Free Project Date by Kate Perry Page A

booting a person off his connection, watching him reconnect, and then booting him again. I admit, it’s a perverse joy, but a joy nevertheless.
    I didn’t do it. Instead, I put the first season of MacGyver into my DVD player and wondered how to get in touch with Richard Dean Anderson. And if he still had all his teeth. (How old was he, anyway?)

Chapter Six
    “I think I should get an unlisted phone number.”
    —MacGyver, “Trumbo’s World” Episode #6
     
    The door to the server room clicked shut behind me. Frowning, I started to turn as an arm snaked around my waist. Without thinking, I grabbed a fistful of shirt and bent my knees to chuck my attacker over my shoulder.
    “Whoa, gorgeous. It’s me.”
    “Johnny?” I tried to turn around. He’d never know how close he’d come to being flipped onto the ground.
    His arms held me in place so he could nuzzle my neck. “I’ve missed you this week. Did you get my messages?”
    “Um—” I admit it, I’d been dodging his calls. “You called?”
    “Yeah. A few times. Let’s go out tonight.” His hand crept up.
    I peeled it off me before he reached my boobs. “Johnny! We’re at work.”
    “I know.” He didn’t sound contrite. “Maybe one day we can have a quickie in here.”
    Gross. Not even in his dreams. Of course, if he were Rio it’d be a different story.
    I wedged myself out of his embrace and pushed him away. “You know how I feel about that.”
    “I know.” He grinned. “This virginal stuff turns me on.”
    Fantastic. “Johnny—”
    “Where do you want to go tonight?”
    “Home.”
    Wrong answer. I swear I saw his ears perk up like a cocker spaniel. “That sounds great.”
    “No, I’m going home alone. All by myself,” I added just in case he didn’t get my drift.
    Watching the enthusiasm drain from him was painful. “Oh.”
    I almost felt bad— almost being the key word there. “Sorry.”
    “No problem. I understand.”
    His tone said the opposite, and I felt compelled to make an excuse to make him feel better. “It’s just that it’s been a long week and I’m really tired.”
    “I can rub your feet,” he offered eagerly.
    I was tempted for a split second, maybe less than that. “Thanks, but I’ll take a raincheck.”
    As soon as it came out of my mouth I wanted to smack my forehead. Idiot. What was I thinking, encouraging him?
    But it did the trick. He smiled brilliantly. “Great. I’ll give you a call tomorrow.”
    I hoped my smile didn’t look sickly. “Um. Right.”
    “Rest well, Mena. I want you nice and fresh this weekend.” He wiggled his eyebrows and let himself out of the server room.
    I banged my head against a machine. Stupid stupid stupid. What was I thinking? I’d never get rid of him this way.
    “Hey, Mena. You okay?”
    I looked up to see Lewis pop his head in, a concerned frown on his face. I sighed and tried to smile. “I’m fine. Just a headache.”
    His frown deepened. “Hitting your head against the computers probably isn’t the best cure.” He threw his hands in the air. “But you’re the boss. You know best, of course.”
    At least he had some intelligence.
    “I could give you a shoulder massage,” he said eagerly. “And neck. Your muscles are probably tight.”
    “No, thanks.” What was it with guys offering me massages today? Before he could deflate on me, I said, “But you could go buy me a bottle of Advil and a Coke.”
    “Okay!” He raced off before I could give him any money.
    I rolled my eyes. At least I’d gotten a reprieve from him.
    Two seconds after I got back to my desk, the phone rang. I picked it up without thought. “Mena speaking.”
    “Philomena, it’s your mother.”
    Damn. What good is caller ID if you don’t check it? “Hey, Mom. What’s up?”
    “I talked to your sister.”
    Goody for you. “Oh, really?”
    “We set the date for her birthday party.”
    My lungs seized, and for a moment I thought I was going to hyperventilate. Please please please let