Page 32 of Just Watch Me

Sometimes, it felt like there were two versions of Sky and me. One version of us made careful references to the future that were clearly in the friends-only camp. We talked about getting together online to play some upcoming video game releases when they were out and debriefing after the next Marvel movie. But all conversations and actions rooted in the present were very coupley. We held hands when walking to restaurants and cuddled on the couch when watching TV like I would expect to do with a boyfriend. We’d cooked dinner together and even made a joint grocery shopping list for his last week. It heavily featured Tillamook cheese, of course.

His departure was slowly cleaving my heart in two, but I could handle the pain as long as it meant I knew Sky’s touch, the adorable sniffling sounds he made while sleeping, and his stubborn streak when it came to debating the bestStar Warsfilms.

We’d come to an unspoken agreement that we would make the most of our short time together, and I was grateful for it. But with his flight two days away, I couldn’t shake the sense of dread. Like I was about to put onBambifor a rewatch knowing what was about to happen to the mom. It was nearly impossible to concentrate on anything but milking every moment with Sky I could. If he weren’t swamped with wrapping up the consultant project, I would’ve suggested we call in sick his last week and not leave one of our beds.

Each time I thought about how in each other’s pockets we were after not knowing each other for long, my anxiety did epic jazz hands. But then I reminded myself that he acted just as into it as I was. I was soaking up all the time with him I could, and I had to believe he was doing the same.

I greedily tucked away moments with him, like a squirrel hoarding nuts for the long winter. How he smiled at me when he thought I was being cute, his deep belly laugh, the way a crease formed on his forehead when he tried—and usually failed—to beat me in video games. My favorite of all was the face he made each time he came. WhenImadehimcome.

I’d fallen hard for Skylar.

My smartwatch alerted me that it was time to meet with Rick. When I reached his office suite on the floor above mine, I spotted Chad leaving. He clenched his jaw and passed me without a word. It had been awkward around him since I’d overheard him cockblocking my career, but we’d managed to stay out of each other’s way for the most part. I still did my work like a professional, but my tolerance for his bullshit had plummeted to the Earth’s core.

I checked in with Rick’s assistant, who instructed me to go into his office. I knocked on the doorframe.

Rick stood and waved me in, then reached out to shake my hand. “Jesse. Good to see you. Have a seat.”

I sat in the seat across from Rick’s on the other side of his desk. “You as well.”

“Thanks for coming in on such short notice. I’ll cut to the chase. We received the final consultant report, and it has some interesting recommendations.”

Skylar hadn’t shared with me what was in it, but I knew he’d been working hard on his piece of it all week. I had done my best to help him relax every night. “Oh?”

“I was reminded of our brief conversation outside Chad’s office. The report summarized feedback the consultants received during their one-on-one meetings with employees, and your game design ideas were included. I appreciate how forthright you were. I’ve been in this industry long enough to know some people are too territorial to share ideas because they’ve been burned before. I’m glad you didn’t keep them to yourself because I think they’re exactly what we need to be thinking about forLegion of Tomorrow.”

I smiled. “Thank you, sir.” I wasn’t sure why he called me into his office to thank me for a few small ideas, but getting some recognition for once sure felt great.

“Are you still interested in making the move to game design?”

I stiffened in the chair. “Uh, yes. I’m definitely interested.”

“Great. I know this is fast, but would you be able to meet with Ginny, the lead of game design, this afternoon? We want to sort out any internal transfers as soon as possible to identify how much external hiring we need to do. I’d like to ensure you’re considered for one of the positions.”

I could only nod because my voice had escaped me. Once I had a handle on my emotions, I thanked him and promised I would meet Ginny in a couple of hours.

Those hours went by so slowly that every second felt like a minute. I picked up my phone a dozen times to text Skylar about the good news but didn’t want to jinx anything. I would see him later.

During my lunch break, I ran home to put on a more professional outfit, grateful I didn’t run into Skylar on the way. I returned and ignored Ben’s curious looks about my costume change from jeans and aStar WarsT-shirt to khakis and a polo shirt. I didn’t have anything dressier because I’d never needed it as a programmer without a social life.

My anxiety had my stomach in knots by the time my afternoon meeting rolled around, but it had been unnecessary.

“I’m going to be honest, Jesse,” Ginny, the manager of game design, said. “This is more of a formality than an actual interview. I strongly believe in promoting from within the company when possible because I think it creates a healthy, happy workforce to help people meet their professional goals. Based on what was in the consultants’ report, your background in programming, your history with the game franchise, and the ideas you’ve shared, I think you’d be a great fit for the team. I’d love to offer you the job.”

I beamed at her. “Seriously?”

“Seriously.” She laughed.

Before I got ahead of myself, I realized I needed to talk about some practicalities. “So, um, what is the job exactly?” I knew it was in game design, but that didn’t narrow it down much.

She explained that it would technically be a promotion from my current position. Though I wouldn’t be supervising anyone, I would have more ownership over a piece of the project. I loved the sound of that.

I squared my shoulders and sat straighter in the chair. I did it. I got the job I wanted and made it happen on my own. If the consultant hadn’t been my hot neighbor, I might not have felt as comfortable sharing the ideas, but they were still my ideas. I’d earned the job. While she talked logistics, I took several deep, satisfied breaths.

I asked practical questions about the work and the timeline for transition, and as she explained her vision for the project with bringing on more staff in satellite offices, an idea formed. Once it took root, it grew at a rapid pace. Merely thinking it had me terrified, but more than that, it had me excited.

“I do have one more question, Ginny. More of an idea, actually.”

CHAPTER17

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