In this second excerpt of the novella, Veronica and Jude’s online flirtation escalates, foregrounding Lauren’s thematic exploration of the Allure and Risk of Workplace Romance. The new colleagues’ ongoing email exchange offers them an organic opportunity to get to know one another that quickly develops into romantic interest. Veronica does not overtly acknowledge the potential professional complications of accepting Jude’s date invitation until her friend, Jordan, highlights the potential challenges of a workplace romance—“So, wait. You’re going on a date with this guy you trolled on Zoom and who hired you to troll him officially […] Like, you’re dating your boss?” (57)—forcing Veronica to examine the ethics of her and Jude’s dynamic. Veronica and Jude’s decision to move their online exchange to their personal email accounts to avoid inciting HR suspicions underscores the ethical gray area of romantic involvement in the workplace. 

Thematically, Veronica and Jude’s workplace romance allows Serle to explore The Impact of Technology on Intimacy. Because both Veronica and Jude work remotely from home, they often rely on dating apps to pursue new romantic opportunities. However, as Veronica admits in one email to Jude, meeting someone this way feels inorganic and deeply frustrating: “I’m really bad at first dates […] I hate the small talk cycle and that so many men I meet don’t do sarcasm or banter. It’s often like going on a date with a resume” (54). With Jude, however, Veronica doesn’t have to market herself in a palatable way to gain his attention. Her online anonymity gave her the confidence to be herself from their first interaction. Throughout their email exchanges, Veronica builds upon this authenticity, sharing details from her personal life and engaging in snarky banter. Similarly, Jude feels he can express himself freely in their private emails without having to play the part of the collected, confident Codeify CEO. Technology offers the two an easy way to get to know one another without the typical pressures of meeting in person first.

Veronica’s professional transition echoes her romantic prospects. Both areas push her to assert herself in new ways and to strike a balance between her real-world and online spheres, highlighting the novella’s thematic focus on Life Change as a Catalyst for Self-Discovery. As Veronica and Jude’s relationship develops, Veronica’s interest in her hunky neighbor Friday augments the narrative tension and mystery. Veronica has agreed to the date with Jude and is delighted by their easy and near-constant conversation online. At the same time, her attraction to Friday is undeniable—even passing interactions in the lobby brighten her day and lift her spirits. The convergence of these two romantic potentials complicates Veronica’s ability to discern what she wants. The real-world interactions represent serendipity, unpredictability, and physical attraction, while the online interactions represent a steady, slow-building trust and emotional intimacy.