ADRI
too bad humans can't send
It took me longer than usual to update the log at the end of my shift—I couldn’t stop thinking about Sam. When I finished, Riley pinged me with a voice request. “Hey, Riley. Is something wrong?”
“You got five minutes? I could use an extra hand.”
“I was about to sign off and get coffee.” It had been a few days since I’d been to the café, since I’d seen Sam. I didn’t want him to think I was deliberately avoiding him. “But yes, I can spare five minutes.”
“Thanks, Adri. I’m in the ballroom.”
When was she not? “See you there.” I rose and told Jim, “I’m heading out now.”
All I got was a nod. Letting out a frustrated breath, I left the hub and went to find Riley.
Despite the recurring and increasingly erratic glitches, the ballroom looked wonderful, from the massive archways to the restored geometric wood paneling. The flat screens decorating the walls were up—and working. They could be hidden behind panels when not in use, but Layla wanted them visible during the masquerade ball.
In the middle of the room, thechandeliers—large Art Deco glass and brass—were on the floor. Riley stood bent over one of her chandeliers. I could only see her adaptations because I knew they were there. She’d done an excellent job. I hoped my phones would turn out the same.
“I’m here. What did you need me for?”
“Thank you. I mostly want a second pair of hands in case something goes wrong. If you could connect them to the system while I watch for issues, that would be great.” She pointed to a fire extinguisher. “I really hope I won’t need it, but better safe than sorry, right?”
I nodded, understanding her nervousness. While the tests with the replica had gone off without a hitch, the hub hadn’t suffered the issues the ballroom had.
“If it goes well, Fred and Ted promised to help me hang them. So, fingers crossed.”
I took the extension cords she’d connected to the chandeliers and dragged them to the main panel. “One by one?”
“Yeah, that would be best. I numbered them L1, L2, and L3 on the panel.”
I slid the panel open and connected the L1 extension cord to L1 on the panel.
“Oh. Wow. That’s even better than the replica.”
I turned, smiling at the awe in Riley’s voice. The light was warm and soft, reflecting geometric shapes on the surfaces. “Shall I connect the second one?”
“Yes.”
Nothing buzzed, sparked, or fizzled after I connected them.
“I can’t believe I did it.” Riley’s smile outshined her beautiful chandeliers as she stared at the reflections on the walls. “Thanks for helping me. I’d best let Fred and Ted know they can hang them. They should be here in half an hour or so.”
“Want me to order you a coffee?”
Riley shook her head. “I don’t know how long I’ll be. Go. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Good luck.”
“Thanks.”
As I crossed the lobby, a group of humans of Asian descent dressed in green tunics passed me by, giant balls of swirling water hovering around them. Taking a step back, Layla’s rule about stirring up trouble ran through my mind. She wasn’t going to like this. I felt like holding my breath as they disappeared into the east wing.
The encounter left me a bit shaken, as if I wasn’t nervous enough on my way to the café.
I was still processing what Sam told me. Not just about his family, but about disclosing their dynamics to someone he was interested in. I still wasn’t sure if he meant he was interested in me.
Regardless, I needed time to figure out what to tell him. Even if I couldn’t reveal who I was, he at least deserved more from me than knowing I enjoyed drawing birds.
