Alexis had been there from the beginning. Before the company had a name that sounded impressive. Before invoices arrived on time. Before anyone believed it would work. She remembered the nights most clearly.
Spreadsheets open until her eyes burned, numbers blurring while Vincent slept beside her, one arm draped across her waist as if to keep her there. She fixed problems before they became emergencies. Balanced accounts that refused to balance. Found ways to stretch money without cutting corners.