Emma vs. The Tech Guy by Lia Fairchild Read Free Book Online Page B

restaurant.”
    “Either way,” he said, following close behind me. “I sort of got the feeling that going out and having parties wasn’t a rare occasion around here.” He chuckled.
    “Put it this way: if you tell Adam you found your lost car keys, he’ll schedule a DJ and caterer before you reach your car.”
    As I entered the room, a quick flashback of our last congregation there hit me. I glanced at the evil printing device, made a wide course around it, and then turned back at Guy. His face flushed a rosy hue before he said, “Sorry about the other day. Did you ever get that stain out?”
    “It’s still at the dry cleaners.”
    Guy shrugged and gestured to a chair. “Have a seat.”
    “Me?” I asked.
    “Sure. You should know how this works as well as I do.”
    “Uh, okay.” I took a seat, surprised at how right he was. The more I knew the inner workings of the magazine, the more valuable I’d be. It’s not like I was technically challenged, though. I was usually too busy to deal with those types of issues.
    Guy knelt down beside me, so close I could smell the battle between freshly clean man and party scene. A faint aroma of beer floated from his mouth to under my nose. “So, first click here,” he said and he pointed.
    “I know that part,” I answered flatly.
    For the next few minutes he maneuvered me through our server, email server, and back-up system. He pointed out a number of weak spots and outlined his plans for our upgrade, including some great efficiency tips. I stifled the urge to show how impressed I was with his ideas, but he didn’t seem to care one way or the other. Guess he was as much of an overachiever as I was.
    “So you see,” he finally said, looking at me. “That email never even made it to our side of things. If you were worried maybe someone got their hands on it … didn’t happen.”
    “I’m sorry I wasted your time,” I said, turning to face him. Only he was still kneeling next to me, so our faces were uncomfortably close. A sudden craving for a cold beer flash through me.
    “I really didn’t mind,” he said, without moving.
    He reminded me of Adam with his easy-going attitude. Was he just as much of a ladies man, too? I reminded myself that it was none of my business what he did and with whom. He was so close that I noticed tiny gold smudges hiding in his deep blue eyes, hypnotizing me for a few seconds. I felt lost in them, like I was in that room in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory where you can’t tell how to get out. What did he say? “You’ve got to go forwards to go back.” But damned if I was going any deeper into those baby blues. That could only mean trouble.
    The small, poorly ventilated room turned stifling hot before I could say “Wonka Bar.” I stood with awkward speed like I’d just been announced the raffle ticket winner, almost knocking him on his ass.
    “Well, thanks anyway.” I walked over to the doorway and turned. “You still have time to get back and sing a few more numbers.”
    He stood and faced me. “How’d you know I was singing?” The right side of his mouth perked up into a sexy, confident smirk.
    “I didn’t.” I wasn’t about to tell him Jayne and I were talking about him. “I just assumed.”
    “So you think I’m the type of guy that would jump on stage like an idiot and start singing in front of strangers?”
    “I don’t know. Are you that type of idiot?” My smile gave me away.
    “Actually, I am,” he said. He ran his fingers through that thick, dark hair. “But you know, I think I’ll stay here for a while. I was going to come in tomorrow to start a back-up, so I might as well start it now that I’m here.”
    “Oh, okay.”
    He followed me out to the main lobby, where I lingered with guilt once again.
    “You need anything?” What was I going to bring him? A six-pack and some loose women to keep him company? I’d turned his night from fun to work because of my paranoia, but there was nothing I