“I’m Julia. I’ll give you my number and …”
Suddenly, his look changes from suspicious to … something else. He straightens his shoulders. “I don’t normally go for older ladies, but since you’re offering …”
“Oh God, that’s not what I’m suggesting—”
He grins another half-cocked smile that I’m sure he would describe as smoldery. “I’m Lincoln. You can give me your number.”
Lincoln …
Thoughts like dominos fall in rapid succession … brother … labs … lasers.
I glance to the sky. “Very funny,” I call out.
Lincoln looks around uncomfortably.
“I’ll tell you what.” I prop a hand on my hip. “You take me to Nathaniel’s house and we can both tell your brother.”
His mouth falls open. “Oh my God, you’re psychic too.”
* * *
Nathaniel
I’ve been sitting on the couch since I got home, staring into space. As far as apologies go, that was an epic fail so big it may go down in history. Not only did I make her go off, I somehow made her feel even worse. She was rigid with pain as I left her. That, more than anything, causes me the most regret. What do I do now? How can I make her understand that I had wanted to kiss her? That the experiment was part of it, sure, but it was just my awkward nerd-way of making a move?
A move I should not have made. I had no right. She warned me that she could hurt me. And now she is wracked with even more guilt and disgust for her incredible abilities. Only, it hadn’t hurt. It felt good and a little tingly. Of course, that was just a tiny bit of Julia’s power. Who knows if she fully released herself? What if I made her come?
I blink away the thought, shocked at myself. Only I have to admit to having that thought more than once. When my brain slips, I imagine all the ways I can bring her pleasure. If only she could see herself through my eyes. If she could understand how incredible she is.
There’s a rustle at my front door. I blink myself back to attention. I don’t even know how much time has passed since I got home. The door flies open with a crash.
I shoot up off the couch, prepared to fight. Then drop my fists remembering that I’m an idiot.
Lincoln stops just inside the threshold.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
I’m already running toward him, but he isn’t scared or hurt. His eyes are wild with excitement, arms sprawled out. He’s panting like he ran here but I spot his BMW—a gift from our dad after a bad episode—outside the open door.
“You didn’t tell me you knew a fricking superhero!” he shouts.
I stop and stand still. I’m sure a series of the emotions flash across my face. Denial. Shock. Confusion.
“What are you talking about?” I say flatly and completely unconvincingly.
He rolls his eyes and starts to speak when another car zips into the spot behind his. Julia comes running out of her Jeep. Lincoln looks back to me and the smile on his face grows. “Powers.” He wiggles his fingers as he says it.
Julia runs into the house. “I was supposed to be following you.”
Lincoln shrugs. “Sorry. Lead foot.”
Julia looks to me. Her face is set like she’s trying to be serious as she catches her breath but a small smile tugs at her cheek. She is breathtaking. I always forget the impact of seeing her. Like I convince myself I don’t have feelings for her but when I see her again, it’s another punch to the gut. She looks so much better than when I left. She’s shimmering with life. Her shoulders are back and her face is bright with exhilaration.
She looks lighter. Happier.
“So. Something happened,” she says out of breath.
“I gathered that.” I walk to the door and look out to make sure nobody can see us. It’s a small town and neighbors are nosy. I close and lock the door. “Why don’t you guys sit down and tell me what’s going on.”
