Page 21 of Tech Prince Troubles
“Thank you.” As I reviewed the Project Overview to determine my tasks for the night, Riley walked in.
“Ah, Adri,” she said by way of greeting. “Just the person I was looking for.”
I blinked. “What for?”
“Something in the chandelier seems to affect the energy transfer. Could be the material. Can you check in case I have to strip it down?”
“I thought you didn’t want to alter the original material.”
“I don’t, but the lights are flickering. Mind giving me a few minutes? Better to check it now than after I’ve put it together.”
Filing the to-do list for later, I rose and grabbed my tool set. “I can do that.”
“Great. Thanks.”
“You two do that, and I’ll check that order Layla said came in,” Rick said, then glanced around the room. “As soon as Jim returns.”
Riley opened the door and waved me through. “See ya later.”
As we waited for the elevator, Jim emerged from the stairwell. Rick didn’t have to wait long.
Riley grinned at him. “Hey, Jim. Had a nice break?”
Jim frowned. “Not a break. Customer Wi-Fi problem.”
“Lost their password card?” Riley turned to me. “I can’t believe how often they call us for that and then blame it on the cleaning staff. As if…”
The elevator doors opened. She turned back to Jim, but he’d already walked on. “Was it something I said?”
“Perhaps he’s just busy,” I replied. Rick’s words about Jim not talking much buzzed along my system. I couldn’t help but wonder if it was more than that.
Chapter Ten
SAM
not exactly plug-and-play
Sundays were the only days I had trouble getting out of bed.
When I woke, the pungent scent of the menthol balm I’d used on my sore muscles after our weekly kayak day still lingered in the bedroom. Cycling to the café took more energy than usual, and I needed at least one espresso before I could face my shift. It wasn’t, however, the quietest day of the week. Despite the lack of weekday regulars, there were plenty of travelers, walkers, and shoppers to fill our morning. By six, the café and the patio were already filled with customers. With a path to the park next door, Café Magnifique had long been one of the go-to meeting places for those who enjoyed their early morning walks and runs.
My arm and leg muscles got little rest as I worked my way through the morning, longing for a relaxing bath. Still, we had an extra barista on shift, and the customers’ cheer made the hectic atmosphere enjoyable. Besides, after all these years, I was used to this. Kayaking—and canoeing—Saturdays equaled family day.
On top of Evan’s competition kayak, we’d invested in two tandem kayaks years ago when the twins were old enough totake with us. When our foursome grew into nine, we’d started renting a canoe so we wouldn’t have to take turns.
Julian and Evan were the most competitive, while Tammy could beat both of them if she was so inclined. But she and Bethany preferred sharing a tandem for some chitchat instead of proving how good they were. I loved canoeing with the little ones, though we all took turns with them, so every adult—and the twins—got a proper workout.
Saturdays were my favorite days, and it had been a great but exhausting one, filled with sunshine and banter that took my mind off Adri. If that meant running a hectic shift while suffering muscle aches, then so be it. At least no one got sunburned this time.
Speaking of… Adri came in through the side door just before seven—no doubt to avoid the posse on the patio—carrying his tablet. No Riley, but she’d been spending a lot of extra time in the ballroom for her chandelier project.
“Good morning, Adri.” I typed in his order and held the card reader up to him, enjoying the way his gaze trailed from the reader to my face. “Go claim your spot while it’s still free, and I’ll get you your espresso in a minute.”
“Good morning.” He tapped it with his card, his finger again touching the device, his eyes still fixed on mine. “Thank you.”
“No problem.”
Gandalf gurgled happily as I made the espresso, as if it knew it was meant for an espresso purist. Especially one I’d enjoyed talking to, however short, when he came in every morning. One who kept me wondering why he’d left so abruptly that day at the fountain. I zigzagged through waiting customers and set Adri’s coffee in front of him.
