Chapter 17 #2
“Hey, perfect timing,” Misha exclaims, his energy infectious as always as he pulls me into the elevator before casually draping his arm around my waist. “You look super pretty today,” he compliments, and I feel my pulse picking up at his words and proximity.
“Doesn’t she look pretty today, Oliver?” he adds, glancing over at him.
Oliver looks down at his shoes briefly before meeting my gaze. “You’re always beautiful,” he murmurs.
My heart skips a beat.
Does he really think that?
“Of course she is, but I like her hair today,” Misha mutters, reaching for one of the waves. He twirls the strand between his fingers when he notices the packet of Twizzlers in my hand. Chuckling, he snags one of them. “Oh, I love these, thanks!”
“Sure, help yourself,” I reply, rolling my eyes but smiling nonetheless.
I extend the packet to Oliver. “Want some?”
He takes one with a grateful smile, sending another unexpected flutter to my heart.
Ugh, a crush on two of them? Really, Amelia?
I turn to offer one to Grey, who’s been unusually quiet, maybe too quiet, observing from behind.
Is he mad at me?
But before my thoughts can spiral more, he accepts it with a soft “Thank you, Princess,” and my heart does that ridiculous little flip again.
Fuck.
Misha, oblivious to my inner turmoil, asks, “So we leave you two alone for one evening, and there are already cutesy little nicknames?” I shrink under his teasing, pulling my shoulders in, but he just squeezes me closer, laughing as the elevator door opens, and we step out.
“Grey said you guys made lasagna. I’m hurt I didn’t get to try some.
You know I love food, especially stuff Grey—” Misha sways as he walks, animated and expansive, causing me to steady myself by reaching around him and holding onto his waist. He stops midsentence, turns his head, and grins at me. “Hey, there.”
“Hey,” I respond, feeling the warmth of his grin and wondering why my heart can’t decide which direction to race in.
At the cafeteria, we let go of each other, and I wander to the vegetarian section, feeling a sense of trepidation wash over me. I stop and stand next to the counter, arms crossed, not even trying to choose something for myself.
He will scrutinize it anyway.
Grey notices my reluctance and gives a knowing smirk. He steps closer to the counter, his eyes scanning the options and ingredient lists with meticulous intensity before selecting two avocado rice bowls. I’m not surprised. It’s exactly what I would have chosen.
I walk after him to their usual table. Sitting down, he puts one bowl in front of me and says, in a low, husky voice that sends shivers down my spine, “Good girl.”
My head snaps up, my eyes locking onto his.
What?
My first thought is that he is teasing me, comparing me to a dog, but the way he said it, with that hint of approval and possessiveness, makes me feel like I’m melting into my seat. I’m ready to retort, to play it cool, but Misha and Oliver join us at the table, each bringing a sandwich.
Misha’s the first to break the silence, his voice carrying a touch of excitement. “So, the weather’s going to hold up for the next few days. Perfect for that hike I’ve been planning for the weekend.”
I turn to him. My interest is piqued despite myself. “A hike?”
“Yeah,” Misha continues, his eyes lighting up. “Thinking about hitting up Rattlesnake Ledge. It’s only about a half-hour drive from Seattle. If I start early, I could catch the sunrise from the ledge. It’s just a two-hour hike up, but the view? Absolutely amazing.”
The idea of watching the sunrise from a mountain peak is enticing, and Misha glances at me expectantly as if hoping I’ll tell him I want to join. But I’m probably reading too much into it, and I wouldn’t dare to invite myself so boldly.
“Rattlesnake Ledge? That’s not your usual challenge. What’s up with you?” Grey asks, his voice tinged with humor as he spears another forkful from his bowl.
“Well, my ankle is still fucked up from that slip two weeks ago.”
“Slip? You mean that tumble down the path for a good ten feet?” Grey teases, raising an eyebrow.
“It was not ten feet, and it wasn’t a tumble. I just… stumbled a bit,” Misha mutters defensively.
I hardly know Misha, but this seems typical for him, and it’s hilarious.
“Sure, and overclocking a CPU is just turning up the heat,” Oliver chimes in, his tone so indifferent that it makes me laugh out loud. He finds my gaze, and I return the tender smile he’s giving me.
“Exactly, nothing to worry about,” Misha quips back, rolling his eyes with a grin spreading across his face.
My weekend will probably consist of working on my AR and the walk with Grey and Peanut since beta testing is probably over now. Though the thought of giving Jamie back already makes me sad.
Maybe they still need something else tested?
“Since you guys fixed the problems so quickly, is there anything else I should test?” I ask, hoping that I could keep him at least for today, or this would be a fucking sad birthday.
Grey shakes his head, a slight smirk playing on his lips, “The beta is over. There’s nothing left to test, thanks to you.”
Fuck.
A pang of disappointment hits my chest. I’m really going to miss Jamie.
At the risk of sounding desperate, I try again, “Are you sure? I could talk to him some more or make sure he’s working with all the gadgets again. I’m working on a new solar-paneled—”
“Amelia,” Grey cuts me off. “You did an amazing job. There is no need to test anything further.”
Pausing with my fork halfway to my mouth, I mumble, “Okay, I guess I’ll bring him back later then.” I should at least try to keep the disappointment from my face and tone, but I can’t help it. I feel like I’m losing something important.
And it’s not only Jamie.
Grey swiftly interjects, “You couldn’t remove him yourself. I updated the security measures when I reinstalled him for you. You’d need dual-factor authentication to even start the process, which includes multiple security checks and my approval.”
Stunned, I almost drop my fork. “What?”
Oliver chimes in, his voice warm, “What Grey’s trying to say is, we want you to keep him. Take it as a thank you for helping us out so much.”
“But I can wait and buy one when it’s available…” I start, hesitation clear in my tone.
Are they joking?
A Jamie will cost a fortune.
Misha leans forward, his expression earnest. “Or you can keep your version of him and make us feel a little better knowing he’s with someone who appreciates him.”
“He’s not a dog,” I chuckle, but Misha only grins at me.
“So, I can keep him, and there is no need to report or upload anything anymore?”
No need for any more lunches with you guys?
I knew it.
Just when I started to feel comfortable.
“Nope, no reports or uploads anymore. You can use him like you would have bought him for yourself because he is yours now. Grey transferred the owner rights to you this morning.”
Wow. “Thank you,” I whisper, the words barely escaping my lips. The gratitude I feel is overwhelming, stirring a mix of emotions I’m not used to handling in public.
Misha nonchalantly shrugs as he unwraps his sandwich further. “But of course, if you stumble upon anything interesting, just bring it up at lunch.”
As if I would walk over here to report anything while they eat.
I frown. “Or I’ll just send you an email.”
“Seems excessive, given we see each other at lunch every day, but sure, if you want to keep them casual, we can keep the work-related stuff to email.” Misha shrugs, taking a bite.
I open my mouth to respond, but Grey’s gruff voice cuts through. “As if we’d let you lunch alone and risk choking on a peanut because you’re too shy to call for help and would rather suffocate than draw attention to yourself,” he mutters, almost sounding irritated, his eyes fixed on his plate.
A surge of indignation rises within me. “Stop feeling guilty.”
“We want you here, Amelia,” Oliver adds softly, sincerity piercing through. His words are so genuine and heartfelt, that I can’t find it in myself to doubt them.
He wouldn’t say that if it wasn’t true, right?
Not Oliver.
“Okay,” I whisper again, my voice steadier this time as I resume eating.
They really want me here—not out of obligation, but because they see me as someone worth spending time with.
It feels good, and I’m ready to let go of the caution that has shrouded me since I arrived here.
Even if this is just about sharing lunches and casual chats, it’s far more than I’ve had in a long time.
Best birthday present ever.