Gregory, however, had other ideas, and had spent the last fifteen minutes interviewing them—as though he were a prize they’d be lucky to win.
“So let me get this straight,” he asked now. “This Activate! game is your only product, and you’re six months from market?”
“That’s correct, although we do plan to develop more games,” Lark said.
He looked around, practically sneering at Lark’s ironic Hang in there, baby poster. “And this office is where I’d be working?”
“Actually, in the group area just outside,” Callie said.
The idea obviously did not appeal to Gregory. “You know, I was on the team that developed Vikings: Gamma Horde and Star Cowboys: Wizard Edition. I worked with Lionel Rex and Bianca Grenoble when they were starting up Game Horizon Studios, and even back then they had a cool loft.”
“That’s a very impressive résumé,” Lark said, and it would have been, if she were creating fantasy role-playing games for hard-core gamers instead of fun and educational experiences with mom appeal. “We’ll be in this space for at least a year, and then we’ll see what comes next.”
“Do you mind if I vape?” asked Gregory suddenly. Without waiting for an answer, he produced a device that had been designed to look like a tobacco pipe from a hundred years ago. Lark was perhaps more relieved than she should have been when his exhaled vapor smelled like passion fruit, not cannabis.
“We’re smoke-free and vape-free at Larkspur,” Callie informed him.
Gregory wrinkled his nose, sighed theatrically, and stowed the vaporizer in the side pocket of his cargo shorts. “If I decide to come here—if—what’s my salary?”
While Callie stalled for time, Lark surreptitiously texted Sandro: Knock.
Fifteen seconds later, her part-time assistant did exactly that, rapping discreetly on the door before opening it and sticking his head inside. “I’m terribly sorry to interrupt, but your next interview is on their way up.”
Lark and Callie were out of their seats before he finished his sentence, thanking Gregory for his time and reaching out to shake hands. They both immediately regretted it: his hand was doughy, warm, and moist.
“I’ll let you know my decision,” he said as he gathered his messenger bag and tucked in a dangling headphone cord.
The moment they heard the outer office door close, both of them burst out laughing.
“He looked great on paper,” Callie deadpanned.
“And I liked the arrogance in his cover letter, but it reads a little differently now,” added Lark.
Sandro came back. “Not a good fit, I take it.”
“Not a good fit,” they both confirmed.
“Coffee run?” he suggested sympathetically.
“Yes, please!” said Lark. “I presume the next candidate is not, in fact, here?”
“Not for twenty minutes,” said Sandro.
He left, and Lark and Callie fell back into their chairs.
Gregory’s condescension aside, Larkspur Games was looking and feeling like a real place of business. Lark had felt it the moment she arrived in the morning and saw Sandro’s neatly designed Interviews Here sign on the door and Callie already hard at work inside.
Her roommate had resisted the idea of being Lark’s first full-time hire—and had outright refused the position of marketing director, insisting Lark owed it to herself to find someone with experience in the world of games. Callie’s counterproposal was a role as general manager, playing jack-of-all-trades “until real professionals were in place.” She would update the website, handle initial production and supply issues, coordinate customer service, and so on.
Lark realized eventually that Callie was right: the marketing director was probably the most important hire she would make. She needed to find someone who could guarantee Activate!—and future games—made a splash.
As Callie reached for her phone and Lark swiveled toward her computer, there was a knock, the door opened, and Trip walked in.
“I know I’m not on the schedule, but I saw this, and I’m here to apply,” he said, grinning and holding up the Interviews Here sign.
Lark wanted to crawl over the desk, tackle him, and smother him with kisses—but with Callie in the room, she just stood for a quick peck. After so long apart, the mere sight of him gave her goose bumps.
“Why don’t you have a seat?” she said instead, playing along. “We’ll be happy to discuss your qualifications.”
Trip put the sign on her desk and sat down. “I’m afraid I don’t have a copy of my résumé on me.”
“That figures,” said Callie. “Do you have any references?”
He cocked his finger at Lark. “I’m in pretty tight with the boss.”
She really, really wished she didn’t have a full day of interviews ahead. Because what she wanted to do was take him home and pretend they were just waking up together . . .
“And what is your relationship?” asked Callie, still with a straight face.
“We’re business partners. Also partner partners. I won’t beat around the bush: we’re romantically involved. If that’s a crime, I’m guilty as charged.”
“Are you a hard worker?” asked Lark, just to say something. Callie seemed to be taking her role a little too seriously.
“I’ve been told that’s my greatest fault,” said Trip.
“We’ve actually been keeping a big office open for you,” countered Callie. “Yet you never seem to be in it. Do you have any intention of putting it to use?”
Lark thought Trip looked a little wounded, but he did his best not to show it and responded breezily. “My work requires more travel than I’d like, but I’m a loyal soldier, and I go where and when I’m required.”
“Other employers seem to be putting a lot of demands on your time,” said Callie intently.
Trip finally seemed to be at a loss for words. He held up his hands, palms out: Take it easy.
“Are you willing to relocate?” asked Lark, trying to keep it light and bring it back to their faux interview but inadvertently continuing Callie’s line of questioning.
Trip met her eyes. “I’ll certainly consider all reasonable offers.”
“I think there’s already an offer on the table,” said Callie, standing up and heading for the door. “I’ll give you guys a minute.”
When they were alone, Lark went
