What she is describing makes James want to knock the other man through a wall. But this isn’t about him, so he listens. As Kate’s tears fall, James holds her hand until she’s expelled the entire awful story.
Later that night, when he crawls into her bed for the first time, he can’t help but draw her into the protection of his embrace. She’s tearstained and exhausted. Pressed against his side, she falls asleep within minutes.
As the night drifts by, he watches her and turns the story she told him over and over in his mind. What he can’t understand is how, with all their conduct courses and social rules, someone like Viper existed still. The man’s lack of empathy was shocking. How could he be completely oblivious to the harm caused by his words?
That was one of the beautiful things about Kate. She wore every emotion so openly. Viper had to have seen that Kate thought it was real and got off on it. That told James exactly the type of man they were dealing with. Not flippant and self-involved, like most contemporary people. Viper was the type of selfish person who fed off the emotions of others. He tried to exploit opportunities not for progress or the betterment of those around him, like James, but for pleasure or personal gain. Impulsive and unremorseful.
During James’s time, men like Viper were common, but somehow he’s come up with the idea that the future is different. But if that were true, why couldn’t someone like Kate find the companionship shedeserves? Hell, the government has to assign FRIENDS groups. The future is just as bad as he originally thought. At least he has her, and her FRIENDS, who seem to be slowly evolving. Even he seems to be evolving.Because of her.
James can’t stop his fingers from brushing her hair back from her face.
She stirs. “James?”
Leaning over, he kisses her forehead. “I’m here.”
If he were a truly good man, he would keep his distance until he’s sure he can deliver on all his promises. But while he’s not a sociopath like Viper, he’ll always ruthlessly pursue what he wants.
Her voice is soft and sleepy as she asks, “You’re not leaving?”
She blinks up at him, and as her heavy lids draw closed, he can’t help but want the woman melted into his side and the future he’s going to earn for them.
He isn’t sure she’s still awake when he says, “Never.”
32 – The Most Precious Possession
K8
December 15, 2390, Day 12.
The next morning, K8 is able to focus enough to complete a solid ten task orders before lunch, despite her nerves and drifting, anxious thoughts. The day is passing sluggishly as they wait to hear from Sable. With each passing hour, she senses James’s energy becoming tauter. Right now, it seems like it might pull tight and snap at any moment.
“Still nothing?” she asks, knowing there’s nothing she can say to ease his distress. At least the PalmPrint prototypes arrived, which will give him something to do.
“No. I’ve messaged her, but she hasn’t seen it,” he says, grimacing. “I don’t like this being out of my control.”
“I know,” she agrees. “We have to trust that she’s taking careof it.”
It is incredibly thoughtless of Sable to leave them in a state of concern like that. Reinforcing James’s reluctance to depend on others is the last thing they need. Specifically, because K8 wants him to depend on her. Count on and open up to her. Her eyes narrow as she mentally scolds the physician.
“No news is better than bad news, right?” she says, though she isn’t sure even she feels reassured. She checks the Flash News app. No reports of a mishap at GROW. That is good news at least.
James grumbles, “I’m sure it’s fine.”
Her device pings. She glances at the screen, eager for the distraction. It’s an email from GROW. The subject reads:
SPECIAL OFFER.
Please let it be a discount, she prays to Zephyr. The inspectors never sent her one, and she was reluctant to broach the subject, afraid it might trigger them to come collect James for testing. She settles into her desk chair to read the message.
“Renew now and receive two free weeks,” it reads.
Excellent, she thinks, skimming further.Well, boo. It’s only valid for another three-month contract. As it stands, she only can afford the next month. But maybe if they were to combine their money. She saw the balance of his account last night. Might as well check and see if they can take advantage of the discount.
She switches her workstation on, and the screens illuminate. The retina scan confirms her identity, and K8 logs into her Worldbank account.
She almost chokes when she sees her unicoin balance. She must have gasped, because James, who is inspecting the PalmPrint prototypes on the kitchen counter, shoots her a glance.
“You okay?” he asks.
