Page 50 of The Restoration Program

Callahan heaved a sigh, mulling it over. Then he shook his head, looking as though he were truly pained. “I’m afraid not, Mr. Northe. This is a place of business, not a rehabilitation clinic.”

Nicole could sense Ryan’s heart sinking in time with hers as he insisted, “You don’t understand, sir. I could—”

“I know better than you think,” Callahan said, sterner. “It’s a romantic notion, but have you considered all angles?”

In the moment that Ryan wavered on how to proceed, Nicole took the matter into her own hands. She shoved up the flap, pulling herself halfway through the opening.

“I have a few counterpoints,” she declared, unsure whether Callahan or Ryan was more shocked at her sudden appearance.

“Nicki!” Ryan’s hand reflexively jumped to her like he might try to shove her back down into hiding. Thankfully, he came to his senses and scooped her out of the pocket with an annoyed huff.

She motioned for him to set her down. Being cupped in his hands like a squirming puppy would steal whatever dignity she could inject into her argument. Ryan didn’t resist.

“Good morning,” she said, proud that her voice didn’t skip—at first. “I wish we could’ve met before I, uh—but… Well, here I am now.” She clenched her fists so hard that her fingernails bit into her palms, little daggers anchoring her to the moment while she assessed Callahan.

Something was odd about the way he stared at her. The initial shock had worn off, and he didn’t gape at her the way those people in the restaurant had. There was sympathy in his gaze, but she read something deeper that gradually dawned on her.

“Gene Callahan,” he said softly. “Director of Callahan Advisors. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Nicole Zhou. Currently unemployed and less than a foot tall. The pleasure is all mine.”

He chuckled, lifting a more serious look to Ryan. “Well, I fail to see why you came in here to ask permission when it seems you both tried to make the decision for me.”

“We’re sorry,” Nicole said, hurrying to answer before Ryan. She swallowed the urge to clarify that it wasnotpart of the plan for Ryan to ask for permission like she wasn’t already there. “We thought if you could meet me in person, you might…” She trailed off and pursed her lips, taking a different approach while satisfying her own curiosity. “Mr. Callahan, if you don’t mind me asking, am I the first NüPrint you’ve met?”

“In person, yes.” He paused, weighing something in his thoughts before folding his hands on the desk. “My wife’s nephew has undergone the procedure in California. The family prefers that no one share this information offhandedly, but I don’t expect either of you will gossip about it, given the circumstances.”

“Of course not,” Ryan said, sounding stunned by the news.

Callahan stayed fixed on Nicole, a knowing smile on his face. “Is it obvious that I’m familiar with the results of your procedure?”

“In a good way. There’s this…lookpeople give me, like I’m a freakshow attraction. Even if they don’t mean to. You haven’t given me that look. Not even for a second.”

He sighed, not unkindly. “Then you understand why it wouldn’t be in anyone’s best interest for you to be here.”

Nicole took a step forward, trying not to look frantic. “I know we’re asking a lot, but I won’t be a distraction to Ryan. The last thing I want is to hurt his ability to work.”

Ryan cleared his throat. “If anything, I’ll be more focused knowing that she’s safe with me.”

For a second, Callahan seemed like he might cave. “Believe me when I say I have some understanding of how difficult it is to adjust to all of this. But you must adapt. Both of you.”

She clenched her jaw, tears pushing at the back of her eyes. “Please, Mr. Callahan. I’m trying.We’retrying. But—”

“Miss Zhou—”

“I know this situation isn’t something that can be looked up in an employee manual. There is no protocol for this—and that’s what our lives have been since the procedure. Feeling around in the dark, alone.” She hesitated and cracked the smallest smile. “I know this is hardly the same, but… Ryan’s told me about you. That you established this office on your own and continue to run it that way. Is that right?”

Callahan gave her a mildly perplexed look, but he nodded. “Correct.”

“You had to take risks, didn’t you? Well, Ryan is worth this risk.”

Silence. Nicole kept her chin tipped up.

“You’re very persuasive,” Callahan murmured at long last. “I said when I founded this company that I would never take on a partner. I’ve seen too many men my age forced out of their seat as time does its damage.” A small smirk softened his wizened features. “But if I were to bend my own rule, I might look for someone like you. You have an impressive perspective for someone so young.”

Nicole smiled, tentative hope fluttering in her chest. “One week. Just a trial run.”

He nodded, not without reluctance. “I’ll allow that for now. Please be careful. I can enforce professionalism in my office, but I can’t keep others from being curious.”