This time, she could truly feel how much thought and care he had poured into everything. He was the one who had given her hope again.
Jarrod was in good shape, so his recovery was impressively quick.
That very afternoon, Elodie received a message from the base administration- her appointment letter hade through.
She''d been promoted, skipping a whole level. From now on, she would lead the research division, overseeing a team of senior engineers. More responsibilities would follow.
She hadn''t told her superiors about her illness or the surgery. The first phase of the project was over and a short break was scheduled, so by the time the second phase began, in just over a week, she''d be nearly back to normal. The minimally invasive procedure meant her recovery was swift.
That evening,
Elodie didn''t bother Jarrod. She took a shower in the guest room, hoping for some peace.
But when she stepped out, she found Jarrod already propped up on the guest bed, reading a book.
She stopped in her tracks. "What are you doing here?"
Without even ncing up, Jarrod turned a page. "Can''t shower in the master bathroom? If you''re sleeping in here, then so am I.”
Elodie was momentarily speechless. "Jarrod, how old are you?”
He looked up slowly, azy smile flickering in his eyes. "Don''t you know?"
That shut her up. She couldn''t even find a retort, worried that whatever she said would only lead him to tease her further.
Clearly, Jarrod had no intention of leaving her side.
Elodie didn''t bother arguing. "I have a ton of work to handle online tonight, lots of coordination. I''ll be upte."
"No problem," he said. "You workingte is practically my luby."
She gave up.
Without another word, she settled on the sofa and opened herptop.
There was a mountain of work waiting for her. She couldn''t just use her illness as
an excuse to ck off-too much depended on her oversight.
Especially since that afternoon, Clifford had filled her in on a new development: upper management had decided on a deep partnership with Vistalink Technologies, and there would be high-level discussions with the fighter pilot team to coordinate adjustments on the next aircraft.
VistaLink Technologies would be holding a video conference that evening.
Elodie changed into a fresh shirt and logged in.
Tonight''s agenda was packed.
When she worked, she was alwayspletely absorbed. Jarrod, for his part, left her alone for the most part, lounging on the bed with his book, though every so often he''d look up and watch her for a long moment, his gaze drifting from the page to her face.
Voices-mate and female-filtered out from herptop as people joined the call Jarrod checked the time now and then. Nine o clock passed then ten, then eleven-thirty, and the meeting still wasn''t wrapping up.
Elodie was just discussing a proposal in response to Alexander''s question when, out of nowhere, Jarrod''s voice cut through the room: "Elodie, could youe help me with a shower?"
Elodie froze, words dying on her lips.
On the other end of the call, every conversation stopped at once.
Colleagues stared wide-eyed through the camera, expressions shifting from shock
to barely-suppressed amusement.
"So that''s how real couples do it?"
"Ms. Thorne, are we keeping you? It is getting prettyte..."
"That was Mr. Silverstein, right?”
"Needs Ms. Thorne to help? Not... in the way I''m thinking, I hope?"
Elodie was at a total loss for words.
Thankfully, Alexander stepped in quickly. "You''ve just recovered, Elodie. You should rest. I''ll summarize the meeting and send you notes tomorrow."
He knew Jarrod had saved her, and he could guess there was something
Without waiting for a reply, Alexander ended the call.
The room fellpletely silent.
Elodie looked up at Jarrod, who sat there calmly, still flipping through his book.
He met her gaze, utterly unapologetic. "I''m feeling pretty weak, Ms. Thorne. Hope you understand."