“Dear god, you are truly a moron.” Ilya cuts me a scathing glare. “She gave me exclusive use of her algorithm for the remainder of the season in return for giving you aflawlessupgrade package that she personally designed during her nonexistent free time. A woman only goesthoselengthsfor a man she loves.Whyshe feels that way, I could never say. I do hope that she recovers from her bout of insanity soon.”
Now it feels like I’ve been tarred, feathered, and put on display. Holyfuck. That algorithm is Victoria’s baby. She just… gave it away? To helpme,after what I said to her?
“I… don’t know what I’m supposed to do,” I admit quietly. This is surreal. Sitting here with Ilya, my boss, who’s lecturing me on matters of the heart.
Then again, who else do I have to talk to about it? Gio would only ridicule me.
“Pull your head out of your ass, acknowledge you love her, and fix it. Or, if you don’t care for her, then keep your distance. She has a bright future inwhateverfield she decides to move to; it would be cruel of you to hinder it.”
“She’sleaving?” The blows just keep coming.
“Not this season—our deal made sure of that. After that? Who knows. I guarantee you that putting her algorithm on the market would make hermillions. Everybody will want to buy it.”
And she gave it away for free, for me.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
The worst part of it all is that Idofucking love her. I have for a while. Even before our first kiss.
I love working with her—she pushes me to be the best version of myself and doesn’t put up with my bullshit.
I love that she enjoys my favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurants and bars as much as I do.
I love spending time with her. Waking up knowing I get to see her, and going to bed with thoughts of her clouding my mind. I love her insecurities, her flaws, her temper—I love everything about her.
For the umpteenth time, I ask myself:What the fuck have you done?
I have to fix this.It isn’t adesire, it’s aneed. I have to apologize and make this right.
“Thank you for the upgrade package. And for… talking sense into me.” I stand up. “I have to go.”
“Your leave of absence ends tomorrow. I expect you to be the first to come into HQ every morning and last to leave. Go over tapes, spend time in the simulator, work with your team—whatever it is, your feet better be glued to headquarters grounds, or I will revert the algorithm’s rights back to Victoria and cancel your upgrades.”
At another time, I might take issue with the fact that Ilya is choosing a girl he’s known for a few months over the driver who’s been with him foryears. Right now, I don’t much care about anything aside from finding Victoria and making things right.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Victoria
“You’re not paying attention to me, are you?”
“Of course I am,” I murmur offhandedly, squinting down at my tablet. Amanda managed to drag me out of the analyst’s cave and into the cafeteria for some lunch. I can’t actually remember the last time I was hungry enough to stomach anything other than coffee.
Naturally, she ordered me the most frilly drink imaginable, and I’ve been wincing my way through gulping it down. It’s far too sweet, and foamy, and…everything. But Amanda’s making an effort to connect, which I appreciate.
I just don’t think I’m very reachable right now.
“Really? Because I just recommended I host an orgy with you, me, Asher, and Elio, and you nodded and said that sounds like a great idea.”
My head snaps up. “What?”
Amanda wipes away some foam from her upper lip. “Yeah. So. You want to talk about it?”
I clam up instinctively. “There’s nothing to talk about.” I’ve potentially just given away a very expensive forecasting system to Gaston to help a man who doesn’t want me. Who, like everyone else, prefers another to me.
“Don’t insult me.” She takes another sip of her ridiculous drink. “You and Asher. Did you guys break up? Is that why you look like an extra on theWalking Dead?”
I wince. “Is it really that bad?”
