Page 46 of Caught A Vibe

Memories of that conversation with my idol telling me my project was dead still haunt me.

The next level starts and I blink from my daze just in time to take a grenade to the gut. I rub my chest, trying to ease the impact of both the virtual and mental attack. It doesn’t work.

I emerge from my nest and creep carefully past where Penny is set up at the table on a video call, to get another cup of coffee. She smiles at me and turns her attention back to her screen where she has her camera off and mic muted. So far we are managing this shared workspace situation great. Noise-canceling headphones have been a godsend. I make a note in my phone to pitch a top ten tech list for headphones to my editor. Maybe I could ask different companies to send samples.

Hot coffee in hand, I go to the bedroom for some privacy on my call, and immediately lose my train of thought. Sitting on the edge of her bed, surrounded by her scents and textures, does little for my concentration and everything for my fixation. I can’t wait until the work for the day is done so I can show her just how much I’ve restrained myself.

My cell phone ringing in my hand successfully pulls my head out of my pants and back into the present.

“Hi, Chad. How’s it going?”

“Good, good. That last article you wrote was hilarious. Who knew that a recipe could be screwed up that badly?”

I hope the meal service isn’t too disappointed. I tried to use my foibles as a cautionary tale for anyone attempting the service, while still outlining the positives. With a few user tweaks, I’m still convinced it would have worked out fine.

But I laugh at my own expense because it seemed like the response Chad Brooks expects. He likes to be laughed with and never at.

“I’ll never take a stir-fry for granted again.”

“I’m seeing a potential new series for you. Like a pandemic-centric, tech-based Try Guys. I’m making a list of products to pitch.”

“Hey, put noise-canceling headphones on that list. Just a thought.”

“Hmm, good call. I’m always down for an article that comes with free product.”

“Just a heads-up, theFall of Pharaohslaunch is coming up next week. Did we get a review copy yet?”

“I gave it to the new intern, Lyam-with-a-Y. I don’t want you distracted. We need to ride this wave of popularity. If you keep bringing in these numbers, there’s a possibility that I can bring you on as a full-time staff writer.”

In what department?I keep my eyeroll internal and play the game. After all, isn’t full-time employment with benefits the endgame goal?

“That would be amazing. I’ve got a few other ideas for product reviews that might work. I’ll send you an email.”

“Sounds great. Keep up the good work, kid. I’ll need at least two of them written up by next week. The funnier the better.”

“You bet.”

I hang up the phone and sigh. I should be happy. Hell, I should be elated that someone wants to offer me an actual job for my writing. Healthcare! Salary! Retirement plans! My father would be over the moon at this glimpse of stability for me.

But when have my emotions ever done what’s expected of them?

Chapter13

Penny

Iglance up from my staff meeting in full swing as Dash comes back in. He walks behind me to put his coffee cup in the sink. Didn’t he just fill that? Something definitely happened on the call with his boss. He looks spooked, but I can’t ask him about it right now.

I deliberately turn my attention back to the screen where everyone is staring at me. We’ve only gotten halfway through my agenda, and my team is squirrelly today.

“Nicola, how are we looking on shipping timelines?

“Um, sorry, I’m too busy shipping you and your conference booty call who just walked past. Are we just going to ignore the fact that he’s in your apartment?” Nic asks.

“Hold up,” Emmie chimes in. “Who did what when and how? I need details!” As a single mom currently parenting through a pandemic, she is always hungry for stories from the dating world.

“Conference booty call? That sounds like a story,” Zarah teases as she twirls a curl around her finger.

“Oh my God, did he give you Covid?” Jen, always jumping to the worst-case scenario, asks.

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