Page 52 of The Restoration Program

“Your 9:30 is here, Mr. Northe. Should I send her in?”

Ryan glanced at his smart watch—time flies when you’re smuggling in your Restored girlfriend—and told the receptionist to send the client up.

“I’ll figure out a better place for you during the day,” he said, pushing his phone and monitor toward the center of the desk. “But for now…”

“This is fine,” Nicole said, taking position in the freed corner. The spot was more discreet than the side facing the client’s seat. She grinned as she watched him take his seat. “I finally get a front row seat to the action.”

Ryan grinned playfully. “Excited?”

“Yeah, I’ll probably get a good nap in.” She rubbed his arm, resting near the keyboard, looking up at him with a softer smile.

What a fucking incredible team they were, making this work.

“Go get ‘em, tiger,” she said.

Her smile faded somewhat when the client arrived. Cynthia Levesque was a small woman, but her stylishly-cut silver hair and expensive-looking clothes brought with her an air of intimidation.

Nicole sat quietly, unobtrusive as Ryan introduced himself and began to explain the mission ofCallahan & Associates.She was happy to remain invisible for the duration of the meeting, but she wasn’t fully concealed.

A few minutes into the meeting, Ryan was interrupted by the client’s gasp. “What isthat?”

Ryan didn’t miss a beat. “This is my girlfriend, Nicole,” he said rather proudly.

Nicole got to her feet and inched closer to extend her hand.

“I realize this is unusual,” Ryan went on, “but I promise there’s nothing to worry about. She won’t bite. NüPrints are just like you and me, only—”

“Yes, yes I’ve seen those dreadful stories on the news,” Levesque said, decidedly ignoring Nicole’s greeting. “Why in heaven’s name is it on your desk?”

“She,” Nicole piped up, unable to stop herself. “I’m not anit.”

The woman gave a sharp laugh that sounded more like a cough. “No more ashethan a piece of plastic. Printing people. What has this world come to?”

Ryan flinched. Fire lit up at the back of his eyes and rushed to the surface. He looked ready to explode, but Nicole found her voice before that could happen.

“It’s alright.” The situation was far from alright. She had been prepared for careless wonder and intrusive fascination that Ryan could protect her from. She hadn’t braced herself for loathing and disgust. It seared her inside to not defend herself, but she remembered her promise to Callahan. She smiled meekly. “I won’t be a bother, ma’am. Pretend I’m not here.”

Levesque sneered as if she couldn’t imagine ignoring an abomination that existed in the same room as her. Luckily, Ryan gathered his patience and put it to work, diving back into financial talk.

Nicole fixed her eyes on the other end of the desk, staring hard at the photo of her and Ryan. As much as it pained her to remember times before the accident, it was better to get lost in those memories than to give any attention to Levesque.

Too bad her demanding voice wasn’t so easily ignored.

“There are several affairs I’d like to put in order,” Levesque said. “Particularly investing what will become my children and grandchildren’s inheritance. I’d like you to explain the best option possible—and don’t start tossing around those complicated terms like my previous advisor did. I know how you people are, using your fancy language to swindle hardworking people out of their life’s earnings.”

Nicole’s jaw dropped, but Ryan took the barrage of insults and demands with shocking grace, like this was a daily occurrence for him.

“Your money is yours, and what you do with it is your decision when all is said and done,” he said. “I promise I’m not swindling anybody. Now, there are a few different types of accounts I can break down for you…”

As he dove into details about Levesque’s options, tension unwound from Nicole’s shoulders. She relaxed to the sound of his voice, the rumbling quality sinking comfortably into her bones. This wouldn’t take long. Ryan surely wanted to get rid of this woman as soon as possible. He’d tell her what she wanted to hear, give her exactly what she wanted, and she’d be out the door.

“So if you decide to choose this account, your money would show the most growth in the long run,” Ryan said, handing a tablet off to Levesque. “By the time your beneficiaries collect, there’ll be plenty more waiting for them compared to what you put in.”

Levesque hummed. “Interesting. So you do agree with the idea that people should pass on when it’s their time?”

“I’m sorry?”

“It isn’t easy thinking about my own passing, but I certainly wouldn’t want a little copy of myself roaming around, claiming to be me.”