The Tech Support Romance
"IT support technician Salma thinks she's seen it all until Adeel—handsome startup founder—calls with the most basic computer problem she's ever encountered. His incompetence is adorable; his persistence is irresistible."
The Tech Support Romance
"Have you tried turning it off and on again?"
Salma rubbed her temples. The man on the phone—some startup CEO—couldn't figure out why his laptop wouldn't start.
"Yes. Multiple times."
"Is it plugged in?"
Silence. "Oh."
"Ya Allah." She tried not to laugh. "Sir, the power cord—"
"This is embarrassing." His voice was warm despite the mortification. "I promise I run a successful company."
"I believe you. Technology happens to everyone."
"Can I buy you coffee? As apology?"
"That's not how IT support works."
"Then let me call again with another stupid problem. Eventually you'll have to say yes."
He called back. Repeatedly.
"My WiFi isn't working."
"Is it turned on?"
"...Define 'turned on.'"
She laughed despite herself. "Adeel, are you serious?"
"Mostly. Partly I just wanted to hear your voice." A pause. "Is that weird?"
"Completely."
"But endearing?"
"...A little."
"Then coffee? Please? I promise to be confused in person too."
Coffee became dinner. Dinner became regular calls that had nothing to do with technology.
Adeel was brilliant at business but hopeless at everything else—charming, self-deprecating, and dedicated to making her laugh.
"Why me?" Salma asked one evening. "You could have anyone."
"Anyone doesn't make me feel stupid in the best possible way." He took her hand. "You challenge me. Keep me humble. And you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen fix a router."
"That's not a high bar."
"It's my bar." He leaned closer. "I've fallen for you, Salma. Completely, helplessly, like a computer without its power cord."
"That's the worst metaphor—"
He kissed her.
His penthouse was obscenely nice, but she barely noticed.
Adeel undressed her with the same focused determination he brought to his business—like she was a problem worth solving completely.
"Tell me what you need," he murmured.
"You figuring it out."
"Challenge accepted."
He was thorough—mouth, hands, attention—until she was crying out his name. When he finally slid inside her, she understood why his company was successful.
The man didn't stop until he'd achieved every objective.
"People will think I'm a gold digger," Salma said afterward.
"People can think what they want." He pulled her close. "I know you'd love me if I was still in a garage startup. That's rare."
"You were never in a garage."
"Metaphorical garage." He kissed her hair. "Marry me, Salma. Be my tech support forever."
"That's possibly the worst proposal—"
"I'll grow on you."
She laughed. "You already have."
The wedding featured tech-themed decor—her idea, his budget.
The proposal, when it happened properly, was much better.
But she kept the first version in her heart.