I laughed. “Not surprising in the least. Just keep in mind that you’re talking to the woman who held up an entire flight.”
Valentino smiled. “That’s right. But before I bust your chops for being so disorganized, I should remember that it wasbecause of that flightthat we even met to begin with.”
I sipped my tea and grinned a secret grin at thoughts of our night togetherafterthe flight.
“I’ll take it a little bit at a time. The important thing is that I get Maddie’s room set up, along with my office. The rest can wait.”
“Yeah, you’re working from home now, that’s going to be a big change.”
“It is. And I can’t wait. You know, it was when I was operating on my own that I did my best work.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Yeah?”
“Let me show you.”
I took my phone off the small table between our chairs and opened the screen, pulling up the home page for Colorado State—my alma mater. Once it was on the screen, I located the logo for the sports team, the Colorado Rams, and expanded it to a larger image.
“See that?” I asked.
He cocked his head to the side, getting a better look at what I was showing him.
“What, the logo? What about it?” As soon as he asked the question, the confusion faded from his face, replaced by realization. “Don’t tell me you designed that.”
I nodded. “Sure did. It was a little project of mine when I was doing my undergrad. The old logo was…well, the less said about it, the better. So, I decided to spruce it up a little, and spent a few months designing a logo I thought was perfect.”
“They must’ve thought it was perfect too if they’re still using it nearly a decade later. Nice work.”
“Thanks.” I clicked the phone off and set it back on the table. “This was when I was studying art history. When I turned in the logo, the college cut me the biggest check that I’d ever seen in my life. Needless to say, changing my major to graphic design was the first thing I did before heading to the bank.”
“You made the right call,” he said. “That’s some major talent you’re working with.”
Something about his words hit better than a compliment from any company executive. I couldn’t help but smile.
“You want to go out to dinner sometime?” he asked, taking me by complete surprise.
“Uhm…” The noise fell dumbly out of my mouth as my brain struggled to catch up.
He smiled slightly, a touch of awkwardness to his demeanor that suggested he’d surprised himself as well.
“A little sudden, I know,” he said. “I was trying to think of a good place to slip the question into the conversation. One didn’t come, so…”
I pursed my lips for a moment, trying to think of how I wanted to answer. Before I had a chance to think of anything, barking filled the air. Valentino and I turned in the direction of the noise to see Maddie trying to hug Mick and the dog was getting worked up.
“Hey, Mads!” I called out. “Be gentle with him, OK? Don’t antagonize.”
Maddie scrunched her forehead in a way that I couldn’t help but note was totally adorable in spite of my scolding.
“I’m not anta—…I’m not anabonizing!”
Valentino and I both laughed at her attempt.
“What does that mean?” she asked.
“It means don’t be so rough, OK? Dr. V.’s not going to bring Mick over unless you’re nice to him.”
“Al-right.” To prove that she’d behave, Maddie stepped a bit away from Mick, then reached forward to gently pat his head, giving Valentino and me a big smile as she did.
“Anyway,” Valentino said. “Yes, it is a sudden, out-of-nowhere question.”
