Page 39 of Power Move

“How is your broken PC working out?” I tried not to glare.

“It is… broken. I gave up. I am still just using my iPad at home.”

I rubbed my temples.Just what we need, a mobile device used by the CEO at home to expand our threat surface.

“Let’s order you an iPad Pro,” I said.

“And why?”

Because we can lock it down like Fort Knox and unfuck things.

“You deserve an upgrade, David. Don’t you think?”

He shrugged. “If you say so, Eva. You’re the expert.”

Davey’s gaze wasn’t benignorprofessional. We hadn’t even gotten Sake, and he already stared at me too much. I could have been flattered, but why? In this state, I expected different treatment. Did he have some weird breeding kink?

The server arrived with Sake and three glasses.

I covered mine with my hand. “Nothing for me, thanks. I’m a teetotaler.”

“Really? Oh, that’s a shame. But congrats on your sobriety.” Norm was kind.

I plan to drink heavily once this thing is out of me. I’ve more than earned it.

Davey changed topics. “Eva is Daphne’s former mentee. How did that all start again, Eva?”

“We were paired up by the Oxford Alumni group for American students. She was a young barrister, and I was just leaving law and cybersecurity. I had no idea how to navigate the British job market.”

“And you were staying?” Norm asked.

“I wastryingto. I was in a serious relationship with a Brit and had no intention of moving back to the States to live with my parents and find a job.”

“Oh, exciting. Did your husband move back with you?” Norm made all kinds of assumptions.

“No,” I said. “Ironically, I moved back when Daphne hired me and am currently living with my family. Both my parents are retired, and my mom needs some interference now that Dad is always around.”

Norm chuckled. “When my wife was alive, that was how it was. So, no husband? No boyfriend?”

“No girlfriend, boyfriend, or partner of any sort,” I answered.

Norm smiled. “Oh, you young people can be so free. It is good. Davey, I know I shouldn’t ask?—”

“No,” Davey answered. “There is someone I was sort of seeing, but that is… complicated.”

If he meant me, he barked up the wrong tree. If not, he was being tacky.

“Well, no doubt Lady Danna would prefer to see you end up with someone—especially as Daphne has just gotten married.”

“Daphne was married before, too.”

I pulled a face.

“Oh, she didn’t like the first husband,” Norm chuckled.

“He was an ass,” I confirmed. “Cal is much better for her. Not that I have an opinion, of course.”

“I agree,” Davey added. “And Mum is… a challenge in this regard. I’d like to settle down someday. I am trying.”