I Love You, Miss Genius novel · Chapter 7 of 24

Chapter 7: The Firing

I looked at the rain on his face and told him a half truth.

"You're my boss," I said. "On Monday I'm still a temp, and you're a man with a hundred things on his plate."

"And?"

"And I don't want to be something you did in the rain."

He was quiet for a second.

Then he nodded slowly and stepped back.

"Fair," he said.

He dug into his pocket and handed me my glasses.

They were clean.

"I wiped them," he said. "They're clearer than my conscience."

I put them on and the world sharpened, and so did his face, and it was not hurt but patient.

"Goodnight, Juno."

"Goodnight."

He picked up the dead umbrella from the step and opened it over me for the last three feet.

Then he ran back to the car through the rain, laughing at himself.

I stood in the doorway for a long time after his taillights went.

On Monday morning I came in at eight and found a stranger sitting at my desk.

She wore a lanyard from the temp agency, a gray blazer and a face.

Behind her stood Bettina Crowe with her arms folded.

The entire floor had stopped typing.

"Juno Cho?" the woman said.

"Yes."

"Your assignment at Helix Loop has ended. I'm here to collect your badge."

I stared at her.

"Ended why?"

"Ms. Crowe has filed a complaint." She slid a form across the desk. "Unauthorized access to executive systems and files. It is immediate."

I looked at Bettina.

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