Page 2 of The Nerds and the CEO

Damn Rebecca for being efficient. Justin would make sure next time to specifydon’t send this until after the PrimeAssure visitrather thanno rush to get this to Grant’s office.

“The projections are legitimate,” Justin said. “Our alphas have all gone smoothly, and we’ve got a beta and contract in the pipes.”

“In the pipes isn’t signed.”

“It will be. I wouldn’t have slated the money if I wasn’t confident.”

Grant sighed. “The problem with you tech boys is you’re always confident. It doesn’t equal reality.”

“In three weeks, I’ll have signatures, I’ll have a deposit, and those numbers you’re looking at will be a modest estimate.” Justin wasn’t making things up for the sake of looking good. It might seem like smoke to someone not on the inside, but he had no doubt the deal was done. He smothered irritation that someone would question it. Grant had his reasons, and those were based in experience. This was a different beast, though.

Antonio had a small pocket of their developers working on the projects he and Justin wanted done. If they could get something out there, stay under the budget set for the entire company, meet their existing deadlines, and prove it was a worthwhile endeavor, he could justify expanding the company it into more. It was thestaying under budget and still meeting deadlinesthat caused issues for Justin and Antonio.

Justin looked up. Antonio gave him a sympathetic smile and shrugged. At least that made for a reassuring view.

“Tell you what,” Justin said to Grant. “Your next office visit is coming up. Make it three weeks from now, and I’ll show you the contract personally, as well as let you sit with the developers and see how this flows.”

“That sounds great. In the meantime, I’d like to give you some extra help, to ensure you meet your upcoming release date. I have the perfect retainer for your group.”

Justin’s stomach sank. “I don’t think that’s necessary.”

“It’s no trouble. It won’t come out of your budget. Ms. Lowry is my best, and she’ll be there to help you and reassure me. Nothing more.” Grant kept a handful of contract developers on a small salary when they weren’t working for him, and paid their standard hourly rate in addition to that when he needed their skills. It ensured they made him a priority when he called. For instance, when he lost faith in a company.

There were rumors he stayed vested in one or two companies over the years, after his retainers fixed their projects. No one remained solvent after Grant branded them as not viable, though. His investment was the equivalent of a gold rating, and his pulling that money was a death knell.

Justin scrubbed his face, then pinched the bridge of his nose. “When you put it that way, it sounds fantastic. I look forward to it.”

“Great.” Grant’s voice was flat and seconds later, the line went dead.

Justin didn’t put the receiver back in place. “Plans tonight?” He looked at Antonio.

“Same thing I do every night.” It wasn’t taking over the world, but he and Justin spent most of their free time hammering away at the programming work they didn’t have enough staff for. It didn’t matter that it was Friday; the answer was always the same.

“We’ll take tomorrow night off.” The impulse struck Justin, and while it wasn’t a good idea to waste that time, they were going to need a little break before things got really busy. It had been too long since he and Antonio went out for fun. And watching Antonio pick someone up, especially when he hinted after at details, was as alluring to Justin as finding his own hookup.

Justin dialed another number. “Rebecca, as you’re walking out tonight, will you call us in a delivery from Golden Dragon? Standard order and instructions. Thanks.” He finally replaced the handset in its cradle, then leaned back in his seat. “I almost forgot. You’re getting an extra developer.”

*

WHEN ANTONIO WAS GROWINGup, it was a given that he’d take over the family business—his father’s technology company—someday. That didn’t stop people from asking him what he wanted to be when he got older. His answer changed weekly, but he was pretty certain what he did now was never on the list. Not that he knew how to describe what this was. Keeping the suits happy while trying not to lose grasp of the dream he and Justin built from the ground up? Not exactly a job title.

Another developer should be good news, but rumors about the type of extra staff provided told Antonio this wasn’t news to celebrate. “I’d like to think you’re joking.”

“My sense of humor isn’t that bad. She’ll be here Monday morning. Grant assures me she’s the best retainer he’s got.” Justin said the wordretainerthe same way someone might sayhitman.In Grant’s case, they were synonymous. Even with disdain dripping from Justin’s voice and marring his expression, he was attractive.

Antonio would much rather admire the scenery for a few more minutes than have this conversation. Too bad that wasn’t practical. “Do we pause the work on education?”

“No. Definitely not.” Justin was toeing the line of carelessness with this project. It wasn’t obvious at first, but after his fiancée dumped him six months ago, and as the work deadlines got tenser, he let more slide.

Sometimes Antonio worried Justin would throw away what they already had, to prove his education idea could work. Not that Antonio blamed him for pushing. Despite the titleFounder and CEOthat decorated Justin’s business cards and email signature, Justin didn’t have the kind of control he wanted over their finished product. Money talked, and they still needed someone else’s to make the magic happen.

“Grant assured me she’ll only be here to provide extra labor. She’s nota spy or anything of that sort.My interpretation.” Justin ground out the words with disgust. “Give her the tasks that require the least training, and leave the high-end work to the people who know the product. We still have full control.”

“That sounds too simple.”

Justin’s smirk shown through pursed lips. Kissable, alluring... Antonio shook the thoughts aside to focus on when he was alone.

“It does, doesn’t it?” Justin asked. “I don’t think for a minute she won’t report back to him, outside of whatever we tell him.”

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