Page 14 of Seductive Architect
Janet: Arthur, can you grab paper towels next time you’re in there?
Arthur: I’mfiring you all.
I reached the water feature in front of the building. The geometric design stood almost twenty feet tall, water splashing from one level to the next. When they refurbished the grounds, Ricardo made sure there were plenty of spaces for employees to work outside. It was nice in theory, at least until the birds chirped at a frequency breaking through my noise-cancelling headphones.
“I like to stop here each morning.”
I turned to find Hudson eyeing the top of the water fountain. The brown of his beard made me wonder if he dyed it, perhaps at the suggestion of Witness Protection? It faded perfectly along the sides before reaching his cropped hair. The buzz cut could be a sign of a former life in the military. Had he seen something while deployed that required them to squirrel him away in the mailroom?
As I studied his expression, my theories drowned in thoughts of touching him. I shouldn’t be this taken after an awkward exchange. I appreciated his straightforward statements, as if they curtailed my skepticism. While his past might be cloaked in mystery, I wanted to talk with the man about the here and now.
“I like the sound of water splashing. It’s soothing,” I said.
The white noise from the fountain was my favorite part of the landscaping. It drowned out the wireless signals and nearby electronics. Outside the Dead Zone, it was the closest I could get to peaceful.
Hudson had an expression that reminded me of Wyatt whenever he snuck a piece of chocolate. I didn’t get alien vibes, at least not yet. When he blinked, his eyes lingered shut, and I knew we enjoyed the rush of water for the same reasons.
I struggled to come up with small talk. It didn’t come easily, especially not when I had already read every available file on him. Connie made me promise not to start with an interrogation. The fact that I listened to dating advice from my computer could be a sign that I needed more human interaction.
“So… you got a promotion?” Easy topic. We worked in the same building. Harmless conversation.
“Yes! Now, I’m allowed to leave the mailroom.” He laughed. “Sub-basement three is boring. Sorting mail goes in the ‘Not Fun’ column. At least now I get to chat with people.” He pointed at the taco truck, leading the way. “Handsome people at that,” he said over his shoulder.
Did he mean the two ladies working in the taco truck, or me? Did this constitute as flirting? Did I flirt back? What if?—
“You’re handsome, too.” Did that come out as desperate as it sounded? Had I balanced sincerity with admiration, or did I kick off ourdateby shoving my foot in my mouth? “I mean… you’re handsome.” It wasn’t getting better. “In an attractive sort of way.” I needed a villain’s death ray to pulverize me before I opened my mouth again. “I’m going to stop talking now.”
“Why?” He gave me a curious glance as I caught up to him. “I’ve never made somebody flustered.” He thought about it for a moment. “Yeah, that definitely goes on the list.”
If it wasn’t for the scruffy beard hiding my cheeks, the Martians would see them turn red from their lunar base. Connie and I were ready to take down secret organizations and put an end to corruption, but telling Hudson that I found him attractive put me on my heels. It’d be easier if he were part of one of my conspiracies. Who knows, he could still turn out to be a clone?
Glancing at the menu attached to the side of the truck, he hemmed and hawed. “I’ve never had Mexican food before.”
The alien theory was back on the table. “No tacos?”
He shook his head.
“Quero? Camel?”
“Nope. I’m excited to try.”
For a moment, I thought he might be joking. However, the enthusiasm on his face spoke for itself. Where had he been locked away that denied him the wonders of Mexican street food? “Okay, then.” Time to rock his world. “I hope you’re ready to have the best food of your life. Taco! Taco! Taco! has a killer burrito.”
“Not tacos?”
“That’s what they want you to believe.” Took me two months of Tuesdays to figure out their plan. Once I found their secret menu online, there was no turning back. I dreamt of their burritos. If I were going to introduce Hudson to Mexican cuisine, I wanted to knock his socks off. Well… his socks and maybe his pants.
“Do you trust me?”
Trust meant risk. My default answer had always been no. It wasn’t something I gave freely, even to those I knew personally. Wyatt and Drew were the closest thing I had to family. Did I trust them? Enough. Connie might be the only person I’d trust without hesitation. It was one of the things I was still discussing with my company-appointed therapist.
“Should I have a reason not to?”
Ah. He was one ofthosetypes. I silenced my inner critic, shoving the judgement as deep as I could. Not exactly as Kiki instructed, but it’d do in a pinch. I’d like to believe it fell into the category of personal growth.
I stood at the window. A young woman leaned out, eyeing my new friend. She gave me a wink, and then doubled down with an exaggerated wink. Was everybody nothing more than a sack of flesh controlled by hormones?
“The kid’s nachos.”
