Page 37 of Yours, Forever


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To celebrate the joining of our two companies, Atmosphere has reserved a dinner cruise ship for the whole team. We will have yourEngineering Onboarding contact in attendance: Dustin Sanders, who you have already met.

Also joining you will be our CEO, Kent St. Clair, as well as the outgoing CEO of DropTop, Travis Bellardi.

We hope you enjoy yourselves and the sights of both the Hudson and East Rivers.

To RSVP, please email Nora Raines ([email protected]) with your name and how many people will be in your party. Maximum party: 4 guests.

Welcome aboard, DropTop!

Regards,

Atmosphere Global Team

Wow. Wow, yes, I will be Brooke's date.

Wouldn't miss it forthe world.

Yay!

Well, that puts a pep in my step. I'm still smiling to myself when I make the rounds and stop into the kitchen for my morning coffee. Would Brooke mind if I used some of her brown sugar? I'll get her another bag if she's upset.

"Hey, good morning!" Brooke's voice sings out, and I whip around, nearly spilling the freshly brewed cup.

"Hey, yourself. How about that cruise, huh?"

"I know, right? Oh! Have you seen Darrell yet? I want to ask about the birthday party." She beams happily. God, I love seeing her happy like this.

"Not yet, but I'll keep an eye out." I think for a second. "Actually, you'll probably see him before I do."

"Right. Well, anyway. I'm super excited for the cruise—do you think there's going to be an open bar? Have you been to one of these before?" She leans back on the counter and smiles. "I've kind of always wanted to go on one of those dinner cruises, but it always felt too extravagant."

I shake my head. "No, nothing like this. The welcome party is usually at a hotel ballroom, though thereisusually an open bar. Maybe I'll finally get to see the best dancer in the world—or was it the planet?"

"Oh, my god, stop." She laughs until Darrell walks in.

"Well! How adorable this is, youhigh school besties. Dustin, you'll be on the cruise?" He smirks knowingly,like he's uncovered some deep secret. Hell, as far as he knows, he has.

"That's what the email says. Plus, I think Brooke would throttle me if I didn't show."

"Oh, you love it. We'll have a great time," Brooke says with a cheeky grin. "Darry, are you bringing Jerry and Fiona? Oh! How was the birthday party? Did she like the cupcakes? Tell meeverything!"Brooke and Darrell leave the kitchen, chatting up a storm about the little girl's party.

Damn, she's good. I have no idea how she does it, but she masterfully redirected the conversation—unless that was for my benefit? Maybe she's about to tell Darrell and the team about every embarrassing, stupid thing I did in high school? I stifle a groan. Cross that bridge when we come to it, I guess.

"Have you had lunch yet?" Brooke pokes her head into the conference room where I've been elbow-deep in spreadsheets all morning.

"Not yet. You?"

"I was just going to grab a sushi lunch from one of the places downstairs. Want me to grab you anything?"

"Yeah, sure. Salmon rolls, if they have it?"

She gives me a pointed look. "Dustin. This is the Chelsea Market. InNew York City. Of course, they have it."

"Right." I snicker. "Keep the receipt, and I'll pay you back."

She rolls her eyes. "Like hell, you will."

Before I can argue against her, she disappears down the hall and is quickly replaced by Darrell. He gives me a big smile and an overly joyful wave. My hand jerks up and waves back stiffly, more out of habit than anything.