NightLocker: Bring your gear

PixieBurn: Always ;)

She logged off, and I followed suit, shutting my screen. Packing up my gear only took a few minutes, and I had to remind myself not to speed to Amber’s work.

It wasn’t just the prospect of the team hack I had planned; it was her. I’d spent the entire day and night with her the day before yesterday, but I buzzed with excitement as the bell rang when I pushed through the coffee-comic-shop’s door.

Immediately, as if I couldn’t help it, my eyes were drawn to Amber, who occupied a table in the far back corner. Two white mugs steamed in front of her, but her eyes were glued to her laptop.

“Were you already here?” I asked, setting my bag down.

She hopped up from the table, throwing her arms around my neck. I breathed in her sweet scent, holding her light frame against my chest.

She missed me, too.

Win.

“Yes,” she said when she stepped out of our embrace and reclaimed her seat. “I had some work to do before my actual work.” She chuckled, motioning to the mug on my side of the table. “Americano,” she said.

“Thanks.” I sat and took a fast sip, glancing around the shop. It was dead this time of evening, everyone likely rushing home after work.

“So,” she said, lowering her voice, “what are we doing?”

I smirked, scooting around the table and lining my chair up with hers. I slid my laptop out of my bag and set it up. “You remember the Taylor Swift incident?”

She smiled after sipping her green tea. “How could I forget your sweet dance moves?”

I cringed a little. “Well, that was my brother.”

“Sean,” she said, arching a brow. “I’m helping you get revenge in a brotherly feud?”

“Too much?” I asked.

“Never. DC, right?” She clapped her hands together and rolled her neck. “What do you have planned?”

I lowered my voice to a whisper, as if Sean had cameras and devices listening in everywhere, and told her the plan.

“Thoughts?”

“Brilliant.” She took another sip of tea. “But I’ve never done anything like this before. I don’t want to drag you down.”

So whatever she’d done for our challenge didn’t involve penetration. Good to know. I waved her off. “You could never drag me down,” I said. “You’re incredible. Why do you think I asked for your help?”

She’d likely be able to uncover the source of Ask Me Anything in one sitting. Last night, I had actually tried to track the person down—not that I would hand them over to Tanner, but for my own sanity. I hadn’t been able to get through their security. But…as much as I wanted her help, I had to keep her safe.

“Because you wanted a free Americano?” she teased, bringing me back to the task at hand.