Page 89 of CHOICE Lover
She eyes the man as they pass into a vacant hallway. “Wanda won’t shut CHOICElover down, will she?”
“CHOICElover has always led the field with our security protocols and rigorous safety testing. We’ve been completely transparent with the Consumer Rights Protection Agency and Product Safety Commissioning Board. Not to mention we’ve made our research available to NHOS, which has led to advancements in the disease prevention and human longevity project. As long as our record remains untarnished, I don’t think we are the company that NHOS will be scrutinizing.”
She takes his hand, squeezing. “Well, that’s a relief.”
He squeezes her hand back. “Electra, even if they forced me to shut down CHOICElover, we would be fine. I have more unicoin than we’ll ever need, and I would be highly sought after for other projects as a scientist and business leader.”
She stops midway down the hall, yanking him to a halt. He turns, giving her a quizzical look. She shakes her head. “I’m not worried about that, you ridiculous man. I know your company is important to you, and even though I don’t necessarily think manupartners are theright solution for human companionship, I care about what happens to CHOICElover because it impacts you.”
A not-altogether-unpleasant pang hits him square in the chest. “I knew you made your peace with what I do for a living, but that’s . . .” He looks away, fighting a wave of emotion. Her simple acts of caring are unlike anything he’s ever known.
“Come on,” she says, offering him a reprieve from his emotions.
Dear Electra, indeed. For her sake, he hopes that the IdenTECH people are the real deal. His concern for her happiness is beginning to eclipse his own desires, which might be concerning, if his descent didn’t feel so inevitable.
After a short elevator ride, they’re on the ground floor, hovering outside a dingy-looking bar called Scraps. He follows her to the door, but just as she’s about to reach for the handle, she spins, retreating a step, and crashes into his chest. He takes hold of her shoulders. “Did you see something?”
She steps out of his reach a few feet from the door and leans against the wall, looking visibly shaken. “No, but that article is freaking me out. Trust me, I would not do well in that center with only a blanket and the gross protein packs they’re giving those poor people. I’ll be the first to say, if the apocalypse happens, just give me to the zombies.”
“I’m sure Inspector Wanda’s given them better food and cots by now.” He leans against the wall next to her. “What about all the heroines you write about?”
A few people pass down the otherwise barren hall, not paying them any mind, but that doesn’t stop her from giving them a scrutinizing once-over. “That’s fiction, Res6. I am not cut out for a life on the run from monsters, or prison for that matter.”
“We’ll be fine. It looks like the bar has quite a few patrons, which is good for us. Let’s just step inside, and if anything seems suspicious, wecan leave right away. We’ll just go up to the bar and order a cocktail like we planned. We have no obligation to talk to anyone.”
“You don’t really think it could be NHOS inspectors, do you?” A strand of hair falls into her eyes as she leans forward to make an assessment through the glass of the door. He reaches up and brushes it away, taking her jaw in his hand. With her head angled toward him, the trepidation in her expression is impossible to hide. He hadn’t realized she was so nervous.
“I’m not going to let anything happen to you, okay? This isn’t the other shoe dropping.”
Her eyes widen. “That’s a saying from my time.”
He grins proudly. “I know. I looked it up. I was reading about your scarcity mindset in an effort to understand you better.”
The pinched, fearful expression slips from her features, replaced with something softer yet more determined. “Wow. Janet would be proud. If you’re not careful, I’m going to think you’re enjoying romancing a human woman.”
“I learned from 2027’s alien romance queen,” he teases. “My new mantra is ‘What would Vorack do?’ ” This earns him a humorous eye roll. “Come on. Time to channel your inner Ella and face your fears.”
“That might be the best pep talk I’ve ever received.” She giggles, shaking her head. “Now or never, I guess.”
28 – Baby Steps to Bravery
Electra
Electra takes his hand, bravely guiding him into the hazy room. A dusky, acrid smell hits her instantly. Along the exterior wall, there are hairline cracks every few feet, letting a fine trail of outside air seep in. Must not be bad enough to cause lung damage and not bad enough to fix.
She notices Res6 eyeing the same thing. “This is why I never come to Z Quadrant.”
Scanning the room, she notes two men sitting at a small round table in the corner that seem as out of place as they are. It’s the quality of the material of their jumpsuits and the dark-haired one’s slightly crooked nose. Something about the old injury makes her instantly think he’s a reincarnate.
Res6 leans down. “I think that’s them in the corner. Stick to the plan. Let’s go to the bar.”
But what if she’s wrong? What if the man’s nose is some type of disguise?Send the NHOS inspector with the crooked nose. The other reincarnates will think he’s one of them, then you can catch them!God, she’s clutching her bag to her chest like a shield.
She’s about to tell Res6 she’s changed her mind. It’s too risky, but he presses his hand to the small of her back and whispers, “You can do it.”
He’s right. Just think of Ella facing the entire enemy hoard with bravery and grit. She takes a few quick steps forward—the dark-haired man’s eyes brighten with excitement. That can’t be good. Her stomach seems to agree, pitching and diving. He leans slightly forward, as if he wants to encourage her, and that’s enough to have her making a sharp turn and darting toward the door.
God, Electra. This is a perfect opportunity, and you’re wasting it.
