Page 83 of The Refusal

“You could make a fortune out of that,” I mutter, swinging back around to my screen, but the news that she’s out of the country pushes some of the bitterness and self-recrimination down for a few soft, warm seconds.

Fabian’s hands are flying over the keyboard.

“Looks like—goddammit—she’s atSamsung?” he mutters, leaning into the monitor.

“What?” I leap out of my chair. Samsung Digital City? My hands land on his shoulders as I peer over him. And there she is, a little dot on the map, halfway around the world. It eases something in my chest, but what comes out of my mouth is something else.

“What the hell? Why would she be there? If it was their security, it’d be huge for her. Maybethat’swhy I haven’t heard from her.”

Fuck.I said that last bit out loud.

His swings around grinning at me. The smug bastard.

“I like tracking your girl,” he says. “This is the most animated I’ve seen you all day.”

I roll my eyes at him. “Fuck off. And she’s not my girl.”

He nudges me where I’m leaning over him looking at the screen. “You should have seen how worried she was when I turned up at her apartment about the code you put on my system. She thought something had happened to you.”

I scan his man bun and his unshaven chin. “She hasn’t been in touch since the article.”

He shrugs.

“Has she even read it? Anyway, give her time, yeah? Rome wasn’t built in a day. You didn’t think your company wouldjust happen, did you? You can’t expect her to roll over with one gesture. I can’t believe I’m telling you this; usually you’re the one givingmethe lecture about patience.”

A strange bark of laughter rumbles out of me. I’m not sure how I feel abouthimcounselingme.He rubs his hands together like he’s warming up to the role.

“You might have to do loads of stuff to convince her; you’ve only done one measly interview,” he mutters, and his harsh words snap my spine straight. “Anyway, if she doesn’t come after my buddy, she’ll have me to answer to, so she should be quaking in her boots. You’re the best guy in the world—after me, of course,” he adds, swinging around again to tap away at the keyboard.

“I’ve done enough today,” I say, sinking back into my seat and turning back to my computer.

“Now there’s a set of words I’ve never heard coming out of your mouth. You want an IPA? Something stronger?”

I turn around to catch his devilish grin.

“Beer is good.”

He gets up from his chair and stretches, puts his hand on my shoulder.

“She’ll be in touch when she’s back,” he says, patting me before disappearing into the kitchen.

His tatty jeans are falling down his ass as he disappears through the doorway. I stare back at my screen as nausea bubbles up again: I wish with all my heart I could believe it.

* * *

I lean back in the chair with a long sigh, staring up at the stains on Fabian’s high ceilings. This could be an amazing flat if he wanted it to be, but I also like the dated fittings and the chaos, too. My phone vibrates on the desk and I feel irritation crawl up my neck. More messages on the work Slack channel. My team hid when I was on a rampage, and now I’m turning into an irresponsible drunk they’re trying to include me in everything.Goddammit.I lean forward and grab it, opening the screen as a message drops down from the top. I just catch the first few words, “Hope you enjoyed your problems …” before it disappears.

What?

I swipe the screen, scanning my notifications.A text?I click the app open. Unknown number?

“Hope you enjoyed your problems in Hong Kong. You should be more careful who your friends are, Mr. Phillips.”

Cold floods through me.

“Fabian!” I yell.

He appears in the doorway with two beers in his hands.

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