Page 86 of Mistlefoe
“Is me giving you well deserved compliments a misery?”
“Conor.” She smacks my stomach.
“Anyway, I actually agree with Conor,” Richard says, which shuts us both up right away. “Sierra, I didn’t forget that it was your haphazard pitch what started this whole thing. I certainly noticed how you put aside your biases to team up with Conor and shape the pitch into something tangible. Hejust said it in a nicer way than I intended—you really captured our essence with this event, and it feels leaps and bounds more memorable than skiing in Aspen. But don’t tell Lewis I said that.”
“We definitely won’t,” I respond because Sierra’s jaw has dropped and she’s not giving any other signs of life. Even bringing her closer against me isn’t snapping her out of it.
Richard continues, “Anyway, this has really shown me that you’re ready for more responsibility, so congratulations, Sierra. You’re getting promoted.”
“Uhhh…”
I burst into a laugh. “I thank you on behalf of my speechless girlfriend.”
“I’ll take it.” Richard shifts his attention to me. “And you.”
“Yes, sir,” I say, as if this were my days of being ordered around by a coach.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice how hard you worked on this as well. I’m genuinely impressed by your work ethic and your brain.”
“My brain?” I frown.
Richard does a double take. “Have you never heard yourself when you’re trying to deliver a pitch? I’m glad you use that talent for marketing and not for evil.”
“Me too,” Sierra grumbles.
Richard clicks his tongue at her. “You stood no chance, Fernandez.”
“I know.” She sighs.
I scratch my head. “Am I being praised or shaded?”
“Both,” they say in unison.
Richard slides over to pat both of our shoulders. “Excellent job, you both. Now, enjoy the party or yourselves. If both, keep it PG, okay?” He chuckles at his own joke and with that, our boss skates away.
I shudder dramatically. “Oh, wow. I just saw a glimpse ofour office life starting January and it scared me. I don’t think they’ll let us even look at each other without teasing us.”
“Shush, I’m still annoyed at you.” But she squeezes my waist hard enough that I’m forced to turn into the hug. Into my chest, she says, “Thank you for caping for me.”
“Happy to.” I kiss her head.
“I’m sorry I didn’t think of doing the same. I feel like garbage that I was just going to hear the verdict and that’s it.” Sierra pulls away and this is when I notice her eyes are watery. “I honestly would’ve been over the moon if you’d got the promotion instead.”
“Hey, hey.” I run my thumbs across her cheeks, clearing the trickle of tears and again when they fall once more. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just truly think you deserved it.”
“You’re a much better person than me, Conor Mahoney, and I don’t understand why you like me.”
Holding her face in my hands, I lean lower to nuzzle her nose with mine and then kiss her softly. And twice for good measure. I pull away just a smidge to say, “That’s not how I see it—or how I see you. You’re competitive and determined and honest to a fault. I’m just a little more laid back, and I think that’s the perfect complement to each other.” Sierra sighs and drops her head right over my heart, which is beating like a fast drum. “Besides, there’s a different promotion I got that I’m more interested in.”
“Hmm?”
I whisper, “Your boyfriend.”
Her arms tighten around my waist. “Congratulations, you are the winner.”
“That’s right, baby.”
“We’ll have to workshop the cutesy nicknames, though.”
