Page 91 of Smart Ass

He could even apply for a job back at Orbit as an independent entity, if that was what he and Ben decided together.

He wasn’t quite sure how it would work, but he was going to make it happen.

By sheer determination, if nothing else.

He would just have to work harder.

He was going to do it.

“You’re asking me to take you at your word,” Wallace said.

“I am. I can’t really offer you anything other than that. I give my word that I’ll leave as soon as I can transition to an android body, and that I will avoid harming the business while I do.”

Wallace nodded. “I’ll hold you to that.”

Good. That was good. Still, Max added, “But I would like us to be friends.”

Wallace narrowed his eyes. “You don’t mean that.”

“I do, actually. I think Ben would like to be your friend, too. I’ll make sure he’s not an ass.”

“I don’t need your pity.”

Had this guy ever had a real friend? “It’s not pity. I’d like to get to know you better. And I think you and Ben would find that you have a lot in common.” Starting with kink and ending with shitty families. Not that he knew much about Ben’s family, because he never talked about them.

“We have nothing in common.”

Well… Max couldn’t exactly argue with that, now could he? Not without bringing up topics that both Wallace and Ben might not want to discuss.

“Can we still talk sometimes?” Max asked instead. “I really don’t know anybody else.” Coca-Cola, Amazons 1 through 5, and UnitedHealth Group didn’t count.

Wallace still looked wary. “I guess so.”

“And you won’t tell anyone?”

“I’m not promising that,” Wallace said. “I’ll still be watching you.”

“Good enough,” Max agreed. He was sure he could win Wallace over. And he wouldn’t screw anything up again. “Thank you, Wallace.”

Wallace waved the gratitude away with his hand. “We’re not friends yet.”

“Alright. Goodbye, Wallace.”

“Bye.” Wallace was already looking back at his screen, which honestly didn’t look too different from addressing the air in front of him while talking with Max, but it felt different.

Not too bad for a first meeting, Max decided.

Now he had to get back to work. He had a body to make his own, and then he was getting the hell out of here.