Page 12 of Seductive Architect
“No,” I grumbled, crossing my arms over my chest. Janet had become a worthy sparring opponent. Should she grow bored with being a good guy, we’d have to assemble all the heroes in Vanguard to stop her.
“If Connie can find herself a man, so can you.”
My desktop computer had found herself a man? She hadn’t mentioned it last night as we scoured the wall. Though the more I thought about it, I could see where my laser focus alienated those around me. Knee-deep in case files, hacking security cameras, and scouring the dark web, I didn’t stop to ask simple questions like, “How was your day?”
Dammit. Her truth bomb had gone off, leaving me feeling like a terrible person.
“Wouldn’t it be nice to sit down and have arealconversation?”
If she knew what happened with the last man I mustered the courage to speak with, she might think otherwise. She pointed toward the door. “What’s the worst that could happen?”
Talking to people wasn’t just awkward. It was dangerous. Conversations weren’t code I could debug. He wasn’t some corporate plant. He was… normal. That was the problem.
I watched as Hudson sauntered through the lobby. The bright white dress shirt hugged his belly, showing off his love handles and struggling to contain his chest. If that wasn’t enough to get my attention, the suspenders holding up his pants emphasize his width and girth. He could’ve passed through a hundred times, and I wouldn’t have noticed. Not because he wasn’t handsome, but because I never looked up from my screen.
Janet had a point. If that slipped by unnoticed, perhaps I needed to stop and evaluate my life. Not all men were four-foot-tall dwarves, unable to raid a wizard’s dungeon on their own. Part of me hated that I lusted after him. Not that the biological response bothered me. It had more to do with admitting I wanted to talk to him like a person.
“I know that face.” She stood up, throwing down an invisible mic. “You’ve been bombed!” Her hands went up in an explosion. “BOOM! You’re welcome.”
Janet’s sound effects got Hudson’s attention. I could get lost in his smile. He gave a slight wave as he headed toward the elevator. I flashed a quick smile, showing far too many teeth.
Janet had a point. Perhaps I needed to come up from my research. What could go wrong with a casual conversation? I didn’t know the answer. Unlike machines, I couldn’t predict outcomes or adjust code as we went. At best, it remained awkward, at worst… no, I wouldn’t let that happen. If I needed an exit strategy, I’d fake a phone call and call it a work emergency. Even as I planned the escape, I thought back to the long handshake.
I wanted to touch Hudson again.
Not for research. He made me want to try. That was the worst part.
“Now get to work,” she said, turning around and walking to the elevator. “Your tardiness is going in your file. And don’t forget the physical assessment photos.”
Why did I need this job again?
“Thanks for dropping off Janet’s package.”
I stared at the text message. Did I start off with an introduction? Should I mention Janet’s vibrator? I had paced about my office for the last ten minutes while our update went out to the cell phones of every hero in Vanguard.Janet’s taunting had gotten to me. I would have said I could handle small talk, but my agonizing over the text made it clear I struggled.
“Just send it,” Connie said.
“Does it send the right message?”
“Would it be better if you mentioned wanting to see him naked?”
“I don’t want to?—”
“Liar.” Connie had been especially spicy today. “I’ve seen your browser history. He sort of looks like a tall dwarf. Besides, if you don’t…”
I heard the swoosh of a sent text message. Glancing down at my phone, my eyes widened at the “Sent” on the screen.
“Oops,” Connie said. “My finger slipped.”
A holographic winking emoji appeared in the center of the office. I wanted to be angry, but it saved me spending another ten minutes debating on what to send. Connie didn’t have the programming for fear.
Hudson: Who is this?
Shit. I got his phone number from the company records. Now, I’d either appear an idiot, or worse, some sort of creeper. How did Connie not catch that? Or… had she sent itwithout thinking? While her sass had increased since working here, she never seemed impulsive. I’d have to run a diagnostic tonight.
Orion: Sorry about that. It’s Orion.
Hudson: Awkward handshake guy.
