Page 18 of Billionaire’s Game

He shook his head. “It has to be one of the staff. It can’t be an executive.”

“Jude, I don’t know...” I started, ready to tell him flat out no, but then thought better of it.

Why was I fighting Jude? Didn’t I move to Florida to try something different? To have an adventure? Well, adventure was knocking at my door and it was time that I answered it.

“Alright, Jude. You've convinced me. You've twisted my arm. I’ll do it.”

He jumped up and high-fived me. “Thanks, cuz. You’re my favorite cousin.”

“I’m pretty sure I’m your only cousin.”

“Which is why you’re my go-to favorite. Now get to work. I’ll tell Magnus.”

I smiled tightly in reply, gulped and headed out the room. What the heck did I just agree to?

Later that day,I sat in the conference room waiting for Magnus. We were going to start training together, so I was given permission to use as much time as I needed during office hours for our training. I didn’t know what we were training for nor did I have any idea what types of challenges waited for us because I’d never seen the show. From what I’d heard of it, it didn’t even seem remotely interesting.

I hoped Magnus knew more than I did. I sat there nervously scratching at a hole in my jeans when I heard the conference door open. I looked up shyly and watched Magnus walk in.

He was wearing jeans and a graphic tee as well. In fact, I couldn’t resist a smile when I realized our shirts matched. We were both wearing shirts emblazoned with a picture of the Starship Enterprise.

“You’re a Next Generation fan?” he said in greeting, coming to sit across from me.

I nodded. “You have good taste. Nice shirt.”

“I’m a sucker for science fiction,” he said with a shrug.

“I wouldn’t have figured you for a science fiction fan.”

“Oh really? Why not?”

I tried not to stare at his lips as I studied his face, but I was unsuccessful. I forced myself to look at his eyes, but they were equally enchanting. God, why did he have to be so attractive?

I found myself wondering what it would feel like to have his lips on mine. I wondered if he was a good kisser. He had to be. He was too good looking not to be. I’d never found myself in a position where I outright fantasized about someone I knew in a sexual way. This was a problem. I don’t know why the thought of kissing Magnus wouldn’t leave my head, but now he had my undivided attention.

I pulled my thoughts back to his question, which I’d almost forgotten.

“You just seem, I don’t know, too cool to be into science fiction.”

He seemed surprised. “I don’t think of myself as cool, but I’m flattered that you do.”

“I mean, I don’t really think of you at all. Cool or not.” I grimaced. That had come out totally wrong. Did I really just insult the guy because I was a nervous wreck in his presence?

He frowned and looked taken aback. I instantly felt terrible. “Sorry, that came out wrong. I wasn’t trying to say that I don’t think of you. I mean, because I do. I mean, not because you’re special to me or anything. I don’t know you, so of course, you can’t be special to me. I’m just trying to say that we’re all special. All human beings... on this planet... so I think of you in a nonspecial way...because you’re human.”

Oh God. What was I saying? What was wrong with me? And why didn’t I just shut up?

“Ok. I’m glad you think all humans are special,” he said with uncertainty.

“Yeah,” I whispered, feeling like an idiot. I knew this was more than I could handle. Well, Magnus was apparently more than I could handle. First I’d choked and he had to save me, and now I couldn’t stop talking nonsense.

I took a deep breath and decided to try again.

“So—” we both said simultaneously. Caught off guard, we smiled at each other.

I broke eye contact and started fidgeting, cracking my knuckles. I looked around the room... just trying to avoid his eyes.

“So, are you a fan of Brain Pain?”