Page 5 of Tech Bros

“The workforce scheduler?”

“I—” I clamp my mouth shut because I don’t want to sound like I have no idea what I’m doing here. While I’ve mentioned the program several times to Isaac, I was positive he wasn’t listening since he’s basically trying to get into my pants all the time. I mean—I send him email updates on the software every Tuesday, but I had no idea or indication he actually read them.

“Of course.” I glance at Hunter but then force my focus onto the VP or basically anyone else at the other end of the table. “I’m working on a program that improves the user interface and background functioning of a large workforce scheduling app. It’s a self-scheduler, personal calendar—totally integrated into whatever calendar an employee likes to use, but honestly—this calendar has more functionality, and it’s meant to be extremely user friendly and scaleable.”

“He has a lot of strong feelings about calendar apps.” Isaac’s comment elicits a polite laugh from the Four Points team. Except for Hunter, who remains expressionless.

I continue. “Self-scheduling is a huge employee satisfier, and this software would reduce the amount of work on team leads or supervisors.”

“Is it complete? Can we take a look at it?” The VP asks.

“I can send you over a power point,” I pull out of my ass. I don’t have a power point. The program barely even works yet. “It’s still about three months out from being ready.”

“It’s truly incredible,” Isaac says. “Very innovative.”

My neck heats at the praise, and I pray the color doesn’t reach my face. I need to stick my head in a bucket of ice water. Working for Isaac Sullivan has been a life-changing experience. The job offer last August felt like winning a lottery. I might give him a hard time about our near daily liaisons, but it’s actually a very small part of our working relationship. Okay…notsmall…

“How long will you be in town?” I ask, needing the attention off me for once.

Hunter answers, speaking for the first time in half an hour. “A week.”

Isaac’s entire thigh pulls up flush with mine. “Perfect,” he says. “If you’d like, we can set up a meeting with legal to go over processes and procedures. You’re also welcome to meet with one of our logistics teams who can show you what they’ve been able to do with companies not unlike yours.”

“What’s your availability?” Hunter asks, and this time, he’s looking directly at me.

I pull up Yellow team’s schedule on my laptop and find a gap. “Monday looks promising,” I say. “I’ll email the team lead Alisha to confirm, and then I can get back to you.”

“Nothing tomorrow?” Hunter asks.

My nerves finally catch up with me. I keep my eyes glued to the screen. “Let me reach out. I can get back to you this afternoon.”

“Great,” he says.

“Are you speaking with other companies while you’re here?” Isaac asks.

The VP gives a curt nod.

“We’ll make tomorrow work, then,” Isaac declares. “I don’t want to take up all your time. Any other questions for now?”

There are polite no’s and thanks you’s as everyone rises from the conference table. I stay seated, already sending an email to Alisha marked High Importance. She’s almost as bad at responding to emails as Isaac is. When I do get up, Isaac is right beside me, and Hunter is standing by the door, waiting.

I glance at Isaac. “Can I have a second?”

He lifts his brows, but his eyes don’t show surprise or interest. They’re more in the“seriously?”category.

I stare at him hard and long enough for him to nod and leave me alone with my ex. Hunter takes a few steps closer to where I’m still standing near the table. His shoulders drop, and he seems to lose an inch of height. “Hey,” he says quietly.

“Hi.”

“I had no idea you worked here,” he says.

“I gathered that. Sorry about your dad.”

A pained look crosses his face, but he shakes his head as if to wipe it away. It sort of works. “Can I buy you lunch?”

“You can ask me to join you for lunch, but I’ll pay for myself,” I tell him.

He nods, breaking eye contact. “All right. Join me for lunch then?”