Chapter 48
“So, these are the two remaining viable samples?” Electra asks, staring at the vials he’s set on a silver tray before her.
“Yes,” he says, feeling the muscle in his jaw tick.
“And we’re going to destroy them?” she asks.
“Yes.”
She pauses before stepping into his arms. “We’ve been through a lot in the past week. If you aren’t ready, it would be perfectly understandable.”
He shakes his head, swallowing down the lump in his throat. “I can’t bring him back. It’s time.”
“Technically, it still might be possible,” Sable says. “I’ve been doing some research.” When neither he nor Electra pays her any heed, she adds, “Only pointing that out.”
“I’m officially accepting that he’s gone. Someone once told me I can’t move on with the future if I’m clinging to the past—which I realize is ironic since I’m standing here literally clinging to someone from the past.” He squeezes Electra’s hip, earning a chuckle.
Sable studies them. “I suppose that passes the logic check. Since I’m not here to talk you out of it, why did you want me here?”
Electra rolls her eyes. “Because you’re his friend, and friends support each other when they’re facing life’s difficulties.”
Sable scratches her head. “I suppose I’ll have to read up on that.”
“I’ll send you a column I wrote about this exact topic,” Electra says, laughing.
Wordlessly, he opens the first vial, his breath catching as he tips the contents into a small flask containing the buffer solution. He opens the final vial, taking a few deep breaths as he holds it near the flask’s opening. Sable and Electra watch on from either side of him.
“Tread fast into tomorrow’s future,” Sable says, voice monotone
Electra leans forward, eyeing the other woman. “You’re insane.”
Sable grins. “Thanks.” Suddenly they’re all grinning, and he’s pouring out his final Jerme sample.
A tear streaks down his cheek. It isn’t a sad tear, exactly. Bittersweet. Jerme is gone. But he has Sable and Electra now. Possibly, if Sable’s right, even more friends—not FRIENDS—await him at the group dinner they’re having tonight.
Once complete, he pours the flask into the hydrolysis vat, watching as the liquid is quickly mixed into the greater batch of recycled manupartners and organic bio-gel substrate. A foot drifts by, floating atop the thick peach-colored sludge.
Electra jumps when she sees it, burying her head in his chest. “Gross!”
He squeezes her shoulders, drawing her away to get a good look at her. “You write about throats getting slit open and green gooey alien blood. How is this gross?”
Sable nods. “Agree. Don’t forget that one scene where Analise thrusts her hand into the monster’s gaping chest cavity to pull out its heart.”
He nods, recalling the exact scene, adding, “Which she promptly offers to the male love interest as a trophy.”
Electra slaps her hands over her face. “You have her reading my books, too? I’m going to die of mortification.”
Sable pats her on the back. “It’s good to know you have a healthy,” she clears her throat, “imagination.”
“Okay, I’m dead now.”
“You can’t be dead. Don’t you want to give him the present I helped you with?” Sable gestures to a package she brought with her, which she sat on the metal counter when she arrived. He didn’t think twice about it, much less suspect it was for him.
He perks up. “A present?” No one’s ever given him a present. After all, he can afford anything he wants—and he’s never had actual friends.
Electra excitedly hands it to him. He turns it over and shakes it. The intensity of their eyes on him makes him squirm. Fortunately, his curiosity is strong enough to outweigh any feelings of discomfort.
He unseals the envelope flap and slides out the contents.
In his hands, he holds a slim book made of real paper.
On the cover, there’s a beautiful woman on the far side of a thick patch of briars.
The man on the opposite side is holding a giant sword in both hands and is depicted mid-slash.
On his side, cut briars litter the path he is carving toward the woman.
The title is Once Upon a Dream by Electra Lynch.
“It’s a loose Sleeping Beauty retelling.” Electra reaches over and flips open the cover. “Read the dedication.”
Both women lean forward, reading with him.
For Jerme. I never got to meet you, but this ridiculous man we both love believes we would have become fast friends.
A lump builds in his throat. “When did you write this?”
Her cheeks turn a delicious shade of pink. “Mid-January.”
“That was before we reconciled.”
“Before the IdenTECH meeting,” she offers.
Sable takes the book and flips through the pages. “Is there sex?”
Electra chuckles. “God no. It’s about his brother. A way to memorialize him.”
Sable’s shoulder slump, and she hands it back to him. “Definitely don’t want to read it, then.”
He raises a hand. “Hold on. This very specifically says ridiculous man we both love. You knew you loved me way back then?”
She bites her lip, nodding.
“And you made me go through that entire meeting—you offered to go to lunch as friends!” he exclaims.
She nods again.
Sable groans. “I think that’s my cue to leave.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Res6 says, and claps her on the shoulder. “Thanks for coming.”
Sable nods solemnly. “See you tonight at dinner.”
As the three of them leave the recycling station, they part ways with Sable. His private locker room is the closest, so he drags a willing Electra there. When they make it inside, he closes and locks the door. “You are in so much trouble.”
Her mischievous grin sends heat straight to his groin. “Good trouble, I hope?”
He sets the book on the counter, then he spins her and bends her over it. “How do you feel about spanking?”
She darts a glance over her shoulder. “Spanking?”
“Yes, it’s a sudden, strong urge. Answer me.”
Her cheeks are even pinker now. “Curious, I suppose.”
“That’s good. Because that book is the most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me, and I’m going to reward you by spanking your gorgeous ass like you deserve.
I’m going to take you like this so I can see my bright red handprint.
Then I’m going to spend the rest of our lives being the one giving you the scandalous ideas for those books you write, because believe me, I’ve been marinating on all the ways I’d like to worship you.
” He reaches up, taking the band of her leggings in both hands.
Her eyes widen as she wets her lower lip and draws it into her mouth. “Sounds like a plan?”
Her pupils dilate. “Wow.”
A low chuckle rumbles up his throat. She’s clearly intrigued.
He seems to be getting the hang of this whole romantic hero thing.
She’s already wiggling with anticipation as he peels her leggings over the luscious globes of her ass.
He runs his hand over one and then the other while palming himself through his jumpsuit.
An accident brought him here to this place with her. This human woman, who he did his best to resist, but who drew him in, broke down his walls, and pierced his heart like the heroine she is.
“Electra,” he urges, waiting for her response.
She only wiggles, gripping the edge of the counter, waiting eagerly like she knows it’s driving him wild. He raises his hand, preparing to strike. “Do you have any idea how badly I want you?”
A shining smile lights up her beautiful face, like she’s been the architect of this entire story. “I think I have an idea.”