Hard Wired Trilogy by DeAnna Pearce (smart books to read .TXT) 📕

moment before she realized someone was calling to her. Garrett was wrapped up in a green down jacket and a blue striped beanie.

“Oh, hi.” She turned to face him, huddling down deeper into her own jacket.

“So, you’ll still acknowledge me on campus? How very gracious of you.” He gave a mock bow. His movements were theatrical, but his face remained sober.

“Sorry, I’ve had a lot on my mind.” Ari’s blue scarf escaped the confines of her jacket, one side flying in the wind and heading to freedom. She reached up to tuck it back in and her bag slid down her arm. She dropped the bag on the sidewalk and ripped off the stupid scarf, balling it into a wad. Her frustration from class, the jerk Wake, Advisor Williams, and everything else boiled inside of her. She wanted to scream into the wind but, instead, threw her scarf on the ground.

Garrett hesitantly bent down to pick it up. “Want me to carry that?”

Ari’s breath came out in gasps, forming into clouds of mist in front of her. She needed to pull it together. If she lost it ... well, she couldn’t think like that. She tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear, embarrassed about her mini-meltdown. She picked up her bag and reached out to take the scarf. “Thanks, but I got it.”

“Things can’t be that bad for an up-and-coming star like yourself.” He gave her a kind smile.

“Thanks.” Her hair continued flying about her face, and she was forced to pull it back into a tight bun.

“You look like you could use a break,” Garrett tucked a strand of hair she’d missed behind her ear. “I’d suggest a trip to the beach or something, but you have a boyfriend for that?”

His hand lingered a bit too long near her face as his eyes darted to someone behind her. Suddenly his expression turned haughty and patronizing, making Ari’s stomach sink. She brushed his arm away roughly and turned around to find Reed.

Reed’s eyes narrowed. “Keep your hands to yourself, Garrett.”

Garrett stepped back. “Just helping.”

“Help somewhere else.”

“Don’t worry, she’s all yours. Have fun,” Garrett scoffed and turned to leave.

Reed shoved his hands in his pockets, his body tight and angry.

Ari stepped towards him. “Nothing happened. He grabbed my scarf for me and was screwing around to make you mad.”

“You didn’t seem to object too much.”

His comment put her on the defensive. “He caught me off guard. It was nothing.”

“I know. Still doesn’t mean I have to like him.”

Ari leaned into him, hoping to lighten the mood. “I’ve seen some of the girls you’ve dated. They weren’t all winners.”

His body softened, and he wrapped an arm around her. “That is why I am no longer with them.”

“Good.”

He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips. Even with the cold whipping around her, a little kiss from Reed could warm her heart. She stood on her tiptoes to prolong the kiss for one more moment.

“I hate to stop.” Reed pulled back, rubbing her arms. “But it’s really cold, and you may need all ten fingers to finish the term.”

A rock pummeled to the bottom of her stomach as he reminded her of all the work she needed to make up.

He must have noticed. “What’s wrong?”

It was a long story, one she didn’t really have time to go into. If she was going to survive the next few days, she would need some sustenance. “Let’s grab something to drink and I’ll catch you up.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The night went by in a blur of homework. Despite constant temptation, Ari coded her program the painstakingly slow method. The next morning her HUB flashed a reminder of the meeting scheduled with Dave after classes. She should cancel. She didn’t have the time to meet with him but talking it over with Reed the previous night had reminded her how important it was. Reed had agreed to come along for moral support.

“What is it?” Tessa asked from across their room.

Ari must have been staring off into space for a while.

“Just thinking about the meeting with Dave.” She didn’t think it hurt to say his name aloud.

Tessa ruffled her purple hair and put on her bracelet and rings. “I’ll meet you at security after classes.”

Ari started to tell Tessa she didn’t have to, but her friend quieted her with a look. “I’ve worked on contracts since I could code. I’ll be there.”

Classes went by slowly, and she worked in the library through lunch. When Ari arrived at security, she was happy to see Reed and Tessa waiting for her. Tessa wore a bright blue shirt and tall buckled boots. Reed looked good as always in his dark jeans and a gray shirt.

“Hey.” He reached for Ari’s hand. A soothing touch that tethered her in place and helped her fight the chaotic emotions warring inside.

They passed through security and then continued on the path to a restaurant in town. The falling sun peeked out through the heavy clouds, giving a fabulous display in the sky, much better than the slushy mush on the streets that the snow left behind.

Outside the café, Tessa warned Ari, “Don’t forget what you’re worth. Ask for the world.”

“I’m not quite sure what to ask for. Or if they can even help me.” She had so many questions, she wasn’t sure where to start.

“Nothing is too high, remember that,” Tessa replied.

The sleek and modern café contained a variety of beautiful paintings projected on their computerized walls. The pieces looked expensive. Ari suddenly felt self-conscious in her faded jeans and self-designed shoes. Guess I’m ordering water. Reed squeezed her hand as if he sensed her discomfort.

A tall, sleek girl with platinum hair showed them to their seats. Their table was one big screen with menus and more. Not hungry, Ari folded her arms to keep her hands still.

“Relax, Ari. It’s really not that big of a deal. If this company doesn’t work out, there will be others.” Tessa flipped through the menu.

Ari started to