Thirty and Single.

Chapter 10.

"Hey Genesis! I had a meeting with—"

"Genesis, sweetie! I've been looking all over for you. How have you been?"

Corey's voice cut through Colton's like a blade through soft paper. I turned to see him striding toward me, all smiles and charm, his expensive cologne announcing him before he even got close.

I forced a smile. "Hey, Corey."

Colton and I both rose to our feet as Corey approached. I caught the faint tension in Colton's jaw, the way his hand slowly curled into a fist before relaxing again. His eyes flicked toward Corey, guarded, unreadable.

"Hi! I'm Corey," he said, extending his hand to Colton with that trademark confidence, like he had just walked into a boardroom he already owned.

Colton hesitated. Just for a second. Then he took Corey's hand. "Colton."

His voice was short, clipped.

The handshake was brief but firm. I could almost hear the silent challenge passing between them in that moment. It felt like the air had thickened, making it harder to breathe.

A silence followed, awkward and taut.

Colton was the first to break it. "Uh... Genesis, I'll see you later."

He didn't wait for a response, just turned and walked toward the elevator. My chest tightened. I didn't want him to go, not like this. I wanted to talk to him more, peel back the layers he kept so tightly guarded.

I gave him a soft nod as he stepped into the elevator. He didn't look back.

"You alright?" Corey asked, drawing my attention back to him.

"Yeah. I'm totally fine." I lied.

"Great! Um... I was wondering if you'd like to go to lunch with me later?" he asked, his tone light, but his eyes scanning my face too carefully.

I hesitated a second too long. "Yes, I think I can."

His smile stretched wide with approval. "Wonderful! I'll come get you at one."

I nodded, but my thoughts lingered on Colton as Corey walked away.

I made my way to Quinn's office, trying to focus on anything other than the weird tension I'd just experienced.

"Green, you're here. How did the interview go?" she asked, her glasses already sliding down her nose as she looked up from her desk.

"It went well. Actually, that's why I'm here." I handed her the neatly printed sheets.

She pushed her glasses up and began reading, flipping pages slowly. "Hmmm."

I stood awkwardly in front of her desk, arms crossed, waiting for some sign, anything of how she was reacting.

She glanced at me once, said nothing, and kept reading.

I cleared my throat. "Ma'am, is the story okay?"

She paused, flipped to the next page, and nodded. "So far, everything is okay."

My shoulders dropped a little in relief. A few more moments passed before she finally looked up.

"I think you can publish it."

I nearly exploded.

"Thank you so much, ma'am!" I said, trying to keep my voice professional even as my heart danced.

As I reached the door, she called out, "Green, great job."

I grinned all the way back to my desk.

"Quinn said I can publish my story!" I told Brooklyn breathlessly as soon as I sat down.