Adrian Freaking Wolfe

Jasmine's POV

I couldn't stop replaying his face.

Even as I sat in traffic, one hand on the wheel and the other gripping my lukewarm coffee, my brain kept returning to that expression. Cold. Blank. Slightly amused, like he'd seen it all before. The moment Adrian Wolfe stepped into the interview room, it felt like time folded in on itself. College memories, half-buried in dusty corners of my brain, clawed their way back into the light.

Adrian Wolfe.

The boy who used to spar with me in debate club. The guy who stole the student council election by smiling at every professor's wife. The one who called my presentation on branding theory 'charmingly naive' in front of the class.

Now he wore tailored suits, drove a Bentley, and maybe just maybe held the fate of my career in his palm.

Except, I didn't know for sure. His name hadn't come up in the research I did. Not on the company site. Not even in the leadership bio section. He was a ghost until now.

By the time I parked outside our apartment, I felt like I'd lived three different lives in one day. I killed the engine, grabbed my bag, and climbed the steps to the second floor. Familiar paint chips and the scent of someone's overly spiced stew greeted me. Home.

But the shock didn't fade. Not even with the comfort of home.

I opened the door and stepped inside. Our small two-bedroom was alive with warmth and personality. Shoes near the door. Plants clinging to life on the windowsill. And the sound of Netflix echoing from the living room.

"T?" I called.

"In the kitchen!"

I followed the scent of caramel popcorn and cinnamon. Tia stood over the stove, in her usual attire leggings, fuzzy socks, and an oversized HBCU sweatshirt. Her curly hair was tied up in a pineapple puff, and she was humming along to SZA like the day hadn't just spun on its axis.

"So?" she said without turning. "Did you land the job or burn the building down?"

I dropped my bag on the counter and leaned against the fridge. "Somewhere between a nervous breakdown and a Netflix drama. Also, I may have cursed out the guy I think might be one of the top executives."

Tia turned slowly. "I'm sorry, what?"

"I didn't know it was him at the time!"

Her eyes widened. "Okay, rewind. You cursed out a possible exec... Who? And why do you look like you saw a ghost?"

I took a breath. "Adrian Wolfe."

The silence was immediate.

Tia blinked. "Adrian? Your Adrian? From college Adrian?"

"Not MY Adrian. But, Yup."

"Debate-club-turned-ice-king Adrian?"

"Same one. I didn't recognize him when I got out of the car. I parked in his spot apparently, and he sped past me and nearly splashed mud all over my suit. I called him a reckless lunatic. Loudly."

Tia slapped a hand over her mouth. "You didn't."

"I did. Then I walked into my interview and bam he walked in, apologized for being late, and nodded at me like we were strangers."

"That man used to argue with you just to hear you talk. He knew who you were."

"I don't know. Maybe. His face didn't move. Like stone. Like judgmental marble."

Tia sank into a chair, shaking her head. "You're living a romantic comedy but with trauma. This is next-level."

"I'm not even sure if he's my boss or just a top exec. Claire said I'd report to his team, not him directly. His name wasn't even in the research I did. It's like he's deliberately low profile."

Tia frowned. "That's weird. Why wouldn't he be listed? Maybe he's new? Or secret CEO?"

I groaned. "Don't say that."

The possibilities kept swirling in my head, refusing to settle. Why had he been at the interview? Why didn't Claire introduce him by title? Why hadn't he acknowledged meat all?

Even as Tia placed a mug of tea in front of me, my hand trembled slightly. I couldn't stop shaking.

"I'm still in shock," I admitted. "Like, it's sitting on my chest. I can't breathe all the way."

"Okay, sit. Breathe. Tell me everything. Start from the top."

So I did.

Waking up nervous. Putting on the burgundy power suit. Stopping at Brewhaus for my usual oat milk latte. Running into James, the sweet barista with the flirty grin.

"He asked if I'd heard about Reggie's party on Friday," I said. "I told him no. Then he said he saw Chris there."

Tia's jaw tightened. "Chris said he was working late on Friday."

"Exactly. But James said Chris was at the party with some girl in an orange dress. Laughing, standing real close. Not coworker-close."

Tia cursed under her breath. "I knew it. I knew something was off about that man."

"He didn't even tell me he was going. Didn't think it mattered. Just lied."

"Jazz, his parents look at you like you're some stray cat their precious son picked up out of pity."

I sighed. "They never liked me."

"Because you're real. Chris is a spoiled, arrogant, pampered narcissist who needs therapy, not a girlfriend."

I laughed, despite the lump in my throat. "Tell me how you really feel."

"You deserve someone who celebrates you. Who doesn't treat your wins like threats."

I looked at her. "You're the only person who's ever said that to me out loud."

Tia gave me a soft smile. "Because it's true."

We sat in silence for a moment.

I looked over at her, taking in the person who had been my constant through everything.

Tia Michelle Cole. Graphic designer. HBCU alum. Middle child of seven, raised in a beautiful, chaotic house in Atlanta. She'd come north for college like me, and we'd met sophomore year during a debate workshop. She had corrected the professor about a design theory and he thanked her. That was Tia. Brilliant, bold, and unapologetically herself.

She fell in love with the wrong guy junior year. Devin. Artsy, ambitious, and a walking heartbreak. When he cheated, she crashed hard. I'd been there every night. Holding her hair. Making late-night tea. Wiping tears.

Now, she was strong again. Still scarred, but shining anyway.

"I hate that you're still dealing with Chris's crap," she muttered.

I shrugged. "It's my fault for staying so long."

"No. It's his fault for taking you for granted."

My voice dropped. "The interview went well though. Claire Anders was intense but fair. Julian head of digital was nice. Really nice."

"Oh? Tell me more about Julian."

I chuckled. "He had that friendly nerd vibe. Asked smart questions. He actually listened when I spoke. It felt... easy."

Tia grinned. "Better not let Chris catch wind of that."

"He wouldn't care. Not really. As long as I keep clapping for him, he's content."

She frowned. "Then stop clapping."

My phone buzzed. A message from Julian.

Julian Kessler: You were impressive today. Fingers crossed for you. Hope you're unwinding.

Tia leaned over my shoulder. "See? Already rooting for you."

I smiled to myself, still thinking about Adrian. "Let's see if the universe can surprise

me."

Because if Adrian Wolfe was my past... I didn't know what that made him now.

But I had a feeling he wasn't done with me yet.