Page 18 of Breathless Recruiter

“Oh. Tia?”

“Harpy,” Janet reiterated.

“I think she’s human.”

“My arch-nemesis.”

“Like the cleaning lady?”

“Exactly.”

“And the barista?”

“He gave me decaf.”

“What about the taco truck?”

“Lied about having hot sauce.”

“Is there anybody you’re not arch nemesises… nemeses…” I’d need to crack open the dictionary when I got home. “Who you don’t want to fight?”

Janet leaned back from the railing, giving me a punch in the arm. Arthur explained she hit people she liked. She also liked to hit people she didn’t like. I only considered her human because of her brother. Otherwise, she defied everything I had ever learned about Earth’s people.

“Be careful, or I’ll add you to my naughty list.”

“Like Santa?” If I closed one eye and leaned to the side, I guess she could be the big, jolly man who showered children with unsolicited gifts.

“Did I tell you I met Santa?”

This is where Arthur would say, “Janet, you’re exhausting.” I thought about it but didn’t dare speak. I didn’t want to make an enemy. If anybody could find my weakness, it’d be her.

Of all the people in the office, Janet offered her unfiltered opinion. Orion sped off into discussions about covert government operations. Drew tried too hard to spare my feelings. Arthur focused so much on the company that I didn’t dare ask him questions. Janet never held back, thrusting her opinion into every conversation. I already regretted asking, but I needed some of that honesty.

“Somebody asked me out for drinks.”

Janet snatched my hand and dragged me toward the elevator. She punched the button before spinning about and giving me the once over. “I can see why somebody would want to climb on this ride.”

My head cocked to the side as I tried to make sense of her comment.

“Who is it? Never mind, it doesn’t matter. Are you going to say yes? Are you going to get naked?”

“I was told it’s bad to get naked in public.”

“Not while having drinks.” She hid her face in her hands, shaking her head. Those curls bounced back and forth as she let out a long sigh. “Do you know how dates work?”

Earth Mom hadn’t explained relationships beyond two people getting married. They liked one another, and they got married. I had heard Arthur talk about dating Ricardo, but he never shared the specifics. They lived together, but whenever I asked about their wedding, he changed the subject.

“What is Kiki teaching you?”

“She’s—”

“Rhetorical,” she said. “Dating is…” She held her chin as her face scrunched up. The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. With a bump of her hip, she knocked me inside. “It’s complicated. You go out, talk, get to know one another. If you’re feeling it?—”

“It?”

“You know,it.” She pointed at my package. “Down there.”

Oh.

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