“Clever girl.” Brandon scrolled through streams of code. It all looked like nonsense to me.
I spun in a slow circle, studying the gadget-filled room. “What’s all this gear? Are you a gamer or something?”
“I…trade stocks and have a side hustle as an IT security consultant.”
I didn’t miss his slight hesitation in giving me those details. Was he embarrassed by his job, or not giving me the whole truth? Something didn’t gel.
“Business going good?” I sipped my coffee. Much better than the cheap crap Lettie and I had.
His focus remained on the screen. “I do well enough.”
“Well enough that you can afford to rent a—how do I put this nicely—economical apartment?”
“This place has everything I need. The location is great, and the internet speed is fast.”
“You don’t seem like a computer geek.”
Brandon turned, and our eyes met. “And what do I seem like?”
Cosmo’s Bachelor of the Year. “I don’t know. Some kind of slick used-car salesman I guess.”
“Ouch.” He winced and returned his attention to the screen. “Maybe it’s best if you don’t make too many assumptions about me.”
Something seemed off about Brandon, but it would be foolish to question him while he helped me. Besides, what did I care what his story was? As long as he fixed my laptop, then minded his own business, we’d be sweet.
“Where are you from?” I asked to fill the awkward silence. “I can’t place your accent.”
“Grew up in rural Missouri.”
“A farm boy?” I couldn’t imagine that.
“Yes, ma’am.” Brandon tipped the brim of an imaginary hat and gave me what must be his best impression of a country-boy smile. I told myself it wasn’t endearing in the slightest. A charming version of Brandon posed even more danger than the cocky one. “My parents still run it,” he added. “Cattle mostly, a few pigs. Sometimes turkeys for the holiday season.”
Raised on a Missouri farm but now a Philly computer whiz? This man was an enigma. One I had zero intention of deciphering.
Brandon rose from the swivel chair to hunt through a cabinet drawer. The muscles in his biceps popped as he rummaged around. Nope. You didn’t get definition like that from clicking a mouse all day.
“I can fix your laptop. Pretty sure I have enough spare parts to start on it tonight. When do you need it by?”
“I’ve got an assignment due in three days, so the sooner the better.”
“I’ll have it to you by tomorrow, then.” He placed what looked like a motherboard circuit on the desk, then continued searching. “What are you studying?”
“Criminology.”
“Impressive. How long until you’re finished?”
“Six months.”
“Then what? You going to become a crime-fighting badass?” Brandon glanced my way, and it surprised me to realize he wasn’t mocking me. “This city could sure use it.”
“Something like that.” We so weren’t having themurdered boyfrienddiscussion. Aside from the guaranteed bout of anxiety it would bring on, I didn’t want Brandon’s pity.
I took another sip of coffee, hoping he didn’t notice how fast I drank. As soon as I finished, I’d be out of here. This conversation was oddly normal compared to our last one. Normal conversations led to friendships, and I didn’t want to be friends with Brandon.
“University of Pennsylvania?” he asked.
I nodded when he looked across for my answer.