I waved them over.
“Sis.” Creed picked me up and hugged me.
“Creed.” I hugged him then turned to Nate. “Thanks for coming.”
The professor gave me an awkward hug. He wore suspenders with beakers and flasks on them. “Thanks for inviting me.”
“Pippa, hi. You’re joining us?” I hadn’t expected it, given she disliked Compass BioTek and called Spencerthat Greek man.
“Sadly, no. I have a meeting. But I’ll be back.” The stately British alpha female gave Nate a kiss. “Have fun, Dear.” Pippa looked at Creed. “Good luck.” It felt a little forced.
Creed was just going to go to human resources and meet with a few people before he officially started next week. But his parents hadn’t been thrilled about the job. Fortunately, no one had actually tried to stop him. My brother also was an adult who’d finished engineering school, so there wasn’t much they could do about it.
“Thanks, Mum.” Creed gave his mom a hug.
I got their badges and took Creed to HR. “Have fun.”
“I’d rather go on your tour. Oh, Verity sent you cake pops.” Creed handed me a little handled paper sack.
“Oh, she did?” Inside were pink heart-shaped cake pops. Immediately, I texted her my thanks.
“See you later.” Creed grinned and left us.
“So, this is where you work?” The professor looked around.
“Yep. Let me give you a tour. I’ve been practicing so I can help with the interns,” I told him. “Let’s get started.”
I showed the professor around, telling him about Compass’ programs and products.
He frowned. “I can’t believe you have such a complex in the middle of the city.”
“Manufacturing and the warehouses are elsewhere.”
“Do you like it here?” Nate glanced around.
“I do. They gave me a chance, Professor. If we can do this, it will be extraordinary,” I replied.
The professor nodded. “Chances are good. I know that sometimes we don’t get the ones we should. Still, whatareyou doing here? What is Creed going to do here?”
“Let me show you. I got permission. You’re speaking at a conference here in Rockland?”
His eyes shone with excitement. “I am. It’s a little silly. It’s literally a chemistry professor conference that Rock Tech is hosting. I’m presenting on teaching best practices.”
“That’s amazing and not silly at all. From what I hear, you’re everyone’s favorite professor.” I led him out of the elevator.
He beamed. “People say that?”
“They do.” I took him down a warren of halls and locked doors as he told me about the conference, what he was presenting on, and what he hoped to see.
“Welcome to Special Projects. This is less biotech and more likeThe Thanukos Incubator for Interesting Projects.Let me show you our particle accelerator.” I swiped my badge.
I showed him around, telling him about some of our projects.
“Oh, I’ve heard about the nano-computing project from one of my students in the Daedalus Society chapter I’m advisor for,” he mentioned.
“Maybe they should apply for an internship next year. Would you like to see?” I took him through that lab, introducing people, and showing him the work. “This is where Creed’s going to be working.”
“That is incredible,” he breathed. “Creed’s on this project? Are you?”
