Page 48 of The Restoration Program

“Have a shitty one, Jeff,” Cora said.

Ryan set a quick pace, rounding corners that made Nicole sick to her stomach.

“Don’t take it personally.” Cora’s voice came again from the left. “He’s been like this long before you got here. I might have had a case to get the shitbag fired if his numbers weren’t so phenomenal.”

“Maybe I can help with that,” Ryan said.

His momentum stopped short, like Cora had grabbed his arm. A soulful pause passed between them. “I know how hard this has been on you,” she went on. “You’re doing incredible.”

Ryan didn’t say anything for a few moments. Nicole wished she could see his face.

The sound of a wheeling cart rumbled into earshot while Ryan mustered an excuse to leave for his office. One of the cart wheels squeaked as it sped in their direction, toward the elevator. Ryan turned to leave.

“‘Scuse me—” a new voice said.

The passerby must have been a hair away from clipping the bag. Ryan flinched away severely, sparing Nicole from the collision, but his satchel slammed into his side and knocked her head against the laptop. She cried out.

The cart vanished out of earshot and left behind a new, tense energy prickling between Cora and Ryan.

“What was that?” Cora asked.

Fuck.

“Come here,” Ryan hissed. Cora’s steps stumbled like she was being yanked along. A lock clicked open. The door shut behind them, and the silence of Ryan’s office replaced the chaotic hall.

“Northe, tell me you didn’t bring her.” Cora was not shrill or panicked, but her voice was thready.

The world shook, fabric rustling as Ryan unshouldered his bag and set it down. “You can’t tell anyone,” he said. “Not until I clear this with Callahan.”

The pocket flap opened, and Nicole threw up an arm to block out the sudden light. Ryan’s hand plunged in, wrapping around her to pull her out. A thin veil of sweat had collected during the journey, making the office A/C sting her skin. She shivered in his hands.

“You okay?” Ryan asked. He ducked closer to hold her flighty gaze. “I heard… You sounded hurt.”

Nicole nodded halfheartedly and skimmed the office, spotting sentimental objects that marked the spacehis. The plants she had gifted him glowed vibrantly in the morning sun. Framed photos and books he’d purchased to aid his studies. She quickly moved her attention to the other woman in the room.

Still standing by the door, Cora watched the pair of them, her intelligent gray eyes wide. Her auburn hair was tucked neatly into a ponytail, curtain bangs shaping a pleasant face. Cora went rigid when their gazes locked.

Ryan sighed, his mouth thinning as he stood. “Nicole, this is Cora Addison.”

“Hi.” All of Nicole’s remaining body heat collected in her cheeks. “Ry, please put me down.”

“Are you alright?” Cora frowned as Ryan complied and took a slow step closer. “How the hell did this smartass convince you to do this?”

Nicole blinked, taken aback. Up until that point, any non-Program affiliates aimed all questions at Ryan rather than her. “It was my idea, actually,” she said, smiling sheepishly. “As for the bag… I mean, I didn’t think it would go over well if I strutted in here like I owned the place.”

Cora relaxed. Her smile came easily and brilliantly as though she smiled often. “Gosh, Northe, she’s even prettier than you said.Andfunny too?” She lowered her eyes back to Nicole and carefully lifted a hand toward her. “Er… May I?”

“Oh, of course.” Nicole hastily put on a smile and accepted the massive handshake, which was thankfully quite gentle. “Thanks for not, you know… freaking out.”

“Hey, it’s not like you’re a rat, or something. Not that I would put it past Northe to pull a stunt like that.” Cora flicked a smirk up at Ryan, though it was a surprisingly soft look. “I… have a friend who died recently–or she almost did. She was Restored, too, but it was kept under wraps until the news broke publicly. I didn’t even know. Can’t tell you how amazing it is to have her back in my life.”

“I know the feeling,” Ryan said.

“I should bring her around sometime.” Cora’s gaze settled on Nicole. “I’m sure you and Emma would hit it off.”

“How long has she been…?” Nicole ventured.

“About two months. Anyway, I’m glad to finally meet you, Nicole. You’re lucky to have this one looking out for you. I’m almost jealous.”