Chapter 5
Allison
The marketing department’s empty meeting room was the perfect place to think. My cubicle had gotten overcrowded with files and notes, even illustrations, related to the Scintilla app, and I just needed a clear place to spread out only the relevant bits so I could go over the final paperwork.
It was after five, and the office was nearly empty. This was my favorite time to be here, when I knew it was just me and a few other die-hards in the building, working to make everything perfect. Especially because I could always count on one of those die-hards being Joshua. We’d walk out of the office together, talking about the work we’d gotten done that day, and either meet for happy hour or make plans for dinner.
I leaned forward, looking at the table. I’d put my notes, my lists, and the design illustrations in neat rows. Everything spread out there, in my view, each little pile representing weeks of work. I ran my fingers along the edges, aligning them just right.
The app was looking good. Or, as Joshua had said this morning, “damn good.” The designs were simple and user-friendly. People who had gotten “sparks” would be able to message each other directly through the app, without having to go through a site. Everything would be right there for them, at their fingertips. It was so convenient that a person looking for a romantic connection would be crazy not to use it.
Yes, it looked “damn good.” I hummed happily to myself, checking off boxes from my own personal list, making sure the software people had covered everything we’d asked for. It was just about ready to go.
I got that feeling between my shoulder blades that told me I wasn’t alone. Smiling, I turned, expecting Joshua.
It wasn’t Joshua. It was Jamie.
“Crap, Jamie, you scared me,” I said. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, trying to seem composed. I worked here, too.
“Marketing is the department I oversee,” Jamie said. His green eyes blazed, like I was challenging him with my very presence. “I have every right to be here.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize someone needed this room. I can leave. Just let me gather my things.” It was hard, but I managed to sound civil. I was still an employee here, and he was still co-owner. And even though I was certain Joshua would take my side in any sort of conflict, I really didn’t want trouble. “I didn’t mean to cause a problem.”
“That’s not my problem with you,” he said.
I stopped after gathering a stack of papers. I faced him. “Then would you please tell me what is? Because circling around each other like this is getting tedious.”
He laughed. “I just thought I knew you, is all. I never thought you’d be that kind of woman.”
“What kind of woman do you think I am, exactly?”
“The kind who sleeps her way to the top. The kind who uses someone for his money.”
I could feel my mouth drop open. My face felt so hot, I was sure it was blotchy. “I don’t do either of those things. First, I haven’t used anyone for their money. I don’t need Joshua’s money, and I don’t want it. I would still want to be with him if he was the poorest guy in Philadelphia, not the richest.”
Jamie rolled his eyes. I could feel tears gathering in my own. I hated that he was getting to me like this. But I wasn’t done.
“And second, I didn’t ‘sleep my way’ anywhere. I like your brother, Jamie. A lot. I might even love him, not that it’s any of your business. There was no sex involved in me coming up with that app idea. In fact, I remember after I told Joshua about it, he was pissed because technology was supposed to be one of your areas and you hadn’t thought it up. So it has nothing to do with sex, and everything to do with brains. Something you, apparently, still don’t understand.”
His eyes flashed with anger. “I understand ideas, and I’ve had thousands of them! Joshua hasn’t used a single one. You’ve ruined my life, Allison. Now he trusts you more than me. And he’s my brother!”
His face crumpled, and I reached out to him. Despite everything, I didn’t want to hurt him.
“Don’t touch me!” he yelled.
He straightened, towering over me, like he needed to reassert how tough he was. All I could think about was how he’d cornered me at that party, how hard it was for me to escape him. I took some deep breaths. Joshua was still around here somewhere. If I screamed, he’d come running. I didn’t want to have to punch his brother, but I put my hand in a fist, just in case.
“I’m really sorry I hurt you,” I say. “I never meant to do that. It must be really hard for you, and I can see why, now.”
He seemed to shrink a little at my words.
“I thought we were friends, Jamie. I’d never do anything on purpose that would hurt you. Ever. And I’m sorry about everything.” I took a deep breath. “Maybe…maybe you and I could have a meeting next week, just the two of us, and brainstorm some more ideas.”
“I don’t need your help,” he growled. He shoved the remaining stacks of paper from the table, all those lines and charts I’d spread out. They fluttered to the floor.
He watched them fall, and a look of regret passed over his face. He opened his mouth, maybe to apologize, maybe to insult me again.
I shook with anger. I didn’t care what the hell he did anymore, as long as it wasn’t around me.
Seeming to understand this, he turned and left.