Page 10 of Blazing Joysticks
As her mother bustled back in with the dessert, Laura, her sister-in-law, caught Cat’s eye. “So,” she said in a low voice, “how did it go with the infamous Mr. Sharpe? Was he as intimidating as you feared?”
Cat shook her head, surprised by her own answer. “Not at all, actually. He was... nice. Really nice. He made me feel so comfortable during the interview. It was almost like we knew each other already, you know?”
Laura raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Do tell. Did those nerves disappear?”
“It’s strange,” Cat mused, accepting a slice of tiramisu from her mother. “I didn’t feel nervous so much as... excited. Keir was handsome, sure, but he was also genuinely interested in chatting about the things I enjoy. It wasn’t just a standard interview.”
“Well,” Laura said, a knowing smile playing on her lips, “there are people out there who share interests. Sounds like you might have met someone you could really connect with. Don’t look at it as strange, Cat. Be happy. You’ll be working with him, after all.”
Cat nodded, mulling over Laura’s words as she savored a bite of the rich dessert. The truth was, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Keir since the interview. His easy smile, the way his eyes lit up when she talked about her passions... it was more than just professional admiration, and that realization both thrilled and terrified her.
The next morning, Cat stood before the imposing glass facade of Sharpe Drakon Games, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and apprehension. She smoothed down her blazer one last time, took a deep breath, and pushed through the revolving doors.
The lobby was a hive of activity, sleek and modern with touches of whimsy that spoke to the company’s gaming roots. A receptionist with a friendly smile directed her to the elevator, and before she knew it, Cat was stepping onto the floor that would be her new professional home.
“Ah, Cat!” Keir’s voice rang out, and she turned to see him striding toward her, looking impossibly put-together in a tailored suit. “Welcome to the team. Let me introduce you to everyone.”
What followed was a whirlwind of names and faces. Cat shook hands with her new colleagues, trying to commit each one to memory. There was Beck, Keir’s right-hand man, with a firm handshake and piercing gaze. Sarah from UI/UX, whose bright purple hair matched her bubbly personality. Charlie, the senior coder, who barely looked up from his screen but managed a grunt of acknowledgment.
As they moved through the office, Keir’s hand ghosted over the small of her back, guiding her. The casual touch sent a shiver up her spine, and Cat found herself hyper-aware of his proximity.
“And this,” Keir said, gesturing to a sleek workstation, “is where the magic will happen. Your home away from home, so to speak.”
Cat ran her fingers over the smooth surface of the desk, taking in the dual monitors and state-of-the-art equipment. “It’s perfect,” she breathed.
“I’m glad you approve.” Keir smiled, and Cat couldn’t help but notice the way his eyes crinkled at the corners. “Now, let’s get you up to speed on Guardian AI.”
As the morning progressed, Cat found herself falling into an easy rhythm with her new team. She dove into the project files, her mind buzzing with ideas and potential improvements. But she couldn’t help noticing Keir’s frequent presence. He seemed to materialize at her elbow every time she looked up, always with a question or a comment that showed he was paying close attention to her work.
It was flattering, certainly, but also a bit unnerving. Cat had expected to work primarily with the development team, reporting to Keir periodically. His constant involvement was unexpected, and she wasn’t quite sure what to make of it.
Just before lunch, Keir appeared at her desk once more. “Cat, I’d like to discuss how you’re settling in with the team. Join me?”
Cat nodded, assuming they’d head to his office for a quick meeting. Instead, Keir led her out of the building and into a cozy restaurant next door. The hostess greeted him by name, leading them to a quiet booth in the corner.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Keir said as they settled in. “I find these discussions go better over good food. Plus, I’m starving.”
Cat couldn’t help but laugh. “No complaints here. I’ve been eyeing that burger special since we walked in.”
Keir’s eyes lit up. “Excellent choice. I’ll have the same,” he told the waitress with a wink.
As they waited for their food, the conversation flowed easily. Cat found herself relaxing, drawn in by Keir’s charm and genuine interest.
“So,” he said, leaning forward slightly, “tell me about your family. I remember you mentioning a brother?”
Cat nodded, a fond smile spreading across her face. “Michael. He’s two years older, a neurosurgeon. Bit of an overachiever,” she added with a laugh. “He and his wife Laura just had their first child, my nephew Ayers.”
“Ayers?” Keir raised an eyebrow. “That’s an unusual name.”
Cat felt her cheeks heat. “Ah, well... don’t tell Michael, but I might have had a hand in that. His middle name is Satoru, after a character from my favorite anime. I’m not sure my brother’s figured that out yet.”
Keir threw his head back and laughed, the sound rich and genuine. “Oh, that’s brilliant. I’d love to see his face when he realizes.”
Their burgers arrived, and Cat was momentarily distracted by the mouthwatering aroma. She took a bite, unable to suppress a small moan of appreciation. When she looked up, she caught Keir watching her with an intensity that made her pulse quicken.
“Good?” he asked, his voice low.
Cat nodded, swallowing hard. “Delicious. Though I have to admit, I’m a bit of a junk food addict. Put a bag of chips in front of me when I’m coding, and it’ll disappear before I even realize it.”