I’d probably eaten too much dessert. That’s what it was.
“I don’t believe that. Come on, show me your art, Lexi,” I said, encouraging him back into the warm building.
“Lexi?”
I shrugged. “Sorry, that just came out.”
“I don’t mind.” He turned to the door again but then stopped. Without looking back, he said, “I like it.”
1
TROY
“Do you have all the details?”
If you call a message with an address and no information about the client “all the details,” then yes.“I do.”
“And the pin?”
I self-consciously reached for the key-shaped pin on the lapel of my designer jacket. “I thought we’d changed them to those magnetized ones. Do you know how exclusive this coat is? Now it will have a hole!”
“Why are you so grumpy today, boss? I thought you liked taking jobs from time to time so you can remember what it’s like to walk among the normal people.”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t like surprises, and correct me if I’ve mistakenly received the wrong file, but I don’t even have a first name or what they want from us.”
Veronika tapped away on the other side of the call. “Let me double-check this for you, boss.”
“Troy. How many times have I asked you to call me by my name?”
“You get more annoyed when I call you boss,” she replied.
I sighed and waited for the information while weaving through Westville’s sleepy streets to the coffee shop where I was meant to meet the client. At least there was little chance of bumping into someone I knew in the mostly residential area away from the university campus.
“Sorry, Troy, this record is sealed.”
“It can’t be sealed from me. I built the goddamn program.”
“Then you should know what sort of clients have this privilege and how many steps it takes for them to be vetoed by Elite before they get to this stage.”
“Fine, but I’m not babysitting the son of another senator through a charity dinner. I thought that’s why they hired security.”
She chuckled on the other side. “Guys like that don’t know how to blend in. You sure can fill out a nice suit and look cute in photos with your blond hair and pretty blue eyes.”
“Well, I’m not doing public engagements, so if this is what they want, you’ll have to find them someone else.”
“Let’s start with meeting the client and go from there, okay?”
I sighed. “Yes, boss.”
Her laugh made me smile. “Nowthathas a ring to it. Speak later, Troy.”
I crossed the road to get to the coffee shop on the corner. The place was cute, with metal tables and chairs outside and flowerpots everywhere. It had a European vibe that reminded me of spring in Lydovia.
There was no line to be served, so I eyed a free table and went straight for the barista.
“Good afternoon, and welcome to Café au Lait. What can I get you?” The barista had a slight accent and a warm smile.
“Can I get a large latte, please?”
