Page 54 of Phishing for Love
We’ve had one more in-person security training course. Thankfully, it wasn’t as tedious as the first one. Sofia and Kenzie made sure to sit on either side of me and whenever one of them picked up on any sort of sluggishness from me, I received a sharp elbow in the ribs.
I’m aware that Aaron, no doubt because of his profession, is an observant man. I notice the way he takes in his surroundings,the way he reads people and tracks their movements. Except when it comes to training sessions. Then his perceptiveness falls apart and the only thing he’s tracking is his obsession with security.
I’m nearly finished my beer so I’m a little buzzed. And that’s when I decide to do something stupid.
“Look,” I start.
A strained look immediately crosses his face.
I have to admit, even I’m a little nervous about what could emerge from my mouth. When my brain and tongue collude, there’s no telling what they’ll come out with.
I clear my throat. “I’m not one to tell you how to do your job.”
“Yet I suspect you’re about to do exactly that.”
“I only want to give you some advice.”
He rolls his shoulders. “Don’t feel obliged.”
“It’s a bit of helpful advice.”
“How about I judge thehelpfulpart?”
“Do you want to hear it or not?”
“I do,” he informs me. “Lay it on me.”
“Your security intro session is overly long and boring.”
“I gathered you felt that way when you fell asleep in it.”
“My advice is to implement the KISS principle.”
He immediately tries to disguise his laugh with a cough.
“I’m serious!”
“Yes, I can see that.” He stares at me for five long seconds. “Explain to me what you mean by the KISS principle.”
I lick my lips nervously. “You know what it is.”
“Give me a refresher.”
I clear my throat. “Well, as you know, there are variations on it.”
He leans in closer to talk over the noise of the bar. The faint, masculine scent of his cologne teases my nostrils. “Which variation do you have in mind for me?”
Keep It Simple, Stupidis the first one that pops into my head. Except we’re having one of our rare, friendly conversations and I’m reluctant to derail it. Instead, I say, “Keep it simple and straightforward.”
“Uh huh.”
“People taking your course would be more engaged if you kept your session shorter and maybe got them interacting more. You know, instead of doing the boring PowerPoint thing the entire time.”
His eyes narrow on “boring,” but I can see he’s taking in what I’m saying and processing my words. The gleam in his eyes, however, puts me on guard.
“Just so you know,” he murmurs, his voice brushing across my skin like velvet, “there is nothing simple or straightforward about the way I kiss.”
My eyes widen. “That is not what we are talking about!”
