Maybe Later(55)

AWalk90: My brain fries when he’s around. I don’t think of questions.

JSpear84: You’re smitten with a man who might be a serial killer.



I smirk at the screen. She’s squirming, and I’m having too much fun to let this end. Emmeline, let’s play a little game called, payback. After a couple of dates, I’ll come clean, and we’ll laugh about this.



AWalk90: He doesn’t seem like the serial killer-type. I met his brother, does that make you feel better?

JSpear84: He might be his accomplice.



Which isn’t a lie. Jason was my accomplice most of the time when I misbehaved.



AWalk90: If they kidnap me and hold me hostage, would you send somebody to rescue me?

JSpear84: I would if I knew where to send help, but we have no way of tracking him because you didn’t ask for his last name, Miss Walker. Of all the people I know, you’re the last person I would have thought would make such a big mistake.

AWalk90: Have I mentioned he’s the hottest man in the history of mankind?

JSpear84: I’m dating a very beautiful woman, and I know her last name.

AWalk90: What is it?

JSpear84: I wouldn’t tell you, that’s her personal information. I will not invade her privacy just to show you that I know who I’m dating.

AWalk90: Maybe she made it up.



I blink twice as I read her last sentence. It’s perfect to ask about Amy.



JSpear84: Would somebody do something like that? Pretend to be someone else?

AWalk90: Maybe she is planning on inheriting all your money once you died on your 80th birthday.



That’s not the answer I need, Emmeline. I drum my fingers against the desk. Come on, baby, throw me a bone here. Make sense of this mess.



JSpear84: By then she’d be too old to kill me or do anything with it. Stop avoiding my question. Tell me, would you create some kind of virtual persona?

AWalk90: Create one? No, I would use the identity of a person I already knew.

JSpear84: What does that even mean? You’d steal someone’s identity.

AWalk90: Let’s say hypothetically, I don’t want people to know who I am. I don’t create a person, I use the identity of someone I already know and that way I don’t get any facts wrong.



I smile as I stare at the screen. You are familiar with this. So who is Amy?



JSpear84: Hypothetically, let’s say you wanted to make up a person or use someone’s identity. Who would it be?

AWalk90: If I were to give a fake name, with a fake identity, and a fake background, it would be my twin sister’s. It’d be easier because I know her information by heart, and I wouldn’t have to make it up.



My inner turmoil doesn’t settle with the answer. She commented on being an only child. Then, I remember Emmeline mentioning a sister. Okay, tell me about your sister.



JSpear84: You’re an only child.

AWalk90: What’s with all the questions, Spearman?

JSpear84: Is that something you’d do only online? Faking an identity?

AWalk90: Yes, for protection and all that fun stuff. Working for people who think they are as important as God isn’t easy.



I read the last message several times. Of course, she gave me a pseudonym. If I’d known she was Emmeline Lancaster, I’d have been a bigger asshole.



JSpear84: That would be weird. You wouldn’t be yourself at all.

AWalk90: I would still be me. Changing names doesn’t mean I’m acting different. I can’t change personalities if that’s why you’re asking.

AWalk90: Why are you asking?



Because I want to give you the benefit of the doubt and fix our relationship. Just don’t ask me why because I can’t even understand it myself. The stupid magic, that spark that ignites between us, and my desire to be with you.



JSpear84: You think you know someone and suddenly you don’t.

AWalk90: It would get weirder if I tell you more, but that’s information you don’t need to know. Who is behind the computer shouldn’t matter? My friendship is heartfelt, my work professional. A name shouldn’t change the essence of who I am.



I squeeze the mouse, reading those words. Maybe that’s the answer I’ve been looking for all along. It’s her without a doubt. Should I try to mend things with her? Definitely, I have to test the waters before I introduce myself as Jackson Spearman. A couple of dates as just Jack. She can deal with the asshole online. But in real life, I’m giving her the perfect man she’s been looking for.



JSpear84: I wouldn’t expect less from you, Amy. You’re one of the best virtual assistants I’ve ever had to the pleasure to meet.

AWalk90: I am the only VA you’ve ever known, and we’ve never met.

JSpear84: Honestly, I’m glad I met you.

AWalk90: Well, Romeo, let’s focus on you. It’s time for you to stop meeting people in chat rooms. This is not the 90s. Get your groove back.

JSpear84: Isn’t that a 90’s movie too?

AWalk90: It doesn’t matter. Get your head out of your ass and start living.

JSpear84: Are you going to wait for the serial killer to call?

AWalk90: Ha!