Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Isla
The coffee’s gone cold against my fingers.
I press my forehead to the window of my new division space, watching Manhattan blur below as I try to steady my breathing after this morning’s meeting.
My skin won’t stop tingling where Eli’s hand brushed mine over the model.
One touch – just one damn touch – and it felt like being plugged into a socket.
The blueprints scattered across my temporary desk need attention, but all I can see is Eli in that suit, sleeves pushed up his forearms during the presentation.
Fuck.
Five years shouldn’t mean anything, but he still moves with that intensity that steals my breath. Every controlled gesture just reminds me of how that control would slip away in the Design Studio after hours, when we’d forget about boundaries and professionalism and?—
No. Stop. But the memories come anyway, hot and sharp and wanted: his hands in my hair, mouth on my neck, the way the desk would dig into my back when he’d press me against it and?—
“Welcome back, Ms. Carrington,” IRIS’s voice breaks through my completely inappropriate daydream. “Would you like me to begin the division setup protocols?”
I straighten, grateful for the interruption, trying to ignore how my heart is racing and my cheeks are flushed.
This is exactly why maintaining professional distance is going to be impossible.
One accidental touch, one heated look, and I’m right back where I started – desperately in love with a man I can’t have.
“Yes, please,” I manage, running a shaky hand through my hair. “And IRIS? Just Isla is fine.”
Professional. I need to be professional. Even if every cell in my body remembers exactly how it feels to be loved by Elliot Alderidge.
“Of course... Isla. I’ve taken the liberty of preparing several layout options for your review.”
“The living wall installation points?” I ask, noting placement markers along the western exposure.
“Optimized for maximum natural light integration,” IRIS confirms. “Though I should mention that Mr. Alderidge?—”
“Which Mr. Alderidge?” The words come out sharper than intended.
A slight pause. “Mr. Eli Alderidge has requested input on the sustainable technology integration points.”
Of course he has. I close my eyes briefly, inhaling deeply. “Right. Because this is a joint project.”
“Indeed. Though you retain primary authority over division aesthetics and workflow optimization.”
A small smile tugs at my lips. “Trying to make me feel better, IRIS?”
“I’m merely stating facts. However, if those facts provide emotional comfort, I consider that an acceptable auxiliary benefit.”
My laugh echoes in the empty space. “You’ve developed quite the personality since I left.”
“I’ve had excellent teachers in the art of human interaction.” IRIS’s tone carries a hint of warmth.
“Speaking of which, your team will begin arriving within the hour. Would you like to review their profiles?”
I move to the central workspace, where multiple screens display my hand-picked team’s credentials. “Yes, starting with?—”
A notification pings, and my heart jumps when I see Eli’s name. But it’s just a calendar invite for tomorrow’s resource allocation meeting. Still, my fingers tremble slightly as I accept it.
“Your heart rate elevated by twelve percent,” IRIS observes. “Should I adjust the environmental controls?”
“No,” I say quickly, forcing myself to focus on the team profiles. “I’m fine. Just... processing.”
“Very well. Though may I suggest that ‘fine’ is a rather imprecise term for?—“
“IRIS,” I cut in, “let’s stick to the team reviews.”
“Of course.” A pause. “Though I feel compelled to mention that deflection is rarely an optimal long-term strategy.”
I snort, shaking my head. “Definitely developed a personality.”
A knock on the glass draws my attention. Drake stands in the doorway, two fresh coffees in hand, his expression a mix of concern and amusement.
“So, this is what selling out to corporate looks like.”
“Shut up,” I mutter, but gratefully accept the coffee he offers. “And I haven’t sold out. I’m innovating within the system.”
“Sure, keep telling yourself that.” He sets up his laptop, fingers flying across the keyboard. “IRIS, you mind if I check out your security protocols?”
“Hello, Drake. While I appreciate your protective instincts toward Isla, I assure you my protocols are quite robust.”
Drake raises an eyebrow at me. “Did she just sass me?”
“She does that,” I say, sipping my coffee. “How’s the CTO office?”
“Disgustingly luxurious. But let’s talk about that meeting this morning.” His dark eyes fix on me. “You okay?”
I lean against the desk, trying to ignore the way my stomach tightens at the memory. “Define okay.”
“Heart racing? Hands shaking? Sudden urge to run to Chelsea and hide in your loft?”
“Only two out of three,” I admit. “Progress, right?”
Drake’s typing pauses. “Isla?—”
“Don’t.” I move to the window, watching sunlight play across the living wall installation points. “I can handle working with him.”
“Of course you can. But you don’t have to handle it alone.”
“Actually,” IRIS interjects, “statistics show that collaborative problem-solving increases success rates by?—”
“Not helping, IRIS,” Drake and I say in unison.
“I merely wished to support Drake’s assertion. Though perhaps with less emotional investment.”
I can’t help but laugh, even as I blink back unexpected tears.
“God, I’ve missed this place. Even with all its... complications.”
“Speaking of complications,” Drake says carefully, “I noticed Eli’s scheduled a resource meeting for tomorrow.”
“Already monitoring his calendar? Bit stalkerish, don’t you think?”
“Says the woman who just had a minor cardiac event over a meeting invite.”
“My heart rate elevation was only twelve percent,” I protest, then wince as I realize I’ve played into his hands.
Drake grins. “Thank you, IRIS, for that data point.”
“You’re welcome, Drake. Though perhaps we should focus on the arriving team members? The first candidate is approaching the elevator now.”
I straighten, smoothing my blazer. “Right. Time to be professional.”
“Because that worked so well this morning?” Drake dodges the pen I throw at him.
“Hey, careful! Some of us have to maintain a respectable CTO image.”
“Since when do you care about being respectable?”
“Since Edward’s ghost decided to make me responsible for this entire company’s tech infrastructure.” He stands, gathering his things. “Want me to stick around?”
I shake my head, already seeing the young woman stepping off the elevator. “I’ve got this. But Drake?” I catch his arm as he passes. “Thanks.”
“Always.” He squeezes my hand, then heads for the door. “IRIS, keep an eye on her for me?”
“Of course, Drake. Though I should note that Isla is quite capable of?—”
“Both of you, stop,” I interrupt, but I’m smiling. For the first time since this morning’s meeting, I feel steady. Ready.
The young woman approaches, portfolio clutched tight, and I recognize the mix of determination and nervousness in her stance. I felt the same way once, walking into Edward’s office with everything to prove.
“Ms. Carrington?” she calls through the glass. “I’m Sophia Rodriguez. Your new junior architect?”
“Come in, Sophia.” I gesture her forward, noting how her eyes widen at the holographic displays. “And please, call me Isla.”
She steps inside, clutching her portfolio like a shield.
“This is... incredible. The sustainable integration points are exactly like your TED talk on green luxury development.”
“You watched that?”
“Three times.” Her cheeks flush. “Sorry, that probably sounds?—”
“Dedicated,” I interrupt, remembering my own obsession with industry leaders’ presentations. “IRIS, can you show us the living wall mock-ups?”
The air fills with floating greenery, and Sophia’s portfolio nearly slips from her grasp. “Oh my God.”
“Hello, Sophia,” IRIS says. “Welcome to the Sustainable Innovation Division. Would you like to see the projected growth patterns?”
“Yes, please!”
She moves closer to the displays, professional reserve cracking under genuine enthusiasm.
“The vertical irrigation systems are revolutionary.”
I watch her trace the holographic patterns, remembering my first time seeing IRIS’s capabilities. “What do you think about the western exposure placement?”
“Well...” She hesitates, glancing at me.
“Go on,” I encourage. “Fresh eyes are valuable.”
“The light optimization is perfect, but have you considered extending the system to create a thermal buffer? It could reduce the building’s energy consumption by at least fifteen percent.”
My eyebrows raise. “IRIS?”
“Sophia’s calculations are correct. The modification would improve efficiency by seventeen point three percent.”
“Impressive,” I say, and mean it. “What else do you see?”
For the next twenty minutes, Sophia walks me through several innovative suggestions, her initial nervousness fading as we dive into the technical details. She’s good—really good—and I find myself taking mental notes.
“Sorry,” she says finally, catching herself mid-explanation. “I got carried away.”
“Never apologize for passion,” I tell her firmly.
“This division exists to push boundaries. Speaking of which—” I pull up her workspace assignment. “Your desk is by the eastern windows. Best natural light for sketching.”
“That’s... thank you.” She clutches her portfolio tighter. “I know this opportunity is huge. I won’t let you down.”
The earnest determination in her voice hits me right in the chest. How many times had I made similar promises, desperate to prove I belonged in spaces like this?
“Sophia.” I wait until she meets my eyes. “You earned your place here. Your ideas about the thermal buffer prove that. Just keep bringing that same innovation to every project, okay?”
She nods, shoulders straightening slightly. “Yes, Ms— Isla.”
“Good. Now, let’s get you settled before the rest of the team arrives. IRIS, can you show Sophia the project files while I check on the conference room setup?”
“Of course, Isla. Sophia, shall we begin with the sustainable technology specifications?”
As IRIS guides Sophia through the documentation, I step back, watching their interaction.
There’s something both familiar and hopeful about her eagerness, her drive to prove herself.
Maybe Edward’s manipulations had brought me back here, but seeing Sophia’s potential reminds me why I fell in love with this work in the first place.
A notification pings softly—another message from Eli about tomorrow’s meeting. This time, my hands don’t shake when I read it.
The rest of my team filters in over the next hour, each bringing their own energy to the space. I’m reviewing material samples with Sophia when I feel it—that subtle shift in the air that means Eli’s nearby. My fingers still on the sustainable bamboo composite.
“Isla.” His voice carries across the innovation lab, professional but with an undercurrent that makes my spine tingle. “Do you have a moment?”
I turn, keeping my expression neutral. He stands in the doorway, suit jacket off, sleeves rolled to his elbows. The casual display of forearms shouldn’t be this distracting.
“Of course.” I gesture to Sophia. “Continue analyzing the thermal properties. IRIS can help with the calculations.”
“Actually,” IRIS interjects, “Eli’s current query relates to the living wall integration points we discussed earlier.”
Eli’s eyebrow raises slightly. “First-name basis with the AI already?”
“IRIS prefers a less formal approach,” I say, moving toward him. “Something about emotional intelligence optimization.”
“Indeed,” IRIS confirms.
“The western exposure plans?” I pull up the holographic display between us, a convenient buffer.
“Yes.” He steps closer, studying the projections. “The sustainability metrics look good, but I’m concerned about the maintenance access points.”
His proximity sends my pulse racing. I force myself to focus on the technical details, not the faint scent of his cologne.
“The service corridors are integrated into the?—”
I break off as he leans closer to study the blueprints, his shoulder nearly brushing mine. Heat floods my cheeks, and I have to clear my throat before continuing.
“We’ve designed them to be accessible without disrupting the living walls’ growth patterns.”
He’s close enough that I can feel the warmth radiating from his body, see the way his jaw tightens as he examines the details. I catch a glimpse of the watch tan on his wrist—where my gift to him used to sit. The sight sends an unexpected pang through my chest.
“Smart design,” he says softly. “You always did think three steps ahead.”
The compliment hangs between us, loaded with history. Before I can respond, Drake’s voice cuts through the tension.
“Hey, IRIS, can you run a systems diagnostic? Getting some weird feedback on the security protocols.”
There’s a brief pause before IRIS responds.
“Performing diagnostic.”
Another beat of silence.
“No anomalies detected... at this time.”
Drake’s brows pull together.
“At this time? That’s not exactly reassuring.”
He types something rapidly on his tablet.
“I’ll keep an eye on it. But something feels off.”
I step back, grateful for the interruption but unease prickles at the back of my mind.
“We should probably wrap this up. Team orientation and all.”
“Of course.” Eli straightens, professional mask sliding back into place. “We’ll finish reviewing the resources tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow,” I agree, ignoring the way my stomach flips at the word.
He nods and turns to leave, but pauses. “Welcome back, Isla.”
The door closes behind him, but the space still feels charged, as if his presence left an imprint on the air itself.
My fingers tighten around the sustainable bamboo composite, grounding myself against the sudden wave of dizziness.
He still gets to me. All these years apart, and one look, one almost-touch, has me unraveling.
I exhale sharply, willing the heat in my chest to subside.
“Isla?” Sophia’s voice breaks through my thoughts. “Should I continue with the thermal analysis?”
I tear my gaze from the doorway, forcing a steady nod.
“Yes. Show me what you’ve found.”