Roll Against Regret (3d20) Read Online Free Page B

Ryan had always taken that job in the past. He’d been here long enough he knew all the obscure stuff. “Did you want me to teach him anything specific?”
    “Yes.” Kitner snagged an empty chair from a nearby cube, slid it next to mine, and gestured for Carter to sit. “Fill him in on all things Zedophap.”
    “I—” My protest died in my throat. I’d be professional about this. “We can start him on something more generic, like data structure. Maybe spin him up with a new client.”
    “No.” Kitner was already turning away. “Bring him up to speed on Zedophap, and then we can get him familiar with other accounts.”
    We didn’t have enough staff to cover new clients, let alone double people up on existing ones. What was going on? I dropped my face into my hands. A nasty thought nudged the back of my mind, and I pushed it aside, refusing to give it enough attention it could form into actual words.
    “No, I’m not following you.” Carter’s teasing tone disrupted my descent into frustration.
    I shook aside the cobwebs and focused on him. Not on the light stubble that said he hadn’t shaved in a day or the faint earthy scent of his cologne. He’d always worn just enough it wasn’t noticeable unless someone was close—it was more a suggestion than a smell. No, I wouldn’t take notice of any of that. “I’m good. Data analysis, huh?”
    He shrugged. “It’s not where I started after college, but it’s where the contracts ended up taking me. I have more of a knack for making the numbers say pretty things than presenting them to the people in charge.”
    “I get that.” None of that explained why I was supposed to catch him up to speed on my clients, but I was already on thin ice at work. Rehashing a fancy-meeting-you-here conversation wouldn’t be the best use of my time. “So, um…let’s dive in, and stop me when you have questions.”
    “Hmm… Bossy Zoe.” His comment barely reached my ears, even though he’d leaned in. “I could get used to that.”
    I wouldn’t blush. I didn’t care he sat close enough his heat brushed my arm. This was the perfect chance to prove I’d gotten over him. “You’ll have to, at least until you know this stuff.” I pointed at the document list. “This is our version control system.”
    The next several hours went smoothly, if I pretended I didn’t notice every time Carter brushed my arm or whispered something meant only for my ears. He was good at what he did, and caught on quickly.
    When a Human Resources person pulled him away to fill out some paperwork, I drew in a deep breath. I could do this. So far, so good, but I needed a drink. Too bad I didn’t trust myself with anything stronger than soda. I wandered into the break room, stretching my legs and trying to shift my mind into a neutral spot.
    Ryan was already at the vending machine. He flashed me a smirk. The biggest acknowledgment I’d gotten from him in months. “You pissed off the big guy, huh?”
    I should be demure and polite, but I’d used the whole of my reserve already that morning. “You think? When I told you, way back when, that I left him because I didn’t like what he did to you, did you think I was making up stories?” The words came out sharper than I intended, but it felt good. I was tired of Ryan scowling at me.
    He raised his eyebrows. “Not making up stories. More like…sugar coating things, to make you look better.”
    I didn’t need this. I stepped around him and dropped my coins in the machine. “Glad you’ve got such a high opinion of me.”
    “You were screwing the boss.”
    I whirled back to face him. “So you assumed I was a bad person?” I should have had things out with Ryan ages ago, but guilt had kept me from rocking the boat. I’d apologized, and it was up to him to accept that. “Besides, you hooked up with a project manager.” I hid a wince. Maybe I shouldn’t have dragged Tasha into this.
    He glanced over his shoulder at the door, before looking