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“Okay, fine.” I huff. “Maybe I was a tiny bit annoyed. But don’t let it go to your head.”

“I should be flattered. It’s cute.”

I scoff. “Were you like this in school as well?”

“I used to drive my teachers crazy, finishing assignments in a fraction of the time it took everyone else. They’d give me extra work to keep me busy, but I always ended up wandering off in my head.”

“And computers? My dad said you started early.”

“Did he?”

“He’s quite the fan.”

“Good to hear.”

That smug grin again.

I roll my eyes with a huff of laughter. “I doubt your ego needs much stroking.”

“You’d be surprised. But feel free to continue. I’m certainly not complaining. Especially when it comes from you, Blue.”

I blush at the nickname. Hopefully, the dim light hides it. “In your dreams, Milton.”

His voice drops an octave. “You have no idea.”

“Keep your fantasies to yourself.”

“Oh, I intend to.” His eyes lock onto my mouth. “For now.”

My heart pounds as I stare at him. I know that look. I’ve seen it before, felt the burn of his eyes on me as his hands and mouth worked their magic. Heat pools low in my belly at the memory, and I clench my thighs.

“My dad bought me my first computer when I was eight.” Connor twirls his wineglass by the stem. “Old desktop running Windows 98. I was hooked from the first moment. I learned everything I could, experimented, tested limits of firewalls and networks.”

I laugh softly, imagining little Connor hunched over a bulky monitor in a hoodie and cargos.

“What sparked your interest, though? Why computers?”

He shrugs. “I guess because it was unfamiliar territory, unexplored land ripe for discovery. Plus, video games... who could resist those?”

“Of course, video games. And your father supported this interest?”

“He didn’t really understand it, but he recognized my talent.” His expression turns distant. “Bought me books, software, whatever I needed. Even let me set up a server at home for me to play with. He wanted me to have opportunities he never did. Taught me everything he knew, even helping me land my first tech job as a teenager.”

“He encouraged you.”

“Yeah, he did.”

A wistful ache rises in my chest at the thought. What might my life have been like if my own mother took an interest in mypassions rather than molding me to fit her expectations? Maybe I would have pursued dancing or singing.

“What about your mother?” I ask.

Chapter 20

Mary

I observe Connor’s face, searching for any hint of emotion as he stares blankly at his glass of wine.

“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.” I reach across the table, laying my hand over his free one.

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