Page 77 of Seductive Architect
He groaned. “How long have you known?”
“Ever since the janitor's closet.” His face turned bright red. “How do you not know there are cameras everywhere? Or is that part of the excitement? Be thankful security didn’t see thatcreativedisplay.”
“I need coffee for this.”
I snapped my fingers, and the coffeemaker turned on. A second later, the break room smelled of delicious French roast. Arthur’s eyes widened, his back straightening as steam rose from the filled coffee cup. It had been his ongoing gripe for months now, and after bartering with the coffeemaker, we had settled on a truce. If we usedpremium coffee, it’d make sure every cup came out piping hot.
“Is that hot coffee?”
“Just for you, boss.”
He got up, moving at lightning speed to the counter. I snickered as he made an audible inhale before petting the coffeemaker. Holding up the cup, he clutched it as if he had discovered gold. When he returned to his seat, he didn’t let go of his mug.
“Honestly, we thought it was a dream. All of it. I’m used to having nightmares where Janet chases me around. It wasn’t until the fire department called, and we saw the damage, that we knew.”
“Sorry about that. Is Ricardo mad?”
“About the damage? More like, annoyed.” I hadn’t thought of a suitable gift that would make up for destroying millions’ worth of research. Maybe if I removed the camera from the janitor’s closet? “He’s thankful. First, he has a scientist try to destroy the city, and now this? He’s reconsidering his hiring process.”
“Gifts!”
I couldn’t help but smile as Wyatt crashed into his chair, taking a seat as his hands hovered over the box. His feet smacked against the floor with excitement, his eyes nearly bulging out of his head.
“What is it, boss?”
Arthur shook his head. We’d never stop, no matter howmany times he asked. “It’s not me.” He gave me a head nod. “You can thank Orion.”
“Friend!” I could tell he was torn. Open the box or hug me. “You’re not upset that I almost killed you?”
I skipped the facts. He might have tried, but the Coven’s new lineup had emerged victorious. “Not mad at all, big guy. It’s not your fault that your brain was rewired by an evil computer.”
“I’ll try to kill you less next time.” It would have been comical if it weren’t true. In Vanguard, we might have saved the day, but who knew what might happen by lunch? The chances of another disaster sweeping the city weren’t probable, they were a guarantee.
“Can I?”
“Soon as Drew gets here.”
He winced as if I had kicked him. “Drew! Friend! We need you!”
We all watched the doorway as feet stomped down the hallway. Drew appeared, fists drawn back as if he expected another disaster. He scanned the room, and when nothing tried to kill him, he dropped his fists.
“I was worried when I didn’t see Janet.”
“She mentioned having a girls’ weekend?”
After saving the world, I assumed it was code for picking up a man and ravishing him all weekend. Janet hadn’t texted in days, which was unusual on its own. She had taken the news about Connie hard, and I figured sheneeded her space. I waited to process my grief with Kiki. After having been a part of my life for decades, I wasn’t sure where to begin.
Drew smoothed out the front of his dress shirt, fixing his tie into place. “What’s going on?”
I choked back my feelings. If I dwelled on it for too long, I’d get emotional, and this staff meeting didn’t need me crying. I gestured to Drew’s chair. “We’ve had a rough couple of days. I wanted to start the week off with something special.”
“You got us gifts?” I couldn’t stop him. Drew leaned over and wrapped his arms around my chest. “I knew you weren’t a cold-hearted xenophobe.”
Thanks?
“Can we?” Wyatt would bust if I said anything but yes.
“Go for it.”
