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“It’s a much healthier option than a Pop Tart.”

“Healthier, yes. And it tastes good—it’s just not better than a Pop Tart.”

“My work with you is never done.” He took a bite of his bagel. “So, what’s on your agenda for today?”

I finished swallowing and wiped my mouth with the napkin. “I’ve got a nine o’clock meeting with Finn and a new client. This will be our third new client this week.”

“X-Corp is growing by leaps and bounds.”

“I know. It’s been crazy busy these past few months. We’ve hired two new cyber analysts and three new admins—two in accounting and one in human resources. My own department is becoming so large, I’m considering hiring an administrative assistant to help me keep it all straight.”

“Sounds like a good idea to me.” He slid his hand into mine so our fingers were threaded. “Even though you’re completely capable of handling whatever Finn throws at you.”

His words, as well as his faith in my abilities, meant a lot to me. I squeezed his hand. “Thanks. It’s not easy and I’m still learning how to manage people. But it’s getting easier. Finn has an enormous amount of patience and faith in me.”

“As he should. You’re the company’s star asset and Finn knows it.”

I appreciated his sentiment, even if I wasn’t certain I believed it. After a parting kiss, we went our separate ways, Slash driving toward the airport, and me swinging by Basia’s house to pick her up before heading toward X-Corp’s headquarters in Crystal City, Virginia. Despite my initial misgivings about carpooling, it had its advantages. Basia did most of the talking, we could stagger the driving, and we were able to split the parking costs. Win-win.

Because I’d taken a half day off yesterday, I expected our workload to be heavier than usual. It was. I barely had time to do a cursory first pass through my unread emails and respond to a few before I had to grab my laptop and head to the conference room to meet Finn and the client.

As I entered the conference room, Finn rose from his chair—the consummate gentleman. Dressed in a white button-down shirt rolled up to his elbows and blue tie, he pulled out my chair as I set my laptop on the table and dropped into the chair. We’d once been quasi-dating until we figured out we were better off as friends and colleagues. I’d helped him launch X-Corp and, in Finn’s eyes, that made me an integral part of the company, even though he’d put up all the capital for it. To my surprise, not dating had made our relationship thrive and strengthen. I counted him as one of my closest friends, which was a miracle in itself.

“Good morning, Lexi. You’re right on time. Glinda is bringing the client here momentarily.” He spoke in a soft Irish lilt that sounded musical to me. I was grateful for our comfortable friendship, as well as our professional rapport.

“How did the afternoon of wedding dress viewing go?” he asked. I could hear the amusement in his voice. He knew I’d rather endure forty-six root canals than have to look at wedding dresses.

“Awful. But at least it was a virtual viewing. I didn’t have to take my clothes off once to try anything on, so there’s that.”

“Och, you’re always looking at the bright side of things.” He patted my shoulder and tried to look sympathetic. Unfortunately, it wasn’t working. His lips were twitching into a smile. “I take it to mean you didn’t find the perfect dress.”

“There’s no such thing as the perfect dress. It’s a myth perpetuated by clothes retailers to get you to spend a ridiculous amount of money on a dress you will only wear one time.”

Now he laughed, apparently unable to contain himself. “Chin up. I’m sure it will all work itself out. As we say in Ireland, ‘Your feet will bring you to where your heart is.’”

“Well, my feet and heart are determined to stay as far away as possible from a wedding dress fitting. Intellectually, I know I have to pick outsomethingto wear. If only I could wave a magic wand and be dressed in a way that everyone likes.”

The smile faded from his face and his green eyes narrowed. “Everyone else can bugger off. What’s important is whatyoulike, Lexi. You should wear whatever the hell you want.”

“Wow. That makes a lot of sense when you put it like that. Can I quote you on that?”

“Yes, you can. If anyone has anything to say about it, send them to me. I’ll threaten them with litigation.”

“You really are a good friend, Finn, not to mention a good boss. You know that, right?”

“I certainly do.”

Just as he said that, Glinda, Finn’s administrative assistant, appeared in the doorway with a man and a woman.

“Hello and welcome to X-Corp,” Finn said, stepping forward and holding out a hand to the woman first. She looked to be in her fifties with thick brown hair wound into a bun at her neck and dressed in a tan suit with a deep-rose-colored blouse. Small earrings accented with a pink stone and diamond chip winked as she turned her head.

“I’m glad you’re here. I’m Finn Shaughnessy, CEO.”

“Lilith Burbridge.” The woman took Finn’s hand and shook it. “CEO of Vaccitex.”

“Hayden Pogue, founder of Vaccitex.” A man with steel-gray hair and a mustache held out his hand next. “Thanks for agreeing to meet with us on such short notice.”

“We are happy to be of assistance.” Finn shook his hand, then turned to me, ushering me forward. “This is our Director of Information Security, Lexi Carmichael.”