“Not that it’s any of your business,” I say. “But she’s good. She’s going to appeal her case in court soon.” I stare him down. The entire time we were kind of friends, when we saw each other every day, he never asked about my family. Why the sudden interest?

He nods. “Listen, man, what I did...when I offered to, um...”

“Buy my girlfriend away from me? And in the process insult me? Try to manipulate me through my socioeconomic status and my mom’s immigration status?”

He winces. “I thought of it more as a way to...create a bearable working environment for myself. But yeah, sure, what you said.” His voice is shaky. “It was wrong, okay? I know that now.”

Impressive deduction. I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

“Anyway,” he continues. “I want to do something to make it up to you. And I know you have money now, but I’m sure you could also invest it back into building the company or something...so, I want to offer you my family lawyer, free of charge, for the remainder of your mom’s case. He’s done immigration work for us before, since my mom’s family is from France. Anyway he’s good—really good.”

He holds out a business card. Which I assume doesn’t include a threatening note this time. I look down at his hand and pause for a long moment before taking it.

“I know it doesn’t undo what I did,” Braden says. “But it’s the least I could do to say I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, it is,” I say. “The least you could do.” I clear my throat. “But, uh, thank you, Braden.” I gesture to Business School Building One, on our right. “This is my stop, I’ve got to go.”

“Oh, okay,” he says. “I’ll see you around.”

I reply with a slight nod as I push open the door and power walk my way to the second-floor conference room, taking the stairs two at a time. Through the glass wall, I can see that Sara and Yaz are already here, along with the camera crew. Sara suggested bringing her friend in soon after we closed the deal with Thomas. Yaz knows more about the business side of things, because of her experience at Instafriend. But unlike our previous CFO, she also understands programming, and can talk to us about what we’re building.

“Sorry I’m late,” I say. I set my bag down and take a seat. My skin tingles. I’m not sure if it’s nerves or excitement.