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The next few hours go by in a blur. Like what usually happens when I’m in deep, I lose all track of time and anything that isn’t the code in front of me. In fact, my alarm is probably blaring for at least a minute before my assistant gets my attention to let me know it’s going off.
I stare at the phone for a full thirty seconds before I remember why I set the alarm to begin with. I’m meeting Logan and Evander for dinner. I’m not sure if it’s still considered a date. I’ll have to ask them. Bleary-eyed, I look back at my screens. Is it reasonable for me to walk away for half an hour now? Typically, I never would. I would just work throughout the night until the problem is resolved. If I eat or drink anything, it’s whatever my assistant manages to shove in front of my face without me having to look away.
But realistically, it’ll be ok if I take a short break. Both of my assistants recently had one, so I know they can manage without me, and I’m not actively hacking right now. I successfully blocked their hackers from infiltrating us and discovered who was in their system. That was the hard part. Now, I’m just working on getting back in.
That has been made ten times more difficult since they are now aware of a previous breach. Of course they changed their systems completely, added firewalls and encryptions, and are on high alert. It’s not impossible, of course, but it’ll take some time. And despite what my boss may think, it can wait an extra half an hour.
I don’t have time to get changed, but I do sneak into the bathroom to wash my hands and face. I remember last minute that River warned me to make sure I brush my teeth. I can’t exactly do that, but I take a mint out of my bag and eat it.
I look at myself in the mirror and decide I’m presentable. My hair is a hopeless case right now, but there’s nothing I can do about it. There’s circles under my eyes, but that’s nothing new. I smooth out my white button-down shirt to attempt to get some of the wrinkles out. Alright, good enough.
I grab my light jacket that’s hanging over my desk chair, tell my assistant to call if anything comes up, and run out of the building. I pull up my group text I have with Logan and Evander to let them know I’m on my way.
I immediately get two responses back. The first is from Logan, and it’s just a picture of a takeout bag sitting on a picnic table with the wordsHurry, Little Birdunderneath it.
I scrunch my nose in confusion. Logan has been calling me that a lot. The three of us have exchanged some texts throughout the week. Most of them have just been friendly conversations, getting to know each other. But Logan has called me Little Bird in those texts quite a few times. I’ll have to ask him about that. I don’t consider myself a bird. It’s a strange nickname.
I push that thought to the side for now as I read Evander’s text. It’s another picture. This one is a selfie of him and Logan sitting outside at a table, a fire flicking behind them. It’s dark, so I can’t quite make out their faces, but they look happy and not at all annoyed by the change of plans.
Relieved, I quickly go out onto the New York City streets and take the short walk to the park.
NINETEEN
LOGAN
Ispot Lake first as he rushes down the pathway toward us. As he gets close enough that I can make him out in the streetlights, a smile spreads across my face. Gods, he’s so fucking adorable. His eyes are scanning the park, trying to find us. He looks distracted and a little stressed. His shoulders are hunched and nearly up to his ears. He has a light-gray jacket wrapped around himself, and the collar is pulled up. His hair is all mussed, and it’s pretty obvious he’s had a rough day.
Ev waves and calls for our man, and his face completely brightens when he sees us. Fuck, that smile. I would do anything to keep that smile on his face.
Ev stands up as Lake reaches us and instantly wraps the man in a hug. His body stiffens at first, but it seems to mostly be confusion rather than discomfort. He awkwardly returns the hug. When Ev pulls away, I step in. “My turn.”
I turn Lake’s chin and kiss him gently on the lips. I don’t go overboard like I did this morning with Ev. I don’t want to overwhelm Lake, and my little bird looks like he’s on the verge of losing it.
I was never much of a kisser when it came to women. I did it, obviously, but it never did much for me. But in the last week, I’m finding out I’m fucking addicited to Ev’s and Lake’s lips. I don’t know if it’s just them or if it would feel like this with any man. Regardless, I can’t get enough of either of them.
Hell, I jerked off twice today to the memory of that fucking kiss with Ev in his kitchen.
“Hi, Little Bird,” I say huskily.
Lake’s face scrunches in a combination of puzzlement and disgust. “Why do you keep calling me that? I’m not a bird.”
I laugh as I wrap an arm around both men and lead them back to the table. I’m starving. We can have this conversation while eating.
“No, you’re not. But when I saw you that first night, it was instantly what came to mind. You’re extremely intelligent, but a little wary and standoffish. You can be very perceptive when you want to be, but you often stay toward the sidelines and people may not pick up on that.” I smirk at him. “Plus, you’re small, like a bird.”
Ev glares at me. “He’s not small. You’re just massive.”
I grin and begin to take the food out of the bag. “Same thing.”
Lake still hasn’t sat down, like he’s trying to process my words. “If you don’t like it, no big deal. I don’t have to call you that.”
Lake blinks, like he’s finally coming back to the present. “No, I like it. I’ve never had a nickname before.”
Well, that makes me feel special. “I’m glad I’m your first.”
“I think you and Evander might be some other firsts for me as well.”
I’m so taken by surprise, my soda comes shooting out of my mouth and all over the table. Ev, who was mid-bite of a gyro, practically chokes as he tries to swallow without laughing.
