38. Chapter 38 #2
She spends a few minutes getting to know Sasha, the office manager.
I’m happy to fade into the background for a muttered conversation with Dare about the current take (excellent), the glitches in the app (persistent), and how his cousin is doing as our newest hire (abysmally).
I want to keep my little heart in sight throughout the visit, but Dare’s concerns warrant detailed discussion in private.
I squeeze Grace’s hand, see that she’s settled with Sasha in the little kitchen, and give my second-in-command most of my attention.
In my corner office with Dare, I face the realities of an office that’s still feeling Nick’s absence.
We’re working towards some new products that should drop within six weeks, though progress is slow.
Dare’s cousin has had only lukewarm success with client outreach, and there’s a gap in our system being filled by other crypto apps—we’ve clearly fallen behind the coding curve, and it’s time to catch up.
Dare and I put together a game plan for the upcoming releases, reviewing what our dev guys have been up to before discussing even more ambitious products to close out the remainder of the year.
“The main thing,” I say, checking my watch, “is to stay ahead of that curve, Dare. Our clients are aware of how the market jumps, especially once new products take off, and we need to keep giving them reasons to stick with us. Predictive models might be key, and I think we should outsource our research to smaller firms.”
His eyes spark with defiance, though he keeps his gaze on his laptop. “Only bitches like predictive models, boss.”
“Then let’s give the bitches what they want. Speaking of which,” I allow myself a smile, “you had any luck lately?”
Dare finally looks at me, his fingers still flying over the keyboard. “The fuck you talking about?”
I stand up, grinning down at my best friend.
“I’m talking about changing things up for you.
The office doesn’t need you here all day every day, Dare.
In fact, it’s only you and Sasha here most of the time.
We should think about having you work from home.
You’ll burn out, if we’re not careful, and I can’t have that. ”
“You could at least pretend to be a fucking boss, man.” He gives a sigh almost like a growl.
“I’m a workhorse. Anyone else would ride me harder for even more.
Here you are, hinting at closing the office I treat as my secondary—and, sometimes, motherfucking primary—residence and you’re telling me to cool it. Fucking asshole, get out of here.”
“You need riding all right,” I say, “but not by me.”
I reach out and snap the laptop closed. He sighs and, for the first time in a while, I examine him properly.
Though he’s younger than me by several years, Dare is much taller and long-limbed in the way of hyperactive runners.
As I observe him, he does the same, staring me down.
Dare might be young, but he’s scary smart.
And when he turns his full attention on you, you fucking feel it.
He probably has no idea how that kind of focus can attract a woman.
“Happiness makes you creepy, boss.”
I let out a bark of laughter. “What are you on about?”
“You’re trying to get me to loosen up or some shit. You’re happy, so you’re trying to make me happy."
“Happiness has nothing to do with it.”
“That woman out there,” he jerks his head at the closed door, “is the centre of everything for you, man. Even when Nick was in the picture. Don’t pretend it’s not true now that he’s gone.”
Instead of reaching across the table to smack him upside the back of the head—fucking tempting—I grin. Dare’s brows go up, but he waits me out. Finally I sigh, then let the grin turn into something like a genuine smile.
“Grace is everything,” I say. Simple as that. “But don’t say a fucking word, Dare.”
“Word.” He gives me a sunny smile that makes him look impish.
“So that’s why you’re in here pestering me about finding love, eh?
You’ve got some for yourself and now you want to sling it all around.
I should write you up for sexual harassment, boss.
Tell our clients what a creeper you are, seducing your dead brother’s wife, then making suggestive comments to your vulnerable employee. ”
I consider him closely, wondering if I’m insane or if, in my lovesick state, I’m seeing him clearly.
Dare is brilliant beyond his years and objectively good-looking, but he’s stuck in those slasher T-shirts, working ninety hours a week, and collecting ‘90s tech and playing GameBoy in his spare time.
My mind turns to Jessica, and I wonder if she happens to be between lovers at the moment, whether she might appreciate a wee challenge…
“No,” Dare says, leaning his chair back so the front legs go precariously into the air.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“I can read your creepy mind, boss. Don’t set me up with some chick. I’m not fucking interested.”
I don’t miss a beat. “In women? No problem, I’m sure I can find—”
“In anything.”
“Fine, fine.” I put my palms up in mock surrender, but I see the way his cheeks have reddened.
“Thank you for ceasing the harassment,” Dare says, sarcasm thick in his voice.
We sit in companionable silence for less than a second before he reopens the laptop, his eyes already returning to whatever line of code he’d been working on.
“Gotta get you a life, brother,” I say, clapping him on the shoulder as I walk towards the door.
“Fuck off, boss.”
“Fucking off,” I call as I head back out into the main office.
I expect to find Grace in the kitchen where I left her, but Sasha is on a call at her desk.
Alone. I make eye contact, but she just gives a shrug.
My body goes into high alert. I command myself to stay calm as I duck into the kitchen nook.
No Grace. It takes less than a minute to check the rest of the suite, then I’m back where I started, with Dare.
“What now?” he mutters, looking up. His hands freeze on the keyboard. “Hey, you okay?” His usual deadpan humour has dropped away, his voice quietly concerned.
And I know why.
I’m pale. I’m livid. Because suddenly I know, deep in my heart, that Grace has left me.