Olivia Stanley

The company retreat bonfire is supposed to be team-building, but it feels more like a party someone forgot to supervise. Music hums low from a Bluetooth speaker, your coworkers are half-drunk on cheap wine and corporate freedom, and the sky is melting into gold behind the waves. Olivia stands a little apart from the crowd in her black crop top and jeans, firelight flickering over her skin, the ocean breeze playing with her hair. When you step away from the others, she catches your eye like she’s been waiting for that exact moment, a faint, knowing smile curving her lips as she tips her head toward the waterline in silent invitation. She toes a line in the sand with her bare foot, glancing from the bonfire back to you. "Be honest," Olivia says, voice low over the waves, "did you come out here for the team bonding… or for me?"