“Hold on, we have to make sure the deal is good, that they don’t backtrack, or try to undercut our worth or?—”
None of my words are getting through the banter in the office. Everyone is too excited, and it’s great to see them happy.
“Coffees. Lunch. Whatever you all want, it’s on me today,” I announce with a laugh, too relieved by everything to pretend I’m not also excited.
“Hell yeah.” Josh immediately starts taking lunch orders.
I stare at the email on my phone in disbelief. This could change everything. I could provide really steady paychecks for my employees. Higher wages, hire more people, expand our reach…I’ll actually get to see everything I’ve worked so hard for truly come to fruition.
1 Even a tech company can’t seem to avoid junk mail.
18
PIPER
It’s been two months. Two full months. Since I saw, or spoke to him.
And about fifteen minutes since I last thought about him, he still pops up constantly in my brain. My dark-furred, bright-eyed Mothman.
I try to keep him out of my every thought, every moment, of every day. I’m still constantly looking over my shoulder, wondering if every single shadow might be him—feeling stalked and hunted. Part of me goes warm and liquid at that thought. Sometimes I think too much about it, particularly at night, alone in my bed. I can’t seem to orgasm without thinking of him. Which is so silly.
So when I step foot into my office building after New Year's Eve, nursing the second day of my New Year’s hangover, I think I'm imagining things when I spot a pair of black wings.
But it’s not my imagination. I recognize them as Ant's wings the instant I see them. There’s no mistaking him for another Mothman.
But it couldn't be him, right? In my workplace. In my lobby. Of my new building in the Cryptech complex.
He turns and catches my eye, his antennae raise in surprise.
He found me. Again.
The bastard. He stalked me here! At my new workplace.
“Hey!” I yell across the room. “Hey! Ant!”
He holds up his hands in surrender and shakes his head repeatedly while he steps backward into the elevator.
“Oh no you don’t, you bastard!” My yelling draws the attention from three coworkers I don’t know who are also in the building lobby.
Ant doesn't speak. His hands are held up, palms out in front of him, as I barrel into the elevator after him. He backs into the corner while I shove an angry finger in his chest, not really thinking about it until we are alone, as the doors slide closed behind me.
“What the hell, dude?” I poke him. “What are you thinking?! I told you not to fucking follow me!”
“Piper.” His voice shows more surprise than I expect. “What are you doing here?”
"Bull crap!" I announce. “You must think I was born yesterday.”
“Why are you here?” He shrinks even further, his antennae flow back against his scalp. I should be scared to be alone in this elevator with a literal monster. Instead I’m noticing how attractive he looks in his suit. It’s all black, well-tailored, and somehow doesn’t look ridiculous around his neck scarf. He has on a red silk tie, that compliments his eyes and?—
None of that matters.
I’m not concerned he would physically hurt me. He could. I know he’s strong enough to do just about anything to me. And right now I don’t care.
“I can’t believe you’re here. At my workplace!” I yell.
“Piper, this isn't what you think!”
"Isn't it?" I ask. “Then why are you going to my floor?" I point at the numbers on the elevator wall, only to notice that the top floor is actually what's highlighted. We're traveling past my department’s third floor stop, and heading up, up, and more up. To the top floor of the building. "We aren't going to my floor."
