Page 52 of The Attercop

Everything was okay.

In a few hours Charlie would be going back to university life. When he’d gone to the U of C, he had rarely gone to parties. Charlie was too self-conscious. At the time, he wasn’t much of a drinker, wasn’t much of a dancer, and wasn’t overly social. That’s why he liked working with computers. When you screwed up, they didn’t talk back or try to punch you. University life would have been far easier if people just issued error messages.

Charlie sighed, then went upstairs to the apartment to figure out what he’d wear. He stared at his clothes. All of them were pretty bland. Then it came to him—wear what you’d wear when you go out dancing with Carrie. She had been the one to break him out of his shell. She’d taught him what to drink, how to have fun with people, and how to dance—sorta.

He pulled out some clothes from the armoire, put them on, then looked at himself in the mirror. Did he really ever wear this? It was all very…tight. It made his thighs look huge.

You’re not going out to pick someone up!

He chucked on a loose white shirt over his black T-shirt and a new pair of jeans. That did it. He didn’t look so…bottom-heavy. But something still didn’t work for him. Charlie ditchedthe white shirt, and threw on his black leather jacket instead. It would have to do. He hurried down the stairs.

On his way through Declan’s office, he paused. “Are you done making that list yet?”

“I’m working on it,” Declan said. “What time do you think you’ll get back?”

“It shouldn’t be too late. I’ll text you when I’m on my way home. What are you going to get up to?”

Declan smiled. “Mickey called. Angel’s being released from the hospital and I told him I’d pick them up in the van. It’s a hell of a lot more comfortable than Mickey’s rattle-trap Jeep.”

“Where’s he going to stay?” Charlie asked.

“Mickey’s going to put him up in his apartment above the bar until Angel’s ready to leave.”

“That’s nice of him.” Charlie sighed. “Well, I should go. No use putting off the fun any longer.”

Declan reached over and pulled Charlie in close. “Don’t havetoomuch fun on your date.” Declan leaned in and gave him a kiss. “Just so you don’t forget what’s waiting at home for you when you get back.”

Charlie made his way down to the car and checked the directions to the coffee shop. It wasn’t far. He adjusted the car mirror to check himself out one more time.

I just hope I don’t look stupid.

He pulled out and aimed the car toward his destination. Traffic was light and he made it with five minutes to spare. It was time to pick up his ‘date’.

Charlie sauntered into the coffee shop and scanned the tables for Jules. She was sitting in the rear corner with her back to the wall and someone was sitting opposite her. She waved Charlie over.

“See what I did here? I’m protected,” she whispered loudly, indicating the wall behind her.

“Great,” Charlie replied without enthusiasm. He had no idea if the other person had a clue as to what they were talking about.

“This is my date for tonight,” Jules said to her. “Abela, this is Charlie.”

“Hi, Abela,” Charlie said, holding out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

She took it with a firm grip. “Itisnice to meet me, isn’t it?”

Abela was probably about Jules’ age. Her hair was wavy and light-brown. Her complexion, pale. Abela’s eyelids were painted bright green and her lips were electric blue. She raised her thick black eyebrows and looked Charlie up and down. “Nice,” she said, nodding her head. “I’d say a step up from your usual guys.”

“And he even has a job,” Jules said, looking at Charlie with a mischievous grin. She was trying to force him to reveal his story. Well, if she wanted a story, she was going to get one.

“Nothing too exciting. Computers…like half the people out there,” he said, keeping it as general as he could.

“AI, software engineering, networking or cybersecurity?” she quizzed.

“Software engineering mainly,” he said.

“What languages?”

She’s testing me.