by Noree Cosper
He chuckled. "No. I was looking for the Kellerman Conference room."
A man stepped out from the room holding a broom. Wrinkles sagged his cheeks and caused the corners of his eyes to droop. As he studied me, one corner of his mouth lifted in a creepy smile.
"Pretty," he mumbled.
Mercer gave him a glare and turned back to me. "I stopped to ask Stanley here for directions."
But that wasn't what you were talking about, I thought.
"It's actually in Waller," I offered instead. "I'm headed that way. You want me to show you?"
He beamed at me. "I'd love that."
The janitor's eyes bored into my back as we walked down the hall, causing an itch between my shoulder blades. I breathed in the humid air once we stepped outside. The weight of the creepy old guy's gaze disappeared, and I grinned over at Mercer, leading him down the right sidewalk to Waller.
"You should get a map or something, if you're going to be on campus a lot," I said.
"Mmm," he said. "I'm usually pretty good at finding my way around."
"That janitor is really creepy. It seems like you know him."
He laughed. "I think he was the first person I met when I first came here a few weeks ago. He's definitely an odd one. You should probably avoid him, if you can."
"Why?"
"Like I said, I don't think he's all there." He reached out and took my hand, pulling me to a stop. "I'm looking forward to our interview tomorrow."
My heart fluttered. Minutes ticked by from the class I should be attending, but it didn't matter. The warm pressure of his hand kept me rooted in place. His green eyes sparked an intense heat in my stomach. I knew fire well. It could spread in an instant, and once it did, extinguishing it was difficult. I wanted to nurture this flame within me, but I couldn't let it become wild. I swallowed and stepped back.
"I'm looking forward to it as well." Why wouldn't my voice stay even? "I have a lot of questions."
A smile played on his lips. "I have some questions for you, too."
I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow. "Who is supposed to be conducting the interview here?"
"It can be mutual, can't it?"
I laughed as I started walking again. "I write the news, not make it. Trust me, I'm not that interesting."
"I doubt that's true."
His gaze sent a delicious shiver down my spine. I cleared my throat and continued walking, using my hair to hide the heat creeping up my face. He had no idea how interesting my life was becoming, and I planned to keep it that way.
The red brick and domed entrance of Waller Hall was only a few feet away. My time with Mercer grew shorter the closer we came. As much as I wanted this time to last, he had places to be, and so did I. I could deal with Marshall, but skipping more classes was crazy with as much as I had to do. He held the door open, and I shuddered at the cold air that blasted me as I stepped inside.
"The conference room is just up those stairs." I pointed to an alcove to the right of the doors. "Can't miss it."
He gave my hand a light squeeze. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Seven, right?"
He leaned forward and kissed me on the cheek. "See you then."
I gaped at him as he headed up the stairs. I touched my cheek, and a small giggle escaped my lips. I spun and almost danced to my Media Law and Ethics class. The rest of the day passed in a blur--I couldn't even remember the lecture I'd tried so hard not to miss. My mind kept returning to Mercer's soft lips on my cheek. Twilight was setting in as I walked to my car with a bounce in my step and hum on my lips.
A chill slithered at the base of my spine. Someone was watching me again. I threaded my largest key between my middle and ring finger as I scanned the near-empty yard. The janitor stood on the stoop of a side door to Waller hall with his arms crossed, leering at me with hooded eyes. His graveled laugh followed me as I hurried to the parking lot.
7
I stared at the screen of my laptop and tapped my pen against the keyboard. The rich smell of coffee and cookies surrounded me. One of the baristas called out a customer's name, and a blonde girl at the table next to mine hopped up to grab her order.
I didn't really know anyone here, but the hum of conversation impeded on the silence I would have had to deal with at home. Serenity was so engrossed in her code; she didn't even know I existed.
The words on the screen ran together. With a sigh, I rubbed my closed eyes and took a long drink of my latte. I wrinkled my nose as the cool liquid hit my tongue. It had sat too long.
Last night, I'd forced Serenity to play video games with me until neither of us could keep our eyes open. It wasn't that I'd been caught up in any of them. I couldn't sleep. Every time I'd closed my eyes, I'd seen that janitor watching me with that leer. I shuddered at the thought of it. Of course I'd overslept and missed meeting Aunt Jo before classes, but she would have to get over it.
I glanced at the clock. Four thirty. I shut my laptop and slipped it in my back pack. I had two and a half hours before I met Mercer. A light airy sensation fluttered in my chest. This was just an interview, a very intimate interview with a man who was clearly flirting with me. I chuckled as I climbed in my car and started the engine. What was I thinking? He was buttering me up. Not that he needed to.
I parked and sprinted up the stairs to burst through my front door. The living room was empty with one of our extra blankets flung over the back of the couch and plastic video game covers strewn on the floor in front of the television. I pushed open Serenity's door and peeked inside. She sat in front of her computer, typing away with her headphones on with her head, bobbing along with the bass that emanated lightly in the room. I tiptoed behind her and yanked the headset off.
She leaned her head back and looked up at me. "Yes?"
"How's the coding coming?"
"It'd be better if I didn't have to redo everyone else's work." She peered back at the screen with her fingers hovering over the keys.
"Are you being nitpicky again?"
"No. This is a mess. How do they expect our code to blend?"
"Isn't James supposed to coordinate that?"
She gave a sarcastic laugh. "That would mean James is worth more than just kissing Mercer's ass."
I crossed my arms. "I thought you were happy about him being lead."
"Yeah, well, he's not living up what he promised. And what's worse is this pressure is making him even more of a prick."
"Strange," I said. "I don't remember him being uptight."
"He can't handle the heat."
I waved at her. "Have fun with your code. I need to get ready."
She turned her chair to face me. "You're meeting with Mercer tonight?"
I nodded. "This week has been so long."
"Cassi, please be careful. His words are like honeyed poison."
I sighed and looked at her. "I'll be fine, Mom. I already figure he's being nice to get a good interview, or to get closer to you."
She scowled and turned back to her computer. "It may be more than that. And I'm sure the thrill is great and all, but it always turns out bad."
I paused at the note of sadness in her voice. "Serenity, what happened between the two of you?"
"More like what didn't happen," she muttered.
I moved to her desk. "Okay, you're gonna need to elaborate on that."
"You need to get ready. You're running out of time." She placed her headphones back over her ears and focused on the screen.
After a few long moments, I sighed and walked out. Trying to wheedle it out of her would take all night. I was not cancelling this interview to play Truth or Dare minus the dare with my roommate.
I dug through my closet, yanking several dresses out before tossing them aside. Finally, I chose one with gauzy layers of amethyst that would bring out the green in my eyes. I stepped in the bathroom and pulled my hair up into an elegant twist with a few strands hanging in curls against my right cheek. He was older, so he probably liked a more sophisticated look.
At seven, the doorbell rang. I slipped on a pair of sandaled heels as I hobbled to the foyer. He turned as I opened the door. A smile lit his face as his gaze traveled from my head and downward. My heart raced as my eyes lingered on the way his dress shirt hinted at the hardened abs beneath.
He held out a hand to me. "Beautiful."
I took it with a light laugh. "Thank you."
He glanced into the living room as I shut the door.
I shook my head. "She's wrapped up in the code."
He sighed and gave a sad smile. "I suppose I should be happy she's dedicated to the project."
"Whatever happened between you two must have been pretty bad."
"Are you starting the interview before we've gotten in the car?"
I shrugged with a grin. "Worth a try."
He laughed. "Well, we should get this date started so you can grill me properly."
My heart gave a quick patter as he led me down the steps. He'd called it a date. I took a deep breath. This was a mind game for him. He wanted to have an upper hand in this interview.
Get your head straight, I told myself.
He clicked a button on his keys and the lights of a cherry red Corvette blinked. He held the passenger door open for me. I ran my hand over the black leather of the seat before I slid in.
"Fancy," I said as he climbed in and started the engine.
"It's a rental. I figured go big or go home."
"You don't go big when at home?"
"Of course."
He pulled out and turned on the street. The buildings passed by in a blur. The streetlights were just coming on as the sun dipped lower in the sky.
"Don't take 635," I said. "It's under perpetual construction."
"I was just going to Toll it up," he said.
He merged on the highway and sped up, passing the slowpokes as he switched lanes. I tapped my fingers against my knee and bit the inside of my cheek. I had so many questions struggling to be free. I had to wait, but I needed something to fill the silence.
"What music do you like?" I rested my hand on the dial.
"Whatever you want. I doubt you like classical."
I raised a brow. "That wasn't what I was expecting."
He chuckled. "Yeah, I get that a lot. Most of the popular stuff takes away from the best part."
"What is that?"
"The instruments."
"So, what, you like harps and violins?"
"Among other things. Though, I have to say that electronic music is interesting."
I switched the radio on the classical station. "You're not going to get a lot of electronica here, just remixed club stuff."
"I don't mind the other stations," he said.
"This is fine. Soothing." I stared out the window. "Where are we going?"
"There's this restaurant I want to try in one of the Suburbs. Plano, I believe."
We zoomed by a large mall with a line of traffic going into it. Somehow, it had managed to survive the technological age and hadn't fallen like its siblings. However, it offered other amenities besides the normal stores. A hotel was connected, along with several rich restaurants and a skating rink. What else would become obsolete with Proprius? If people could experience the internet like they do reality, what would be the use of console games? Or even real sports? Many people preferred to live their fantasies than watch others live them out.
He pulled off the highway and traveled down a four lane street. We turned into a parking lot with several restaurants and an ice cream shop. He parked in front of a tiny eatery with a dark green fence around a couple of patio tables. The sign was lit up above the door.
"Zorbas," I said. "You're taking me for Greek food."
He gave a half-shoulder shrug. "I have a craving for some spiced lamb and feta cheese."
I snorted and got out of the car. Of all the places he could have chosen, he went with Greek. He had to be playing with me because of my name.
As a family exited the restaurant, the scent of spiced meat drifted to my nose, and my stomach rumbled. We stepped inside the greeting of upbeat folk music. The girl at the counter smiled at us and led the way to a small table in the corner. Her gaze lingered on Mercer for several moments and she opened her mouth to say something, but someone called her from the front, and she reluctantly turned away. A waiter came by, took our drink orders, and hurried off. I picked up my menu and scanned over the list of exotic names, trying to keep my hand steady and my nervousness off my face. My cousin Madison had made most of these dishes. He was brilliant with a pan.
Mercer glanced at me from over the menu. "So, I guess you're ready to get this started."
"Maybe," I tried to sound nonchalant. I might have failed.
"How about we play a little game?" he asked.
"What sort of game?"
"A question for a question."
"You're really trying for the mutual interview."
"Why not? Normal interviews are so boring. Trust me, I've done hundreds." He lifted his eyebrows. "So let's keep the questions fresh and interesting."
"All right. But I go first."
He waved his hand at me. "Feel free."
"Why did you choose Nerida University for the Proprius project? I mean, we aren't rated high in technology, or anything else for that matter. Wouldn't MIT have been better?"
"Maybe, but everyone turns to MIT. I wanted an underdog." He smiled. "Besides, I know a programmer here that can run with the best."
"Serenity," I said. "You're not here to outdo her, are you? Because you've already made a name for yourself? Family doesn't do that to one another."
"Oh, no. If anything, I think one day she might surpass me."
The waiter came back and looked at the both of us expectantly. We placed our order, and he scuttled off to the kitchens. I took a deep drink of my wine.
"It's my turn now," he said. "Your accent, which you're very good at covering, isn't from Texas. Where are you from?"
I sat back and blinked. "Georgia."
"Interesting."
"Are you seriously counting on one programmer to carry your entire project? She'd hate that."
"Like I said, I love an underdog." He took a sip of his water. "So, why did you come here? Seems like a long way to come for college that isn't rated very high."
"I guess you could say I wanted to get out on my own for the first time ever." I squirmed in my seat and sat up straight. "What plans do you have for Proprius once it's complete?” He smiled. "To share it with the world of course."
"For a tidy profit."
"To be honest, money doesn't matter that much to me, but it's the new religion of the world, so I play the game." He held up two fingers. "That was two...so I get two of you."
I tilted my head and shrugged. "Technically, you offered that last bit of information."
The waiter set our food in front of us. I slid a chunk of chicken off the wooden skewer and dipped it into the yogurt sauce. The meat almost melted on my tongue and filled my mouth with a subtle spice mixed with a dill creaminess. Mercer's eyes darkened in the dim light and chuckled as he placed his napkin in his lap.
"All right, I'll give you that. But it's your last freebie." He tapped his chin. "So who did you run away from?"
I coughed on a piece of my chicken and covered my mouth with my napkin. "I'm sorry?"
"Was it your mother or your father you had to get away from?"
"Neither," I said softly. "I never met my father. And my mother..."
I stared past him and out the giant bay window, not really seeing the outside. Mercer put his hand on top of mine, and I jumped. A tingle spread up my arm. I drew in a long, shuddering breath and pushed down the lump in my throat.
"It's your question," he said.
I gave a small cough. "What is your relationship to Serenity?"
"We're blood, as much as she wants to deny it, it binds us tightly. I hear you dated James Thorne. What happened there?"
I smirked. "He was a boy."
"Why are you so interested?" I asked in a husky voice.
"You can't tell? There's something about you that's fascinating."
I gave a nervous laugh. "I'm like most college girls. I'm sure you have had other women who are much more interesting than me."
"Of course there have been plenty of women, all beautiful." He studied me with a dark, hot gaze. "Not quite like you though. I can't put my finger on it. You feel almost..."
I raised an eyebrow waiting for him to continue.
"Pardon me for asking, but you said you never met your father. Did he die before you were born?"
"No," I downed the rest of my wine. "He was a one night stand for my mother."
A child wailed from the table next to us. His mother leaned down and tickled his stomach, making shushing sounds that were drowned out by the screaming. Across the table, a little girl colored furiously on a paper placemat. I smiled and returned my gaze to Mercer who was rubbing the ear closet to the racket.
"What about your family? You freely talk about almost every minute of your private life, but not about your roots. There's got to be more besides you and Serenity. She hinted you'd missed more than a few holiday dinners."
"My family is an old one that hails from around Europe." He smirked. "And I've never been a fan of turkey. So, you never tried to look for your father?"
I shrugged and pushed the last few bites of my potato around my plate. "I never saw the need to. I think Serenity believes your family is dysfunctional. Is it?"
He leaned back in his chair and tossed his napkin on the table. "We tend to go our separate ways. It helps all our sanity." He chuckled. "You're probably better off without knowing your dad. Mine's King Jackass."
"King Jackass." I covered my mouth as my laugh turned into a cough.
"So, what happened to your mother that you ran all the way here?"
"I think that's it for this interview." I set my glass down. "Thank you for your time."
His smirk disappeared. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pressed that. Let's start again."
I shook my head and gave him a smile. "It's all right."
"Do you want to get dessert?"