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Cade and I barely repress grimaces picturing the tedious networking awaiting us at the Walsh event. Oblivious, Walt tugs at his suit lapels.
“Oh, and tell Maddie to save me a dance for later. The little spitfire reminds me so much of your mother. Young or not, you've picked yourself a winner there.” With an exaggerated wink, he thunders out.
I release a bone-weary sigh that Cade swiftly punctures, knowing that lingering on my father’s words is useless. “Another night playing pretend power couple, then?” He lifts his eyebrows comically at my exasperated grimace.
Leaning back, he stretches casually. “I ran the VR desert extraction scene last night. Even knowing it's just a simulation, the feeling of bullets whizzing by kicked up pretty damn vivid memories. Has running that VR captivity simulation module helped you process things some more?”
I nod slowly. “Yes, I've mainly been using that one. Though sensations like the sound of the sizzling pipe crushing Marc’s leg are still intense.” My jaw tightens.
Cade exhales heavily. “It sucks reliving this shit over and over. But my sleep is finally calmer. Marc says the programmed treatment room is steadily desensitizing his agony signals too,” he adds more brightly. “And the physical therapy module seems to be working well. He managed to walk a half mile on that leg brace last week.”
I consider this cautiously hopeful news, wondering if time and repetitive exposure will truly offer trauma survivors a reconstructed life. “I’m still tweaking the settings. But yeah, overall, I’ve been sleeping better recently.” I hesitate before adding “Minus the episode that convinced me I needed to end things with Maddie.”
He stays silent, willing me to continue.
“I woke up with my hands wrapped around her neck, certain she was Al-Qaeda.”
Cade pales as I recount the horror. “She’s been trying to persuade me that it won’t happen again, and that even if it does, she is sure I won’t hurt her. But I can’t trust myself.”
Cade studies me silently before observing, “You finally found something real with her, brother. Don’t let her slip away.”
“Too late for that, I’m afraid.”
“Well, guess we better head over to schmooze Walsh.” Cade sighs, realizing he won’t be able to change my mind tonight.
I smooth my features and nod tightly. “Right. Time to cement this partnership.”
23
THANKS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
“Knock, knock, favorite social media manager.” I glance up from scrolling X metrics as Chad, the brainy hunk from the twentieth floor, pops his head into my cubicle. Amanda is hovering behind him, looking sharp as always in a designer pantsuit and stilettos.
“Are you ready for some hobnobbing with Walsh Dynamics?” she asks wryly. “It’s time for the ‘Thanks for Your Consideration’ schmoozefest at TAO Downtown.” She grins before adding, “I love being wined and dined, don’t you?”
I nod, deflated, having half-hoped I would be able to excuse myself and sneak uptown to Grace and Aria for the weekend. Jack wouldn’t have noticed I wasn’t at the brownstone anyway, with how things were between us since we’d came back from St. Maarten. Instead, I will have to continue playing the doting fiancé and engaged employee, at least for tonight. I sigh helplessly. The contract between Jack and me can’t come to an end fast enough.
Amanda catches my wistfulness, though she luckily interprets it all wrong. “Unfortunately, Jack will arrive separately a bit later. He’s still in a meeting with Mr. Whitmore Senior.”
On our way, Amanda fills us in on key Walsh players. “Look for any red flags,” she stresses. “Like incompatible interfaces, of course, Chad. But also any issues with their image, Maddie. If Jack decides to sign them, it will be like getting hitched. Their social credit score will carry over to us. We don’t want to have to mend any bridges.”
As our cab approaches TAO, we are welcomed by sparkling lights. Walsh spared no expense taking over this swanky downtown rooftop lounge for the night. We exit beneath the sweeping views of glimmering skyscrapers scattered around us.
Inside the polished industrial-chic space, exposed brick is juxtaposed with plush seating. Modern fireplaces offset the energetic scene, while outsized floral arrangements frame the glittering city panorama.
Waiters bearing trays of cocktails and canapés weave expertly through the huddled groups of stylish people, while dance remixes pulse in the air. As Amanda steers us toward the bar, my gaze roams the glitzy crowd, searching for Jack. As much as I don’t want to see him, I’m involuntarily looking for him. Where has he disappeared to? Still, I manage to paste on a polite smile and make small talk with Walsh employees.
Finally, I spot his familiar eyes scanning the roof entrance before our stares catch, crackling with instant electricity. Jack's heated gaze slowly traces my body, top to bottom, deliciously inappropriate for even pretend lovers. Before I’m able to process the look's meaning, he turns to the left and walks toward a cluster of suits who look like Whitmore’s senior leadership.
Puzzled by the loaded glance, I almost miss Walsh's director of infrastructure barreling over, excited to connect with our programmers. Soon, Chad is engrossed in debating hardware specifications.
Give a girl a drink already, I think, rolling my eyes inwardly as I swipe a flute from a passing waiter balancing a tray.
But Walsh's senior social media manager walks over with a bubbly welcome. “Maddie, right? I'm Devon. So thrilled to meet Jack Whitmore’s charming better half!” Her warm smile is infectious, putting me at ease. Leaning on the rooftop railing, the overhead lamps keeping us warm and the lights of the city skyline glittering, we chatter and giggle. We instantly bond, not only as fellow social media managers working in tech companies, but also as girls working in a male-dominated environment.
“We have to show these VP fossils the power of platforms like TikTok!” she strategizes. “We could coordinate a viral dance challenge between our interns, the goal being mass views and traffic directed right back to Whitmore or Walsh sites, showcasing their tech capabilities. We could also stage friendly rivalry and track direct sales conversion increases from the buzz.”
I nod thoughtfully as she bubbles over her ideas. My palms tingle as I catch myself laughing from my heart for the first time in a week. If Jack signs Walsh for the contract, it will give me ample opportunity to work with Devon.
