Chapter 15 Team Building and Flirting
Dexter
After ordering my food, I walked into the restroom to wash my hands.
I was glad the rest of my coworkers were on the same time as me.
Touching stuff and then your food without cleaning your hands was the fastest way to get sick.
Not to mention, nasty as hell. I was always going to wash my hands and pray over my food.
“So, Dexter,” Amber said as I sat back down at our table. “Adam says that you’ve been designing your own video game.”
I nodded. “He is correct.”
“Sorry, man. I don’t make a habit of telling other people’s business, unlike Amber here.” Adam said, rolling his eyes.
Amber threw her hands up in defense. “I’m sorry, I’m a curious person. Dexter, as soon as you come in to work, you head right to the stockroom. You barely talk to anybody. I can’t help but want to get to know you better.”
“I didn’t know talking to my coworkers was a part of the job description,” Monica chimed in, causing Natalie to snort out a laugh.
“Well, excuse me for wanting to get to know my team.” Amber chuckled.
I smiled. “It’s all good. I’m an introvert for the most part and don’t really do small talk.
However, to elaborate on your question, I’ve been designing my own video game for about a year.
It was a part of an assignment for one of my college courses.
I enjoyed it so much that I decided to keep it going. ”
“That is dope as fuck!” Adam said.
“Hell yes! What all do you have to do to make that possible?” Amber asked, leaning on her forearms.
“After you plan out your concept, it’s a lot of coding and scripting. JavaScript, HTML, and Python have become some of my best friends.”
“Were y’all roommates?” Amber asked.
“Girl!” Natalie snorted. “Those are types of computer software programs.”
I snapped my eyes toward her. “That’s right. How did you know that?”
She shrugged before taking a sip of her water. “I’ve been doing some research on developing an app for the store. Granted, half the time I have no idea what I’m reading, nor do I have a clue where to start, but it’s interesting stuff.”
“All of that computer language has been giving me a headache,” Monica mumbled. Her eyes widened before she snapped her head up to look over at Natalie. “I’m still willing to help you, Ms. Natalie.”
I watched as her face softened. “It’s okay, Monica. Sometimes I get headaches, too, with all of the terminology. All of your help has been appreciated, and I am not faulting you. Besides, as I said, all of it has been really interesting to study so far.”
“I’ll be more than happy to help,” I spoke up.
Natalie’s eyes met mine before the corner of her mouth lifted with a small smirk. “Really? I mean, I’m kind of getting the hang of it, but there is still a lot of stuff I don’t quite understand.”
I nodded. “Absolutely. I’ve practiced making a few games for apps and can make one for you within a week.”
“I don’t want you to do it for me, I want to learn how to do it on my own.”
“Really? It can get pretty boring.”
She shook her head. “I like learning new things.”
I dipped my chin before looking over my shoulder to hide the smile trying to spread on my face.
The fact that Natalie was willing to learn about something that I had extensive knowledge on had my heart fluttering.
She was willing to learn about developing and coding instead of having me do it.
She didn’t get bored or turn her nose up at the same things that I was passionate about.
Shit! I am quickly learning that removing any feelings for her was going to be harder than I thought.
“Man, none of my courses have any cool assignments like that,” Adam said, breaking me out of my thoughts.
“Didn’t you tell me your major was in business marketing and advertising?” Natalie asked, standing up from the table.
“Yes, and I love it, but coming up with an entire video game or mobile app sounds so cool.”
I snorted out a laugh. “How about you shadow me for a little bit so you can see how it’s done.”
“Deal!” Adam said, rubbing his hands together. “Ms. Nat, where are you going?”
“The owner texted me that our food was ready. I’m going to head up to the front to grab it.”
“I’ll help you,” I said, standing up from my seat.
Natalie pursed her lips together before she quietly thanked me. I’m pretty sure she wanted someone else to help her but fuck that. She wanted to make my heart stutter, so it was only right that I returned the favor. She unknowingly turned me on, and I wanted a few minutes of alone time with her.
“You know how to dance, own a successful business, and are open to learning computer language. I have to admit, Natalie, you’re making it hard not to like you. At least I can as a friend,” I said in a low voice, walking beside her.
Glancing over at her, I saw Natalie bite on her bottom lip before she cleared her throat. “What can I say? I am a likable person, and I agree; we can be friends.”
I nodded. “So, friend, besides dancing and working, what else do you like?”
“Working is not one of my hobbies.” She laughed, her face lighting up with a beautiful glow. She tapped her finger on her chin. “I do like to cook. I’ve even started a YouTube channel showing off my skills.”
“Word? What’s your favorite thing to cook?”
“That’s a tough one. I would have to say wings.”
Dexter lifted an eyebrow. “I don’t know. A lot of people claim they know how to cook wings, but the shit be rubbery or fatty.”
“I’m not them. You’ll have to try my food and see.”
“Don’t bring me no big ass raccoon ankles and try to pass them off as chicken wings.”
Natalie threw her head back in laughter. “Hell nah! Hush, I know what I am doing.”
“We’ll see.” I winked.
“What about you, Mr. Greenson? What do you like to do besides building games?”
I grinned. “I enjoy drawing. Honestly, it was one of the reasons I decided to design my own game. I was doodling some character art and got my key players.”
Natalie stared at me in awe. “Smart, funny, and creative, I wouldn’t be surprised if you had a slew of women throughout your phone.”
I scoffed and shook my head. “Not at all. For the last four years, school has been my focus, so I wasn't worried about dating. Hell, most of the women at my school weren’t checking after the computer nerd, anyway.”
“Their loss,” Natalie said, shrugging her shoulders.
I opened my mouth when the woman I saw her with at the club came out from the kitchen holding two trays.
“Hey S.D.,” she said coyly.
My eyebrows furrowed. “S.D.?”
“Sexy Dexey.”
“Thank you, Mya and goodbye.” Natalie rushed, grabbing the food out of her hands.
I huffed out a chuckle as I grabbed the trays from Natalie. “So, is that my nickname?”
Natalie glared at Mya. “I’ll text you later, girl. Come on, Dexter, before the food gets cold.”
I glanced over at Mya, and she gave me a thumbs-up before heading back into the kitchen. Natalie had already started walking back to our table and didn’t see her.
“Don’t you dare read into that, Dexter.” I murmured to myself. “She said only friends. That’s it.”
Placing the trays down onto the table, I felt my phone vibrating in my back pocket.
“Yo, Key, what’s up?” I answered.
“Nothing really. I just woke up. Want to head down to the rec and shoot some hoops?”
“Sorry, I can’t. I only get a forty-five minute lunch break.”
“Lunch break? Wait, you finally found a job?”
I laughed before taking a bite out of one of my french fries. “Yeah. Funny story actually. I’m working at Body Butter & Books.”
My eyes locked with Natalie’s before she quickly looked away.
“What! So you’re working at my sister’s store and didn’t tell me?”
“To be fair, I didn’t know it was hers until she told me.”
I shifted in my seat as the lie flew between my lips.
Okay, technically I wasn’t lying. I mean, I really didn’t know it was Natalie’s store when I interviewed.
Sure, I knew they were siblings but Ricky didn’t need to know that I knew that.
Glancing up, I saw Amber hanging onto my every word and immediately regretted not taking my conversation outside.
“Key, I’m going to finish my lunch and then call you after work.”
“Alright, bet.”
Amber leaned forward in her seat with her brows raised. “So, you and Ms. Natalie already know-”
“Amber,” Natalie interrupted. “I’ve been meaning to ask, how are you liking Briarton? I remember you telling me you just moved out here.”
Amber’s eyes lit up as she started talking about her relocation.
Natalie glanced at me and gave me a subtle smirk before giving her full attention to her employee.
I looked down at my plate and lightly chuckled.
Natalie immediately knew where that line of questioning was headed and shut it down.
I was grateful, too, because Amber liked staying in other people’s business.
Not because she was messy, but like she said, she was a curious person.
However, I didn’t care how curious Amber was, she wasn’t about to gain any knowledge of whatever Natalie and I had going on. Thankfully, Natalie agreed.