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I almost smack myself on the forehead. “Vlad’s right. My talents don’t come cheap.”
Alex grins. “I’m sure we can work something out. It’s Binary Birch we’re competing with, after all.” He gives Vlad a good-natured wink. “For example, our dress code is less restrictive—Matrix attire being purely optional.”
I beam at him. “Thank you. This is very exciting. I’ll be on the lookout for a formal offer. Now if you don’t mind, I need to talk to Vlad.” I give my-soon-to-be former employer a hesitant smile. “Assuming you want to talk to me?”
Vlad cocks his head. “We can talk… provided you let me cook you a lunch of my choice.”
I resist the urge to jump up and down like a kid. “It’s a deal.”
As Alex walks us out of the 1000 Devils building, I make the easiest decision of my life.
Unless it’s a huge pay cut—and I doubt that very much—I’ll take the 1000 Devils’ job. Making video games is something every gamer thinks about as soon as they start their introductory programming classes, and a company like this seems particularly cool. The culture at 1000 Devils is quirky, with the guns and all—but that just seems like a fun adventure, not a drawback.
In fact, even if I’m given the option to work from home, I’ll work here at the office.
“I missed you,” Vlad says when the elevator doors close.
I snap to attention, all thoughts of the job offer forgotten. “I missed you too,” I say, proud of how steady my voice is. “I’m sorry about—”
“No.” He takes my hand, his fingers strong and warm around mine. “I’m the one who should be sorry. I should’ve fired Britney after she hacked that guy in sales. You heard about that, right?”
Oops. I guess hacking is on his list of no-nos. “Did you hear me earlier? I got into your computer. And when I did, I saw the email you were writing about her. I’m sorry about invading your privacy like that.”
He squeezes my hand reassuringly. “I guessed your password, and you guessed my pin. I’d say we’re even.”
I want to kiss him, but the elevator opens and people look at us expectantly, so we get out.
The walk to the limo happens in a flash, with me feeling like I’m waltzing on air the whole time. Climbing in, we sit next to each other, and he buckles my safety belt as though that’s a normal thing to do—and I love it.
“How did your sister take the whole article debacle?” I ask when the car rushes forward.
He smiles. “Her phone is off the hook. She thinks the hint of scandal in the article actually helped. She might be right. The original would’ve sounded more like an infomercial.”
Whew. “So she’s going to be okay?”
His smile widens. “Yep.”
I bite my lip. “How about you?”
“All good as well. I contacted Cosmo with a correction to the article, and they fixed it.” He pulls out his phone and shows me the screen.
I skim the article. His name is still there, but I’m no longer referred to as a QA person.
According to this article, I’m Vlad’s girlfriend.
Girlfriend.
Me.
I want to jump out of the car and dance a jig in the middle of Times Square.
“That’s okay, right?” he asks, his dark brows furrowing. “I figured that—”
“It’s more than okay.” The words come out breathlessly. “But why didn’t you make them remove your name from the article while you were at it?”
He shrugs. “Didn’t want to risk it. What if the correction reduces the exposure for Bella?”
I nod solemnly. “Very noble. Sacrificing your privacy for your sister.”
