Mystery Of You (Pub 5)

26 - Stooges

Ian's Friday started by waking up with Ainsley beside him. Being with her didn't feel crowded like his last relationship, but it was still new. They had seen each other almost every day for three weeks and he didn't know her sister's name. She didn't know his mother's name. Both had kept knowing the Sumners to themselves. She was close friends with his step-cousin, the guy who wanted to introduce them.

She opened her eyes and smiled. "What time is it?"

"Early. I couldn't sleep."

"Hey. Are you going to be okay with this whole thing?"

"Our connection? It's a surprise and I keep expecting a text or call from Livvy."

Ainsley scoffed. "I'd be disappointed in Lilli if she didn't tell her as soon as she got home. But I'm worried about you and work."

"It will be fine. I'm just weary from the meetings. Tonight. You. Me. Wine. Pizza."

Ainsley smiled. "I never turn down pizza."

Ian kissed her smiling lips and groaned. "I need to face this day, starting with a shower. Meet me at eight-fifteen?"

She kissed his forehead. "I'll be ready."

After the developer's stand up, Ian had a meeting with three of his help desk employees in HR. They would each get a warning in their files and have to attend a five-hour training. Ainsley called them the acne boys, he thought of them as the Three Stooges. When he was a kid, his grandfather watched the black and white antics. Only Jordan wasn't involved and was rewarded with a promotion to senior help desk specialist.

While the stooges were in their sensitivity training, Ian had to back up Jordan on the phones. Ainsley smirked at him when he appeared wearing jeans and sneakers. His excuse was because it was Friday. She never dressed down on Fridays but others did.

By noon, he had reset ten passwords. Ventured upstairs three times to fix various problems, including restoring some important files that were accidentally deleted by an editor's assistant. He was certain he saved the poor girl's job. His own work had been untouched, so he sat down to answer emails.

Henry appeared. "Happy Friday!"

Ian barely looked up. "Not until five."

"Sounds like you'll need a drink. What do you say?"

"Can't. I have plans." A smile sneaked through.

"I get it. Sex. Lucky you."

"You don't sound happy, and my plans are for dinner. What happened to the one you met a few weeks ago?"

"She wasn't right for me. I like a challenge."

Ian laughed. "Women are complicated enough. Don't look for trouble."

"Fine. No drink. I can't wait until you can climb again."

"Me too, but I'll need to start slow to test it. Hopefully soon." Ian wanted to take Ainsley, but not with Henry around.

His phone rang. "I have to take this." He watched Henry leave as he listened to the caller's problem. It required a trip upstairs. He planned to get something from the cafeteria while he was out of the basement.

Luckily, it was an easy problem. Standing in front of the menu board, he looked at the selection and chose a sandwich. On his way out, he heard a familiar laugh and turned his head. She was sitting with a guy, smiling and laughing. His stomach didn't feel hungry. Back downstairs, he texted her to tell her he was looking forward to later.

She replied quickly. My old roommate heard all about our connection. He's teasing me while I choke down soggy greens.

His stomach growled. Her gay roommate, but he didn't know his name. At least, Ian was certain he wasn't related. An hour later, he was upstairs again changing the toner in the art department's printer.