Page 18 of Grumpy Orc CEO

Her smile widens, and for a moment, the office seems a little warmer.

I glance around the office, taking in the familiar surroundings before turning my attention back to her. “So, how are you finding everything here? Still settling in okay?”

She nods, pausing to swallow her bite before replying. “Yes, everything’s good so far. Just trying to get into the rhythm.”

I notice she’s still a bit guarded, but at least she’s opening up.

“Well, if you ever need anything—or just want to chat—you know where to find me,” I say with a grin, trying to ease some of the tension.

Lucy meets my gaze for a long moment, her green eyes searching mine before she nods again. “Thanks… Jarvin.”

There’s a warmth in her voice that wasn’t there before, a hint of trust that makes the office feel a little less like a battlefield and more like a place where something real could grow.

Hearing my name from her lips feels like a victory in itself. We finish our sandwiches in comfortable silence, and I can’t help but feel that maybe—just maybe—I’m starting to break through that exterior of hers.

I lean against Lucy’s desk, the remnants of our lunch still in my hand. “So, what do you think about the new project? The one we discussed in the meeting this morning.”

She looks up from her notes, her green eyes meeting mine briefly before darting back to her work. “It seems promising. I think the team is excited about it.”

I nod, pleased with her response. “Yeah, I got that vibe too. It’s going to be a lot of work, but I think it’ll pay off.”

She nods, scribbling something on a piece of paper. I take a deep breath, deciding to steer the conversation in a different direction.

“So, any plans for the weekend?” I ask casually, trying to keep my tone light and nonchalant.

Lucy hesitates for a moment before answering. “Not really. Just some errands and maybe catching up on some reading.”

I feel a thrill at her openness. “What do you like to read?”

She glances at me again, and this time there’s a hint of curiosity in her eyes. “Mostly fiction. I just started a new mystery novel.”

“Sounds interesting,” I say, genuinely intrigued. “I’ve always admired people who can get lost in a good book. What’s this one about?”

She hesitates again but then seems to relax slightly. “It’s about a detective solving a series of murders in a small town. The writing is really engaging.”

My smile is genuine. “That sounds fascinating. I’ve always been more of a nonfiction guy myself—business strategies, biographies, that sort of thing.”

Lucy nods thoughtfully. “I guess that makes sense, given your position.”

“Yeah.” I chuckle softly. “But sometimes I think I should branch out more. Maybe try some fiction for a change.”

She looks at me with a faint smile, and I feel my chest tighten. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing her soften around me.

“What about you?” she asks unexpectedly.

I blink, caught off guard by her question. “Me?”

“Yes,” she says with a small smile playing on her lips. “What do you do when you’re not running this place?”

I laugh, feeling the tension ease slightly between us. “Honestly? Not much time for hobbies these days.” I lean in slightly, lowering my voice conspiratorially. “But when I do get some free time, I like to cook.”

Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Really? That’s unexpected.”

I grin at her reaction. “Yeah, most people don’t see that coming from an orc CEO… granted it was a rather chaotic learning experience, but an orc’s gotta eat. And I like to eat good.”

Lucy laughs softly, and it’s the sweetest sound I’ve heard all day.

“Do you have a specialty?” she asks.

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