In Love: Against All Odds

He Played It Cool. Until Flynn Walked In.

Softly – Clairo 🛋️🌙
"I wish I could just take you there, softly..."

---

The next morning, Adri looked like she had fought a war in her sleep—and lost. Her hair was a mess, dark circles under her eyes, and she was clutching her coffee like it was her last tie to humanity. 

The second I sat down, she muttered, "I'm so dead."

I took a sip of my coffee. "Still on that, huh?"

She snapped her head up, eyes wide with panic. "Kat, do you understand what's happening? Ross is sending me and Theo to Jade Kason's office today. As in, his actual office." She jabbed a finger into her chest. "To work with him."

I blinked. "Yeah... that was kinda the whole point of winning the project?"

She groaned dramatically, dropping her head onto the table. "No, you don't get it. This is a setup. A trap. Jade Kason is going to destroy me."

I raised an eyebrow. "I feel like you're being a little dramatic."

She sat up so fast it startled me. "Dramatic? Dramatic?! Kat, I almost killed him!"

I choked on my coffee. "Okay, WHOA. Let's rewind."

She waved her hands around like a conspiracy theorist connecting red strings. "Not, like, actually—but I was involved in the worst night of his life. And now, after all this time, I'm suddenly being forced to work with him? He's definitely plotting his revenge."

I squinted. "Adri, he doesn't look like he hates you."

She scoffed. "Oh yeah? Then what does he look like, Kat?"

I smirked. "Like he remembers you."

Silence.

Her panic paused, like she didn't know whether to be flattered or terrified.

"And if I didn't know any better," I continued, "I'd say he's curious about you."

Her face drained of all color. "He probably wants to, though. I made a fool of myself, and now I have to sit in a room with him while he silently plots my downfall. My crush—my favorite artist—despises me."

I leaned back, unimpressed. "Yeah, I don't think that's true."

She groaned louder, tugging at her hair. "Kat, this is literally my worst nightmare."

I grinned. "Oh, it absolutely is. But it's also going to be hilarious for me, so... silver lining?"

----

I was sitting at my desk, reviewing fabric samples for the next phase of the project, when Flynn plopped down beside me.

"Alright, Carter, let's talk," he announced dramatically, dragging his chair closer. "What's the deal with the textures? You think we should go more structured or flowy?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Flynn, you're on the design team. Why are you asking me?"

"Because I trust your instincts," he said smoothly, flashing his signature flirtatious grin.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help but laugh. Flynn had always been a shameless flirt, but today? He was laying it on extra thick.

Before I could respond, a deep voice cut through the conversation—

"You trust Kat's instincts? Funny. Last time I checked, you ignored all of them when she told you not to use velvet on that suit design."