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With the tension receding, I figure it’s time for introductions. Stepping forward, I hold out my hand. “Griffin Voss.”
Turning to face me, Dr. Cheng takes my hand. “Simeon Cheng, I’m the department head for Biodiversity and Conservation. Pleasure to meet you.” His brow furrows slightly. “Hold on, you play for the Thunder, don’t you?” He looks over at Foxxy, and a smile turns his lips upward as he releases my hand to point at my best friend. “You’re Denver Foxx. My son loves watching you both play. I hope your injury doesn’t keep you sidelined for too long.”
“Hopefully only a couple of months.” Foxxy grins. “Tell your son to come down to the dugout next time he’s at a game, we’ll get a jersey signed by the guys for him.”
“He would be thrilled, thank you for that offer.” Then, Dr. Cheng turns to Olivia. “I did, in fact, come here with some important news for you. Have you already opened the email about the internal resource allocation?”
She nods. “I did, I had just finished telling Denver and Griffin the news when you arrived.”
“Ah. Yes, I can understand that news would be upsetting. I had hoped to get here before you learned of the board’s decision.”
Somehow, Liv forces a smile. “I appreciate that, Dr. Cheng, but I understand the board’s position. My research doesn’t have the same impact on economic integration as some of the other studies.”
“Correct.” He nods. “However, this morning, I received a phone call from a biotech company based in Montreal. They’re very interested in funding your research on the new Cladonia species you found during your recent trip, as it has shown positive indicators of being the next breakthrough in assimilating components of lichen into antibiotics.”
Disbelief is written all over Olivia’s face. “Wh-what? How did they even know about the sample?”
A broad smile breaks free on the older man’s face. “I took the liberty of notifying some of my contacts in the medical research community. I had a gut feeling your discovery was important, Olivia, and I was right.”
“Thank you, Dr. Cheng. That is truly incredible news.”
“I look forward to working with you further, Olivia. Now, I have a lecture to teach. If you’ll excuse me. Gentlemen, nice to meet you again.” He nods his head at us, then turns and leaves.
“Holy shit,” Liv whispers, lifting her hand to cover her mouth. “Did that really just happen?”
I take her hand and squeeze it tightly. “Sure did, baby.”
“Didn’t I tell you we’d figure something out?” Foxxy teases, reaching for her other hand with his free arm.
Olivia lets out another laugh. “You did, but somehow, I don’t think you meant you’d magically secure me funding from a private biotech investor.”
I chuckle as well, sliding my arm around her waist. “We’re good, but yeah, we’re not that good. Still, the important thing is that your research is funded, right?”
“Which means your job is safe,” Foxxy adds before leaning in to kiss her. She stops him with a finger on his lips.
“Not here. Remember, we just promised my boss we’d behave.”
I lean in this time and whisper in her ear, loud enough for Foxxy to hear me. “Then finish whatever you have to get done and let’s go home. Because I really, really want to misbehave with you, baby.”
41
FOXXY
“Remind me again why I couldn’t ride in her car?” I grouse at Griff as he drives back to our girl’s apartment. “And could you drive a little less like an old man? Geez.”
“It’s not like there’s a timer set and we’re gonna run out,” he replies dryly as he takes another corner way too sedately for my liking. “And you’re with me so you don’t distract her while she’s driving.” He shoots a pointed look my way. “Don’t try to tell me you could actually keep your hands to yourself.”
“First of all, I only have one working hand. Second of all…” I grin. “You’re not wrong. But seriously. Hurry up, old man.”
“Just for that, I’m slowing down.”
“Fuck you.”
“Nah, I’d rather fuck Liv.”
I exhale a groan. “Me too. I don’t know how I’m gonna survive when we have longer away series. Three days away from her was hard enough.”
Griff snorts. “I don’t need to hear about how hard you were, asshole.” Then his tone sobers. “But I get it. It’s like, now that she’s ours, I don’t ever want to be apart from her.”
