Page 26 of Protecting the Nerd

“I can guarantee you that being polite for the sake of it is not something I engage in often. Quite the opposite, in fact. In case the conversation with Shannon didn’t clue you in, I have a bit of a reputation in the office. Of being difficult, I mean.”

“I noticed that. Why?”

He shot me a quick look sideways. “Why? Isn’t that obvious?”

I shrugged. “Maybe, but I prefer clarity, so why don’t you explain it to me?”

“I don’t like people and have no patience for office politics, particularly not what’s colloquially referred to as watercooler gossip. Why would I want to know that Mary has issues with her neighbor, that Clark is seeing a new woman, or that Peter bought a new car? I don’t care about the trivial details occupying their minds, so they labeled me anti-social and uncooperative. For the last ten years, my performance interview has mentioned I need to improve my team-player skills, whatever that means.”

“Pretty sure that means engaging in said gossip or maybe showing up for birthday celebrations and such, plus keeping your coworkers informed of what you do and working together where necessary.”

“I attend birthday celebrations if they have cake, especially if Martha from sales has baked it. No clue what she puts in her lemon-frosted cheesecake, but it’s divine.”

I chuckled. How funny to hear the serious York rave about cheesecake. No matter how brilliant he was, he also enjoyed the simple things in life. “Have you ever asked her for the recipe?”

“Why would I do that? It’s not like I could bake it, even if I had it.”

“You could learn.”

“Learn how to bake? Why? Between Martha and Brianna, I have all my sugary needs met.”

I’d never met a man who argued based on merits the way York did. He could’ve easily agreed with me that he could learn to get me off his back, but instead, he took his time to build his case. “Good point,” I said and let it go.

In Collins, York returned people’s greetings almost absentmindedly and with the practiced ease of someone who’d done it a gazillion times. If he noticed the curious glances people shot me, he didn’t comment on it. The two agents were shopping as well, never looking in our direction. I hadn’t introduced them to York on purpose, so he had no idea what they looked like and couldn’t reveal that he knew them.

“York!” a voice called.

I spun around and smiled when I spotted the waving teenager. I didn’t have to ask who he was. With his red hair and freckled skin, he was a mini version of his father.

“Gabe…” York hugged him, much to my surprise. Teenagers weren’t usually huggers, and I hadn’t pegged York for one either, but he was clearly close with Fir’s son.

“Dad said you’ll be staying in town for a while,” Gabe said.

York nodded. “Couple of weeks at least.”

“Everything okay?” York hesitated long enough for Gabe to raise his hands. “Never mind. You can’t talk about it.”

“No, I can’t. Your dad said you needed to be beaten at chess. Wanna set up a game this week?”

I loved how he framed that, and judging by his big grin, so did Gabe. “I’ve been watching a lot of YouTube videos, and I’m getting better every time. Won’t be long until you’ll taste the bitterness of defeat.”

“Keep dreaming, kid. But I’m happy to show you that you’re not at my level yet.”

“Friday evening work?”

“Yeah, that should work. I’ll come by for dinner too.”

“Yay, that means Dad will make pasta because it’s your favorite.”

York blinked. “How does he…? Never mind. Sounds good, kid. See you then.”

“You didn’t know Fir made your favorite food for you?” I asked when Gabe was out of earshot.

“I didn’t know I had a favorite food. Like I said, I eat pretty much everything. But I will admit his pasta sauce is delicious, and so is his garlic bread.”

“You do realize I’ll have to come too, right?”

York stopped and faced me. “No, I didn’t think of that, but of course. Fir will know, and he’ll tell the boys.”

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