Is there anything better on a Friday night than pizza and Netflix? I think not. Sofia and I are camped out on the couch bingeing a hot new fantasy series about a band of demon-hunting Fae warriors while we stuff ourselves with carby cheesy goodness.
TGIF.
“Is it bad that we’re too tired to go out on a Friday night?” I ask, removing a string of mozzarella from my chin. After all, we’re only twenty-three. It seems like we should have more energy.
Sofia shrugs. “That’s the FOMO speaking. We’re living our best lives as independent modern women.” She drops another slice on a paper plate and shoots me some serious side-eye. “Well, I am. You’ve been working way too hard the last few weeks.”
She’s not wrong. I’ve barely had time to come up for air. Managing the Val social on top of my regular work has proven more challenging than I’d expected. Thankfully, we signed the last vendor contract this week. Now it’s all down to execution.
If only you could say the same for your capstone project.
“I feel like I’ve barely seen you.” Sofia pulls a bit of crust off her pizza and pops it into her mouth. “I can’t wait until you graduate.”
“That makes two of us.” I grin. “Trust me, no one is more excited about graduation than me.”
The promise of free time—and a lot more sleep—is the only thing that keeps me going. No more exams. No more late-night classes. Homework. Free. Weekends.
Not to mention the prospect of a better-paying job.
“What are you getting into this weekend?” I ask. Whatever it is, it’s got to be more exciting than my plans.
“One of my coworkers invited me to her roller derby game. You should come with.” She wiggles her brows. “I hear they’re recruiting new talent.”
“As traumatic as that sounds, I have to analyze the results of the employee satisfaction survey. The last batch of responses came in today.”
“Bor-ing,” she says in a singsong voice. “I like my plan much better.”
“It might sound boring, but I got a ninety-three percent response rate.” And, yes, I am feeling smug about it. “That’s practically unheard of.”
Sofia grins. “I’m not surprised. From the sounds of it, the Triada workforce has plenty to complain about.”
I stick my tongue out at her and take a big bite of my pizza. I can’t fault her logic. It’s exactly why I did my project at Triada.
That and the fact that you didn’t have any other prospects.
Whatever. Triada is practically a blank canvas. Which makes it perfect.
“Wait, does that mean your capstone project is almost done?” she asks hopefully.
“I wish.” I set my plate on the arm of the couch and take a sip of Coke as the silver-haired Fae on TV slices the head off a creepy spider demon. “It’s going to take longer than expected. Maybe even most of the semester. I need to figure out where to drill in, but the surveys should help with that.” I hope. “Now that we’re done planning the Val social, I’ll have more time to focus on my project.”
“Girl, you are a machine.” Sofia shakes her head. “I don’t know how you do it.”
“Lots of coffee,” I say, only half kidding. She’s giving me way too much credit. If it weren’t for caffeine, I’d be half as productive and twice as zombified.
“Well, with you at the helm, I’m sure it’ll be the most exciting Valentine’s social Triada’s ever had.”
I give an exaggerated eye roll. “It’s the only Valentine’s social Triada’s ever had.”
“Exactly.” She pats my hand. “Nowhere to go but up.”
“Nice,” I deadpan, an idea taking shape. “Hey, you should come to the social. As my guest.” Sof flashes me anow I know you’ve lost itkind of look. “Miles wouldn’t mind.”
He probably wouldn’t even notice.
“No way.” She shakes her head vehemently, like I’ve just offered to let her hold my pet cobra. “Eddie, one of the guys in Sales, told me he stopped by the Triada campus to have lunch with his girlfriend last year. Security took one look at his Tript ID badge and had him escorted from the premises.”
“Why would they do that?” I arch a brow. “Triada doesn’t have a no-visitors policy.”
