Chapter Forty-OneGrace
Chapter Forty-One
Grace
W e said our goodbyes and took the elevator down to the garage. Spencer drove some sort of antique sedan, classy and unique.
“Do you wish to go anywhere else, or are you ready to go home?” He cracked the window.
“As much as I’d like to see how scientists afterparty here, I’m ready to go home… unless you’d like to go someplace,” I added, in case he needed to appear somewhere for business.
He shook his head. “No, not tonight. But if you’re hungry, I’d like to take you someplace. It’s on the way.”
“A snack sounds great, thanks,” I told him, relaxing into the seat as the car filled with his leather scent, soft music playing.
“How are you settling in? You seemed to be having fun.”
“I am. But I’m worried about the temporal police.” The thought that I’d done something wrong and they would haul me off terrified me.
“Don’t. If they show up, there’s nothing we can do. I hope they don’t. I… perhaps I shouldn’t have told you, but I want to be honest with you.” Pain leaked into his voice.
“Thank you. I appreciate it. It’s all just a lot.” Everything was overwhelming, and even though I’d had fun, tonight only cemented that this was not my world.
“I’m here. So are Wes and Evan. Talk to us, because I don’t think we truly understand how everything is different for you. We won't judge you, and I’ll attempt to be more cognizant. You’re doing fine,” he reassured. “Also, gammas are known for being a little unpredictable.”
“Okay. But that all means nothing to me.” I made a face.
“What do you mean?” He sucked in a breath. “Do they not have gammas in your world? Perhaps they’re called something different?”
I shook my head. “We don’t have designations at all. No packs or knots or scents or soulmates either.”
“You live in a world without designations,” he breathed. “That must be an adjustment. I… I don’t know much about other worlds, just that they exist.”
“It’s all the social cues. It’s not knowing the references or expectations. People hear gamma and have assumptions. To me, it’s just a letter in the Greek alphabet,” I replied.
“Oh, I see. Culture shock at its finest.”
I nodded. “Exactly. When I’m at home with Wes, it’s fine. But when I go out in public, I’m terrified. Not to mention, I don’t know all the acronyms. If I take the job at your company, I’m going to have to study up.”
His hand was very close to my knee. “Of course, I should have thought of that. I’ll prepare some information. I want you to feel comfortable, especially if you decide to make your home here permanently.”
“I think I will.” I gazed out the window at a train speeding past. Public transportation was so much better here.
“I’m so very glad.”
“Can you explain why no one shakes my hand?” I’d wondered about that.
“Omegas rarely shake hands, because of scent transfer. While you don’t smell exactly like an omega, you do smell like you have a mate, and they’re going to extend that courtesy to you, unless you offer,” he told me.
“I see.” Maybe?
“The sergeant asking you to dance, that could be a little forward, considering you don’t know him well, but I am assuming it was police business?” he added as we drove.
I nodded. “He was at the station I was brought into and wanted to make sure I was okay. What about Antonio?”
Spencer laughed. “The actor? He is perceived as being very much the charming, omega flirt and plays that role quite well.”
“Ah, I see.”
“If you have questions, please, ask me. When Evan told me a little about you, he didn’t mention that your world came without designations. It’s very curious. Perhaps you have them and just do not label them?” he asked.
“Magic dicks are not a thing where I live, and no one smells so good.” I relaxed into my seat, enjoying the way the car smelled.
“I see. Evan told me that you and Wes met in your dreams. While the mind is extraordinary, that seems like a feat, bedtime stories of dream-traveling soulmates aside,” he added.
“Bedtime stories of dream-traveling soulmates?” I should look those up. Sometimes I still wondered how Wes and I managed to find each other in the first place. It really wasn’t the wedding cake under my pillow.
“My mother used to tell me tales like that. Supposedly, sometimes scent matches, soulmates, dream of each other,” he told me. “There are several famous romantic books and movies based on the premise. Usually they’re not from other worlds.”
I sucked in a breath. “Oh. We… we are. I mean, it seems like a cosmic joke to have your soulmate be from another world. Yet here I am? This really is something.”
“But you found him. You found him, and you have him. He loves you–and you love him. I know you’re afraid, but you have been given a greater gift than you know.” A haunted look danced in his eyes.
“You’re right.” Oh. I bit back the questions. Like Who were they and What happened to them? The look on his face said that once, he’d loved someone very much.
And lost them.
We pulled into what looked like a drive-in restaurant, bright and colorful, filled with cars and a lot of teenagers. The car settled into a spot, and a girl in fishnets roller-skated up to us.
“Can I take your order?” she asked, snapping her gum.
“Two orders of potato balls, one of each sauce, a lemon-lime soda, and… Grace, what would you like to drink?” he asked me.
I looked at the lit-up menu. “A chocolate whirl?”
Whatever that was. Half the fun of this world was ordering things and seeing if I liked them.
“Perfect.” She took his payment and skated off.
I looked around at the servers and the ambiance. This was not where I’d expected him to take me. Besides the car spots, there were tables and benches, filled mostly with teenagers and young couples.
“The best fried potato balls anywhere,” Spencer told me.
He pushed a button on the menu, and a small shelf appeared, which he extended through his open car window, pushing his seat back so there was a little table.
“My father used to take me to one of these, back where I grew up in Greece,” he told me. “Usually as payment for helping him with something at work.”
“I used to love helping my dad in the hardware store.” I squeezed his hand.
She brought our food, and Spencer set out the potato balls and all the sauces. I took a sip of my drink. A chocolate whirl tasted like a cross between a milkshake and a slushie.
“Now, taste.” He held out a little deep-fried ball.
Closing my eyes, I let him feed me. It was like mashed potatoes in a fried, seasoned coating. “Delicious.”
He dipped one in a green sauce. “Try.”
We tried all the sauces, as he told me about Evan when he was younger.
“Evan teased Wes about Mr. Hippo, but he had an entire collection of stuffed animal keychains?” I laughed as we finished up and disposed of our garbage.
“That he got out of children’s meals. He was obsessed.
” Spencer laughed as we drove away. “Wes is a good man, and I’m glad he makes you happy.
Evan as well. I know it must be so hard for you–and a little scary–to start over completely, but we’ll make it work.
After meeting so many people and learning more about what projects exist here, do you think you’d like to work for me? Or is Rami going to steal you away?”
Working for the Space Authority was tempting.
“I want to work with you. Honestly, I’d be honored to work for a company doing so much good. But I’m a little unsure what someone like me could contribute. I feel like my PhD doesn’t mean the same thing here.” I took a sip of my chocolate whirl.
“Grace, if you don’t want to work for me because you're not interested, that’s fine.
But don’t do it because you don’t think you’re good enough.
It’s an insult to us both.” His voice was low and a little growly.
“What information do you need to make an informed choice? I’ll share everything with you. ”
“What other details could you share about the simulator? I actually find that the most fascinating.” The way he said it made my stomach flutter a little–or it could be the deep-fried carbs I’d just ingested.
He gave me a look. “I told you, I’ll share everything.”
That was almost a purr, and I melted into my seat.
“But you had fun, made connections?” he added. “Everyone seemed delighted with you.”
“There would be no harm in joining that omega science organization, right?” It seemed like a good place to make friends and learn more about the science in this world.
“The Daedalus Society? Not at all. Go and make friends, explore, learn. There’s a big world out there for you to discover, and I can’t wait to see what you think of it. Did you and Evan have a nice time today?”
“The best, thank you for that. I think Evan needed it after everything that’s been happening with one of his clients.” I felt so bad for Rose. Maybe I should bake her something.
But the spa… it was some sort of omega-only posh paradise. Probably exclusive and stupidly expensive. I’d never experienced anything like it, and would go again in a second.
“The dress; where do I have it cleaned and who do I give it back to? Thank you again, it’s beautiful.” I readjusted the wrap.
“It’s for you to keep. The shoes and jewelry as well. But you kept your wrap on all night, do you not like backless dresses? I should have gotten your preferences.”
“I… I have scars on my back, they make people uncomfortable.” I let the wrap down.
He gasped. “I see. Car accident?”
His knuckles tightened on the steering wheel. Spencer’s scent was thick and suffocating, and the windows had been closed since the drive-through. But I didn’t want to open them.
I wanted to drown in it.
“No.” I shook my head. “Keep the dress? Spencer, it’s too much, I…” My chest shook a little. He was always so kind to me. Why was he doing this, other than that Evan cared for me and he cared for Evan?