Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Well, I think you’re a genius. That’s why I call you Super Brain.”
I smiled at the joke that had become an affectionate nickname. “I think about things differently, and since people don’t understand it, they assume it means I’ve attained some level of genius. In reality, I just think in a first-principle mind-set versus the analog mind-set.”
She gave me a blank look. “What does that mean?”
I dropped my pencil and eschewed the work altogether since the conversation took my focus. “First principle means you think about the program, in its barest form, and forget everything you already know about it. And then you work from the ground up, basically reinventing the wheel but finding a new way of doing it. That allows me to do things differently, more efficiently, more progressively. Analog thinking is working based on the knowledge the majority of the population already has, but if you work off that, you’re always going to have the same obstacles and progression.”
Even though we didn’t have the same education or background, she seemed to understand it. “That makes sense.”
“So, people call me a genius, when in reality, I just think differently.”
“But isn’t thinking differently the definition of being a genius?”
I’d never really thought of it that way before.
“I think you’re a genius. But since you think differently than I do, you don’t realize it.”
I held her gaze.
She closed her container because it was empty. “God, I just ate like a pig.”
“Then I’m a pig too.”
“But you’re a man. You can get away with it.”
“You can get away with it more.”
She grabbed the containers and threw them away.
I left my stuff behind and turned off the lights before we walked out together. I drove the golf cart, and we moved through the building as we headed to the Escalade waiting for us at the curb.
This question was overdue, but I asked it anyway. “What did you do this weekend?”
She turned to look at me, one hand on the straps of her purse. “I had a date, actually.”
I gave a slight nod, but I felt a jolt of both arousal and jealousy. “How’d that go?”
She shrugged. “Good.”
“You’ve been seeing him a while?”
“No, it’s casual.”
That was what I’d assumed based on my observations. She chose to remain unattached to a man despite her age, and that was fascinating to me. It didn’t seem like she couldn’t have a man; she just didn’t want one. And that was so sexy. She could have any man she wanted, but she didn’t feel obligated to have one. She was fulfilled on her own, didn’t need someone to make her happy.
It reminded me of myself…except I wasn’t happy.
“Do you see your parents a lot?”
We got to the Escalade, and she walked around to let herself in. I got into the seat, greeted Ronnie, and then we were off.
She laughed at the question I’d asked. “Oh, I see my parents waaaaaay too much.” She put her purse on the floor between her legs. “I mean, I’m happy that I spend so much time with them, but sometimes it’s just a lot.”
My parents always gave me space, even though they wanted to see me more often. I’d been busy this past year and hadn’t made family time a priority. It made me realize I should…because they wouldn’t always be around.
“My parents live in the same building as I do.”
I wanted to be closer to my parents, but not that close.
She must have read my reaction because she laughed. “Yeah, I see them too much. They actually used to live with me until I started to work with you.”
“Why?”
“It’s a long story, but my parents basically needed help, and I’m an only child, so…”
I didn’t know what to say.
“But once my salary increased, I was able to get them their own apartment. Some might say it’s a waste of money, but it’s the best thing I’ve ever spent money on.” She chuckled, making a bad situation good even though that had to be incredibly frustrating.
“That’s really selfless of you to take care of your parents like that.”
She shrugged. “I disagree. They did everything they could to give me a good life, and now, it’s my turn to help them. And they still do a lot for me, so it’s not like they don’t pull their own weight. But yeah, really happy they have their own place…”
“How long did you live with them?”
She considered the question as she chewed on the inside of her cheek. “About four years.”
Jesus.
“Yeah…it was rough. But you know, that’s what families do. They stick it out—thick and thin.”
Now I understood why she was such a patient person, because she was used to taking care of other people instead of herself. She knew how to handle me because it wasn’t her first time putting someone’s needs before her own. “I’m glad that you have your own space now. Must have been exhausting putting up with me all day and then taking care of someone else when you got home.”