“And you’d be right back where you were before: no harm, no foul.”

“But I like my new job.”

“Sure, but I’m just saying, the worst-case scenario doesn’t make you worse off than you were before you met him.”

“Except for the broken heart part.”

“Meh, hearts heal. Trust me.”

“I could also lose the respect of my coworkers.”

“Who you don’t even really know, and once they get to know you, they’ll forgive you. Besides, maybe they’d like to see their boss in a relationship.”

“What do you mean?”

“Everyone knows bosses who are getting laid regularly are much more reasonable.”

“Everyone knows that?”

“Yes.”

“I didn’t.”

“Well, you’re young.”

“You’re only thirty-two!”

“I’m wise beyond my years.”

“Okay, so are you telling me I should have sex with him, then?”

“I’m saying you should follow your heart, because if it doesn’t work out, you’ll be fine, and if it does work out, you’ll be finer.”

I grin from ear to ear. “I love you, Jenny. You’re so smart.”

She sighs. “You were going to sleep with him anyway, no matter what I said.”

“That’s not true. I value your opinion.”

“Yeah, but you’re hot for him. No amount of common sense is going to stop that train from running down the sexy track. Just go and get it over with. I predict you’ll be glad you did.”

I’m suddenly filled with the urge to see Ozzie. “Okay. I’ve gotta go.”

She laughs. “So quickly? Don’t you want to discuss the new computer program I’m working on? It’s very exciting.”

“Sure it is.” She works for a company that makes calorie-counting applications for phones. “I’ll hear about it this weekend.”

“We’ll be seeing you this weekend? Sure you won’t be too busy having all kinds of dirty sex with your new boyfriend?”

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

“Not yet.”

“Jen, stop! You’re putting pressure on it now!”

“Okay, fine. I’ll stop. I love you. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“But you’re a total ho-bag.”

“Once upon a time, I was! Have fun!” she trills before disconnecting the call.

I sigh with happiness as I let the phone fall to my side. My sister has green-lighted this affair. My sister and The Fates have spoken. It’s time to tell Ozzie how I feel.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

I find Ozzie in my living room, hovering over his computer. He’s put a blanket that used to be on the back of my couch up over the windows. Sahara is sleeping in the hallway. Felix joins her there, taking up residence on her paws. She makes room for him to settle in, and my heart melts just a little more toward her. She is now permitted to toot in my living room.

“What’s going on?” I ask, taking a seat near Ozzie. I pick up a magazine to show how cool and relaxed I am. He’ll never know I’m burning up inside, imagining telling him that I want his body against mine. I hate that Britney Spears is singing in my head right now.

To distract my overly busy brain, I practice casual pickup lines in my head as I wait for his answer:

Yo u look hot in that shirt. Maybe you should take it off.

Do you have a girlfriend? Do you want one?

I was wrong, Ozzie. So wrong. Take me to bed now.

Do you come here often?

Sex. I want some. Rawr.

“Nothing much,” he says, oblivious to my mania, “just checking various cameras we have set up around town.” He swivels the laptop in my direction. There are several windows open on his screen. When I recognize the houses in one of them, I point.

“Hey! That’s our target from today!”

“Yeah.” He makes the window bigger. “Looks like we’re getting some activity.”

There are two cars parked outside and one just arriving. The images aren’t great quality, the individuals walking around lit by streetlights only, but they’re good enough for one thing.

“That’s that guy!” I say, getting up so I can kneel by the computer. “Right there. That’s baldie.” I point to the screen.

“Yes, it is,” Ozzie says, typing something out really fast on his keyboard. The image gets bigger, as if the camera on the drone is focusing.

“Whoa,” I say. “That’s seriously cool.”

“Not nearly as cool as what you’re about to see.” He shares a quick gleeful smile with me and then flicks over to another screen. To his right on my desk is a joystick I hadn’t noticed before, plugged into the USB slot of his computer.

The fingers of his left hand type on the keyboard. His right hand is on the joystick. Suddenly, we’re looking at another view of the house, but this one is moving, and it’s going a lot faster than the Parrot I had in my hands today.

I feel a little dizzy, watching from this perspective. “What’s happening?” It’s as if he’s taken the drone from the pole and moved it.

“Another bug we have.”

“Bug?”

“Bugs. Electronics used to listen in on conversations and so forth.” His tone is distracted as he concentrates on what he’s doing. The bug that was heading toward the house now flies over to the side of it.

“Where’s it going?”

“Just watch and see.” When it reaches a dilapidated wood fence leading to the backyard, it stops. There are several people there, enjoying what looks like a barbecue. Ozzie presses one of the F-keys on his laptop, and suddenly sounds are coming out of his computer. Party sounds.

“Oh my god! It’s a bug! Like in the movies!” I clap my hands together like a small child. When I realize I look like Sammy congratulating himself on the toilet, I stop.

“Yeah, except this one is the real deal.” He pushes another button. “So now we record everything and analyze the data later.”

“Can I help with that part?”

“I’m counting on it.”

I go a little warm inside. He’s counting on me. Cool. Hopefully, this bug will pick up something good. Assuming it doesn’t get discovered, of course. I’m not sure how it could be missed, though. I mean, I can hear them partying it up, but that doesn’t make them blind.

“Aren’t they going to notice a drone sitting on their fence?”

“Not this one. It’s the size of a dragon fly and looks a lot like one.”

“Whoa. That’s kind of spooky, actually.” I look around my room, wondering if there are any bugs hiding around here.

He turns his head to look at me, removing his hands from the joystick and computer at the same time. “Did you want to talk to me about something a minute ago?”

Suddenly the conversation with my sister comes flooding back, and I go from being fascinated and impressed to nervous again. “Uhhh, heh-heh . . .” Ack! My brain and my mouth have disconnected!

“Are you okay?” Ozzie asks, frowning at my expression.

“Yeah, sure, I’m fine.” Phew, thank goodness, the brain is back online. Now if I could just get my blood pressure to calm down I’d be stellar.

I get to my feet and back away from him, stopping when my calves hit the edge of a chair. I sink down into it, hoping I don’t look as nervous as I feel. “Just had a chat with my sister. Thought I’d come down to see what you’re up to.” I glance at the clock. “I normally don’t go to bed until after ten.”

“Me neither.” He leans back in the office chair, making it squeak in time with his slight rocking moves. “I guess we have a couple hours to kill.” He looks me up and down. The way he’s rocking makes it look like he’s nodding his approval.

Whoa. Powerful stuff.

I can’t hold his gaze. My eyes wander the room. “Yep, couple hours or so. We could watch TV.” I shrug. I’m cool. I’m casual. I can watch television with a hot guy for two hours and keep my hands to myself. I’d better pop some popcorn, though. Keep the hands busy.