Page 2 of Memories of You

“A latte?” she says once I’m back on the street. “I thoughtyou were cutting down on caffeine.”

“No, you said I should cut down on caffeine. And I said I’dtry. Today, I need frothy, caffeinated comfort.” I take a sip and sigh withpleasure. Then I frown when I remember why I need comfort in the first place.

“How many calls today?” she asks.

“Seven today. Five yesterday.”

“Do you think it has to do with Fuck Me Now?”

I hold back a snort. “That is not what the app is called,and you know it.”

“Hey, I just believe in truth in advertising.”

“That’s not what I’m looking for, and you know that too. Ihad that. It wasn’t what I wanted, and I wouldn’t sign up for that kind ofapp.” I know I sound frustrated, but it’s only because I am. It’s just so damnhard to meet anybody in this town, and I’m not interested in serial hookups oreven friends with benefits.”

“You’re right, you’re right. I’m sorry. Back to the topic.Do you think it has anything to do with Tribe Find?”

“I don’t know. Maybe?” About a month ago, I decided to tryout a new friend and dating app that a guy I knew in college recently rolledout. You can use it to look for new friends—finding your tribe—or to set updates. It’s supposed to be focused on relationships, not hookups, and whileonline dating was never my thing, since Cedric created it, I agreed to be abeta user.

“Do folks on the app have your phone number?”

“No,” I say. “The app does, but it’s not shared. But thecalls are coming to my work phone, too. Those are the ones I answer. I letunknown calls on my cell roll to voicemail.”

“You’re getting them both places?”

“Yup.”

“You went out on a couple of dates through the app, right?”

“Yeah, I—oh, hold on. It’s Darrin.”

I put Lilah on hold, then take the incoming call. Darrin isa new hire at the LA office of Greystone-Branch Consulting, Fairchild &Partners Development’s biggest client. And since I am the partner in“Partners,” I put on my office voice and take the call.

“Darrin, I’m not at my desk anymore. Did we forgetsomething?” It’s past six on Friday, and I spent most of the morning andafternoon on a video call with him as we worked through various features theywant added into some new marketing software we’re designing. The walk to getcoffee was to clear my head before I take my laptop home, spread work out on mykitchen table, and dive into my backlog.

Yeah, I know how to start the weekend with a bang.

“No, no. I think we got a great start. There’s a lot to do,though, and Bijan is breathing down my neck. I was thinking I could meet you atyour office tomorrow? Might be more efficient. Assuming that doesn’t mess upyour weekend.”

“No, no, not at all.” Damn, damn, damn. I doplan to work tomorrow, but I’d intended to do it from home. Still, clientrelationships are important, and he’s right that we’re running tight on time.“How about we meet at two? I have to take care of some things in the morning.”

“Perfect,” he says. “And I appreciate it. I’m still new, andthis is my first project to shepherd through from start to finish. I want toimpress the boss, you know?”

I laugh. “Yeah. I know.” I feel the same way about myboss—correction, partner. Nikki Fairchild Stark is brilliant at techand coding and relentless in getting a job done right. She’s also great withclients, drop dead pretty, and married to billionaire Damien Stark. I should beintimidated as hell, and I was in the early days. Now she’s become a trulyclose friend.

“Important?” Lilah asks when I come back on the line.

“He’s nervous about the deadline. I don’t blame him. Therewas that one guy,” I continue, shifting back to the creepy guy topic. “He kepttelling me I was pretty and then wanted to chat about retro computer games. Imean, he was nice enough, just kinda awkward, but maybe…”

“Maybe it is him, and it’s not nefarious at all. Maybe he’strying to work up the courage to talk to you.”

“Maybe…” It doesn’t feel right, though, and I tell her so.

“Travis?”

“No way,” I say. “It got weird between us, but he wouldn’t—”

“Just tossing out ideas. And you know what I think about hisaura.”