Chapter 7 #2
Lucas got a job with NASA, which means the chances of us working together are slim, but I don’t see the need to point that out.
“Thanks so much for all of this. I’ll put it all to good use.”
He gives me a wave, and I stand back, surveying the large flatscreen, the microscope, and the file cabinet. I pull out the drawers, reconsidering my rejection. Everything I do is stored on my computer now, and we don’t have any hard copies in the lab.
“Still, it’s a neat old relic…” I muse as a light tapping on the door draws my attention. “Gavin!”
“Hey,” He stands to his full height, putting his hands in his pockets. “Mav said you needed help moving some stuff?”
“He was supposed to help me.”
“He had to do some publicity stills, so he sent me instead. I hope that’s okay?” He grins lightly, raking his fingers through the dark scruff on his square jaw. “You might not realize it, but your cousin’s pretty famous.”
“I realize it. He’s on the billboard outside the arena.”
The side of his mouth curls upward, and my lips twist. I don’t ask him what they did last night. Gigi and I always go home after the games, but the guys like to go out for drinks and whatever else they do.
Mav says he’s way too amped up to sleep after they play, but whether Gavin was with purple sweater is none of my business, even if he does look like he didn’t get much sleep.
Blinking my wandering thoughts away, I gesture to the items on the lab table beside the microscope. “It’s just these things. I think the two of us can make it in one trip.”
“Let me see.” He walks over to test the weight of the monitor, the microscope. The gray tee he’s wearing can barely contain his broad shoulders and rounded biceps.
Which is good, since I need someone strong to help me move this equipment.
“Is this stuff expensive?” he asks, and I nod. “I don’t mind making two trips.”
“I can at least show you the way.” He scoops up the microscope easily, reminding me how easily he caught me falling off the float… and tripping on my walk. Good grief. “How did you find me?”
“A guy in your room said you were down here.”
“That must’ve been Timothy.” I remember my plan to drag Maverick with us to have drinks, so Timothy wouldn’t get the wrong idea.
I guess I can drag Gavin.
We enter the open lab space, and I notice my fellow grad student behind a computer. His eyes lift to us as we enter and promptly narrow.
“Over here.” I lead Gav to my work space, where he puts the items on the table beside a monitor showing the direction of wind currents over the ocean.
Straightening, he surveys the stuff on my desk, my iPad, the notes I’ve made on a map of the Pacific, the calendars with dates and storm seasons highlighted.
“This is really high-tech.” His blue eyes land on mine, and I squirm a little under his gaze. Then he nods to the wall behind me. “What’s that about?”
I look over my shoulder at the “Women in STEM” poster. “That’s Heddy Lamar, Natalie Portman…”
“I recognized Queen Amidala.”
“They’re famous actresses who were also scientists.” We take a step closer, so he can read the captions.
“Invented a simple method to demonstrate the enzymatic production of hydrogen from sugar.” His brows lift, and he tilts his head. “Sounds like you’ve got competition.”
My stomach tickles, and I almost laugh. “It’s not a competition. It’s inspiration. These are all beautiful, successful women who are also scientists.”
“I’m just messing with you. One day you’ll be on that poster with them.”
I can’t stop a smile as a mixture of pride and hope tightens my stomach. “I hope so.”
“Hey, Haddy.” Timothy walks up to where we’re talking, an annoyed expression on his face. “Are we still getting drinks?”
“Yes! Although, ahh…” I glance up at my hunky helper. “I was going to invite Gav to join us, since he’s helping me and all. As sort-of a thank you.”
Timothy’s brow lowers, and he blinks from me to Gav and back. “Hockey player?” I nod. “Those guys are used to hard work. He’ll be okay.”
“Don’t be grumpy, Tim.” Gav puts a hand on Timothy’s narrow shoulder, giving it a playful shake.
Timothy shrugs him off. “It’s Timothy.”
“My bad.”
I’m not sure, but I think Gav is intentionally giving my lab mate a hard time.
Then he puts his hand on my lower back, leaning down to speak in my ear and sending heat swirling through my stomach. “Should we get the rest?”
I glance up at his cocky grin and my breath catches. Which is silly.
“Yes.” I turn to Timothy. “Last trip and we can go.”
Timothy is not happy, but he didn’t say I couldn’t bring a friend.
“A private tutor.” Gavin says the punch line loudly over the bar music, and I’m clearly feeling my frozen margarita.
I’ve only had one and that was a total Dad-joke, but I almost do a spit-take.
“Private tutor!” I cry, holding my nose.
“Hilarious.” Timothy grumbles, finishing his beer.
His sour grapes response makes me want to laugh more, but I swallow it, clearing my throat instead. I can’t help it. He’s just so sulky in his baggy pants holding his Trader Joe’s tote bag with a baby-blue Labubu attached to the strap.
At five-foot-eleven, he’s the exact opposite of Gavin, who’s leaning his muscled forearms on the high-top table across from me, watching me with that panty-melting grin. The dimple in his left cheek deepens, and his blue eyes sparkle like he’s winning this round.
“I’ve got plenty more where that came from, Princess.” He reaches across the table to hook my pinky finger with his, and Timothy puts his empty bottle down on the wooden surface a little too hard.
“I’m gonna get going.” His voice is not breezy. “See you next week, Haddy.”
“You’re leaving?” I frown at Gav, and he gives me a wink. “But it’s so early.”
“It’s too crowded for my taste.”
The small off campus bar is only half-full, but I’m not going to argue with him. “I’ll see you in the lab next week.”
Reaching out, I give his arm a friendly squeeze, and his eyes travel over my head to Gavin. “Maybe we can try again another night.”
“Maybe.” I keep my tone bright, not overly encouraging, and he looks at me once more before heading to the door.
Once he’s gone, I slowly turn to face my roommate-helper who’s wearing a smug grin.
My eyes narrow, and I poke his rock-hard bicep. “You did that on purpose.”
“You are not interested in that guy. He is way too Luke Skywalker.”
“I didn’t say I was interested in him, but you could’ve been nicer.”
“I was very nice!” Gav straightens, holding his hands out. “I told the worst jokes I knew, and he still got pissed and left.”
Another snort slips through my nose, and I lift my hand. “Private tutor was pretty funny.”
He flashes that killer grin, catching my hand again. “He didn’t even try to fight for you.”
“Fight?” My eyes widen. “This isn’t a hockey game.”
“Yeah, but he was a dork. Did he have a doll on his tote bag? Also, why did he have a tote bag?”
“I think he’s a teaching assistant this semester, which means he probably has papers to grade.”
“Haddy. No.” Gav shakes his head, so disapprovingly. “You cannot tell me you’re interested in that guy.”
Doing a little shrug, I stab my straw in my frozen margarita. “We share a lab. We should be able to have drinks together as friends.”
“Trust me, Timmy does not want to be friends.”
My nose wrinkles, and I take a sip of my drink. “I know. Thanks for coming with me. I was worried it might get awkward.”
“Glad to help.” He studies me as I hold my frozen drink and take another sip.
The music in the bar is some ancient Beatles song or maybe it’s only George Harrison… my mom would know. Either way, I bob around to the familiar song until I realize Gav is still watching me, only now his smile has morphed into something like satisfaction.
“What?” I stop bobbing and step closer. “Do I have a bat in the cave?”
I reach up to wipe my nose, and he catches my wrist. “No. You’re beautiful as always, Princess.”
Straightening, I clear my throat, feeling silly. “Thank you.”
“Tell me something.” His dark brow lowers. “Why don’t you date?”
“I date. You saw me date in college.”
“Right.” His expression turns to disapproval. Again. “You dated Rob the knob Westcoat.”
Again, I almost do a spit take. “The knob?”
“It’s a British expression. It means dick.” He hits the word hard.
“You’re not British.”
“No, but I like the insult. I bet they’d even let a princess say knob.”
I shake my head. “Not likely. You have no idea how strict these pageant people are.”
“Back to my point, you dated Rob the knob…”
“He was a total knob, too. He was way more excited about dating a beauty queen than a scientist.” My chest heats at the memory. “He acted like my thesis was a hobby, and he always made little comments like wouldn’t I enjoy majoring in fashion design more?”
“Knob.” Gav is still watching me with that smile.
He’s thinking about me naked. Which makes me wonder about him naked. Which makes my skin prickly and my body hot, so I slurp up the last of my frozen beverage.
“Don’t you get horny?” he asks.
This time I do send frozen margarita through my nose. “Ow!” I squeal.
He laughs, handing me a napkin. I press to my upper lip squeezing my eyes shut against the burn.
“That was the least princess-ey thing I’ve ever seen you do.” Then he pauses as if remembering. “Except for when you fell off the float… and tripped over air.”
“It’s all your fault.” I blow my nose into the napkin, and he hands me another. “I’ve never had such a time until you showed up. I’m a total mess.”
“You’re welcome.” That dimple’s back, and I narrow my eyes playfully.
It is nice to relax for a little bit.
Then he shifts gears, leaning forward and giving me a serious look. “Tell me about your work. I’ve asked you a few times now, and you always dodge the question. I really want to know. What has you so consumed in the lab every day of the week.”
“It’s not every day.”
“Quit stalling, Bradford. Tell me.”
Clearing my throat, I slide my dark hair behind my shoulder. “Okay, I’ll tell you.”