Page 11 of Jump or Fall
Asher’s eyes widened. “Um, Secretary Knight already switched his assignment.” He tucked a curl behind his ear with a trembling hand.
“Oh, I see.” She bit the inside of her cheek. “Well, the first draft is finished and hanging up.”
He nodded. “Do you need anything else?”
“Actually, yes.” She held out a folded yard of fabric. “Could you take this sample for a full round of stress tests and forward me the results?”
Asher hesitated to approach.
She sighed and closed the distance instead. Everyone treated her like she carried the plague. The few women who worked here treated her with scorn, and the men were careful not to get too close. Understandable, but frustrating all the same.
He took the fabric but remained still, eyes fixed on the floor. “I’m sorry about yesterday,” he muttered. “I was supposed to do the fitting, but was late coming in. That’s why it got assigned to you last-minute. You were the only one available.”
Of course everyone knew. The shame of being used by Dawson at work had faded years ago, but this was different. She had never been attacked by someone else. Being the newest gossip among her colleagues was like stepping back in time.
“Let’s just forget about it,” she said finally.
Eyes still downcast, he nodded before turning away.
There was no point being upset with Asher. He couldn’t have predicted any of it.
She rubbed the tender wound through her shirt. The stitches and bandage were holding up fine. Once it healed more, she could finish it off with Rapiderm. Until then, she’d have to deal with the occasional snag of the bandage against her shirt.
Sitting down at her desk, she blinked a few times to refocus her eyes on the computer screen and threw herself into the synth-mind work.
***
By the time Mara was ready to leave, the sun had nearly set. The natural light in the room had faded and was gradually replaced by the artificial lighting overhead. The once-steady hum of colleagues moving in and out of the fitting room and vault had dwindled to near silence.
She wasn’t in a rush to leave but she couldn’t stay much longer. Dawson didn’t like her being out late.
She packed away her tablets, ensuring the secret one was tucked into its hidden pocket. Then, she loaded her suit into a carrier and headed out.
The night air was unusually cool but still muggy. Dampness stuck to her skin, carrying the scent of rain just around the corner.
The daily walk home passed in a blur, like usual. Her mind was always occupied by projects.
This time, she opted for the elevator since she had the suit. It had wheels, but she was too drained to drag it up the stairs.
Once home, she deposited everything next to the couch and settled onto the soft cushions. She swung an arm over her eyes and listened to the muffled sounds of her neighbor's television coming through the wall.
A creak from the kitchen interrupted the peace.
“What now?” she groaned.
“Something wrong, doll?” Dawson asked.
Mara’s heart nearly stopped as she bolted off the couch.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. I didn’t sleep well.”
He strolled over and pulled her in for a long kiss. “Hmm, thinking about our fun yesterday?”
“Of course.”
His hands glided down her waist, settling on her ass and giving her a hard squeeze.
“Jasper’s fittings will be handled by that apprentice of yours.” He ran a claw up her back and smirked. “He won’t make the mistake of being late again.”
