Page 185 of Time Stops With You

“Is it the pills?”

I avoid her gaze and lick my lips. I’m on strong medication and it’s been affecting my concentration lately. At times, it’s like a cloud settles on me and I don’t remember what I was doing. Sometimes, I lose my train of thought in the middle of speaking.

One of the reasons Sara and I are so in sync is because I’ve been relying on my assistant more and more. There are times I hand over a task to her and I don’t remember that I did. And other times, I’ll demand she send me a file that she sent already.

It’s frightening to feel like my own body is betraying me.

I was in a lot of pain after my surgery and, while I was receiving treatments, I was always tired. But my mind was never jumbled. Cullen Tech forged a partnership with Sullivan’s companyandI was able to work on the PLP project from a hospital bed.

This is different.

And it scares me.

What if I accidentally wipe the entire mainframe of the PLP project? What if I input a code that corrupts the core program? As the owner of Cullen Tech, I have the power to override the entire system, but maybe I shouldn’t be the one to hold that power. Not anymore.

Reluctantly, I pull the car to the side of the road.

Nardi’s head swivels to me. “What’s wrong? Did the car break down?”

“Maybe you should drive,” I say, not looking at her.

Nardi gives me a thoughtful look and then clicks out of her seatbelt. Shame keeps my eyes on the ground as I pass her at thehood of the car, but I swallow back my discomfort. The people in this car are too important for me to let my pride override common sense.

Nardi buckles in and starts driving.

We get to the apartment without further incident and Nardi turns to her little brother. “Josiah, go upstairs and check if mom needs help with anything.”

“Yeah.”

“Later, Josiah,” I say.

Her brother looks at me. “Remember to keep your promise.”

I nod.

Nardi narrows her eyes in suspicion. I subtly gesture for Josiah to make a run for it before Nardi can drag the truth out of him. He picks up on my quiet instruction right away and darts out of the car.

“What’s with all the secrecy?” Nardi asks, handing my keys over to me.

I face her, wishing I could read her thoughts. “What’s been bothering you all day?”

“We’re not going to play this game again, Cullen.” She folds her arms over her chest.

“What game are we playing?” I ask, confused.

“You keep answering my questions with totally different questions.”

“It’s a programming thing,” I tell her.

She frowns. “That’s no excuse to dodge my questions.”

“No.” I chuckle. “My promise with Josiah. It’s a programming thing.”

Nardi searches my eyes, but that’s close enough to the truth that I don’t squirm. She must be satisfied with what she sees in my expression because she backs off.

I arch a brow. “Aren’t you going to answermyquestion?”

“Nothing’s been bothering me.” She turns her face away. “I’m perfectly fine.”

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