Page 53 of Stay

Everyone else starts clapping, too.

They’re all staring at me.

Avery’s the first to get up and hold his hand out for me to shake. “You deserve this, man. Well. Fucking. Done.”

What’s happening?

I look over at Jaedyn. He beams me a huge smile and grips my shoulder, shaking it. “You did it, man.”

My hearing gets wonky. I think I’m hallucinating.

Noah walks over and shakes my hand like he’s trying to rip it out of the socket. “Great job, Cole. This is huge for us.”

No. Huge for me.

“They didn’t even hesitate,” Noah says proudly. “From what I was told, the board took one look at your design and didn’t even bother looking at the rest. They said it was innovative, inspiring, and has a boldness that reflects the spirit of their conservation efforts.” He grins. “That’s a direct quote.”

I can’t wrap my head around it. It’s surreal.

Standing up to shake everyone’s hands, I’m floating on a cloud.

“Alright, alright, everyone. Get back to work.” Noah dismisses us so fast, my brain’s still catching up with my feet.

Jaedyn steers me out of there and to the front of the office where Tamara waits with this huge, bright smile. “Congrats, Cole!” She hugs me tight and I’m still so dumbfounded, I just hold her.

“Did everyone know about this but me?”

“Oh yeah. We got an email about it this morning saying to keep it a secret until the staff meeting. I ordered you a cake. It’s in the fridge.” Tamara presses her finger to her lips. “Shhh. I did not tell anyone else about that. It’s all for you. Coconut with white icing.”

“I love you, girl.” Giving her another hug, I notice Jaedyn eyeing me like he wants to chew my arms off for some reason.

No way. Pulling back, I narrow my gaze at Tamara, then at Jaedyn, then back to Tamara. “IWYTCAOMF?” I want you to come all over my face.

Her cheeks redden and she smacks Jaedyn’s arm. “You told him?”

His eyes grow big. “I didn’t tell him anything.”

“You’re the worst liar.” Tamara jabs her finger at me. “Don’t tell the boss.”

“I would never.” I can’t believe they’re together. Noah will have an aneurism if he finds out. Office romances are not allowed. “And Jaedyn didn’t tell me. I just helped him figure out a few of your, uhhhh, puzzles. That possessive look he just had on his face gave him away.”

“Awww.” Tamara looks up at him. “IWTSYD.”

I go ahead and decode it for him. “I want to suck your d—”

“Got it,” Jaedyn says loudly. “Thanks.”

“Happy to help.” My cell goes off in my pocket. Speaking of sucking dick, what did Haley send me?

Holy shit. Forty-seven messages. What the fuck?

Julian: I’m forever changed. Not cool bro.

Reid: I threw up in my mouth.

Michael: I’m telling mom.

Trey: Hey, if I had to see it, so did all of you. Merry early Christmas, fuckers.

---