Chapter Twelve Emma
Even before the update has launched, I’ve already made a difference at SyncUp. It’s crazy to me how much pride that makes me feel, but I’ll admit that I have a stronger personal stake in this project than I’ve had in others.
The drive to impress my bosses is higher than ever before. Not only do I know them, but I also have a devastatingly intense attraction to them that could ruin me.
“People love the new graphics on social media,” Max tells me as we hang out in one of the meeting rooms with Ryan. He scrolls through a few posts that include my new designs on his laptop, his eyes skimming the comments. “They’re saying the new look is refreshing and sleek.”
“That’s what we’re going for,” Ryan says from across the table. “We were outdated before getting Emma on board. Now, everything will be shiny and new when the update rolls out.”
Pride swells in my chest as they dote over my work. I’m just glad that their customers like it too. Their opinion is what matters the most.
“I wanted the posts to reflect the new look of the program. Attractive to the eye but also user friendly,” I explain as I sit to the right of Max with my phone in my hand. I show them a post with a graphic that I made listing some of the new features. “See? Clean and to the point.”
“You’re a miracle worker,” Max tells me as he flashes me an impressed look.
They’ve really been stroking my ego since I started on this project.
As much as I love it, it also worries me a little.
It’s hard to figure out when they’re just being kind or if they’re flirting.
Because there’s definitely been flirting.
Small touches and intense looks that leave my skin burning. But nothing ever comes of it.
That’s for the best, though, and I think they know that.
“I’ll look at the analytics more tomorrow,” Ryan says. “But I do need to finalize the posts for tomorrow.”
I nod and open the company’s social media accounts, the home feed showing on my screen. I barely scroll before I spot a picture of Josh and Stacy, posted just a few days ago.
My heart jolts to a stop as I stare at the photo of them huddling close to each other. Stacy has her arms wrapped around Josh’s neck as they smile at each other, and I can’t help but feel a sour, twisting sensation in my stomach.
It eases a little when I realize that the photo is older since Josh’s hair is different in it, but I can’t help but feel jealous.
Why is she posting old photos of them like they’re still dating?
Josh has stressed multiple times that they broke up a while ago, but it feels like he’s been spending more alone time with her than me.
He’s not even mine, but it feels like I’m being pushed to the side for another woman.
“We might have to break our rule for not working late,” Max tells me with a sheepish expression.
“It’s fine,” I sigh, my voice coming out a bit sharper than I intended. I turn off my phone before I can even read the caption on the photo. I know that it’ll just upset me.
Max’s brow furrows in concern, but before he can ask me what’s wrong, the door opens, and Josh steps inside with a bottle of liquor in his hand.
“Look what I got,” Josh says in a sing-song voice before placing the fancy bottle in the middle of the table. “Spiked eggnog.”
“Where did you get that from?” Ryan questions him, not looking impressed.
Josh waves Ryan off. “Just a small gift from Stacy’s father. I have some more work to finish up, and it looks like you guys do too. How about one glass to get into the holiday spirit?”
As petty as it is, I don’t even want to drink it, but Josh has that hopeful look on his face like a puppy wanting to be scratched. It’s impossible to say no.
“One glass,” I say.
Josh perks up and heads out to grab everyone a glass.
“He needs to stay away from her,” Ryan mutters under his breath.
I have to bite my tongue not to snidely agree.
Josh pours everyone a glass before holding his up. “Happy holidays, guys. I appreciate all of you and your hard work on this project.”
I lift my glass before taking a sip, tasting a flood of sweet flavor with a kick. “Woah, that’s strong.”
“And sweet. Not bad,” Ryan admits before taking another sip.
Max sets his glass down and clears his throat, rubbing his chest. “Definitely top shelf liquor in there.”
“See?” Josh says as he sits on the other side of me. “There are perks to dealing with high class people.”
“Prissy socialites and their rich daddies?” Ryan replies as he raises an eyebrow at Josh. “Sounds like fun company.”
“Less fighting. More working,” Max scolds them.
“And drinking,” I add before sipping on the eggnog again, already feeling a warm sensation fill my head. It’s definitely strong. “Someone might have to carry me home tonight.”
“I’ll tuck you in,” Josh teases me as his hand brushes my arm.
Just that little touch makes my face flush. They have to stop touching me unless they want me to react. Maybe they do.
“Who says I’m letting you inside?” I reply as laughter bubbles up in my chest.
Josh feigns an offended look. “You wouldn’t let me into your apartment? You don’t trust me to behave?”
“Nope,” I quip before looking at all of them. “I don’t trust any of you to be on your best behavior. Look at what happened at the arcade.”
Nothing bad happened that night, but there were too many instances when we were almost caught being too close with each other. Too close for my brothers to accept. We were playing with fire and getting excited by the potential of being burned way too much.
“We could’ve been punched in the face a hundred times by Andrew and Ethan for playing around too much,” Ryan says as he shakes his head at everyone.
“We were just messing around,” Josh replies. “What? We can’t hug her without worrying about getting throat punched?”
“I certainly wouldn’t want to find out,” Max mutters as he types away on his laptop.
“Well, I’ll just make sure neither of them finds out that I brought her to bed,” Josh says before chuckling, but my face turns red. “You know what I mean.”
I know what he means. He’s just joking, but I can’t help but wonder if the other way is on the table. Letting him or the others into my bed is the last thing that I need to do, but I would be lying if I said it isn’t making me feel hot and bothered right now.
“Is that what you mean?” Ryan asks him with a challenging look.
My eyes widen. What is he doing? We shouldn’t even be talking about the prospect of this.
A smirk lines Josh’s lips as he shrugs. “I mean whatever she wants me to mean.”
Max stops typing and glances at me before letting out a soft laugh. “Stop, you two. You’re making her flustered.”
“It’s cute,” Josh replies as he turns to me. “You look pretty with your cheeks all flushed.”
If I react genuinely, I’ll either kiss him or hide my face. My only defense is to shoot him a glare and act annoyed. “Aren’t you supposed to be working on something?”
Laughter bursts from Ryan and Max as Josh’s cocky grin falters. Part of me regrets not playing along and seeing where things go, but this has to be the best route. Regret is better than guilt in this situation.
I think.
Ryan’s laughter dies down as his phone starts ringing. He checks the caller ID and immediately frowns, but he answers anyway. “Hello?”
Everyone goes silent as we look at Ryan, watching his frown deepen and his eyes narrow.
“Just…no. I can’t do this right now. We’ll talk later,” Ryan grits out before hanging up the phone and abruptly standing up, making the table shake.
He sucks in a sharp breath, not looking at any of us in the eye. “I have to go. See you tomorrow.”
My eyes grow wide as I watch him leave the room without another word, my heart sinking. I look at Max and Josh, who look equally as unsettled as me. “What was that about?”
“No clue,” Josh says as he lowers his eyes to the table, concern radiating from him.
What if it’s still upsetting him tomorrow? What if none of us can help?
I abandon my spiked eggnog on the table, not feeling in the mood to drink or work right now. I just want to make Ryan feel better, but I doubt bothering him right now is the best move. Maybe I can cheer him up in a small way.
My eyes trail to the window that looks out at the city, my mind working to conjure up an idea. Any idea. As my gaze latches onto red and green Christmas lights in the distance, an idea finally breaks through the cloudy haze filling my head.
Maybe we need some real holiday cheer in this office. Some that doesn’t come in a bottle. Maybe it’s time that we actually feel some Christmas spirit.