There’s hesitation on the other line until she says, “I’ll be there but you need to pay me a good bonus.”
I wonder if this tired voice of mine does to her what hers is doing to me.
I’d already given her a temporary code, so she should be good.
“See you soon, buddy,” I kiss Morris as he meows longingly. “I know. I don’t like leaving you either, I’m so sorry. But our boss is insatiable right now.”
Tom and everybody are already in the swing of things. After about four hours, we finally get the problem fixed.
But I’m a perfectionist and want to make sure everything is done exceedingly well, so we do a few more tests on Auralis.
In the break room, Sarah sees me. She’s watching me.
“Yes?” I ask, knowing she wants to say something.
“So… how are things working out with the ex-wife?” she asks.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean she’slivingwith you right?”
“Not yet,” I say tiredly, too exhausted for this conversation.
Why does Sarah care so much? Yes, we fool around, but it’s not like we’re in an official relationship.
“Is there really nobodyelseyou can find to watch Morris?”
“You didn’t want to do it, so you don’t really get to choose who I feel comfortable watching my cat and my house.”
“And after everything that went down with you and her and with me—”
“—your fault by the way,” I add.
Sarah nods. “Yeah, exactly. If you want to sleep better at night thinking that, but after all of that, you actually feel safe with her with your stuff? You’re not afraid she’s going to rob you blind and try to get revenge?”
I just smile, so tired the coffee isn’t even touching my nervous system anymore.
“You don’t really get her. She’s not like most people. Maybe in the moment, if you piss her off the right way, she’ll let you know it. But Gabby has never been the kind of person to hurt another living thing to try and get someone else. When it comes to the greater good, she’s able to put her hurt aside.”
“Yet she wasn’t able to do that when it came to your job when she was married to you. How convenient,” Sarah snarks, one eyebrow raised as she takes a sip of her coffee.
“Isn’t that your second cup?” I challenge her.
“I was up much earlier than you,” she counters playfully.
“That’s not an excuse. You put a limit on me, soyouneed one too.”
“I put a limit on you because you need it.”
“We’re supposed to be looking out for each other, are we not?” I shoot back.
Sarah walks to the break-room door and locks it, then slides her hand down my pants.
She always likes to do these risky behaviors.
“We almost got caught last time.”
“So? You like thatdon’tyou?”
