Page 33 of Breathless Recruiter

Me neither.

10

“Hello, beautiful creatures of Earth!”

I arrived at the office just in time for our morning staff meeting. I cheated and flew to work, hoping I’d beat them to the break room. I clutched a rubber container to my chest, reminding myself to take a deep breath. Since I got up this morning, I had all but danced around my apartment.

“Did you accidentally drink another five-hour energy drink?”

I ignored Orion’s comment.

“The sun is shining. The birds are singing. Everything is right in the world.”

“Possessed by the ghost of a motivational speaker?”

Not even Drew’s skepticism dented the glee radiating from every pore. After my time with Dustin on the boardwalk, everything seemed a bit brighter. We ended with a lengthy hug and more than a little kissing. It saddened me to see him go, but that vanished as I thought about bumping into him today.

“Do I smell cupcakes?” Orion asked.

I hoisted up a Tupperware container filled with chocolate cupcakes, chocolate frosting, and a healthy dose of chocolate sprinkles. I had followed Earth Mom’s recipe to the letter. Ibrought one for each of them. There would have been more, but I couldn’t resist having one or two… or six… before bed.

I popped open the top and sat one in front of Drew. “What has gotten into you?” I made sure to give the boss man the biggest cupcake. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t work here, and that meant I’d have never been terrorized by the hell beast that introduced me to Dustin.

Arthur sat down at the table, his jaw slack as he stared at the oversized cupcake. I sat at the opposite end of the table, making sure Orion got his confectionary treat. All we needed was?—

“Wyatt got laid.”

Janet hovered in the doorway. I put the final cupcake next to the empty chair. She rarely attended the staff meetings, but I didn’t forget our lovable and often insufferable administrative assistant. She shrugged and joined us at the table.

“What’s his name?” asked Drew.

“Is he a sleeper agent?” asked Orion.

“Is he human?” asked Janet.

Everybody leaned in, all eyes fixed on me. I wanted to burst open and shout about my date with Dustin. Excited outburst. Kiki had curbed me of them during our early sessions. I took a deep breath, trying to keep from vibrating in my chair.

“Dustin. No. Yes.”

“The security guard?” asked Janet.

The security guard? The burly man with tattoos weaving along his arms and poking out from his t-shirt. The huskular guard who risked his life to save Janet and me from a supervillain. The alter ego of Discord, an eager superhero wanting to learn the ropes. The oversized teddy bear I wanted to squeeze and kiss until my lips chapped. He was so much more than a security guard.

Instead of speaking, I gave her a simple nod.

Janet sniffed the air. “No sex. Shame.” She snatched her cupcake and got up from the table. “I’ll be back when you two bang. Until then, my trolls need a haircut.”

Once she left, Arthur shook his head. Drew and Orion were already diving into the cupcakes, mouths covered in chocolate. Arthur covered a finger in frosting and took a lick. I should have brought more. They’d have made a perfectly acceptable lunch.

“Can we get to business?” asked Arthur.

Drew held up a finger before turning back to me. “Does he give you a weird squishy feeling here?” He poked me in the chest. I couldn’t wait for my next session with Kiki. I didn’t have words, not for the turbulent storm raging in my chest.

Drew smiled. “It looks like he does. Don’t let that go.”

“Unless he’s working for the government.”

Drew slapped Orion on the shoulder. “Let the man have his crush.”

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