Between the Lines

First Impressions

Over the next few weeks, Emily found herself settling into the fast-paced environment of Evergreen. She quickly gained the respect of her colleagues with her sharp mind and strong work ethic. As she navigated client calls, strategy meetings, and late-night project deadlines, she found her rhythm.

But it was Nathan who intrigued her the most. He wasn't like the others in the office, who often engaged in banter and office gossip. Nathan was more reserved, focused on his work, but when he did speak, his words carried weight. His ideas were often the backbone of the creative strategies they presented to clients, and his calm, analytical approach balanced the chaos of the marketing world.

One afternoon, after a particularly intense meeting where a client had torn apart their proposed campaign, Emily was feeling the pressure. She stayed late, reworking the strategy, when Nathan approached her desk.

"Rough day?" he asked, his voice breaking the silence of the now-empty office.

Emily looked up, surprised to see him still there. "You could say that," she admitted, glancing at her notes. "I'm rethinking everything."

Nathan leaned against the desk, glancing at her notes. "You don't need to. Your ideas were solid. The client just doesn't know what they want yet."

Emily smiled, appreciating the reassurance. "Thanks. It's just... I want to get this right."

Nathan nodded, his eyes softening. "I get that. But don't be too hard on yourself. You've got good instincts."

Their eyes met for a moment longer than necessary, and Emily felt that same flutter from their first meeting. But again, she pushed it aside. This was work, and she couldn't afford to let her mind wander in the wrong direction.