Scouring the reception room, I search for Kate.
I’m not seeing things. It was her, in a red so vibrant I should be able to spot her instantly. But as I circle the office, wending my way down the halls, through our conference and break rooms, she’s nowhere to be seen.
And then my gaze settles on the one place she could be hiding where I couldn’t find her—the restrooms, right near the front desk.
“Everything okay?” Luz, our receptionist, asks.
I glance away from the row of single-stall, non-gendered bathrooms that line the wall, knowing Kate’s in one of them, and there’s fuck all I can do about that.
“Yes, Luz. Everything’s fine.” I sidle up to the desk and offer my most ingratiating smile. “Can you just do me one small favor?”
They smile back. “Of course.”
“Did you happen to see a woman dressed in head-to-toe red dart into one of the bathrooms just a moment ago? Our photographer for the day, Kate Wilmot.”
They nod. “Yes, I did.”
“When she walks out, kindly let me know?” I hesitate, then add, “Immediately.”
* * *
—
Of course, my office phone lights up when I’m on a spur-of-the-moment call with a client—one of our biggest investors, who needs reassurance about this latest green energy company that’s part of her portfolio. This is what I get for being transparent and open with my clients about their investments.
Much as I want to tell Lydia Bel Sur she’ll just have to hold on a sec while I take a call because I have my receptionist doing reconnaissance on the woman wreaking havoc in my office, I can’t.
Which means it’s not until I hang up with Lydia fifteen minutes later that I’m able to storm out of my office and immediately identify Kate’s whereabouts. A semicircle composed of at least a third of my team encircles Kate, who leans against the conference table in head-to-toe red, looking like a warning sign.
Rohan barks a laugh. “Christopher in a tricorn hat and breeches. This is priceless.”
I roll my eyes, knowing exactly what photo Kate’s sharing from the Independence Day party when my dad demanded everyone come in costume.
“You should see him in lederhosen,” Kate tells him, scrolling through her phone. “I have to dig around back at my parents’ house for that photo, but let’s see. Ah! Here’s a goodie. He’s . . . nine in this one, I think?” Kate zooms in on the photo that fills her phone screen, which she angles for everyone to see.
“Oh my God,” Jia says, pointing at the screen. “Is that a bowl cut?”
“It is,” I say casually, making everyone jump and turn except Kate, who slowly glances up and locks eyes with me. I close the distance between us, my employees parting to make a path.
Kate pushes off the conference table and stands to her full height, just a spare inch south of me, which means she’s got heels on. I don’t risk a once-over to find out the details.
“Christopher,” she says.
I tip my head and force a wide, easy smile. “Katerina.”
Tearing my gaze away, I look down at the photo. “I see why you chose to share this one. It predates your extended orthodontia season.”
Her eyes narrow. “My ‘extended orthodontia season’ seems front and center in your mind, Christopher. I wonder why.”
I grin. “Saw that photo, did you?”
Now the empty swaying chair makes sense. She was snooping around my office.
Kate sniffs, pocketing her phone.
“Oh! There she is!” Curtis appears out of breath, his glasses slightly askew, forcing a smile as he power walks into the conference room and says to me, “Like I said, definitely handling it—”
“No need.” I wave him off. “We’ll stick with the updated schedule.”
He glances frantically between us. “Uh . . . You sure?”
Kate frowns. “Is something wrong?”
“Okay, folks.” I clear my throat, smiling politely at the team. “Fun as this has been for you to get a little trip down memory lane, let’s get back to it. Curtis will let each of you know when Kate’s ready to take your headshot.”
The group disperses with polite nice to meet yous for Kate, some of which linger a little too long until they notice me watching them like a hawk.
Kate turns on me, arms folded. “What was that about?”
I wait until the last person shuffles out and Curtis shuts the door behind them, before I turn on her, so close our chests nearly brush. “I’d ask you the same question, Kate. What are you playing at, showing up here today and pulling a prank like this? If it were just me, that would be one thing, but Curtis has been bending over backward to accommodate this little stunt of yours.”