Pulse 2 (Pulse Series) by Rhea Wilde

ballroom and to our table. I took the same spot I did last time. Cheryl took the place right next to Rafael r ight across from me. I held back a sigh then looked around the ballroom to see if there was anything there to distract me, even for just a moment. The waiter arrived to tell us what was being served. I was just waiting for him to fill my glass with the bottle of wine he was holding.
    I once again found myself in the same position as the last dinner we had. Travis and Wesley were captivated by everything Harold was telling them. Cheryl and Rafael were busy reminiscing about past memories. I sat there and gulp ed my wine while trying to enjoy the catered dinner. As I stared at the two of them, Rafael looked up at me and noticed me watching him. He cleared his throat and leaned ever so slightly away from his female friend.
    “ Did you attend the presentations that were scheduled this afternoon?” he asked me.
    “ Yes, sir,” I replied. “I took detailed notes on everything. I’ll be able to come up with a thorough report in no time. You’ll be able to make comparisons when you need to.”
    “ Good. I expected nothing less.”
    “ You’re too diligent,” Cheryl said to me. “There’s no need to be so formal in an atmosphere like this. True, Rafael does need this information but leaving a detail or two out of your inevitable report won’t hurt too much. I’m sure Rafael will appreciate whatever you can come up with.”
    “ I don’t work hard for Rafael,” I said. “I work hard because that’s my job and it’s the right thing to do.”
    I stared at Rafael. He looked away from me and began cutting at the piece of meat upon his plate. Cheryl smiled at my respo nse then took a sip of wine from her glass.
    “ Alice.”
    I turned to the voice and saw a familiar man standing there.
    “Dante,” I said. “Hi. It’s good to see you again.”
    “ It’s good to see you, too. I have a favor to ask you. I was held late in a meeting. Somebody actually took my seat. I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind me taking this spot—”
    “ Not at all, Dante. Please. Have a seat.”
    I didn ’t have to think twice about offering Dante the empty seat next to me. I looked around the crowded ballroom to see if Dante’s story was true. But I didn’t care. It was nice to have his company.
    “ Hello,” Dante said to the rest of the table. “Dante Kirkwood. Detit Technologies.”
    He waved to everybody and they all greeted him warmly. Rafael nodded to him then continued cutting an d poking at his food. When I looked at Rafael, I noticed that his demeanor was different. He seemed to be less focused on the chatter Cheryl was spouting and lost in whatever it was he was thinking about. She must have noticed it, too, as she turned her attention to the man sitting next to me.
    “ Tell me, Dante,” she began. “What is it you do?”
    “ Well,” he said with a mouth half-full of food. “I’m a specialist for Detit. I work with their engineers to help them improve some of their projects. I’ve been in the rooms their medical technology is going to be used. It helps to have someone with first-hand experience to help build it.”
    “ No doubt,” she replied. “You certainly seem capable of the task.”
    “ If you’re interested, my presentation is scheduled for tomorrow. You’re all invited to attend.”
    “ That does sound interesting,” Rafael interjected. “But I don’t think it’s on the agenda. To be honest with you, Dante, Detit Technologies isn’t very high on our list of priorities.”
    “ Oh,” Dante said with some disappointment in his voice. “I’m sorry to hear that. But if you get the chance, it would be nice if you stopped by.”
    “ I’ll be there,” I said.
    “ Alice, there are other presentations I need you to attend,” Rafael said to me. “I’m sure Wesley or Travis can attend Dante’s presentation.”
    “ I know. But Dante’s presentation is in the morning, right? There’s