A message popped up on his screen with instructions from his team leader about the guidelines for today’s competition. Daniel switched screens and logged into the editor for the new paywall software currently in development. He pulled up a new playlist and readied himself for the start of the competition.

Trendsetters CEO Barrington Jacobs, who looked like the guy funneling beer in every frat party movie scene, stood in the center of the main walkway with a bullhorn.

“Are our teams ready?” he asked. And before anyone could respond, he started counting. “Five. Four. Three. Two. Go!”

Daniel’s fingers flew across the keyboard. He wasn’t thinking about Hughes Hospitality, the guys back at FinCEN, or anyone else. He was in the zone. He had no idea how much time had passed when the alarm bell sounded again. All he knew was that his fingers hurt like hell. But it was a good hurt, especially after learning that he and his teammates were the victors.

“To the main conference room, Software,” Barrington called through the bullhorn.

Daniel lagged behind the fourteen members of his team as they filed into the larger, more traditional conference room. He wanted to give Morgan Broomfield a wide berth. She hadn’t heeded any of the cues he’d given. If she made another reference to the two of them having drinks after work, he would just have to come right out and tell her he wasn’t interested.

The conference room’s glass walls had been set to frosted mode, so Daniel had no idea what he would encounter as they were ushered inside. The space had been turned into an oasis. A half-dozen upright massage chairs lined the back wall. Just as many lounging chairs occupied the opposite side, with massage therapists standing at the ready. In the center of the conference table sat a fruit and cheese platter and shot glasses filled with what looked like fruit smoothies. A soft, clean scent filled the space. Something citrusy and minty.

It was easy to see why jobs at Trendsetters were so coveted. The perks alone were worth more than the salaries some of the tech companies out there offered.

Daniel climbed onto one of the cushioned massage chairs and placed his head on the donut. The massage therapist began her ministrations on his neck and shoulders and a deep moan escaped his lips.

Goodness, that felt good! Maybe he should try to get his supervisor at FinCEN to implement weekly massages back at headquarters. Lowell Dwyer would put him out on his ass, but it was worth a shot.

Once done, Daniel walked over to a lounge chair and sat while another massage therapist gave him a full hand massage. Why had he never treated himself to a hand massage before? This shit was amazing.