Rachel stared at the impeccably designed office that would be hers for the foreseeable future. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of Aspen's skyline. A view that felt like a taunt: Look at all you left behind.
"Is it to your satisfaction, Ms. Sawyer?" Greta asked, hovering in the doorway.
"It's perfect, thank you," Rachel replied automatically, setting her laptop bag on the sleek desk.
"Mr. Anderson instructed IT to provide you with all necessary access credentials. They're in the welcome packet." Greta gestured to a leather portfolio on the desk. "Your office connects directly to Mr. Anderson's through that door."
Rachel's gaze shifted to the door on the right wall, a door that would serve as a constant reminder of Kohen's proximity.
"Of course it does," she murmured.
"Pardon?" Greta asked.
"Nothing," Rachel said quickly. "Thank you for showing me around."
After Greta departed, Rachel sank into the ergonomic chair and pulled out her phone. She needed to center herself before diving into work.
She pulled up a photo of Darian. Her anchor, her reason for everything. His solemn face looked back at her, light brown eyes serious beneath a mop of black hair. Save for the eyes and hair colour which Darian acquired from her, Kohen's genes won. The resemblance to his father grew stronger every day, a fact that both comforted and terrified her.
What would happen when Kohen saw him?
The thought sent a chill through her. She'd have to be careful, keep her personal and professional lives separate. That had always been her policy, but now the stakes were higher.
A soft knock sounded on the connecting door.
Rachel quickly locked her phone and straightened. "Come in."
Kohen entered, looking every inch the successful CEO in his tailored suit. The sight of him in this context, powerful, assured, commanding.. was jarring compared to the boy she'd known.
"Getting settled?" he asked, leaning casually against the doorframe as if they were old friends catching up.
"Just fine," Rachel replied, keeping her tone neutral. "The IT meeting is at two, correct?"
"Always straight to business," Kohen remarked with a half-smile. "Yes, but I thought we might grab lunch first. There's a café on the ground floor."
Rachel hesitated. Lunch meant conversation. Conversation meant questions she wasn't prepared to answer.
"I brought something with me," she lied. "But thank you for the offer."
Kohen's eyes narrowed slightly. "Rachel, we're going to be working closely together for months. We can't avoid talking about... everything."
"We can be professional," she countered. "The past is the past."
"Is it?" He stepped further into her office. "Because when I saw you walk into that conference room, it felt very much like the present."
Rachel's pulse quickened. "I'm here to do a job, Kohen. That's all."
"A job you didn't know would involve me," he pointed out. "What would you have done if you'd known?"
"Declined the position," she answered honestly.
Something flashed in his eyes. Hurt, perhaps, or anger. It was gone so quickly she couldn't be sure.
"Well, we don't always get what we want, do we?" he said, his tone suddenly colder. "The meeting's been moved up to one-thirty. I'll come get you."
He turned to leave, then paused. "Oh, and Rachel? Your tell is still the same."
"My tell?"
"When you lie, you touch your left ear," he said, nodding toward her hand, which had indeed moved unconsciously to fidget with her earring. "You didn't bring lunch."
Her hand dropped immediately. "That doesn't change my answer."
Kohen shrugged. "Have it your way. But you'll need to eat something before a three-hour systems integration meeting."
With that, he was gone, leaving Rachel to wonder how, after all these years, he could still read her so easily.
By one o'clock, hunger had won out over pride. Rachel found herself in the company café, scanning the menu while pointedly ignoring the curious glances from KAL Apex employees.
"The turkey avocado wrap is excellent."
Rachel turned to find a man about her age smiling at her, his blue eyes friendly and his golden blonde hair, combed neatly.
"I'm Callen Hugo," he introduced himself. "Analytics department. You must be Rachel Sawyer from Atlas."
Rachel shook his outstretched hand. "News travels fast."
"Small company gossip," Callen said with an easy laugh. "Not every day we merge with another firm. Mind if I join you? I can give you the unofficial tour guide version of KAL Apex."
His openness was refreshing after the tension with Kohen. "That would be nice, thank you."
They found a table by the window after ordering, and Callen proved to be both informative and amusing. He outlined the company politics, the best places to grab coffee, and which elevators moved fastest, all valuable intelligence for navigating her new environment.
"So, what's it like working directly with the big boss?" Callen asked, biting into his sandwich.
Rachel took a sip of water. "We just started today, actually."
"But you knew him before, right?" When Rachel's eyebrows shot up, he added, "Sorry, I don't mean to pry. It's just that Anderson never personally handles integration work. And the way he looked at you in the morning briefing..."
"The morning briefing?" Rachel repeated, confused.
"The department heads have a daily stand-up with him," Callen explained. "Your arrival was today's hot topic. Anderson seemed... different when he mentioned you."
Rachel carefully schooled her features. "We grew up in the same town," she offered, not technically a lie.
"Small world," Callen remarked, clearly curious but polite enough not to press further. "Well, if you need anything, my office is on the thirty-second floor. Always happy to help a fellow data nerd."
"I appreciate that," Rachel said, genuinely thankful for the friendly face.
As they finished lunch, Rachel checked her watch. "I should head up. I have a meeting at one-thirty."
"I'll walk you to the elevators," he offered.
As they crossed the café, Rachel suddenly felt a prickling sensation on the back of her neck. She turned to find Kohen standing near the entrance, his gaze fixed on her and Callen with an intensity that was almost physical.
"Mr. Anderson," Callen greeted, his tone instantly more formal. "I was just helping Ms. Sawyer get acquainted with our humble abode."
"How thoughtful of you, Hugo," Kohen replied, his smile not reaching his eyes. "I'll take it from here."
The dismissal was clear. Callen gave Rachel an apologetic look. "Nice meeting you, Rachel. Remember, thirty-second floor if you need anything."
As Callen walked away, Kohen's jaw tightened. "Making friends already?"
"Is that a problem?" Rachel challenged, irritated by his tone.
"Not at all," Kohen said, gesturing toward the elevator. "Though you might want to be careful about the company you keep. Office politics can be.. complicated."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning Hugo has aspirations beyond his current position," Kohen replied as they entered the elevator. "And cozying up to the merger liaison from Atlas might seem like a good career move to him."
Rachel bristled. "Or maybe he was just being friendly. Not everyone has ulterior motives, Kohen."
"You always did want to see the best in people," he said, his voice softer now. "It's one of the things I've missed about you."