Page 76 of Engineering a Love Story

“You don’t have to quit your job. I never asked for that.”

“I know you didn’t.”

“And you don’t need to. I’ve had a change at work.” I explain about my new position.

“Really?” He thinks for a moment. “Was it because of me?”

I hesitate, then lift a shoulder and tell him about IBM and what happened with Howard. I leave Ronald Spillane out entirely.

“IBM?” He pulls his hands back. “Shit. I can’t believe that happened. I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you tell me? Are you okay?”

I assure him I am. “My new boss is great.”

Seth lifts his eyebrows. “So, we have no conflict?”

“No conflict.”

He lets his head fall forward slightly. “That’s good news. I really didn’t want to quit my job.”

“I know. I like that you offered though.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”

“I started to last night, but then you were going to miss your flight. Which I guess you did anyway.” I take his hand. “What did your mother say when you told her you weren’t coming?”

“That … was interesting. She was not happy.”

I groan. “She’ll hate me.”

“Are you implying you might one day agree to meet my mother?”

“Not now that she hates me.”

Seth reaches forward, pulls my whole body closer to his. I’m not in his lap, but nearly, our knees bumping awkwardly as we sit, overlapping.

“Does Manish know you’re here?”

“He does. I called him last night from the airport. I can’t say he gave me his approval. Though I guess we don’t care about that now?”

“No. Now you just can’t date Evan Feinberg.”

Seth pulls me closer. “Excellent. Evan is not my type.” He puts his lips to my hair. “Manish wants to root for us. I think he felt like he had to draw the line somewhere, after the shitstorm with that article. But he’s still my best friend. And he was excited by this crazy romantic thing I was about to do. I mean, who wouldn’t be? Even that cabdriver from Chelsea was behind us. He turned the meter off and waited in the parking lot, once I explained what I was doing. He called it my moonshot. Plus, Manish has other concerns.” I turn my head. “You know about PayNow. But there was another issue. It turns out Vitalik was involved with an Aurelian salesperson. She was based in Houston, the woman who was at the Mark Hopkins escorting that prospect when you were in town. Daphne.”

“He was at the hotel that morning.”

“Exactly. Their involvement … ended, I don’t know the details. But she’s filed a discrimination suit against the company. She says Vita harassed her.”

“Did he?” This doesn’t seem far-fetched, given what I’d seen of Vitalik.

“Maybe. Probably. I don’t know. He says their relationship was consensual, but it’s hard for me to believe anything Vita says at this point. He’s leaving the company.” I pull back, attempting to assess Seth’s reaction to this, but he shakes his head. “He already has another job. No one needs to worry about Vitalik. He’ll be fine.”

My stab of surprise only lasts a second. Of course, Vitalik will be fine.

“What about Daphne?”

“She has a new position as well. I gave her a glowing recommendation. Which she deserved.” Seth’s gaze moves to the window behind me. “Still. Our board is demanding a fairly extensive overhaul of the executive team. And Aurelian is planning to open its first Asia-Pacific office next year. In Singapore. If I don’t quit—and I guess I won’t—it’s likely I’ll go work there for a while. It’s my choice; I don’t have to go. But I’ve spoken to Jack about it. He agrees it would be valuable for me to get the international experience. And some space from Manish.”

I pull from him. “You’re moving to Asia?”