Lamb chops

The waiter heads back with your order and leaves the two of you in privacy, probably thinking you were on a date.

Alex : "How long did you take to respond to the email?"

Sammy : "Oh, I dragged my feet a little bit, I'm sure you understand... After five days I opened the second email that came and I was pretty pent up. Have you opened the second email yet?"

You just nod

Sammy : "I see why you contacted me... I replied while still in the haze from that."

Alex : "What happens after that?"

She almost starts talking and then just stares at you for a moment.

Sammy : "I think you should find out for yourself."

A feeling of betrayal comes over you that must have shown on your face.

Sammy : "Oh don't be like that, you'll be fine and I'll be around if you need help. It's just they know what they're doing. I think you should trust them..."

A deviant look shows in her eyes.

Sammy : "you know it's kind of hot seeing you go through this. I know it's scary right now but it's also exciting isn't it? If you've opened the second email you must know what I mean."

You flash a look of incredulity.

Sammy : "Tell me one time in the last ten years you've felt even half as alive as that. Half the rush."

You look away, you had no answer and she knew it. The closest you've felt in that long have been when you made some ultimately inconsequential mistake at your pointless job and it didn't even compare. The conflict, the danger and stakes were terrifying but for the first time in your life you felt like what you did really mattered. Like you were the main character in your own life. And wasn't that feeling what you had started this whole journey off for? The whole reason you even tried to set up Cerve in the first place was because deep down you knew you couldn't keep going like that, day in and day out with nothing really mattering. Yeah, maybe your plan was more to get rich working at an AI startup and less getting rammed by cocks but if everything went according to plan it would hardly be exciting.

Alex : "Ok... maybe you have a point..."

Sammy : "Soooo..... Do you have a name yet?"

Alex : "You know my name, Alex Putty."

Sammy : "No silly, a girl name. I don't even think I chose mine, not really. It just started showing up as early as the test and it stuck."

You know what she means but you don't want to say it, it feels like a major step forward. Your **** must have shown on your face.

Sammy : "You do! Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell meeee"

She was so authentically excited you couldn't keep it back from her.

Alex : Alexis....

You whisper out, your body resisting .

Sammy : "What was that sweety!?"

Alex : "Alexis..."

You say, refusing to look Sammy in the eyes.

Sammy : "Oh, hi Alexis, nice to meet you, I'm Samantha but you can call me Sammy."

It still feels weird to be called that, you don't think you're ready to go by it yet. But also... Kind of right.... and kind of hot....

Just then your food arrives.