Page 31 of I Dated the Lost Song

“That is not the case here; we blended beautifully on first contact.”

Cadence looked at him. “No additional contact without pizza and a movie.”

He grinned and hugged her.

Zera snorted.

Cadence frowned. “I am learning to date. What is funny about that?”

Zera paused. “Oh. Well, with your sister being Arcady, I assumed you had more of a social interest.”

Cadence looked at her. “I don’t. Didn’t. My social interaction is so limited as to be non-existent.”

Zera blinked. “Really. Oh. That will disappoint some of the patrons who were hoping you would progress to working in a more front-facing role for the BDC.”

“No. Not ever.”

Zera sighed. “Your department misses you.”

Cadence scowled. “You brought me this contract, you persuaded me to take it, and now you wish I were still at work? My head hurts.”

Zera leaned back.

Raek murmured, “If you are trying to persuade her to take other men, if they don’t have her frequency, one of them will be injured, and I know which one I want it to be.”

Salmet cleared her throat. “Zera wants to have it all. It hurts her to see a useful potential escort get away. She will get over it.”

Cadence stroked Maximus’s fur, and he went boneless against her, his jaw on her lap.

Raek chuckled. “Is there anything else we need to discuss?”

Salmet paused. “Now that we have upheld our end, will you return to duty?”

“When I am back in condition. I have been asleep for a while. I should be mobile in three or four weeks. Do I have to qualify?”

“If you wouldn’t mind.” Salmet smiled. “We are hoping you would take a placement on our international team.”

“Not yet. I will be on standby for it, but I am not going to be the first response. If it is necessary for me to go, I will, but I am about to be a father. I am not leaving for weeks on end. Cadence does not need that.”

Cadence smiled. “Can I invite a friend when you aren’t here?” She looked at Im-bar as well, and she nodded.

“Of course. Just give Im-bar the name and information so she can run credentials and confirm clearance.”

“She would think that’s hilarious. Leska Haring.”

Salmet blinked. “She’s human?”

“She’s human. She’s been my friend since I was taking courses. She also works for Z-Corp’s accounting department. She’s good with numbers.” She picked up her com and typed a message on the screen, warning Leska that the probe was gonna happen.

Leska replied immediately.Oh, thank goodness, I was worried when you stopped coming into work, but since no one was worried, I guessed it was a company thing.

Cadence bit her lip.Sort of. I am surrogating. So, if you want to see me in the next nine months, you have to come to me. Hence, the security check.

Gotcha. I won’t make up a colourful history. Promise.

Cadence smiled. “She’s good with the check.”

Im-bar started working on her tablet. She paused. “She really is human. Raised in foster care. She works out at the gym and does volunteer displays at schools and other events.”

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