Page 32 of Sexting Mr. CEO

"Twenty-three years of marriage," Graham says ruefully. "And you'll still only let Sera call you 'Ellie'." He chuckles. "We love you, sweetheart, and though we're having fun, we're looking forward to seeing you."

"I can't wait," I say, waving again.

I miss her for sure, but my feelings are mixed. Going home now means leaving Luke.

"Try not to do any more work for NeuroDrive," Graham mutters after a long pause.

"I can't promise not to see Luke again, though. With all due respect, this is my personal life."

He adjusts, then readjusts his glasses. "Your… personal life. Seraphina, do I dare ask what you mean by that?"

"You probably shouldn't," I reply.

He takes a bite from his burger, putting his phone on the table and scrolling through it. He's not normally this rude, but recent stressors have affected him. My cell phone buzzes.

Luke: Did you see the announcement?

Sera: You've moved your speech. Why?

Luke: We can't fix the problem in time. It's the proper thing to do… and to be frank, the most tactically sound decision too. We wouldn't win any favors if we keep something like this a secret.

Sera: You're going to tell the truth?

Luke: Yes, Sparkplug, I'm going to go up there and tell the world a total stranger has stolen my heart.

Sera: Ha ha ha. You know what I meant.

Luke: I'm going to do the right thing. When I started this company, I promised I would never cover anything up. I wouldn't hide just because it would make my life easier. Something else happened.

Sera: What?

Luke: I had an employee once. He worked under Steve in the design department. His name was Damien, and he had problems. I'm not sure if he was bipolar or if it was another condition, but toward the end of his employment, he claimed he had come up with more ideas than he had, demanded credit, then demanded shares. He sent the other employees threats, caused arguments when others complained. In the end, we had to terminate him. NDA, severance package, the whole deal. Before he left, he promised he'd get revenge. Hell, I thought it was just his condition speaking for him. I wanted him to get help.

Sera: But?

Luke: Thirty minutes ago, I spotted him spying on a meeting between me and my team.

Sera: WHAT?

Luke: Yep. Lurking outside the room, watching us. God knows what he thinks he's doing.

Sera: Do you believe he was involved in the sabotage?

Luke: I'm not sure how he could be. He would lack access to our code.

Sera: You must be terrified. Some weird guy following you around… Now you know what I feel like.

I immediately regret my last text and send another.

Sera: Sorry. My attempt at levity to lighten your mood.

Luke: Don't apologize, Sparkplug – except to my team for making me erupt with laughter. Are you going to be at my speech?

Sera: Yes, I want to support you.

Luke: We'll be heading back tomorrow morning. So tonight, will be our last opportunity to see each other… I'm aware you don't want to do the long-distance thing, but Sera, I honestly feel I will be physically incapable of NOT texting you.

Sera: Your hands have a life of their own, do they?

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