Page 9 of Unbearable Player
Her mind raced, and she found herself leaning forward, mirroring Reid’s posture. “What if we incorporated shifter-inspired abilities as part of the gameplay? Players could shift between different forms to access various areas or solve puzzles. It would add an extra layer of depth to the game mechanics and tie in perfectly with the security features.”
As she spoke, Brianne noticed a change in Reid’s demeanor. The reserved businessman facade melted away like ice cream on a hot GPU, replaced by genuine interest. His eyes lit up with each new detail, reminding Brianne of the way her character’s eyes glowed when discovering a rare item.
“So, in the Neon Nexus level,” Brianne explained, her hands moving animatedly, “players have to hack into a virtual nightclub to uncover a secret underground server farm.”
Reid leaned forward, his intense gaze making Brianne’s heart do a little victory dance. “Interesting. Have you considered implementing a multi-layered security system? Something that requires players to solve puzzles in the real world and the game simultaneously?”
Brianne’s jaw dropped. “Okay, either you’re secretly a game designer in disguise, or you’ve been holding out on me, Mr. Security Expert. That idea is brilliant.”
Reid’s lips quirked into a smirk. “I may have spent a few... hundred hours gaming in my youth. Don’t tell my employees; I have a reputation to maintain.”
“Your secret’s safe with me,” Brianne stage-whispered, miming zipping her lips. “Although I might need photographic evidence. For security purposes, of course.”
“Of course,” Reid replied dryly. “I’ll have my PR team photoshop me into some suitably nerdy scenarios right away.”
Brianne burst out laughing, marveling at how quickly her nervousness had evaporated. Who knew Mr. Tall, Dark, and Security Genius had such a killer sense of humor hidden under that power suit?
Time slipped by unnoticed as they bounced ideas back and forth like a heated ping-pong match. Brianne found herself both impressed by Reid’s quick grasp of gaming concepts and charmed by his subtle humor. The initial awkwardness had disappeared faster than leftover pizza at a coding marathon.
In her head, Brianne’s inner monologue was having a field day. Okay, brain, let’s recap, she thought. Gorgeous? Check. Smart? Double-check. Actually gets my gaming references without a tutorial. Triple check with a side of “be still my geeky heart.”
“Back to what we mentioned earlier,” Reid suggested, interrupting her mental swooning, “with biometric scans, players could create personalized digital triggers to access shifter or special abilities.”
Brianne’s eyes widened. “That’s... wow. That’s genius. We could tie it into the story, like some sort of DNA-based dimensional key.” She paused, narrowing her eyes playfully. “Wait a minute. Are you sure you’re not some sort of undercover game design savant? Because I’m starting to suspect you might be overqualified for mere security consulting.”
Reid chuckled, a rich sound that made Brianne’s stomach do a happy little flip. “I assure you, my expertise lies firmly in security. Although,” he added with a mischievous glint in his eye, “I may have spent an embarrassing amount of time theory-crafting optimal strategies in various massive multiplayers online.”
“Be still my nerdy heart,” Brianne said dramatically, placing a hand over her chest. “A man who can discuss network protocols and optimal raid strategies? I might swoon.”
“Please don’t,” Reid replied, his tone serious but his eyes twinkling. “I’m not sure the café’s insurance covers swooning-related incidents.”
As their laughter mingled with the ambient café noise, Brianne marveled at the unexpected turn this meeting had taken. She’d come looking for a security consultant and instead found someone who not only understood her vision but could match her wit byte for byte.
Well, Brianne, she thought to herself, looks like this game just got a whole lot more interesting. Level up!
“You know,” Reid said during a lull in the conversation, “I have to admit, when I first received your consultation request, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But this project of yours is fascinating. It’s much more complex and innovative than I initially realized.”
Brianne beamed, a warm glow of pride spreading through her chest. “Thank you. That means a lot, especially coming from someone with your experience.”
Reid’s gaze intensified, and Brianne’s heart skipped a beat. “I’d like to continue our discussion, if you’re amenable. Perhaps over dinner? There are several security aspects I think would be worth exploring further, and I have a feeling our conversation might run longer than this café’s opening hours.”
Brianne blinked, caught off guard by the suggestion. Was he being professional? Flirting? Both? She searched his face for clues, but his expression remained unreadable, save for a glimmer of something in his eyes that made her pulse quicken.
“I... yes, that would be great,” she heard herself say, a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling up inside her. “I mean, as long as you’re sure I won’t bore you with more game talk. I’ve been known to go on for hours about level design and character arcs.”
A small smile tugged at the corner of Reid’s mouth. “I assure you, Brianne, I find both your company and your project equally fascinating. I doubt boredom will be an issue.”
The way he said her name sent a pleasant shiver down her spine. Brianne grinned, her natural wit resurfacing. “Well, in that case, I hope you’re prepared for an evening of interdimensional intrigue and cybersecurity shenanigans. I promise to keep the tech jargon to a minimum... mostly.”
Reid’s laugh was deep and rich, a sound that Brianne immediately wanted to hear again. “I look forward to it. Shall we say seven p.m.? There’s an excellent restaurant not far from here that I think you’ll enjoy.”
They exchanged contact information and finalized the details, the anticipation of their upcoming dinner adding an extra spark to their interaction. As they stood to leave, Brianne was acutely aware of Reid’s towering presence beside her.
“Thank you again for meeting with me,” she said, extending her hand. “I’m really looking forward to our dinner... meeting.” She winced internally at the slip.
Reid took her hand, his grip firm but gentle. “The pleasure is all mine, Brianne. Until tonight.”
As Brianne walked out of the café, she could still feel the warmth of Reid’s hand on hers. Her mind whirled with a mix of professional excitement and personal butterflies. She’d come seeking a security consultant and instead found... what, exactly?