Page 57 of Let's Get Textual

“Thanks. It’s the only thing I really spent money on after I sold my company.”

“I’m sorry, your company? As in you had your own business and it was big enough tosell? You weren’t always a ‘nerd wrangler’?”

He shrugs, his eyes focused on the road. “Not always, but it turns out I like being an employee more than I like being the boss. I mean, I’m still a boss in a lot of ways, but I don’t have to fire or hire people anymore. I don’t have to deal with all the shit that comes along with being the big man.”

“That’s…huh. I’ve never heard of someone doing that before.”

“It made more sense to me. I work from home but I still have office hours, so I can shut down for a while. I wasn’t able to do that before, not even when I left the office.”

“I cannot imagine.” I shake my head. “I don’t work much with school, but I’d die not being able to leave work.”

“Where do you work? I can’t believe we haven’t gotten to that question.”

“A movie theater, actually. The Movie House.”

“Shut up!” He slaps his leg out of excitement. “That’s a cool joint. I love that you’re served food while watching the film.”

“I’m one of the waitresses there.”

“Want to know something funny? I was this close”—he holds his fingers out, pinching them together—“to taking you there instead of a movie in the park.”

“That would have been hilarious, and slightly awkward.”

“For you. I still would have had fun.”

“So self-centered, Zach.”

That fucking dimple shows up again.

We’re quiet as he navigates us through the area I’ve lived in for the past few years. With my class load and work, I haven’t done much exploring. Despite that, I love the neighborhood.

It’s not long before Zach eases us into a parking spot.

“This is it.”

I glance out the window, trying to find it, but nothing screamscoffee shopat me.

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. You ready?”

“I guess,” I say, opening my door. I meet him on the other side and point a finger his direction. “But this place better be mind-blowing inside, because so far it’s as lame as you.”

“So not lame at all then, huh?”

“There’s that ego again, Zach.”

“Hey, you’re the one who keeps stroking it.”

I pause midstride, can feel my face heating with suppressed laughter. I glance to Zach, whose face has turned a pale green.

“That’s the worst thing that’s ever left my mouth,” he whispers. “I am so ashamed.”

The laughter finally escapes and I’m nearly doubled over, trying to catch my breath. Zach stands tall above me, eyes in slits as he watches me fall apart.

“Are you finished?”

I hold up a finger. “One sec.” Taking a deep breath, I stand up straight and run my hands over my hair in an attempt to smooth it down. “Thank you for that.”

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