Page 23 of Debugging Love

“I’m not in control here, am I?” Christopher says.

“Control is an illusion,” Abeer offers. “None of us control anything.”

“Can everyone shut up?” Morgan says loudly. “Some of us have work to do.”

“Everyone listen to Morgan.” Christopher drops into his chair. After the room quiets down, he continues. “As you know, we have a new CEO. He’s reviewing our telework policy. Rumor is he’s pro-telework. I’m supposed to tell you he’s reviewing the company’s telework policy. That’s all I know.”

“Teleworking is for losers,” Drew says. “Real employees go to the office.”

“Okay, Elon,” Violet barks. “Why don’t you go work for X?”

“I might. After I set this place straight.”

Juanita grumbles. It’s too quiet for Abeer’s translation app.

“You couldn’t set a ruler straight,” Violent says.

“You could not keep your data safe,” Drew retorts.

“That web service was written before my time. Christopher, can you put a leash on your golden boy?”

“Again. Some of us have work to do,” Morgan hollers over the unfriendly banter.

“I don’t put leashes on anyone,” Christopher says.

Violet cackles. “Good to know, boss. Good to know.”

“Now, about the tasker,” he says.

The entire room groans. The actual room. I didn’t know that was possible.

Drew raises his hand. “I am on it. I will have it fixed in fifteen minutes.”

That’s not possible. I keep this observation to myself. If Drew wants to scramble a bunch of IDs, I’m not going to argue. Whenever there’s a tasker, it comes with a corporate executive breathing down your neck. No thanks.

As Christopher explains the tasker to Drew in more detail, I glance into the office and nearly swallow my tongue. Visions from the recent past flash through my mind. Chance tapping on my shoulder in line at the Carolina Excursion’s dock. Chance making my stomach bottom out on the dance floor while simultaneously filling me with helium. Chance on his balcony with his shirt off. Chance in JetAero’s Systems Support office.Myoffice. What is he doing here?

“IT contractor.” The words echo through my mind. Chance is an IT contractor. Of course he is and of course he has a contract at JetAero.

This is not a coincidence. This is God punishing me for killing that cockroach in the parking lot!

As Chance and another guy head toward the conference room, I contemplate diving under the table and curling up in the fetal position. They’re all used to Drew being weird. Why not me?

Because then Chance would know he got to me.

I suck in a breath as he enters the room. Anymore and I’ll pop. We lock eyes. He furrows his brow. I shrug and refocus on Christopher whose words are garbled by the blood pounding against my auditory nerve.

Chance is staring at me. Ifeelit.

“…new contractors,” I manage to translate. “Have a seat.”

This gives me an excuse to look at Chance again. Heislooking at me. I knew it. I quickly avert my eyes as he slides into a seat next to Drew.

Breathe. This is no big deal. He’s just some guy who lives next to you. Who happens to be horrible. Who now works in your office. Not a problem. Not at all. Breathe.

The pep talk calms down the throbbing in my ears. I’m able to understand Christopher’s words.

“Chance and Heng are replacing Jeb. We’re getting new work which will require extra help.”

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