I noticed Jay was careful not to touch me again in front of Sebastian, which made me feel strangely sad.
I knew the handbook was strict about touching people without consent, but I didn’t mind Jay’s little touches. Though from the way Melanie was glaring at me as I settled into my seat next to two C-level executives, maybe it was best if the rest of the team didn’t see us being too friendly with each other.
On the sunny patio, surrounded by smiling, laughing people, it was easy to forget that I was at work and this was still a professional setting.
With Neurovance’s philosophy of breaking down barriers between work and home life, it made sense that they neededto maintain strict codes of conduct. It would be very easy to forget that these were still professional relationships, despite the fact that everyone was so casual and relaxed with one another.
I quietly watched the rest of the team interact as I sipped my soda water. Now that I was looking for it, I noticed that no one else touched each other either. Even as people laughed, interacted, and socialized, there was always a small, invisible barrier that no one seemed to cross.
It made me think of all the times Jay had broken the rules and touched me already. I especially zoned in on the way he’d stroked my hair and face while performing the memory therapy procedures.
It was just further confirmation in my mind that he wasn’t flirting with me at all. I had a feeling that the employees of Neurovance were all a little touch-starved, and it made sense that they might take advantage of the opportunity to touch someone else when it presented itself.
“That noodle of yours is whizzing again, Milo.” Jay laughed, taking a sip from his beer.
He was sprawled out in his patio chair, looking like an underground villain in a hacker movie. His legs were spread comfortably, and he cradled his beer in his lap as he smiled at me.
Sebastian was equally relaxed, though he was aesthetically the opposite of Jay. He leaned back in his chair with his ankle crossed over his knee, his expensive watch glinting in the sunlight.
“A penny for your thoughts, Milo.” Sebastian smiled, swirling his pinot grigio lazily in his stemless wine glass.
“Oh, nothing. Just people watching,” I squeaked, and they both chuckled.
“What do you think of Neurovance so far, Milo? Do you think this is somewhere you can see yourself long term?” Sebastian asked, and I nodded fervently.
“Oh yes. Today was already amazing. The work you’re doing here is like a dream come true for me. I’m so excited to keep pushing the prototype,” I replied, genuinely excited.
I already felt so fulfilled and was eager to dive back in. ThethrillI got from solving the types of problems we were working on was like nothing I’d ever experienced before.
I freaking loved both science and tech. I was about as nerdy as you could get, and this place was a nerd’s paradise.
“I can’t wait for a demonstration,” Sebastian purred.
He was watching me with a level of intensity that made my cheeks heat.
“I’ll be your guinea pig, if you need one,” he offered, and I raised my eyebrows in surprise.
I was about to answer when Jay cut in.
“Nah, that won’t be necessary, Seb. Not at this stage.” He’d said it nonchalantly, but he was staring at Sebastian with a strange look on his face.
Sebastian frowned at Jay, then glanced at me. Suddenly, he reminded me of his father. His blue eyes turned cold and calculating, but only for a second. He blinked, and his expression warmed again.
“Alright, well, the offer stands if the two of you ever want to expand your sample size.”
“We’ll keep that in mind,” Jay replied. His tone was firm, and though the words were polite, the implication was that Seb shouldn’t hold his breath.
A strange tension grew between the two of them, and I fidgeted awkwardly in my seat as they stared each other down.
These two had a weird dynamic.
I jumped as Melanie’s voice cut through the tension.
“Are you Sebastian Stevens?” she cooed, coming up to our table.
Sebastian finally looked away from Jay and smiled at Melanie.
“The one and only. And who might you be?”
