Page 23 of Wild Oblivion

I chuckled. “We make the best choices we can with the information available.”

“And to think you were out last night casually having a drink as if nothing happened.”

“Life goes on.” I introduced her to Jack, and the two shook hands.

"I didn't figure you for a designer of weapons of mass destruction," I said.

She sighed. "Well, I don't think that was the original intention. But here we are. This technology is revolutionary. Imagine if we could completely eliminate the threat of nuclear war.”

"By replacing it with this?”

"I'd rather not see the world become an uninhabitable blob of radioactive fallout.”

"Seems like this kind of weapon at scale could do the same amount of damage.”

"Pick your poison, Deputy. At least with these kinds of weapons, there's a chance to rebuild afterward.”

I couldn't argue with that. "Looks like we'll be working together on this project. Perhaps we should exchange numbers.”

She gave me a curious look.

"For professional reasons, of course.” I dug into my pocket and handed her a card.

"I'll keep this handy in case I need it,” she said as she took it. She didn’t offer her number.

"So, when's the wedding?”

She gave me a confused look, then snapped to it. “Oh. Uh, I don’t know. We're stillcourting."

"How long have you beencourting?”

She cleared her throat. "Three years.”

"What's the holdup? Is it you or him?" Then I muttered. "How crazy are you?”

Her brow knitted. "I am not crazy.”

"So it's him? Not ready to settle down?”

"I think we’re still getting to know each other.”

"Smart, beautiful women such as yourself don't stay on the market long."

"I'm not on the market. I'm not a commodity that can be traded.”

I smiled, watching her get riled up. "Well, he seems like a great guy," I said, trying not to sound too insincere.

"He is," she said, coming to his defense. "He's a great catch, and any woman would be lucky to have a man like that," she said, mostly to convince herself.

"Well, congratulations.”

"I don't see how this conversation is in any way relevant to our work. I would prefer if we kept our discussions professional from here on out, if you don't mind.”

"Of course. Just making small talk.”

"I’m not a fan of small talk. It's mostly a waste of time, wouldn't you agree?”

I smiled again. “Yes. Direct and to the point is better.”