Page 36 of Seductive Architect (Grunts of Vanguard #2)

Sitting in my usual seat in the break room, I applauded my handiwork.

If Arthur knew how early I arrived this morning, he’d be the one claiming I’d been possessed by a hell demon.

After the last few days, I think everybody needed a change of pace.

It was the least I could do to mark the momentous occasion.

It’s not every day I get to save my friends from a rogue AI. I'm determined to destroy Vanguard.

I didn’t want to get into mushy monologues where I explained how my co-workers had progressed from friends to family.

People always said they’d risk their lives for friends.

I understood the sentiment. Instead of tripping over words, I had carefully placed boxes in front of each of their chairs.

While not much, it’d set the tone for the workweek .

“Orion?”

“Howdy, boss.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Okay, boss.” I smiled, flashing teeth. “How are you doing?”

He plopped down in his chair, eyeing the gray box. I didn’t want to tell him, but I had never seen him this rough before. I suppose being mind-controlled and then getting beaten up by a crack team of superheroes would do that.

“It’s blurry.” He rubbed his temples. “At first, I thought it was all a dream. I woke up and Ricardo had—” He caught himself before he spilled his boyfriend’s secret identity.

“Had turned into Alloy?” I smiled while fluttering my eyelashes.

He groaned. “How long have you known?”

“Ever since the janitor's closet.” His face turned bright red. “How do you not know there are cameras everywhere? Or is that part of the excitement? Be thankful security didn’t see that creative display.”

“I need coffee for this.”

I snapped my fingers, and the coffeemaker turned on.

A second later, the break room smelled of delicious French roast. Arthur’s eyes widened, his back straightening as steam rose from the filled coffee cup.

It had been his ongoing gripe for months now, and after bartering with the coffeemaker, we had settled on a truce.

If we used premium coffee, it’d make sure every cup came out piping hot.

“Is that hot coffee?”

“Just for you, boss.”

He got up, moving at lightning speed to the counter. I snickered as he made an audible inhale before petting the coffeemaker. Holding up the cup, he clutched it as if he had discovered gold. When he returned to his seat, he didn’t let go of his mug.

“Honestly, we thought it was a dream. All of it. I’m used to having nightmares where Janet chases me around. It wasn’t until the fire department called, and we saw the damage, that we knew.”

“Sorry about that. Is Ricardo mad?”

“About the damage? More like, annoyed.” I hadn’t thought of a suitable gift that would make up for destroying millions’ worth of research.

Maybe if I removed the camera from the janitor’s closet?

“He’s thankful. First, he has a scientist try to destroy the city, and now this? He’s reconsidering his hiring process.”

“Gifts!”

I couldn’t help but smile as Wyatt crashed into his chair, taking a seat as his hands hovered over the box. His feet smacked against the floor with excitement, his eyes nearly bulging out of his head.

“What is it, boss?”

Arthur shook his head. We’d never stop, no matter how many times he asked. “It’s not me.” He gave me a head nod. “You can thank Orion.”

“Friend!” I could tell he was torn. Open the box or hug me. “You’re not upset that I almost killed you?”

I skipped the facts. He might have tried, but the Coven’s new lineup had emerged victorious. “Not mad at all, big guy. It’s not your fault that your brain was rewired by an evil computer.”

“I’ll try to kill you less next time.” It would have been comical if it weren’t true. In Vanguard, we might have saved the day, but who knew what might happen by lunch? The chances of another disaster sweeping the city weren’t probable, they were a guarantee.

“Can I?”

“Soon as Drew gets here.”

He winced as if I had kicked him. “Drew! Friend! We need you!”

We all watched the doorway as feet stomped down the hallway. Drew appeared, fists drawn back as if he expected another disaster. He scanned the room, and when nothing tried to kill him, he dropped his fists.

“I was worried when I didn’t see Janet.”

“She mentioned having a girls’ weekend?”

After saving the world, I assumed it was code for picking up a man and ravishing him all weekend.

Janet hadn’t texted in days, which was unusual on its own.

She had taken the news about Connie hard, and I figured she needed her space.

I waited to process my grief with Kiki. After having been a part of my life for decades, I wasn’t sure where to begin.

Drew smoothed out the front of his dress shirt, fixing his tie into place. “What’s going on?”

I choked back my feelings. If I dwelled on it for too long, I’d get emotional, and this staff meeting didn’t need me crying. I gestured to Drew’s chair. “We’ve had a rough couple of days. I wanted to start the week off with something special.”

“You got us gifts?” I couldn’t stop him. Drew leaned over and wrapped his arms around my chest. “I knew you weren’t a cold-hearted xenophobe.”

Thanks?

“Can we?” Wyatt would bust if I said anything but yes.

“Go for it.”

Drew and Arthur carefully opened their boxes while Wyatt tore through the packaging like a child on Christmas morning. As they took in the contents, I couldn’t help but smile at the expressions on their faces. I had never given gifts before, and I hoped they hit the mark.

“Earth friend,” Wyatt gasped. He held up a carton of his favorite chocolate bars.

“This is magnificent.” He wasted no time tearing open the box and holding up a bar.

“How did you know these are my favorites?” Perhaps from all the wrappers we found around the office?

Or that he demanded the vending machine have nothing but Choco bars. It had been a hunch.

“Orion,” Drew held up a book. I had once heard him talking with Arthur about wanting to be more assertive and thought it’d be perfect.

“ The Nice Guy’s Handbook for Taking Charge ,” he mumbled.

He pressed it against his chest, hugging the book.

As our resident people pleaser, Drew never wanted to hurt people’s feelings.

Hopefully, this helped give him some strategies.

Everybody turned to Arthur. He held up a coffee mug. “World’s Okayest Boss?” His eyes narrowed, but I caught the grin. Inside the cup stood a week’s worth of coffee imported from South America. It should keep the coffeemaker happy and him extremely caffeinated.

“I don’t know what to say,” he said. “Thanks?”

I gave him a quick salute. “Remember that next time you have to write me up.”

“We didn’t get you anything,” Wyatt said.

“He’s right,” Drew added. “You saved Vanguard. We should take you out for drinks or something.”

“About that.” I stood up, raising my arms in the air. “This is the best gift of all.”

With a thought, the confetti cannons installed in the corners of the room fired.

Victory music streamed from their cellphones.

Everybody jumped in their seats as it rained tiny, bright pieces of paper.

Behind me , a banner unrolled along the wall.

Their eyes went wide, and it confirmed that getting out of bed early this morning had been worth it.

“I. Told. You. So.” When nobody replied, I pushed on. “What’s that? What was I right about? Let me tell you.”

Arthur’s head dropped into his palms. Wyatt had started a little dance in his chair. I had been dreaming of this moment, and I planned on milking it for all it was worth.

“I was right about the senator. The super-soldier program? Yup, right about that as well. Super computer… that wasn’t on my board.

Citywide mind control, yup, that was right…

Though, it wasn’t aliens.” Okay, so about half of my theories had come true.

“I never want to hear anybody question my research again.”

“Fine,” Arthur said. “You were right this one time.”

Wyatt slid a chocolate bar in front of everybody. “We must celebrate friend Orion’s victory.”

Drew peeled back the plastic, hoisting the chocolate bar into the air. “To our slightly eccentric truth seeker.”

Even Arthur held up a candy bar. Wyatt skipped the cheer and had already devoured half of his.

I couldn’t help but smile as I returned to my seat.

If the last week had proven anything, these people were like family.

It was time to stop holding them at arm’s length and embrace our quirky dynamic.

It didn’t lessen the void left by Connie’s death, but bit by bit, they’d help fill it .

“After work, anybody want to grab drinks at Bottom’s Up?”

Arthur’s eyebrow went up. I never suggested after-work activities. Things were going to change.

“Is a certain sexy super soldier going to be there?” asked Drew.

I nodded. “In fact, Wyatt, invite Dustin. I haven’t seen him since he started his company.” The mention of his boyfriend made those chocolate-smeared lips turn into a giant smile.

“And Ricardo.”

“I’m sure he could use a few stiff ones after dealing with insurance adjusters.”

Wyatt shook his head. “Appreciated, good friend, but Dustin and I are monogamous.”

Arthur snorted. “I meant drinks!”

“Good. It’s a date, then. For now, I need to chase bug reports.” I patted Arthur on the shoulders as I passed. Leaning in, I whispered. “I promise not to mention the janitor’s closet.”

The HeroApp? had never run smoother.

Despite a day of crushing bugs, I didn’t feel much like celebrating. More than once, I had said, “Connie, can you…” and the grief started anew. The lack of quips in the ba ck of my head or watching her blink in and out of view made the office feel too big and yet suffocating.