Page 50 of Time Stops With You

The interaction with Nardi upsets me, and I’m not sure why. I’m finding it hard to concentrate.

The void of silence deepens.

Sara flails her hands nervously. “A-alright. Mr. Cullen, should we start the interview?”

I fall into the chair behind the desk, trying my best to focus. But my mind keeps traveling back to Nardi.

Why was she so distant with me today? Does she still think I have bad intentions? Then why did she tell me I wasn’t that bad last night?

My skin suddenly prickles with awareness and I look up, realizing that everyone is staring at me.

“Mr. Cullen?” Jenna says patiently. “Is something wrong?”

I scramble to sit up right. “No, I don’t have any complaints about your resumé.”

“Then why were you scowling?”

My fingers slowly come up to my face. “Was I?”

I check Asad and Dr. Young for verification. They both nod.

Get it together, Cullen.I force my thoughts away from Nardi and try to regain a semblance of professionalism.

“The most important part of working at Cullen Tech is being flexible,” I inform her. “We don’t follow a regular schedule. Expect to work long hours, face impossible tasks and push yourself to the very limits.”

“I look forward to it, sir.” Jenna smiles again.

Inside, I cringe. What part of that warning warrants such a big grin?

“Sara will take you through the onboarding process. This will be our main office for the time being. You’ll report here along with the B-Team.”

“Yes, sir.” She salutes.

Sara leads Jenna Straughn out of the room.

Asad sighs dreamily. “If I had a girl like Jenna in my programming class, I’d never be able to concentrate.”

Dr. Young grunts. “You say that about every woman.”

“No, I don’t,” Asad mutters, offended.

“Just yesterday, you said if you had a neighbor who looked like Nardi Davis, you wouldn’t be able to leave your house.”

My ears perk up.

“Nardi is pretty. Very pretty. But she seems… like too much of a challenge. Jenna, on the other hand, is refreshingly sweet, and did you see her eyes? They’re as blue as the sky. Nardi’s is just a plain old brown.”

“Plain brown? Are you colorblind?” I glare at Asad. “Have you seen Nardi’s eyes in the sun? They’re pure honey.”

Asad blinks.

Dr. Young swings his head around to stare at me.

I slap my mouth shut.Why the hell did I just say that?

As if he can sense my mental breakdown, my phone rings.

“Hey, Cullen.” Darrel Hastings says when I pick up. “I’m returning your missed call. Is everything alright?”

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