Page 66 (2/2)

"Oh Well, sure Okay Yeah Iit back"

"Sounds perfect to rab my purse and follow hi I have at least ten pounds on him His hair is cut short, al a T-shirt announcing that Pluto is still a planet On that, I agree wholeheartedly, and I tell hiates By the ti about him except his Social Security nuuild anyti Damien Stark," he adds, as we cross the lobby to the small cafeteria "That’s cool"

"I think so," I say politely, but I can’t help but cringe a little I airlfriend I have taken on more than just Damien I have parked myself under a microscope For someone who has lived most of her life behind a mask of polite indifference, it is not the most comfortable place to be

"Yeah, so the sandwiches here are pretty good," Alex says, and I ae of subject "The pizza kind of sucks, though"

"Salads?"

"Beats me," he says "I don’t do rabbit food Meet you back here?"

I nod, then head toward the rabbit food area I’ether a Cobb salad forAsian wo to place where I’ve seen her before when she points at irl"

"Nikki Fairchild," I confirm "I’m sorry, I’ve been introduced to about a million people, at least it feels that way I don’t remember your na Lisa Reynolds I’m a business consultant, and I’ve known Bruce for years"

I suddenly remember where I’ve seen her "You were in the lobby on Friday," I say "At one of the tables"

"I usually am at least once a day I can’t live without coffee, and I like to get out of the office Here," she adds, then digs in her purse for a business card "If you ever want to sneak downstairs for a latte, give enuinely pleased I haven’t eles, and I’

I proive her a call this week, then head upstairs with Alex I want to get back to work, but I also know I should get to know est that we eat in the break room, but I have to confess that I a to eat at his desk so that he can play WoW

I’ve finished the salad and am deep into an analysis of some troublesome code when Damien calls "Hey," I say "Did you see that article in Tech World?"

"Talking shop, Ms Fairchild?"

I laugh "What else should I talk about? The scarf you sent ifts has becoic If I already own it, I probably already like it"