Page 88 of Dream Mates
Margie studied me, eyes narrowing. “I’d love to read some of your work. I couldn’t find any.”
Inwardly, I groaned.And here we go.“I didn’t have a lot of opportunities previously, but I do have some things that I’m working on.”
Which was true. Spencer and I were going through all my work, including my dissertation, to see if anything could be redone and published with this world’s sources. Especially since Iwasgoing to need an actual dissertation to have on file at the university I’d supposedly gotten my PhD from. Thank goodness for Spencer and his incredible network of people who owed him favors–and Evan and the Omega Protection people who helped make identities real.
“No?” Margie smirked.
Tish frowned. “Youcanreport them if you think you were denied opportunities because of your designation. We all know it still happens. I don’t know if you’re part of the Daedalus Society but reach out to them. They can help you.”
The Daedalus Society was a professional society for omegas in the sciences. I’d gotten quite the education on how omegas fared in science PhD programs, and a lot of it paralleled my professor’s stories from their experiences as being young women in science. This was why some omegas did what was basically independent-study PhDs. Rami, Katie’s omega, had done such a program and now worked for the Space Authority.
And in this world, supposedly so had I, since it would help explain why other people in the program I’d ‘graduated’ from didn’t know me.
“Thank you. I joined Daedalus. It was more because I didn’t have family support and couldn’t participate in anything that didn't fill a requirement, was for a class, or paid,” I explained truthfully.
That was why I’d begged Professor Jaffey to include my underfunded ass on one of the Rydor Corp teams. Itpaid.Though I had later learned that Professor Jaffey intentionally kept opportunities from me, because I couldn’t serve her purposes if I got on someone else’s radar.
She’d played a long game with me. And almost won.
Jordie raised his cup. “Here here. I was a bartender all through my PhD program. I feel like that taught me just as many skills.”
I nodded. “I worked in bakeries.Lotsof life skills.”
“You worked in a bakery? I didn’t know that.” Wes came over to us.
“It was perfect because it was bright and early before classes. That’s where Jett’s favorite cookie recipe came from.” My heart fluttered a little. We’d driven in together and while I missed my special morning time with Evan, it had been nice.
“Wes, whatever you think we did, we didn’t do it.” Margie’s voice went tart.
Wes put his arm around my waist. “I’m here for her. How’s your day going?”
Looking up at him, I beamed. “Wes is my mate. My day’s going great. Yours?”
“Better now that I’m with you.” He grinned.
Tish and Jordie chuckled.
“Congrats, Wes.” Tish raised her can of soda.
“Oh. I see.” Margie looked over at the door, her expression went bland. “Oh my. Look who’s gracing us with his presence. How exactly did Spencer find you, because he foundyouright? You, or Wes, didn’t put in for this position because it doesn’t exist.”
Ummm…
Spencer was immediately greeted by people.
“The kitchen, I believe,” Wes interjected, giving Margie a hard look. He turned to me. “That’s where you first met, right?”
I thought for a moment and laughed. “You’re right. He did find me in the kitchen. In my pajamas.”
Well, Wes’ clothes.
“The kitchen.” Tish laughed. “That’s a good one. I always forget that you two are packmates.”
Whatever answer Margie was expecting, that wasn’t it.
“Getting the job the hard way. That’s the way to go.” Jordie grinned. “My mate works in accounting. Spencer found me in the cafeteria doing my homework. I wouldn’t have known they had post doc programs otherwise.”
“I tried the easy way once and it didn’t work out so well.” My breath hitched a little.
