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“Please tell me you said no.”
“Obviously,” he says. “After I charged him double and told him I’d drop it off at the wrong address if karma demanded it.”
I rub my temples. “I think your ethical compass is stuck pointing south.”
“No ethical compass here,” Frank agrees cheerfully. “I’m more like a warning label.” He moves to my side of the desk and claps me on the shoulder again. “Anyway, I need to get back to it. And you better watch out for Loretta.”
“What do you mean?”
“She’s ranting because you skipped breakfast, Bauer’s trying to microwave salmon again, and says if you don’t come out of your cave soon, she’s going to institute a mandatory feelings check.”
I groan.
Frank stares out into the distance, rubbing his chin, as if he’s suddenly pondering the meaning of life. “I kinda like her southern words of wisdom. I told her about that chick I took out and wined and dined who gave me the shaft, and she said something profound that got me back on track.”
I blink, afraid to hear what’s coming next.
“Sometimes God doesn’t open that door, because what’s behind it bites.”
Reaching back, I massage the tense muscles in my neck. “Is this the girl you wined and dined at Cook Out?”
“Maybe.” He snatches a blueberry muffin from the box and takes a massive bite. “Damn. These are good.”
“Get out of my office.”
He laughs and heads back out, nearly colliding with Bauer Beasley, who’s standing in the doorway clutching a laptop like a shield.
“Oh. Hi, Max,” Bauer says, eyes flicking nervously between us. “I, uh… Yamila said I should tell you she fixed the thing. The thing with the thing.”
“Thank you, Bauer. That’s… extremely helpful,” I deadpan.
Yamila appears behind him, immaculate as always. Dark hair pulled back, expression eternally unimpressed. “What he means,” she says coolly, “is that the encryption flaw you flagged no longer exists. Also, Bauer did not break anything in the process. Miracles do happen.”
Bauer beams like he’s just been knighted.
“Thank you, Yamila,” I say.
She nods once and walks away.
Bauer, however, lingers. “So… uh… Loretta says if I don’t stop eating at my desk, I’ll get ants.”
“They do like crackers and gummy worms. I’d listen to Loretta,” I encourage like a father figure to this wayward nerd. “She’s never wrong.”
He nods and scurries off.
I check my phone. There are a ton of unread messages. All from the same group chat.
BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB
Slick Willy: In town tonight. Drinks at The Devil’s Playground?
Dr. Love: Don’t pretend you’re too busy saving the world, one heart at a time, Bedrock.
Bedrock: No, I’ll do that tomorrow. I’m in.
Gianni: It’s about damn time. I thought I was going to have to send out a search party. You coming, Broadie?
Broadie: Perfect timing. Poppy has book club tonight. If I play my cards right, I’ll get back right when she’s finished a steamy scene.
