Soar With Me (✔️)

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐎𝐧𝐞

Warren

This must definitely be a dream.

Evelyn is at my place, with her dog, and eating dinner with me.

Fuck! I've gotten fond of her dog. He's so smart. Definitely like his owner.

"When will that project be completed?" Evelyn asks, sipping the hot chicken soup I made. 

"In three years. We're still working on the blueprints and designs. The investor wants it to represent the culture of France while also having a modern edge," I explain, my passion for the subject leaking into my voice.

"So that is your WIP. Wha—"

"WIP?"

"Work in progress." She looks at me.

I nod, encouraging her to continue.

"I have a question." A smirk takes over her delicate face.

"Go ahead," I say.

"Do you create the designs yourself or do you just get someone else to do it?"

"The designs are called blueprints and I used to draw them myself but then I founded the company. So now I overlook everything before finalizing."

Evelyn gets quiet as she eats. Beside her chair, Miles is curled up on the floor with his eyes closed.

"What about you? Do you design? I remember you were great at it."

With a shake of her head, she sighs. "I don't. Jessica does all the work. I just make sure it's okay."

"That doesn't sound like you," I say quickly.

"Why not?" Her eyes find mine and I put my spoon down to give her my full attention.

"Because you're a creator at heart. Since high school, I've seen you doodling in your notebooks. And you're damn good at it."

"I used to be."

"You still are." I finish my soup and put the dirtied bowl in the sink.

"It shouldn't bother me, but I don't think my company is doing well. I'm grateful for everything you've done for me, Warren. However—"

Striding toward Evelyn I lean against the island and look down at her. With my fingers, I lift her chin and align our gazes.

"Companies don't become successful in a few years. They take decades. Time and patience are everything. Besides, the main goal is to love what you do. And you do love what you do. Don't let moments like these ruin that."

"I feel like I'm letting everyone down."

"You're not. From what I've seen, your staff loves you. Surely more than mine loves me."

She chuckles and the sweetness of it coats my sour heart. But she sobers up quickly, much to my dismay. I wanted to see her laugh a little longer.

My thumb lands on the side of her mouth and gently caresses the skin as I'm overtaken by pure fascination. 

Evelyn doesn't pull away and I don't either.

"You don't ever give up on what you love. Especially when the odds are not in your favor."

Her blue eyes bore into mine with a storm of emotions and for a second I want to freeze this moment in time so I can always relish in this feeling.

"You have so much faith in me when you're supposed to hate me Warren."