Breaking Hearts

Unexpected Praise

Monday morning arrived before Savannah felt ready for it.

By the time she reached the office, she had already finished her first coffee and was halfway through mentally organizing the tasks Felicia had given her.

The first week had gone well.

Better than well, actually.

She was beginning to understand how the company worked, and she was becoming more comfortable sharing her ideas instead of second-guessing every suggestion.

When she reached her desk, she found a folder waiting for her.

A sticky note was attached to the front.

Come see me when you get in. — Felicia

Savannah picked it up and headed toward Felicia's office.

She knocked lightly.

"Come in."

Felicia looked up from her computer.

"Good morning."

"Morning."

"How was your weekend?"

"Quiet."

Felicia smiled.

"Good. You'll need your energy today."

Savannah raised an eyebrow.

"That sounds ominous."

"It's not."

Felicia gestured toward the chair.

"I want you to sit in on a meeting this morning."

Savannah immediately straightened.

"With who?"

"One of our clients."

Savannah nodded.

"Okay."

Felicia handed her a document.

"Read through this before we go in. I want your opinion on the campaign direction."

Savannah glanced at the pages.

She recognized the company immediately.

They were preparing a campaign connected to one of the new developments being built outside Sunnyvale.

Her expression changed slightly.

"Is this the same development?"

Felicia nodded.

"Yes."

Savannah stared at the document for another moment.

Funny.

She had spent weeks trying to put Sunnyvale behind her.

Yet somehow, it kept finding its way back into her life.

"Everything okay?" Felicia asked.

"Yeah."

Savannah smiled.

"Just a coincidence."

Felicia didn't question it.

They spent the next twenty minutes reviewing the campaign.

Savannah pointed out a few areas she thought could be improved, and Felicia listened carefully.

"I agree."

She closed the folder.

"That's exactly why I wanted you in the meeting."

Savannah smiled.

The compliment gave her a small boost of confidence.

They headed toward the conference room.

Several people were already inside.

Savannah recognized one of them from the previous week.

Damien.

He was standing near the window, looking over a set of documents.

Today he wasn't wearing a suit jacket.

His white shirt was neatly tucked into dark trousers, the sleeves rolled to his forearms.

He looked less formal than the first time she'd seen him, but somehow more intimidating.

His attention shifted when the door opened.

His eyes settled on Savannah.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Felicia walked in.

"Morning."

Everyone greeted her.

Damien gave a brief nod.

"Morning."

His gaze returned to Savannah.

"You're joining us?"

Savannah nodded.

"Felicia asked me to."

"Good."

His answer was simple.

But there was something approving in his expression.

They took their seats.

The meeting began.

Savannah mostly listened at first.

Numbers were discussed.

Deadlines were reviewed.

Different ideas were debated.

Then Felicia turned toward her.

"Savannah, what do you think?"

Every eye in the room shifted toward her.

She swallowed.

Then glanced down at her notes.

"I think the campaign is too focused on the buildings themselves."

The room went quiet.

Damien leaned back slightly.

"Go on."

Savannah looked at him.

"If you're trying to attract people who might actually live there, you shouldn't only sell the property."

She pointed toward the presentation.

"You should sell what their life could look like there."

Damien's expression changed subtly.

"Meaning?"

"Show the neighborhood. The university. The businesses opening nearby. The parks. The restaurants."

She paused.

"Make it feel like a community rather than another development."

Silence.

Then Damien nodded.

"I like it."

Felicia smiled.

"So do I."

Savannah relaxed slightly.

Damien looked at the others.

"Let's restructure the campaign around that idea."

One of the executives made a note.

"Absolutely."

The meeting continued.

But Savannah couldn't help noticing that Damien occasionally glanced in her direction.

Not in a way that made her uncomfortable.

More like he was trying to understand her.

When the meeting finally ended, everyone began gathering their things.

Felicia touched Savannah's shoulder.

"Good job."

"Thank you."

She smiled.

As Felicia walked away, Savannah slipped her notebook into her handbag.

"That was a good idea."

She looked up.

Damien stood beside the table.

"Thank you."

"You've only been here a short time."

"I know."

"And you're already challenging the campaign."

Savannah smiled.

"I hope that's a good thing."

"It is."

He studied her for a moment.

"You have a creative mind."

She wasn't sure how to respond to that.

"That's probably why Felicia hired me."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Probably."

He picked up the folder in front of him.

"I'll see you around, Savannah."

"Okay."

He walked away.

Savannah watched him leave for a second before shaking her head.

There was something about Damien Ashford that she couldn't quite place.

He wasn't mysterious in the same way Brian was.

Brian kept his secrets close.

Damien simply seemed difficult to read.

She picked up her handbag.

Her phone buzzed.

Savannah glanced down.

A message from Brian.

Brian: How's the new job going?

She stared at the screen.

Then smiled.

Savannah: Busy. But good.

His response came a few moments later.

Brian: Good.

She slipped the phone back into her bag.

For the first time since graduating, Savannah felt like her life was beginning to settle into place.

And maybe that was exactly what she needed.

A fresh start.

No drama.

No complicated feelings.

Just work, independence, and a chance to figure out what came next.

At least, that was what she intended.