Page 87 of Dream Mates
“I thought we’d have lunch for all of Special Projects so that you can meet everyone. We even invited the locals who work remotely and this afternoon there will be an online mixer,” she said, looking very serious in slacks and a blazer, her jewelry just right.
It was nice that so many people worked remotely, at least part of the time. Not just in Special Projects, but in a lot of departments. It meant me working remotely a day or two a week wouldn’t be weird.
“Considering your past work with qubits, you’ll probably get along with a lot of them, especially Margie’s team, which is the ultra-secure communication project, and Narif’s which is the nano-quantum-computing project. Some of them will be goingto the PIIP symposium with us,” she added as we walked down the hall.
“Narif is presenting, isn’t he?” The PIIP symposium was something that I was very excited for. I’d already been in touch with Dr. Harlowe and was trying to set up a tour of PIIP and a demonstration of the particle cutter for our whole group.
“Yes. His work is amazing. We’re so lucky to have him.” She beamed as she opened the door to a room that had some tables with balloons on them set up along with a display of food.
A banner saidWelcome Dr. Ellington.
My hand went to my heart. “This is for me?”
“Yes.” She grinned. “Any excuse to order catering. While the cafeteria food is great–and free–sometimes it’s fun to bring in something else.” Deb led me around the room as people came in and got food.
A middle-aged woman with chin-length dark-blonde hair, who reeked ofnosey Karen,came over to me.
“So, this is the mysterious Dr. Ellington? I thought Blaise was running the simulator program.” She gazed at me with pursed lips.
“Blaise and Grace will be working together, Margie,” Deb assured. “The team is still being assembled. Grace is laying the groundwork and working on some other projects while Blaise is on leave.”
“I see.” Her mauve nails tapped on her soda can as she looked me over. “You’re helping with the interns, right? Please make sure we get a good one this year. University, not high school. Why are we adding high school interns?”
For Riley, from what I could determine. So far not very many high school students had applied, and most weren’t suited to our division.
“I’ll try my best. I’m meeting with the intern coordinator tomorrow,” I answered, though we’d already met before today. Itdidn’t sound like I’d be doing the actual assignments, more like coordinating the needs of the department, acting as a liaison, planning some activities, as well as running a small project of my own.
I could do that. It would be fun.
Someone called Deb. “I’ll be right back.”
She left, leaving me with Margie.
“You’re Grace.” Another woman joined us. “I’m Tish, I work with Margie. Welcome.”
“I’m Jordie,” a guy added. “Also with Margie. First day, exciting. What brings you here? I heard you were working on a quantum-computing project previously?”
I nodded, nerves in my belly, as I clutched my can of soda. “Yes, I was. But those were very different applications.”
Military applications.
“Why did you leave?” Margie pressed, making a nosey face.
Time for my backstory. I waggled the finger with the beautiful antique sapphire and diamond ring that Wes had given me on my birthday. “I finished my PhD program and moved here to be with my mate.”
Which was true. We’d tried to root everything in the truth.
“Oh. A new mate. How exciting,” Tish giggled. “Did you do anything special? Travel someplace exciting?” She was younger than Margie but older than me, her dark braids swinging as she moved.
“Tish is always looking for new places to travel to,” Jordie replied. He looked like he was probably around my age. He was slight and very well dressed.
“The pack is going to the Mediterranean this summer,” I said. “But my mates and I are going on a special trip next year. I’d love to hear recommendations.”
I didn’t miss Margie’s eyebrows when I saidmates,as she looked at my neck. There weren’t any bites on hers, but I did seeone on Tish’s wrist, and one on Jordie’s neck. All three smelled like betas. Not that I was really good at smelling designations yet.
“A new pack, a new city, and a new job. So exciting! I have tons of recommendations. We’ll have to sit together at lunch and talk.” Tish’s hands moved while she talked, and her nails were a pretty gold color.
Tish seemed nice. Wes had mentioned her as someone he thought I’d get along with.
