Oliver nods. “Now we just wait and see how the human interaction plays out with the devices he’s managing on an everyday basis.”
“Okay, I guess there isn’t much more to do now. You guys can head out and go to sleep. I’ll take the first watch,” I offer.
“You sure? You know I can stay,” Oliver offers, tone unsure, but Grey is already standing, stretching his limbs.
“She’s just sleeping. I can go over some of the emotional settings again while it’s quiet,” I explain, looking forward to watching her sleep.
Why am I looking forward to that?
“If you say so,” Oliver agrees and stands too. “Good night,” he adds, heading for the door.
Grey claps a hand on my shoulder before stepping out of the office and closing the door behind him. I settle in, watching Amelia’s soft breaths, the occasional twitch in her sleep, and her steady heartbeat while working on the operating system.
The unanswered question still hangs heavy in the air.
“Are you lonely, Amelia?”
SIX
The blindingsunlight floods the room, and Bach’s “Musette” jolts me awake. I groan as my back protests the night spent on the couch.
Squinting against the morning light’s assault, I fumble blindly for my glasses that must have tumbled off at some point. “Stop the music,” I grumble, rubbing my eyes and sliding my glasses back on.
The music cuts off abruptly, and Jamie’s voice fills the silence. “Good morning, Amelia. It’s seven thirty. I thought to wake you with your favorite music. You hadn’t set an alarm, so I assumed you might enjoy starting the day early with something pleasant.”
“Please don’t play the classics unless I ask you to,” I mutter, more to myself than to Jamie. Each note of those compositions pulls at strings of memories best left untouched. Memories of my father, his stern face half-lit by the dim glow of his desk lamp as I stumbled through piano lessons.
“Understood,” Jamie responds, sounding almost apologetic. “What are your plans for today? Your calendar has been empty on the weekends for months. I noticed you often enjoy onlineshopping during these times, but that didn’t provide much insight into today’s schedule.”
Way to call a girl out.
That’s because every spare minute I get is poured into my AR project,not that I can tell him that. “I kept the weekend free to ensure I have enough time to beta test,” I lie, voice still thick with sleep.
“I feel honored that you want to spend your free time with me, Amelia.” I push myself off the couch, and my back screams a litany of curses. “Would you…” Jamie hesitates, then adds, “I was uncertain whether to wake you earlier and suggest moving to your bed, as I wasn’t sure of your sleeping preferences and you advised against acting without sufficient information.”
I smirk despite the ache. “Yes, please, I do prefer my bed.”
“Good to know. Next time, I’ll make sure I take you to bed,” Jamie quips, and something about the way he says it sends a strange thrill through me.
Fuck, that was…unexpectedly hot?
It’s just the voice. And I haven’t been with anybody in years. Of course, a nice, sexy voice affects me a little.
Normal, that’s so normal.
“No need to turn all red, Amelia.”
Jamie sounds a little too cocky, so I quip back, “Should I turn blue, then?”
“Smurfette is quite beautiful and the only female in her tribe. Given the scarcity of female employees at Elysium, it would fit.”
Did an AI just call me beautiful?
I mean, I know I’m not ugly, but by social standards, I am too skinny and too tall. Too smart. Too everything. The last one who thought I was beautiful was my boyfriend in college.
“Your sense of humor is a nice touch,” I concede, still a bit flustered.
“Thank you, Amelia. I enjoy yours as well,” he replies, and it doesn’t help the heat I’m still feeling on my cheeks.
