30. Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty
Kat
Ifelt Henry wince at the cacophony of ‘surprise!’ shouts assaulting him.
I was suddenly very glad on his behalf Andrew had told him about the party.
Especially after everything that had just happened.
He knew it was coming and he still jumped and tightened his grip around my waist. Where I hadn’t been able to move it from.
Even walking into this rooftop lounge with all of these people that would absolutely have questions.
Where was that drink?
It was almost instantly in my hand, that was where.
I hadn’t even needed to order one. I’d gotten near the bar with my little attached starfish when Milo slid in with drinks for us both.
Since Henry accepted his, I assumed Milo had guessed correctly on giving him a seltzer water instead of booze.
And I blessedly had a blueberry redbull with what tasted like blueberry vodka in my hand. Bless this child.
“I hadn’t heard from you in a few days, Kat.
I was a little worried. I’m still not sure whether I should be worried now or not,” he said in Spanish.
I was about to admonish him for speaking Spanish in front of Henry when I realized Henry was talking to someone else over my head.
Milo blatantly looked at my obvious emotional support human status, then back to my face. I shrugged.
“I’m sorry I didn’t text you back. I’ve had a few rough days.
Including today. But I’m okay. I’m sorry I worried you.
I’m honestly not used to having so many people worry about me,” I responded in Spanish.
I wasn’t sure what made me be so open with this tiny child.
Maybe it was the Spanish, or his open and honest face.
Or maybe just because he really wasn’t a child and was actually a very perceptive person I was starting to think of as a good friend.
It wasn’t lost on me that maybe I’d been a little off base. With the number of people that… would’ve missed me.
Especially since I’d completely discounted the one currently not letting go of me simply because I’d had a bad panic attack.
I suddenly felt very warm, and I took a big gulp of my drink.
“You guys said there would be girls here for me to talk to. What the hell is this?” I asked, pouting slightly.
I had certainly not downed my first drink and demanded another.
Andrew rightfully acted as my minion immediately, sliding another purpley-blue drink into my hand. This one was a double. Excellent.
“Well, Jack’s girlfriend Violet got stuck in Madrid on business and will be here closer to the race, and Becca and Sofia will be here shortly,” Henry said in my ear.
We were roughly the same height at the moment, since he was sitting on the couch and I was perched on the arm.
I was closer to the fire burning in the corner over here, and a little less in the middle of everyone. Both perfect for me currently.
I wasn’t even worried about falling off my precarious perch, because Henry still hadn’t let go of me. I hadn’t gotten a moment to ask him how he was doing, because I certainly didn’t want to ask in front of everyone.
And I meant everyone.
“This is Nate Ashcombe, the son of the Ashcombe team’s principal,” Henry said, an excited grin on his face. “Nate works in software as well,” he finished.
Ah.
That was why. Well, I grinned back.
“Hey Nate, I’m Kat-“
“Katherine Brooks. Yes, I know who you are. The work you’ve been doing with real time data analysis and implementation kind of makes you impossible to miss,” he interrupted, sounding like he was trying to hold back and failing ever so slightly.
That made me smile, a genuine one at that. This polished looking Brit with messy hair and mercurial eyes was excited. About MY software.
Excellent.
“It’s nice to be recognized for my accomplishments and not my dad or… other things. I must admit,” I said graciously. His eyes flashed in understanding.
He likely knew how it felt to grow up in the shadow of your father.
“Are you kidding me? Your software is changing everything in software right now. If someone didn’t know your name, they’d have to be bloody oblivious or living under a rock,” he insisted.
I saw a small, proud smile on Henry’s face as he turned back to Andrew.
He must’ve realized this conversation was safe to leave me in.
“I know it’s helping change the world and all, but fucking Christ, it would change both of my lines of work as well,” he stated, sounding slightly awed.
Yes sir, correct reaction. Especially from someone in the field that understand the implications.
“Well, what is it that YOU do?” I asked, hoping it wouldn’t be too offensive that I didn’t recognize his name. He flushed slightly.
Oops. I took a long draw on my straw just for something to do.
“I’m the founder and owner of Kairova. Not quite as big as Baseline, but we’re growing for sure,” he said modestly. I gasped, my eyes wide.
I hadn’t recognized HIS name, besides in relation to Formula One.
But the name of his company?
We were in contract talks with them. They were one of the companies that *I* had approached, at Tam’s behest.
Not that she hadn’t been right.
They made some of the best video games we’d ever played, not to mention several of the apps that we were looking to integrate into our company’s day-to-day operations.
He swiped his hair out of his eyes, grinning at my response.
“Okay yes. Yes, I know Kairova. We definitely need to talk more, soon,” I said eagerly. He laughed.
“I can definitely set up a meeting with my CEO, and I’d like to be there for that one,” he said earnestly.
Strange, that he wasn’t CEO of his own company.
I could DO that??
Anyway.
I was about to respond, but he was being pulled in another direction by someone I didn’t recognize, and Henry was trying to get my attention. That was okay. I’d be there talking code all night if I wasn’t stopped.
I gave him one last excited smile before turning toward Henry. The look on his face said I still had a lot of people to meet tonight.
Great.
I took another pull on my drink.
And coached a smile onto my face.
Here we go.