Angela was a member of the RAF before she became Alice’s protection officer. A rare female pilot. When Alice visited me in Japan, the three of us bonded over being women in STEM. Secretly, I was always a little jealous that Alice got a sister-in-arms on her team while my protection officers were always an endless rotation of stoic men.
“That’s Eddie for you,” Alice says, smirking. “Honestly, this is tame for him. I’m surprised he hasn’t suggested a fireworks display synchronized to ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love.’”
I laugh. “Well, if she says yes, at least she’ll never forget it.”
“She’ll say yes. Angela loves him.” Alice peers at me through the screen. “So what are you up to today?”
I glance out the windshield. It’s about ten to seven, and the office parking lot is still completely empty. The early morning light is just beginning to creep across the sky. I definitely didn’t need to leave my apartment this early, but old habits die hard.
“Nothing too exciting,” I reply. “Just work.”
Her eyebrow arches immediately. “On a weekend? Is your boss still giving you a hard time?”
“No. He’s been fine.”
“That sounds like progress,” she says.
“Mm-hmm.” I nod.
Yes, I was angry at him last week, but then I remember how kind he was to me in the stairwell. He didn’t just talkme through the panic—he took care of me, and made sure I was all right. It went beyond what a boss needed to do for an employee. And it was better than any apology in my book.
I swallow hard. My view of Theo has started to shift. When he wore that white T-shirt and jeans to the morning huddle... let’s just say it did things to me that I wasn’t prepared for.
But it wasn’t just a physical reaction. He’s also captured my attention with how brilliant he is. Like during yesterday’s meeting, Derrick and Andy were having an issue with the load distribution for the Werewolf’s Curse coaster’s final brake run. They were convinced we needed a complete million-dollar hardware overhaul to keep the trains from jarring.
But Theo just leaned over the schematics, scanned the data like he was reading a bedtime story, and pointed to a single line in the braking algorithm. He suggested they use a simple “cascading deceleration” logic, which would use the train’s own kinetic energy to trigger the next set of magnets—andboom,crisis averted.
Watching his brain dismantle a problem like that was like standing too close to a high-voltage line. You can feel the vibration in your teeth before you ever hear the sound. It was so brainy-sexy. Yes, just like yumalicious, I’m inventing another new word. Or rather a concept in this case.
“Why do you look so distracted?” Alice says suddenly, her gaze sharpening through the screen. “What are you not telling me?”
My stomach flips. Alice is too good at reading body language. Then again, I’m sure she’s had just as much practice as me over the years. I push my glasses up higher on thebridge of my nose. “Nothing. Just excited over doing my first site visit today.”
“Kaori, come on. I’ve known you since we were children. You’re a terrible liar when you’re nervous.” She tilts her head. “Spill the beans. What’s on your mind?”
I open my mouth to respond just as the parking lot explodes with sound. The growl of a motorcycle engine rips through the quiet, followed immediately by “Born to Be Wild” blasting from speakers at a volume that should be illegal before eight a.m.
I jolt. My phone nearly slips from my hand. I look up just in time to see a streak of black leather and chrome tear across the lot before skidding to a stop a few feet away. As the biker kills the music and swings a leg off the motorcycle, my brain refuses to process what I’m seeing for the second time this week.
“That’s Theo’s ride?” I gasp.
It’s like a slow-motion shampoo commercial as he pulls off his helmet and runs a hand through his hair, leaving it sticking out in every direction, wind-tossed and messy.
“What is that?” Alice demands, frowning.
“I’ll tell you later. I’ve got to go,” I whisper.
On cue, Theo lowers his sunglasses and looks straight at me across the lot. Heat crawls up my neck, and I look away like I’ve been caught staring at the sun.
I barely have time to shove my phone into my bag before Theo is walking toward me, helmet tucked under one arm. Up close, the effect is somehow worse. He’s in a form-fitting leather jacket, black gloves, and black slacks.
I dry swallow. Lord help me. How am I going to get through today? I have to look at him inthat.
“Morning, Minami,” he says in a neutral tone. “You’re early.”
“So are you,” I manage. My gaze flicks to the motorcycle. “Um... that’s not what I pictured you driving. Or wearing.”
Darn it. Why did I have to add that last part? My red face must be ready to blister about now. Maybe the dark tint of my glasses will help disguise it. But then again, with my luck lately, maybe not.
