Page 17 of Breathless Recruiter

Now… to learn how dates worked.

I started another round of bouncing up and down. The huskular security guard and I were going to get candy. That was worth a victory cry.

“Who da man?” I shouted.

There was a long pause. Had they not heard?—

“The fax machine says, you da man,” Orion shouted back.

Yes. Yes, I was.

5

Drew:Drinks later?

Orion: I promised my DVR some quality time.

Drew: Do you mean that literally?

Orion: No. I’m not crazy.

Wyatt: Aren’t you in a fight with your microwave?

Orion: That’s different!

Drew: Sure it is.

“…we’d love to attend, but we’re trapped in another dimension.”

I let out a long sigh. Another line through a group of superheroes. Vanguard needed their own dedicated team of heroes. The Protectors? Defenders? My notepad had scratched through almost every name. It appeared as if every notable hero had a prior engagement. This meant our launch party wouldn’t be filled with star-studded saviors. We’d launch either way, but I wanted Arthur to be impressed with the turnout.

I scrolled down the screen, looking at the remaining names to call. They weren’t the most well-known, but if I could get them to show, we’d have a decent turnout. I still had time to make Arthur proud. If I needed to beg, I’d grovel until they agreed.

My watch dinged, and I jumped.

“Quitting time!” Janet shouted as she stomped toward my office. She flung my door open and charged until her palms smacked against my desk. My heart thumped in my chest. “Come on, Wy. My lovable brother isn’t paying for overtime.”

Her curls bounced as she busted into her signature dance moves. The only thing Janet loved more than quitting time was annoying her twin. She had a point. The work would be there tomorrow. I might have better luck while on patrol tonight. I could talk with the fliers one-on-one and beg for them to attend.

“You’re right.”

“Of course I am. When am I ever wrong?”

I bit my tongue. Kiki had explained rhetorical questions, which Janet used all the time. Shutting off my monitor, I grabbed my jacket off the back of the chair and joined Janet. “You have more energy than most humans.”

“Cause I’m more awesome than most humans.”

Janet wrapped her arm around mine and walked down the hallway, dragging me along. We had left the office when she glanced over the railing to the floors below. Her eyes had narrowed, and she had a scowl on her face as she searched for?—

“Have to make sure the harpy is gone.”

“Harpy?”

“You know, ugly creature with razor teeth.”

I had looked it up the last time she mentioned it. I had seen nobody in our building with a bird-like body. Did Synergy have mythical creations hidden behind their frosted windows?

“There.” Janet pointed toward the ground floor.

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