Page 38 of Power

Maybe I’d eat outside today. The weather seemed fair, slightly overcast and chilly, but no rain. I grabbed a throw blanket from my sitting area and headed downstairs to one of the lower-level cafeterias. The kitchen near my office was amazing and the staff was more than accommodating, but I wanted to enjoy my lunch in a more low-key environment—though, granted, the entire building was fancy. I just wanted to grab a tray and eat outside like a regular employee at Sethi Tech.

The cafeteria was busy since it was rush hour. The food here was still classier than anything I had gotten used to eating at my old job. I grabbed a plate of spaghetti Bolognese and a bottle of sparkling water. I eyed the elaborate pastry counter, with its rows of decadent desserts. My mouth watered at the sight of the chocolate mousse torte. I asked the lady behind the counter for a slice and loaded it onto my nearly full tray.

The air outside was crisp and heavy. Snow would be making its first appearance of the season soon. I could feel it.

The deck was serene, despite nearly all the tables being occupied by employees. There was a fire pit in the center of the deck that gave the area a cozy feel, and the view was astonishing. I could see the tops of tall skyscrapers looming overhead. In the distance, I could hear the faint honking of car horns, but I was so high up that it wasn’t disturbing at all.

I found the last vacant table and set my tray down. Draping my throw blanket around my shoulders, I slipped out of my shoes and curled up cross-legged in my chair under the warmth of the fabric.

I took a bite of my pasta. Steam wafted from my plate, mixing with the cold, ambient air. I closed my eyes, savoring the tangy and meaty flavors. Nothing beat comfort food on a cold day.

A man’s voice interrupted my food-gasm. “Hey, Amelia.”

It was Blake from the financial department, tray in hand. He had helped me set up the stock options I’d received when I was hired.Yes, Amelia Becker had stock options!Most of the employees were offered them as a benefit of working for the company. It wasn’t an extravagant amount, but it was a nice bundle that I could leave to earn some interest. Maybe I could use it to buy Mom a new house someday.

“Oh. Hi, Blake,” I replied, trying to swallow my pasta so I wouldn’t seem like a pig talking with my mouth full.

Blake was tall and easy on the eyes. He looked like an Abercrombie model with blond hair and classic good looks, especially in his cardigan, light-blue dress shirt, and tan slacks. He looked like he had been a surfer before he relocated to the city.

“You seem really into your pasta. I kind of wish I got that instead of this sandwich.” He looked down at the baguette sandwich on his tray in mock disappointment.

I giggled. “Whatever…that looks amazing too!”

He grinned. “Nothing compared to comfort food like pasta on a cold day, though.”

“I completely agree!” I smiled at how coincidental his comment was.

“Well, I just wanted to say hi. I’ll see ya around,” he said, turning away to look for an empty table, but he was out of luck. He turned back to me. “I guess everyone else had the same idea before me.”

“Want to join me?” I asked, pointing to the empty chair in front of me.

“You sure you don’t mind?”

“Not at all.” I really didn’t mind the company. I hadn’t made any new friends since I had been at Sethi Tech, so I welcomed new conversation.

Setting his tray down, he asked, “Do you eat out here a lot?” He took a bite of his sandwich.

“No, this is the first time I’ve been to this cafeteria.”

“I bet the dining room is amazing on the top floor,” he said, wiping the corners of his mouth.

“I’m afraid I haven’t used that either. I tend to just eat lunch in my office.” I usually got so carried away with my work that I didn’t want to leave and interrupt my train of thought.

“That’s a shame. This building is like a luxury hotel. You should take advantage of the perks.”

I shrugged. “I guess I’m just used to quick lunches from my old company.”

“Where’d you used to work?” he asked with genuine interest.

“IP Innovations. It was a startup, but Sethi Tech acquired it,” I replied, taking a sip of my water.

“Yeah, that happens a lot when Sethi Tech is involved.” He took another bite of his sandwich.

“How about you? How long have you been working here?”

He put his sandwich down and wiped his hands on his napkin. “About two years. I used to live in Huntington Beach before I moved here.”

“Let me guess—you used to be a surfer?” I took a bite of my torte and moaned at how luscious it tasted on my tongue.

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