Geeze. I need to start posting things besides teasers.
~~
The last thing Vance wanted to do was go into the office. However, that was where he was at ten thirty that evening, exhausted and irritable.
Thankfully, there weren’t many people around this time of day, so the cubicles around his were fairly quiet, save for a few people finishing their own reports.
The day at karina’s house had been fairly uneventful. She’d mostly stayed in her workshop and babysat the android, while he kept an eye on things and did paperwork. The only thing he couldn’t do there was type up reports.
He was nearly done when a sound outside his cubicle made him stop and listen. It stopped after several seconds and, warily, he resumed his typing. However, the noise came again soon after, and finally, he closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against his monitor.
“Go away, Abbi.”
The feeling of the manicured nails touching his shoulder sent shivers down his spine, but he refused to look up.
“Why’re you here so late, cowboy?”
“Typing reports. Go away.”
“Oh, come on, you don’t mean that.” The hand trailed across his back to the other
shoulder and rested there as she peered around to see his face.
He stared at her out of the corner of his eye. “I’m busy.”
“Of course you are. Will you still be busy tonight?”
“Yeah. I’ll be busy sleeping. By myself.”
“Awww, won’t that get lonely?”
“nope. Besides, I have to be up early tomorrow.”
She leaned against his desk and pouted as he resumed his work. “This case is such a drag. It’s so unfair for them to force it all on you. Can’t you get a partner or something? I’d be more than willing…”
“They did offer me a partner. I didn’t want one. Now go away so that I can work.”
“you mean you want to spend all that time with that robot?”
“It keeps you out of my hair, doesn’t it?”
“Unfortunately,” she sighed.
He very resolutely refused to look at her for the remainder of the time he spent at his desk. Hopefully she’d get bored and go away. However, he had no such luck. When he walked out into the foyer some twenty minutes later, she followed directly behind him. The single secretary at the front desk shot Abbi a dirty look as they passed.
“So what are you doing this weekend?” She leaned against his car as he rummaged around for his keys.
“I’m not interested anymore, Abbi,” he sighed. “Give it up, already.”
“You’re a horrible liar.”
“I’m not lying,” he said shortly, finding his keys and pressing the button to unlock the doors. He wanted a cigarette.
“You’re no fun, Vancie,” She whined before he shut the door in her face. He rolled his eyes as he started the engine, backing out of his spot carefully.
The entire ride home his fingers twitched to hold one of the familiar cigarettes. It would be so, so easy to stop and buy a pack…
No.
He popped open the glove compartment and fished out his nicotine gum. Biting open the package with his teeth, he popped two of them into his mouth and chewed slowly. It wasn’t enough- would never be enough- but for now it would have to do.
