He holds his poker face.
"Malcolm Strong, give me feedback right now."
He smiles. "Lacey Waltz, you're fucking adorable all impatient and on edge."
"Now."
"It's perfect."
Perfect.
It's perfect.
Mal thinks the video is perfect.
"I'm going to send it to our manager. He'll get everything finalized. This could be live by the end of the month." His smile widens. "You need to sit down?"
"Uh-huh." Sitting. It's good. It's a good thing to do when your legs are spaghetti.
I take a step towards the tall stool, but I don't land quite right. Fuck. I reach for the counter.
Immediately, Mal is there, behind me.
He catches me.
His arms are around me.
His chest is against my back.
His breath is warm against my neck. "Should have told you to sit first."
"Yeah." My inhale is sharp. My thoughts are in circles. This is really happening. That video, the one I edited, is going to be live.
With me in it.
For everyone to see.
It's amazing.
And horrifying.
"You okay?" he asks.
"Yeah. Just—"
"Come here." He slides his arm around me, lifts me to my feet, and helps me to the couch.
"I'm an actual damsel in distress."
"You're in shock." He sets me on the couch and stands between my legs. "It's normal."
"Have you ever been in shock?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"It's complicated."