There was a moment of silence, but before it could become awkward, Alex quipped, “It’s cute that you think this is my second date. I know I’m young, butreally?”
Laurence found himself smiling. “You mean you’re not a virgin? That changeseverything.”
Alex burst out laughing, and Laurence’s throat squeezed just slightly as he held back a laugh of his own. Over the phone, the sound of Alex’s voice was slightly distorted, but even still, Laurence thought he had a nice laugh. It wasn’t afraid, and Laurence took courage fromit.
“I’m afraid not. You won’t be able to auction my cherry off at some omega black market, or edge me into oblivion while denying me my very first cock—the one that will forever change my life time and time again. Might as well just hang upnow.”
“Not so fast.” Laurence hadn’t laughed, but his humor bled through into his voice. “I’ll have you know that those were my plan B and plan C. I thought that I’d be original and do something bold. Something brash. Something like asking you out for dinner on Friday night. Mytreat.”
By the time he spoke the words, he was smiling. He hadn’t been sure that he could keep up with an intellect like Alex’s, or that he’d be able to bounce back after being whipped by Alex’s razor wit, but Alex’s particular brand of mischief nourished him. Talking to him was easy, like talking to an old friend. It was chemistry like Laurence wasn’t sure he’d feltbefore.
“What if I told you I have food allergies?” Alex sounded thoughtful. “Anddietaryrestrictions?”
“I’d take you to find the finest ice cubes in all ofAurora.”
Alex laughed again. The sound did good for Laurence’s soul. It was a selfish reason to make Alex want to laugh, but Laurence had given of himself for so long that it was about time he started totake.
“So?” Laurence asked. “Are we going to have to hunt down ice cubes, or is there somewhere I can take you that will serve you food you can eat? Vegan, gluten-free, soy-free… it doesn’t botherme.”
“I was testing you. You passed. I don’t have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, but I will warn you that I have expensivetastes.”
“There’s nothing wrong withthat.”
“You might not think the same thing by the time the check arrives on Friday night.” There was a wink in there somewhere. Laurence felt it. “Where will I meetyou?”
“Castyna. Seveno’clock.”
“You have outstanding taste. Friday night at seven. I’ll ask for the ephemerally reservedtable.”
The call cut. Laurence took the phone from his ear and looked down at the screen. The conversation had lasted for all of two minutes, but it had rejuvenated him more than anything had in years. He’d made the rightchoice.
It was time to takechances.
Laurence locked the screen of his phone, tucked the business card against the back panel, and slid the phone back into his pocket. It wasdone.
He was going to take a young man out fordinner.
Him.
Laurence barked a laugh and ran a hand through his hair. The wind on the rooftop terrace had blown it out of shape. After a long hiatus, he was back. It was time to live for himself again. Even if the startling chemistry he felt for Alex fizzled into nothing, Laurence knew that pursuing it was a step in the right direction. It may have been foolish or irresponsible, but his blood was still rushing from what had happened the night before, and it was waking a part of himself that had long laiddormant.
If it turned out to be a disaster, he could walk away and forget it had ever happened. But to ignore a chance likethis?
Laurence wouldn’t allowit.
“May I joinyou?”
Laurence looked over his shoulder, surprised, but not startled. The rooftop terrace was a public space seldom used by other employees, but from time to time, he found someone else up there, enjoying the raised gardens or the view. What he wasn’t anticipating was to find Samantha Harper, CEO of Synecta, crossing the distance between the elevator access door and the bench Laurence was seatedon.
Some of Laurence’s joy mellowed. He corrected his posture and nodded. “Sure.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen someone up here,” she remarked. She sat beside him and slid her hands down the thighs of her pantsuit, smoothing out the wrinkles. “Where have I see youbefore?”
“I work with the Core Critical Operations team as abiostatistician.”
“I knew I recognized you from somewhere. The CCO has been doing great work lately. I’m looking into expanding the program—bringing in new talent from one of our sister locations. It’s a pleasure to meet one of theteam.”
“That’s high praise. Thank you.” Laurence smiled at her, but her eyes were set on the horizon, and he doubted she noticed. There was a serene expression on her face that he seldom saw in upper management—if he didn’t know better, he never would have thought she ran one of the most profitable businesses in all of Aurora from that expressionalone.
