Chapter 21 #2
“Yes, I manage complex network monitoring systems, so an IT guy,” Aurone says, parroting James’s description like it was a dirty word.
Aurone is gawking at him like he’s trying to figure him out. James stares back. Not to be an asshole, necessarily, as Kate is probably assuming. Only because he doesn’t know what else to do.
In a muffled tone, Aurone asks, “So, you’re real? And you remember your life from the past?”
Aurone doesn’t seem too shocked, so he must have heard of this happening in GROW’s recent batch. “Yeah, man,” James says. “I’m real.” He doesn’t feel compelled to share the status of his memories with the man.
“Fuck. That must be strange for you,” he says, and it almost makes James like the guy. But as Kate’s arm slides around Aurone’s trim waist, James decides it’s impossible.
She glances around the room to make sure no one is in earshot. “James needs a device of his own. Can you get me one?” It’s a good idea. And thoughtful—a trait that he lacks, which she demonstrates consistently. A trait she values.
Over the last week, she’s done little things here and there to make his life more comfortable.
Like the day he crawled into bed and noticed it felt softer than it was the night before.
Upon inspection, he found a new foam pad over the mattress.
He’d complained once about the flavor of his tooth cleaning kit.
She swapped it for a different flavor the next day.
And she drew attention to none of these things.
She just did them. It’s another of the many reasons he shouldn’t, no, wouldn’t, manipulate her into giving him something of herself, her body or otherwise.
“It will take me a day or two, but I’ll send one once I get my hands on it,” Aurone says.
Then he leans down to Kate and says, “I’ve got to run, darling.
” He kisses her cheek, which she angles up for him.
It’s a little too close to the corner of her lips and James’s head almost explodes, instantly contradicting his previous line of thought.
Not that his head has any right to explode. In fact, his head has no rights at all. If only he’d known he’d develop this strange affinity toward this woman, he wouldn’t have been such an ass to begin with. Fucking fuck.
“Call me later,” she says to Aurone.
Pointedly ignoring that.
Apparently, this guy has some connection to the underground of this time, or at least a way to get things one might need.
He should probably bite back his ridiculous jealousy and befriend him.
This is what James has spent a career excelling at.
Building resources, cultivating contacts, regardless of his personal feelings about the individuals.
This guy might be his first contact. Wouldn’t hurt to have a good IT guy on the team.
Especially now, when nearly everything has a digital component.
Never mind that this is a real man who might have an interest in Kate.
Unlike him, who’s a fake, manufactured person.
At least he isn’t a flesh robot. He isn’t sure why this bothers him.
But somehow it makes him feel that this Aurone character might have the advantage if it came to it.
Kate wants real, and Aurone is definitely that.
But if they’ve been friends forever, as she said, maybe there was nothing to worry about.
James forces himself to hold out his hand to the man and give him an amiable smile.
“Good to meet you. And for the record, I’d be happy to sub in for your league anytime.
Kate speaks highly of you. Why don’t we grab a drink sometime?
You can let me pick your brain about how to do business in this future world. ”
Aurone grins at his blatant about-face. “You’re interesting, so I think I’d enjoy that. I’ll reach out when I send your new device.”
As Aurone steps away from Kate to take his hand, her fingers slide across his ribs. James’s eyes zero in on the movement. It isn’t quite sexual, just familiar in a way that James wants to be familiar to her.
Aurone catches him noticing. He gives James an I saw that grin before taking his hand and squeezing tight. Aurone doesn’t say anything, thank God. He says goodbye to Lessa, who’s been intently focused on their device.
As James and Kate leave, he congratulates himself for not punching Aurone in the mouth. Did she notice him being the bigger man and making the connection? Does she care?
Kate is oblivious and chipper as ever as she leads him to the MediSpa for the Refresh she’s booked them. An hour after the treatment, he’s feeling better than he has since before waking up in the future.
She suggests they pick up to-go noodles, but when they walk by a café that serves pizza, he suggests they stop in for a slice.
The thought of cheese makes James’s mouth water, but eating isn’t his primary intention.
If they go back to her apartment, she’ll start on task orders and he’ll end up doing research, and he isn’t ready to lose her attention just yet.
“This is actually good,” he says, and takes another huge bite. “Let me guess. The cheese isn’t real?” Pay attention to me.
She doesn’t look up from her device as she says, “No. Are you dissatisfied?”
Is she baiting him to see if he’ll complain? He won’t fall for it. “I said it’s good, and I meant it. I promise, I’ll never lie to you. If I say something, I mean it. You can trust that.”
Her gaze flicks up to meet his. Good, he’s got her attention. Now to keep it. “Tell me about being an air control officer.”
She huffs. “You don’t actually care, James. And I’m trying to read this article.”
It’s bold, but he reaches forward, takes her phone, and sets it on the table. “I’m truly interested in the job you’ve dedicated your life to, Kate. It sounds important. Please tell me about it.”
She glances between the phone and him like he’s tipped her off balance. Then she seems to come to a decision. “Okay, James. What do you want to know?”
James grins. He’s been thinking about ways to reciprocate her thoughtfulness and prove to her he’s capable of it, but since he doesn’t have any funds, he can hardly gift her things.
That means until he can, he needs to be more creative.
This plays to his strengths. He’s come up with a dozen questions, and he wasn’t lying.
“What type of scientist do you have to be for your job?”
At first, she looks at him like he might be toying with her, but when he leans forward, genuinely imploring, the corner of her mouth quirks up.
She quickly forces it back down, replacing it with the cool demeanor of Scientist Kate as if she doesn’t want him to see that his interest pleases her.
Finally, she says, “A particulate pollution scientist.”
“Did they have those during my time?” he asks.
Then their conversation is off and running.
Brick by brick, he will build back what he so carelessly brushed aside.
Then she’ll see—well, maybe they both will see—that he can be a little less gray.
He isn’t foolish enough to think it will make him deserving of her.
But maybe it will make this uncomfortable feeling now lingering around his conscience go away.
A feeling she seems to be at the root of.