Page 14 of Tech Bros

I’m picking at a bowl of shelled edamame when I feel a warm hand on my shoulder.

I turn and nearly choke on a soybean when I come face to face with my fucking boss. Well—technically notmyboss—he’s Evan’s boss, and I don’t report to him directly but he’sthe big boss. Polytech’s CEO. Isaac Sullivan. Who, by the way, is extremely—and I’m not exaggerating—hot.

He frowns slightly, like he’s trying to place me, but he came over to me, right?

I offer my hand and force out a greeting. “Nice to see you,” I say, checking over his very broad shoulder to look at the door.

He shakes my hand, holding it a bit longer than I’d expect. “You, too.” His frown deepens. “Have we met in person?”

I blink several times, refocusing on his face. His dark eyes are striking and unmistakable, set into lean, handsome features beneath casually wavy brown hair, a shade or two lighter than mine. He has precisely trimmed and well-cared for facial hair that sets off his strong jawline and cheekbones. So good looking. “A few times,” I say. “Deacon Forester. I work in software development. Green team?”

“Oh. Jesus.” He lets go of my hand and shoots a glance around the restaurant.

I’m confused.

And then it hits me. Brown hair, gray shirt, black jacket, 6’2.Have we met in person?

This is my date.

Fuck.

Isaac Sullivan meets men through dating apps?

And he pickedme?

I don’t know what the hell to think right now. “Can I buy you a drink?” I ask, and I’m pretty sure I can thank all my new meds for that one.

He takes half a step away. “This is—probably not a good idea.”

“A drink?”

“I—” He swallows and looks around again. Then he rubs a hand over his face and sighs. “You’re right. Fuck it. I could use a drink. I’m sorry about this. Hazards of online dating, am I right?” After signaling a server who immediately snaps toattention upon seeing him hold up his hand, Isaac orders an old-fashioned before taking the stool next to mine.

He gives me a smile that makes him look very uncomfortable, but I could be misunderstanding.

There’s no rule that I know of at Polytech that says employees can’t see each other outside of work, so I’m not sure what the problem is—or if it’s me.

“I also apologize for not knowing your name,” he says.

“I wouldn’t expect you to,” I say. “It’s a big company.”

“Green team, you said?”

I nod. “Team Leader.”

He studies the sushi chefs the way I did when I first sat down.“And how are things going over there?”

I try for a joke. “You know, it’s a lot of math.”

He cracks a grin and slides his gaze briefly my way. “I bet.”

“What’s your job like?” I figure I’ll come across better if he does most of the talking.

“A lot of meetings. Light on the math.”

“Do you enjoy it?” I ask.

“I can’t imagine doing anything else.”