When Stars Collide (Light in the Dark 2)
She nods, accepting it as answer enough. “Breakfast was delicious. I’ll see you later.”
She disappears back into the kitchen and I swallow thickly.
The words are on the tip of my tongue to ask her if she wants to ride with me, but she never has before and it would raise suspicions, so I don’t.
I grab my helmet from the garage and start my bike. It’s new, a graduation gift from my parents. I’ve wanted one forever but never had the funds for one. I was shocked when they surprised me with it. Best damn gift ever—aside from waking up to Thea as my wife, but who the fuck knows how that’s going to turn out?
I beat the early morning traffic and make it to the downtown building without incident.
Kincaid Architecture takes up the whole top floor of one of the largest buildings in Denver. My dad’s business started small, as most do, and grew into one of the most revered architecture firms on the west coast.
I park my bike in the garage and hop off, removing my helmet. I run my fingers through my flattened hair, hoping it doesn’t look like a complete mess. My dad might be cool, but this is his business, and we’re all expected to dress and look decent.
I store my helmet before heading for the elevator, pushing the button; the doors slide right open. It’s still early enough tha
t not many people are in the garage or building.
I step inside and press the number for the floor then lean against the side of the elevator.
I wish I had just one more day at home before coming to work. I want to be able to think and talk to Thea without my focus being on work.
She agreed to give me three months to change her mind, but I’m still terrified she’s going to go running before then, and I don’t want that to happen.
I need to show her how good we are together, but I know I need to take things slow—in other words, what I said in the kitchen yesterday, and the kiss, were a bad idea. But I can’t take it back now, and I don’t want to, I’m going to have to be more careful, though.
I head into my office—yeah, office and not cubicle—Thea’s assistant desk sits inside the room near mine. It had originally been outside but after only a few days of working together, we realized I was shit at giving her anything to do unless she was in here.
I drop my backpack behind my desk, shuck off my jacket, and collapse in the chair. My collar bites into my neck, and I pull on it, trying to loosen it like it’s a vice cinching around me.
Papers sit on my desk, important documents I need to go over for builds, and I just don’t want to.
I pinch the bridge of my nose.
Being here day in and day out is a brutal reminder that I’m lying to everyone I care about.
Fuck, I’m lying to my own wife now.
I tug on the ends of my hair. I keep digging myself a deeper hole and I don’t know how the fuck to get out of it.
A shadow falls across the doorway, and I look up to find my dad standing there.
To most, Cooper Kincaid is an intimidating sight. Even though he’s nearing fifty he’s still fit, and tall—easily two inches taller than my six-foot-three—his hair is graying at the temples, and he almost always wears a smile that says he knows what you’re going to say before you even say it. I’ve never been intimidated by him, though. Growing up he was nothing but a big softy when it came to my older sister, little brother, and me.
He taps his finger on the doorframe. “You’re here early,” he comments.
I shrug. “I was up—figured I’d go ahead and get started.”
He nods. “I need your proposal for the Hammel account by this afternoon.”
“I’ll have it done,” I assure him. In fact, it’s already done, but I don’t feel like going over it right now. My mind is too all over the place to focus on work.
He presses his lips together, and I know he’s contemplating saying more, but after a moment, he leaves and heads down the hall to his much bigger office.
I sigh and lean back in my chair, crossing my hands behind my head.
“Get your shit together,” I mutter to myself, and let out a disgusted breath.
I rub my eyes and reach for the stack of papers on my desk.