“Oh, umm, Harper?”
“Yes?”
“Is this… official?”
I’d never asked the labs for anything that wasn’t directly related to the company. My heart thumped louder in my chest, like it was trying to warn me against proceeding. “No.”
“So…don’tmake any notes of it, then? Off the books?”
I swallowed. She could report this to my father. Sheshouldreport this to my father. “That’s right.”
Her eyes locked onto mine for a long moment, her thoughts unreadable before she turned back to her station. “Alright.”
I exhaled.
In the time I spent working from my office over the next few hours, the pain steadily worsened. The painkillers were wearing off. My chair was uncomfortable. My clothes were uncomfortable. Existing within my own skin was uncomfortable.
But I had plenty to do, and I’d rather be here than back at my apartment, where it was far too silent and my thoughts were so much louder.
In the late afternoon, I made my way back down to the labs.
The engineer I’d left the lighter with was thankfully still the only one here.
“Mr. Lo—Harper.” She smiled.
“How did it go?”
She shoved her pen into her bun and pulled open the drawer under her desk to retrieve the lighter.
It looked exactly the same as when I’d left it with her. She also handed me a card with the details needed to pair the tracker with Lorens Industries’ secure app. I was familiar with the details of the prototype at a high level, but she ran me through the basics anyway.
“Thank you. I’ll… I’ll make sure you’re compensated for your time,” I told her as I pocketed the lighter and card. “What…” I couldn’t be expected to know all the employees’ names who worked for Lorens Industries, but I still had a stab of guilt for not being able to recall hers when she’d been so helpful. “What was your name again?”
She didn’t seem offended. “Rachel.”
“Rachel,” I smiled.
“Forrester.”
I sucked in a breath so fast that I choked on it. “Sorry.” I cleared my throat. “What name did you say?”
“Rachel Forrester,” she answered, confusion and concern in her deep brown eyes.
“Forrester,” I repeated. “You, umm…” My mouth had completely dried up. “You aren’t related to that MMA Forrester guy, are you?”
Light sparked in her eyes. “Benny! Yes, he’s my baby bro. Do you know him?”
I shook my head quickly, unable to pull in a breath.
“Are you alright?”
I nodded. “Mmhmm. Fine. Good. I have to go. Thank you again, Rachel.”
I was on my way out the door before she could say anything further.
Into the elevator.
Up to my office.
