Page 28 of Daycare Santa
More often than not, her soft words and gentle invitation would make him abandon what he was doing to cuddle with her, or make love to her, depending on what she needed.
He blamed himself for not noticing when things changed. As their business expanded, he and Eli sat through extended teleconferences and worked together on projects for their clients.
Alongside their primary tasks, Zack was working on an app for Lizette, who planned to expand into preparatory learning for children aged six to twelve years.
EduAide would help parents and teachers keep abreast of their children’s performance, outstanding projects, and averages.
When he couldn’t talk to Eli, he spoke with Alana. She, too, shared ideas she wanted to present to the small businesses she serviced. During their discussion about EduAide, she agreed it would be a great resource.
“I can get feedback from a close friend who teaches middle grade students,” she offered. “He also has a background in IT, so a second pair of eyes may be useful.”
He knew the guy she meant but had no plans to share the app with anyone other than family. Over the laptop, he slowly shook his head. “It’s at ninety-eight percent, so I prefer to wait. Besides, Liz will test it for meandEli is my second pair of eyes.”
Alana shrugged. “There’s nothing wrong with getting feedback from a wider audience.”
“I prefer not to do that yet, but thanks for the offer.”
“Fine. Have it your way.”
Her terse tone made him look up from the laptop, but he didn’t pursue the argument. That was the end of the matter until Eli phoned him one evening two weeks later. Without greeting Zack, he said, “How far along are you with EduAide?”
“Almost complete, except for a couple of bugs I need to fix.”
“Someone has something remarkably similar that I just came across online. Theirs is in the testing phase.”
“What?” Everything stood still as he processed what he’d heard.
Eli gave him the name of the tech website and, after speed-reading the article about EduFirst, Zack wanted to throw his laptop across the room. Someone had pipped him. He’d worked on EduAide for many months, but it was never about the money or fame.
Creating the program was something he was happy to do for his baby sister and, by the sound of it, someone had stolen it. His heart swelled to bursting point as the blood pumped in his ears and fierce anger blinded him. He didn’t register Eli’s voice until he spoke louder. “Zack, you there?”
He’d pulled in a deep breath, then sighed. “Yeah, I see it.”
“Is it possible that someone got hold of your work?”
“Aside from you, the only people who know about this are Liz and Alana.”
The silence was thick. He was about to hang up when Eli cleared his throat. “There’s something else I don’t know how to tell you.”
“You may as well get it over with now. What could be worse than this entire episode?”
Eli sighed, then said, “I’m sending some pictures. I took them yesterday and with this happening today ... please don’t shoot the messenger.”
He’d been reluctant to look at the images, but they cemented the reality he needed to face. In progressive shots, Eli had captured Alana and the “friend” she’d wanted to test EduAide inside a cafe. Their body language—heads close together, affectionate smiles, and the last picture of them kissing—told Zack all he needed to know. That, and the evening a week later when he walked in on them in her apartment.
***
ZACK STUMBLED BACKto the seat, still in the grip of his memories. The day his life changed scrolled before him ... standing inside Alana’s apartment in the late afternoon, watching as she made love with the man she called a friend.
Since Eli’s revelation, Zack gave Alana excuses to prevent her from coming over and kept their telephone conversations short. When he pulled himself together enough to confront her, he drove across town to her place. He didn’t want her contaminating his.
A hundred questions swarmed in his brain. What gave her the idea to access his computer? How long had she been planning to steal from him? Where did she find time to see this other guy? Why hadn’t she told him she wanted out?
He’d let himself into her living room, prepared to wait, but she was at home and busy in the bedroom. The door was open and his feet led him to stand in the doorway. Zack wasn’t a voyeur, but couldn’t drag his eyes away as Alana collapsed on her back giggling, her legs tangled with those of her other man.
Her face froze and her amusement slid away when her eyes met his over her friend’s shoulder. At first, she pushed frantically at him, then she sighed, sank on the mattress, and pulled the sheet over her chest. The guy followed her gaze then rolled over, taking the sheet with him. He disappeared behind the door, but Zack wasn’t there for a physical battle.
Blinding pain shafted through his chest and he backed up. Zack then he held his ground because he’d done nothing wrong.