Page 69 of The Boss Omega
I keep my hand in Graham’s as we walk out to his black Lotus Eletre. It looks exactly like what I imagine Batman would drive if hehad a family. It’s probably the most Graham-coded vehicle on the market.
Graham doesn’t let go of my hand when he opens the passenger door for me, just shifts our grip so he can guide me inside. When he rounds the front of the car and slides into the driver’s seat, his fingers find mine again automatically.
The drive starts in comfortable silence. Graham drives with one hand on the wheel, the other wrapped loosely around mine on the center console.
After a few minutes I glance over at him. “You know,” I say, studying his profile, “I assumed Silas would take the first date.”
His mouth twitches. “Did you?”
“Yes.” I squeeze his hand lightly. “Yet somehow you’re the one who got the slot.”
He lets out a quiet breath that might almost be a laugh. “I asked him for it.”
“Bold move, Professor.”
His ears turn slightly pink. “It’s not like he won’t get his turn. But my thing only works tonight.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “You’ve been mysterious about where we’re going.”
“That’s because I’m waiting for the big reveal.”
I glance out the window as we turn onto a familiar street. The campus buildings of East Rock University begin appearing ahead of us, their stone facades glowing softly in the light from the street lamps.
“Graham.”
“Yes?”
“Why are we at the university?”
He pulls into a parking space near the main academic building and turns off the engine before answering. “There’s a lecture tonight,” he says.
I stare. “A lecture.”
“Yes.” He finally looks at me, clearly bracing himself for my reaction.
I fold my arms. “Graham.”
“It’s a good lecture.”
“On our date.”
“It’s a very good lecture.”
Despite myself, I start laughing. “You’re taking me to a lecture for our first date.”
“Technically,” he says, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, “I brought you to hear Dr. Emille St. James.”
“TheEmille St. James?”
He nods. “Omega studies researcher,” he continues. “She just released a new book on omega purchasing behavior and market influence. It’s been getting a lot of attention.”
My skepticism starts to dissolve. I’ve seen Dr. St. James on news shows. She’s interesting.
“She’s speaking tonight about omega-driven consumer trends,” he adds. “Buying patterns, economic influence, the way omega preferences shape entire markets.”
I blink at him. “You brought me here because of my company.”
His mouth curves slightly. “I thought it might be useful to, you know… OmegaBox.”
