Did I just see a tweet that said 'Cleo and Leo are couple goals AND startup queens?'" Brittany asked, holding her phone like it might combust from hot takes.
I was halfway into a celebratory donut and not ready for the internet to love me.
"Please tell me it wasn't the picture of us leaving the party. I had powdered sugar on my nose."
"Nope. It's the one where you're yelling at Jason and Leo's looking at you like you invented the concept of justice."
"Oh God."
"You trended. #CodeCouple."
I dropped the donut.
Leo picked it up. Ate it. "Well, you are justice."
I threw a pillow at him. He caught it. Smirked.
We hadn't left the office all day. Too many calls. Too many interviews. Too many emails from investors suddenly remembering we existed.
One even said, We always believed in your vision.
Which was hilarious, since he ghosted us after our Series A.
"So what's next?" Leo asked, later, as we sat on the rooftop, legs dangling over the ledge.
"What do you mean?"
"Now that Jason's imploding and the app's booming."
I blinked at the city.
What was next?
"I guess... we finally build the dream? No more fires to put out."
"Scary, huh?"
"Terrifying."
He leaned his shoulder against mine. "You're allowed to want good things now."
The way he said it made my throat ache.
Because he was right.
And I didn't know how.
**
A week passed. Jason's app died a loud death. Our numbers climbed like crazy. Brittany kept pretending she wasn't already designing RealMatch swag for our merch store.
And Leo...
Leo started acting weird.
Not distant. Not cold.
Just...
Distracted.
"Is it me?" I asked Brittany while pretending to check analytics.
"Oh absolutely."
"You didn't even hesitate."
"Because I know him. He's brooding. Planning. Probably about to do something either romantic or catastrophically dumb."
"Can't wait."
**
Then came the gala.
Some tech charity thing. Fancy. Formal. Glittery. The kind of event that gave me hives.
"Do I have to wear heels?" I asked.
"Yes," Brittany said. "Also wear lipstick. You look powerful in lipstick."
"I look like I'm about to eat the patriarchy."
"Exactly."
Leo picked me up in a suit that honestly should be illegal. Dark blue. Tailored. Hair perfect. Smile dangerous.
"Wow," I breathed.
"You clean up alright too," he said.
The gala was in full swing. Lights everywhere. Champagne towers. Tech bros trying to flirt with venture capitalists.
Leo stayed by my side. Every touch electric. Every look a promise.
Something was coming.
And then he disappeared.
**
"Brittany," I hissed into my phone, hiding behind a floral arrangement. "He vanished."
"Did he say anything weird before?"
"No! Just smiled and went to get more champagne."
"Classic distraction move. He's about to propose."
"Shut up."
"You shut up. Check the stage."
I peeked.
And there he was.
Microphone in hand. Spotlight on his too-handsome face.
Oh. My. God.