I say nothing, staring at my data until the numbers swim.
“Wonderful.” She pats my cheek like I’m still five years old. “See? That wasn’t so difficult.”
Her heels click toward the door, then pause. “Oh, and Alfie? Shave that stubble, you look like you live on the streets.”
I wait until she’s gone before slamming my hand against the desk, sending papers scattering. The worst part isn’t even the threat. It’s how easily she switches from threatening my entire career to critiquing my appearance, like she’s just being a helpful mother.
My phone lights up. A text from Tara. I don’t open it.
I stare at her name, guilt churning in my stomach. She has no idea what she’s gotten into. What my family’s really capable of.
But God help me, I’m too selfish to tell her to walk away.
“The calcium variationsare definitely showing something,” Kinsey says, pointing to the screen. She’s grown more confident over the past few weeks, no longer flinching when I look over her shoulder. “But I can’t quitefigure out what’s causing these anomalies in the pressure readings.”
I lean closer to the monitor, studying the patterns. Something’s off about the data, but I can’t put my finger on what. “Run it again. Maybe we missed?—”
My phone buzzes.
Tink
Heading to work soon but wondered if you’re still at the lab. Need brain food? I just got pizza…
Despite myself, I smile at the screen.
“That must be Tara,” Kinsey says, and I glance up to find her watching me with a knowing look. “You only smile at your phone like that when it’s her.”
“I don’t smile at my phone.” I grumble, it was better when she was scared of me.
“Sure.” She turns back to the data, hiding a grin. “Tell her I say hi.”
Actually starving. You’re a lifesaver.
Of course I am. I’ll be 5 mins. Don’t solve all the universe’s mysteries before I get there
“I should head out anyway,” Kinsey says, gathering her things. “Some of us actually sleep at normal hours.”
“Sleep is for people who aren’t on the verge of breakthrough.”
“Uh-huh.” She pauses at the door. “You know, you’re different with her. In a good way.”
Before I can respond, she’s gone, leaving me with thedata and my thoughts. I lose track of time staring at the screen until a familiar voice breaks through my concentration.
“Earth to Alfie! Or should I sayEuropato Alfie?”
Tara stands in the doorway, pizza box balanced on one hand, wearing her work uniform under a cozy UMS hoodie. Her hair’s pulled up, and she’s got bright pink eyeshadow on making her blue eyes pop.
I want to tell her but I don’t. I want to tell her about my day. I want to tell her about how Kinsey’s started to warm up to me, how we actually work really well together when she isn’t afraid to speak her mind.
When did she become the first person I want to tell things to?
When did this stop being pretend?
She sets the pizza down, coming to peer at my screen. “Ooh, pretty colors. What are we looking at?”
“Pressure variations in the calcium formations.” I pull her closer, arm around her waist. “Something’s not adding up, but I can’t figure out what.”
“Explain it to me?” She settles into my lap like she belongs there, stealing a slice of pizza. “Use small words for the non-genius-chemists.”
