she repeats, incredulous. “You were encouraging him.”

I lean against the conference table, folding my arms across my chest. “And why do you care so much? It’s not like I was going to say yes.”

Her jaw tightens, and for a moment, I think she’s going to yell. But instead, she takes a slow breath, her hands clenching at her sides.

“This is about you understanding how unprofessional that was.”

“Oh, please,” I scoff. “Philip isn’t going to stop working with us just because he has a harmless crush. If anything, it might help.”

“That’s not the point,” she snaps, her voice rising. “This project is too important for you to play games. If you can’t take it seriously—”

“I am taking it seriously,” I cut her off, stepping closer. “But God forbid I have a little fun while you’re over here micromanaging every second of my day.”

Her eyes flash, and for a moment, there’s nothing but tension between us, thick and suffocating.

Wondering why there's tension when we've been messing around, kissing and fucking where necessary? Well, one morning, Marcel decided it was just the right day to act like I don't matter.

And we've sort of been on each other's throat's since then even when I know below all this, there is some strong urge to rip her skirt off and just devour her beautiful...

“This isn’t about micromanaging,” she says, her voice quieter but no less sharp. “It’s about you understanding the stakes.”

“The stakes,” I repeat bitterly. “You mean your stakes. Your legacy, your perfect little reputation. Newsflash, Marcel: not everything revolves around you.”

That's got to sting ...even just a little bit.

Her face changes.

“You’re right,” she says softly, and the vulnerability in her voice throws me off. “Not everything revolves around me. But this project does. And if you can’t handle that, it's never too late to back the fuck off.”

I can’t breathe.

“Maybe I should,” I say, my voice trembling with suppressed anger. “Because clearly, nothing I do will ever be good enough for you.”

I turn and walk out before she can say anything else, the echo of her words chasing me down the hallway. My chest feels tight, my head spinning with a mix of anger even when I'm the one who started all this.

Fuck I want to kiss her right now.

Why do I still want her even when she is such a loser?