He didn’t open the app. He put his phone back in his pocket and relaxed back into his chair. He let himself sip his coffee and not worry what he was worth right at this very moment. He could check it later. There was a meeting with Lucy and some accountant for the company later today, and he’d find out his worth then.
Holly ran across the street and came into the coffee shop. Her cheeks and nose were red with the cold, matching her knit hat.
“I’m going to be late for lunch,” she told him. “One of the floats is stuck and they need me to help. I’m really sorry, but...”
“Don’t worry about it,” he smiled. He stood up and kissed her cheek. Her skin was cool against his lips. “We’re still on for dinner, right?”
She nodded, her smile coming back. “Definitely.”
“Then I will see you then.”
“Thank you. See you in a bit!” She flashed him one last smile before running back out into the cold winter weather. He watched her for a moment before gathering his things.
If he hurried, he could still get into the R&D department before anyone noticed. He had a little time before his next meeting, and if he skipped lunch, he could easy get some good work time in. His fingers itched to play with the laptop and see if the design in his head would work the way he thought it would.
He sent a message to Hal to get the car ready. Nathan buttoned up his jacket and stepped out of the shop. The cold stung at his face and hands, but he smiled at everyone he passed.
Today was going to be a great day. He was genuinely happy. He felt like singing Christmas carols as he headed to the car, except Hal was driving and he didn’t want to annoy the poor man.
The car was warm and ready for him. Hal was in the driver seat as Nathan took his usual spot in the back. Gregory had shotgun today. He’d been the one chasing Nathan all over the city.
“Next time, warn me if you’re going to join a parade,” Gregory told him, grabbing a tissue and dabbing at his nose. “You’re going to give me a heart attack trying to keep you safe in a public place like that.”
Guilt tugged on Nathan. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think.”
Gregory waved his hand. “To be honest, it looked like fun. And you looked like a kid.”
“I have wanted to be in a parade like that for as long as I can remember,” Nathan admitted. “I can’t believe I’ve never done it before.”
Gregory grunted as Hal started driving.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Nathan asked him.
“It’s her,” Gregory told him. “She’s the one making your dreams come true.”
Nathan paused to consider it, and found that to be true. Holly was making his dreams come true.
“Please don’t start singing. Or whistling. Or humming,” Hal begged, glancing back at him in the rear view mirror. “You can't pick a key and stay in it.”
Nathan was tempted to burst out in some sort of love song just to annoy him, but as the man was in control of the car, he decided against it.
Nathan passed the short drive thinking about the upgrades he wanted to make. He was torn between working on a new processor or if adding RAM would simply be enough for what he wanted. Either way, he couldn’t wait to get into the department and get his hands on some tech and play.
The car pulled up to the front of the building and Gregory and Nathan got out. Gregory became Nathan’s silent shadow once more as they entered the glass building. The lobby was empty as everyone was at the parade.
Empty, except for Lucy.
She stood, hand on hips, dressed in dark red and with murder in her eyes.
“There you are,” she scolded. “Where have you been?”
Nathan frowned, not understanding. There was no meetings until later in the day. He’d double checked.
“What do you mean?” he asked her.
“I messaged you. We need to talk,” she said. “Didn’t you get my text?”
Nathan fumbled for his phone and found two missed messages from Lucy. He had been so caught up in designing the laptop in his head, he’d neglected his phone entirely.