The Geeks and the Socialite

by Allyson Lindt

  With the tension evaporating, the next couple of hours flew by. Ambivalence tugged at Jordan when he heard the front door open. He was grateful Chloe was home, but didn’t want to see Liz’s good mood vanish.

  “My lovelies,” Chloe called. Seconds later she stopped in the office doorway. “Am I interrupting?”

  Her smile and good mood were infectious, chasing away some of Jordan’s concern.

  More of it fled when Liz hopped from her chair and said, “Perfect timing.” She crossed the room, grabbed Chloe’s hand, and then pulled her back to the computer. “We need your opinion. Sit.” She positioned Chloe in the empty spot. “Don’t think about it too long on any screen. Each time, do you like option A or B?”

  She leaned over, one hand on Chloe’s shoulder, and clicked through a series of options. For the next hour or so, the three of them talked a little work, a little bullshit, and everything random.

  After Liz left, Chloe stared at the closed front door for several seconds. “Which one is body snatcher Liz? Tonight’s iteration, or yesterday’s?”

  “I’m not any more certain than you are.” Jordan settled a hand at the small of her back, and steered her toward the living room. “But like you, I’m hoping today was the real deal.”

  “Was she like that all day?”

  “About halfway through it she relaxed.”

  Chloe smiled, and lines of stress vanished from around her eyes. “Fingers crossed it lasts.”

  FRIDAY AFTERNOON, SHE arrived at three and told him she skipped out early so they’d get a little extra done before the weekend. She scooted her chair close enough their arms were in constant contact, and every few minutes, she leaned in without hesitation to make a comment or suggestion. The awkward pauses were gone.

  Two hours into their work, Jordan’s phone rang. He grabbed it as soon as he saw Chloe’s picture flash on screen. “Atomic Comic Collection Connection.” He reeled out the line from Venture Brothers without thought.

  “You’re a dork. Also, you’re in a good mood.” Chloe sounded like she was as well.

  “I might be. Life is good.”

  “Liz still there?”

  “Yup.” In fact, she’d just nudged his hand out of the way to take control of the mouse.

  “Tell her I said hi.”

  Liz didn’t look up from what she was doing, but cheerfully said, “Hello.”

  “I’m off early today. Well, early for me. Normal time for other people.” No wonder Chloe sounded happy. “Pizza?”

  “Pier 49?” Jordan asked.

  “Of course. What does Liz like?”

  He glanced at her, ready to ask the question and for her to shrug him off and say she had to get home soon.

  Liz met and held his gaze. “The vegetarian six cheese one, add sausage.”

  “How does that even make sense?” Jordan wanted to know.

  “It’s easier than ordering any other way.”

  “Tell her I got it,” Chloe said. “See you both soon.”

  As soon as he hung up, Liz bumped his shoulder with hers and nodded at the screen. “If you invest in the correct equipment up front and have some of the right connections, you can lead with die-cut stickers and certain types of plastic injection-molded figures.” Using the mouse pointer, she indicated a couple line items in a spreadsheet.

  “I don’t have those connections.” As much as he loved the idea, it didn’t sound feasible.

  “I do. I’ll introduce you.”

  “There’s no way I can return a favor this big.”

  She glanced at him. “Do whatever you can to make this work. That’s what I want to see.”

  So did Jordan. They dove back into work until, forty-five minutes later, the sound of the door latching drew his attention.

  Seconds later, Chloe poked her head around the corner. “Stop working. Come eat.”

  “Two minutes.” Liz didn’t look up from what she was doing.

  When they saved everything and made their way into the other room, Jordan was surprised to see Chloe set the kitchen table. He couldn’t remember the last time, outside of holidays, they sat down to a formal meal in their kitchen. For them, meals tended to be on the go, or in front of the TV. The open pizza box in the middle of plates and cutlery normalized the scene.

  “I couldn’t make up my mind, so I got two slices of each. I didn’t know what kind of wine goes with pizza, so you’ll have to make do with Dew.” She winked at Liz.

  “I’d tell you, but then you’d tease me for having an answer.” Liz hesitated before sitting, seeming to watch their cues.

  They each grabbed a slice and dug in. Chloe reached toward Liz’s plate. “Can I steal a piece of sausage?”

  “You should have gotten your own.” Liz shifted her food half out of reach, but looked more amused than irritated.

  “I told you, I couldn’t make up my mind. I shared my sausage with you.”

  Liz rolled her eyes, but it didn’t detract from the flush spreading across her cheeks. “You’re reaching, with a pun like that.” She plucked a piece from amid her toppings and popped it in Chloe’s mouth. Chloe snagged Liz’s finger, sucking it into her mouth, before letting Liz go.

  Jordan barely suppressed his groan, but he couldn’t ignore the heat that flooded him at the visual and the associated memories.

  THEY CONTINUED TO LAUGH and joke through dinner and while they cleaned up. Chloe was grateful for the break from the work grind. Her new position was tough, and the hours were still long, but she was thriving. She was challenged in new ways. She’d never enjoyed her job this much, but she still looked forward to a weekend of relaxing and spending some time with Jordan. She looked at Liz. And her too.

  “You two aren't going back to work tonight, are you?” Chloe batted her eyelashes.

  Liz's expression fell. Was that disappointment? Hurt? “I cleared my calendar for the night. I don't have to be anywhere else.”

  “I'm not trying to kick you out.” Chloe quickly tried to assure her. “I was going to make you both take a break and watch movies with me.”

  Jordan looked at Liz. “What do you think, boss lady? Can we afford the lost time?”

  “I’ll let you two enjoy your weekend. Let me grab my stuff.”

  Chloe stared at Liz, wondering what she missed. Half an hour ago, they were joking about sharing sausage, and now Liz looked as if she wanted to bolt.

  “How about if we promise no James Bond?” Jordan asked.

  Liz seemed to consider this, brow furrowed. “I'm not doing anything else...”

  “Perfect.” Chloe didn't know why this was so important, but she wasn't ready for Liz to go. “Pick your poison. Romance. High action.”

  Liz chewed her bottom lip. “Pacific Rim?”

  “Another reason to love you.” Chloe's mind ground to a halt when she realized what she just said. “I mean ...”

  Liz's smile wilted before returning brighter than ever. “I get it.” She took a seat in the chair next to the couch and perched on the edge, back straight.

  Despite the fact the movie was one of her favorites, Chloe’s attention drifted away from the screen and to Liz every few minutes. Why wouldn’t she relax?

  They made it to the first lull, when Jordan stood. “Popcorn?”

  “I’m fine.” Liz’s expression looked more like a grimace than anything.

  Was this what he’d seen all week? “Okay.” Chloe tried to keep the disappointment from her voice.

  He returned a few minutes later, bowl in hand, and offered it to Liz first. She picked out a few pieces, never pulling her gaze from the TV.

  “We’re not rationing it.” His tone was light.

  “I’m good,” she assured him.

  Chloe didn’t like this but wasn’t sure what to do. Liz ran hot and cold, and Chloe couldn’t figure out why. She grabbed the popcorn bowl from Jordan when he sat, and in a fit of frustration, she tossed a piece at Liz.

  That was childish. What was she doing?

  Liz
glanced over her shoulder, eyebrow raised, and then turned back to the movie.

  Damn it. Chloe sank lower against the cushions. A piece of popcorn bounced off her forehead, and she looked up to see Liz struggling to keep a straight face as she stared forward.

  Chloe laughed. “I’ve got more ammo.” She tossed a few kernels back.

  Liz twisted her mouth, as if considering the statement, then leapt up and lunged across the room, for the bowl.

  “Nope. Mine.” Chloe held it overhead but didn’t make much effort to scoot out of reach. Liz slipped, knocked the popcorn loose, and landed half on Chloe. Food flew everywhere.

  Liz stumbled back, face red. “God. I’m sorry.” She picked up individual pieces and then handfuls. “I didn’t mean to make a mess.”

  Chloe didn’t know how to reassure her; Liz looked so panicked.

  “Liz.” Jordan’s voice was a low whisper. She shot her head in his direction, eyes wide, and he tossed a handful of popcorn at her.

  She squealed, before her somber expression rushed back.

  “It’ll vacuum up,” Chloe said. “Don’t worry about it.”

  “I guess.” Some of the tension was gone from Liz’s tone.

  They paused the film to clean up, and when they were done, Jordan lifted Liz’s chin, forcing her to look at him. “Better?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Good.” He grabbed her wrist and pulled her down between himself and Chloe. “Stop sitting all the way over there. It looks lonely.”

  Chloe worried she might bolt, but after a couple seconds, Liz settled in. Somewhere between the end of the first and the middle of the next movie, everyone shifted and adjusted so Liz sat with her back resting against Jordan and her feet in Chloe’s lap. Chloe didn’t realize how late it was, until the yawns broke out around the room and spread, one gape leading to another.

  “It’s after one,” Chloe managed, eyes watering. She prodded Liz’s back with her shoulder, hating to lose the warm weight and comfort. “You still awake?”

  Liz tried to stifle another yawn. “Barely. I’m more tired than I thought.”

  “Crash here, in the guest room. You can borrow something of mine, so you don’t have to wear your clothes to bed.” It was probably pushing their luck beyond smart to ask if Liz wanted to join them in bed—just to sleep. Probably.

  Liz seemed to hold her breath for a moment, frozen in time. She finally exhaled and stood. “Home’s not that far. Thank you, though. Don’t worry. I’ll be back on Monday.”

  They helped her gather her stuff from the office, and wished her goodnight. When she was gone, Jordan pulled Chloe back into his arms. “You okay?” he asked.

  “Completely.” No. She wasn’t supposed to hide... whatever this was. “Seems weird having the house to ourselves after the entire week.”

  “Yeah. Weird.” He didn’t sound any more convinced than she felt.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Liz couldn’t do this. Every time she knocked on Jordan and Chloe’s door, she told herself she was going to find that middle ground between aloof and flirting, where friendship lay. She managed to keep herself removed for a little while, but one of them always managed to push the right button, to sneak past her defenses.

  Last Friday—a perfect week ending with popcorn, movies, and a spark she couldn’t ignore—she almost caved. Was ready to say fuck it and spend the night, and probably the weekend if they’d let her. Reason saved her at the last minute, pointing out it would only hurt more to walk away if she gave in.

  It was a week later, Saturday morning, and she had yet to impose a single limit on how she interacted with the couple, all the way down to the three of them feeding each other Chinese food last night, and Liz agreeing without hesitation when Jordan said, “Excuses aside, you’re staying tonight, aren’t you? Movies. Fun. Breakfast in the morning?”

  It was easier to fall into things with Jordan than Chloe, and Liz couldn’t define why. Maybe it was because he was more open to begin with. She still worried about stepping on Chloe’s toes. Hated the idea of being at odds with her.

  Liz’s mind tried to insist she should stay because Jordan needed to do a live run-through of his demo, Chloe was the perfect audience, and Liz should be on hand to make adjustments as needed. The reality was the only way she could stay away from them was physical distance. When her work with Jordan was done, so was she. At the end of the day, she’d say goodbye, walk away, and learn from this mistake.

  She stood on their balcony, looking over the quiet Saturday morning and repeating the resolution until she was sure she could make it stick while looking one or both of them in the eye. She heard the glass door slide open behind her, and her heart plummeted into her stomach. She knew it was Chloe, without looking. Not only from the faint hint of lavender that drifted into the air, but because Chloe was most likely to be up first.

  Chloe looked her over, gaze lingering on Liz’s chest. “You wear that better than I do.” Chloe’s words were playful.

  Liz didn’t know if she wanted to hug herself to hide the pleasant shiver that ran through her, or bask in the heat of attention. The top Chloe loaned her for the night was about a size too small and stretched over every single lump and curve Liz normally worked to disguise. “I doubt that.” She didn’t know where the line was anymore. It was all playful. She stopped trying. “We can swap and find out.”

  “Hmm...” Chloe furrowed her brow. “Tempting. But I say take my word for it.”

  Liz wasn’t sure what else to say that wouldn’t get her in trouble, so she turned back to the view. “How’s the new position?”

  “I love it.” Chloe stepped up next to her close enough to brush their arms together. “It makes me think. Challenges me.”

  “Sounds nice.” Liz could say the same of what she’d spent the last two weeks doing. Not Mercy’s task list. Liz was grateful for the job, but Mercy hated to delegate the big stuff. Working with Jordan ... Not because of who he was, though that didn’t hurt. She enjoyed watching him dive into this thing he obviously loved, and helping him find a way to do it professionally.

  Chloe leaned against the railing, resting her weight on her forearms. “It is. Can I tell you something? Just between us? Not that I’m keeping secrets from Jordan, but this one is tricky.”

  “Sure.” Liz refused to acknowledge her pulse hammering in her veins at the curiosity of what kind of secret this might be.

  “Technically, I stole his job, and he says it’s okay, but that doesn’t seem like the kind of thing I should brag about.”

  “Right. Of course.”

  “The thing is, it’s made me think.” Chloe’s voice dropped in volume, as if she sank into that very thought. “Until the last month or so, I’ve never had to work for anything. Not really.”

  The words hit close to home for Liz, gnawing on doubts she usually ignored. “I get that. I grew up with money. My best friend pretty much hand-crafted me a job when I asked for it. There was no challenge.”

  “Exactly. I never thought about it before—especially not when I was a kid. We were lower-middle class, so it wasn’t as if we had everything, but we had enough. College would have cost me an armload of debt, but I skipped out on that stress. The Cord job came gift wrapped with my name on it. Jordan and I... It was always easy. Even when Cord crumbled, my sister came along and resurrected it and helped turn it into Rinslet. Which wasn’t for my sake, but it served me. This is the first time in my life I’ve had to push for what I want, and I...”

  Chloe pursed her lips, as if considering whether or not to finish her thought. “I don’t like fighting with Jordan, and I’m glad we’re past that. The rest of this, the demand it puts on me to excel—I’m thriving on it.”

  “Exactly.” Liz hadn’t managed to put her own thoughts into words, but Chloe had laid them out perfectly.

  “So I’m not insane?”

  Liz shook her head. “Not at all. Strife makes us grow, and I don’t want the misery my past relationships h
ave caused me, but I like having to think and work for the things I do want. It feels good.”

  “I had a feeling you’d get me.” Chloe rested her head on Liz’s shoulder.

  “As long as we’re sharing secrets, can I tell you something not even Mercy knows?”

  “Of course.”

  This was one of those top-secret things she shouldn’t talk about, but she had to tell someone. “I figure you might share with Jordan, and that’s okay, but promise it doesn’t go beyond the two of you.”

  “Girl scout’s honor. Cross my heart and hope to die.”

  “I have a chance with the same investment firm Jordan is pitching to.”

  “Like, another project? One of your own?”

  “No.” If Liz said this out loud—if she talked about it with someone besides Jonathan—it made it real. She might as well forward the paperwork to her attorney at this point, because she wanted it to be. “As a partner investor. I’d be a portion of the money.”

  “Wow. That sounds awesome. As in amazing.” Chloe turned to look at her, eyes wide. “Is it a fair deal?”

  “As far as I can tell. I need to vet it first, but probably.”

  Chloe studied her. “But you’re hesitating. Why?”

  So many reasons. “I don’t know.” It meant setting out on her own. Walking away from the familiar. Using the excuse to move to L.A. and put some distance between herself and this couple she couldn’t walk away from if she stayed within reach. “Challenge is all well and good, but this terrifies me.”

  “Sounds like a perfect reason to say yes.”

  “I suppose you’re right.” Liz couldn’t quite find her smile.

  A COUPLE HOURS LATER, the three returned from a drawn-out breakfast, and Chloe wasn’t sure when she’d last had so much coffee. Or maybe it wasn’t caffeine buzzing through her veins. The company seemed to come with its own contact high.

  “Okay, so what do I have to do?” she asked.

  “Sit.” Jordan pointed at the couch. “Watch. Pretend you’re interested.”