Chapter 1
NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston Texas
"Phil, what kind of happy horseshit is this?" Jack said, looking up from the schedule.
He might not be active-duty Navy anymore, but he still swore like a sailor when the situation called for it.
"Ahh, yes. I might have failed to mention that we have a new experiment we're running for this mission, studying the effects of space on the skin.
Bella Pelle is the company we've hired to develop a cream we hope will help prevent damage while in space.
Their owner will be coming in to give a presentation on the product, as well as give you all samples to start using daily. "
"Phil. I've flown F-14s and F/A-18s in combat. I've been on two space missions and spent six months on the International Space Station. Do you think I give a crap whether my skin is soft and glowing or not?"
"Jack, if you came back from space with glowing skin, then you'd be in quarantine and we'd be wondering if you had an alien baby inside you."
"It's dewy. You want dewy skin," said Margaret, aka Margie.
"Oh, look at you, Captain. Your skin is positively radiant!" snickered Lt. Commander Michael Rendit.
"Har-dee-har-har, Mike. I don't want any kind of skin—well, I mean I obviously want skin—but in all seriousness, Phil, is this really something we need to spend precious resources on?"
"Jack, believe it or not, it is. We are sending you to the moon, and hopefully after that we are sending men and women to Mars.
We must know what to expect for everything the human body might go through on a year-long mission like that, including the skin.
We already know spaceflight causes significant, rapid skin changes and accelerated aging.
The combination of microgravity, high radiation, and dry cabin environments leads to increased sensitivity, delayed wound healing, and impaired barrier function.
We need something to counter that. We've been working with one of the best companies out there, and they are coming in to present their formula to us.
The head of the company will be here all week, working with your team and the department to answer any questions we might have, as well as checking how the skin holds up during some of the simulations we've got planned this week, like the high-G, weightlessness, and pool training.
That will give them time to make any adjustments they might need if the cream doesn't perform as expected. "
"C'mon, Jack, it's not that bad. Maybe they'll teach you how to properly use a face mask," Elena weighed in.
"Fine. I'll be there. It's not like I have much of a choice, but this isn't a priority for me, Phil."
"Thank you, Jack. I think you'll find it interesting.
I've spent some time with their chemist; there is more to it than just throwing some things in a jar and calling it a moisturizer.
They study and work just as hard as our people here.
And the owner, she's a really nice lady.
She started the company a few years ago after her husband passed.
Isabella Genovese. I play golf with her dad sometimes. You'll like her."
Great, Jack thought to himself. Some little old widow lady was coming in to slap stuff on his face. The best he could hope for was maybe she'd bring samples of other things he could take home to his daughters, Sloane, fifteen, and Piper, thirteen. They liked all that frou-frou stuff.
Jack's wife, Susan, had been tragically killed in a car accident five years earlier.
It had been a freak accident, with no one to blame.
Jack had considered dropping out of the astronaut program, but both his girls and Susan's parents insisted he stay in.
Susan knew it was his dream to walk on the moon, and she would never have forgiven him if he gave that up.
He was fortunate that both his family and hers were always willing to help, coming to stay with Sloane and Piper when he was away training.
He struggled when the girls wanted to talk about boys, makeup, and other more personal matters, but they seemed happy, so he supposed he must be doing okay.
Still, bringing home some nice cosmetics would definitely earn him dad bonus points.
Maybe it wouldn't be a total loss.
Bella, Jerome, and Carrie arrived at noon. Dr. Campbell had arranged a car to pick them up, so after a quick identification check at the security gate, they were driven to Building 419, the conference center at Johnson Space Center.
Dr. Campbell, along with Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith, were waiting to meet them. After distributing guest badges and helping them secure their personal items in the visitor lockers, the group headed toward the conference room. NASA wasn't particularly fond of unauthorized photography.
"Are you looking forward to the presentation? Our research team told me this is the highlight of the week for them. I think they're hoping you brought them some goodies as well," Dr. Campbell said.
"We wouldn't dream of showing up empty-handed, Phil. Big G would never forgive me. We brought a selection of our best-selling products and some new shades we're evaluating for Carrie's Color Crayons. Plenty for your team, and extras for anyone who wants to take something home to family members."
"That's wonderful. I'm sure they'll appreciate it."
As they walked, Dr. Campbell glanced at his watch.
"Well, it's almost 1300 hours. We should head over. I imagine most of the team is already there."
"1300 hours?" Jerome asked.
"Military time, Jerome," Bella explained. "In our world we'd say one o'clock."
"Oh, okay. What hundred hours are we seeing the moon rocks?"
"You've already got more than enough rocks in your head. You don't need moon rocks too," Carrie teased.
Before entering the conference room, Bella ducked into the ladies' room for a quick touch-up. She checked her reflection in the mirror. She'd chosen the new floaty pink dress because the lightweight fabric was perfect for Houston's summer heat and paired it with sequined silver-trimmed sneakers.
One last glance to make sure she didn't have lipstick on her teeth.
"It's showtime, folks."
Dr. Campbell stepped to the podium at the front of the room.
"Good afternoon. Thank you all for joining us.
You should have received your briefing folders and samples of the reason we're here today: a special cream developed for us by Bella Pelle.
This product will be used during the Diana IV mission, with results being studied upon the crew's return.
As we look toward longer-duration space travel, understanding how the human body responds is vital.
And now I'd like to introduce the CEO and founder of Bella Pelle, Ms. Isabella Genovese. "
Bella walked to the front of the room, acutely aware of the many eyes on her. Behind her, Jerome manned the laptop that controlled the presentation while Carrie offered an enthusiastic thumbs-up.
"You've got this."
Bella smiled.
"Thank you for having us here today. We at Bella Pelle are honored to be part of this important mission.
We've brought some additional products for you to try and take home, so please stop by the table in the back for your goody bags.
I'm looking forward to telling you about the product we've developed, answering your questions, and working more closely with many of you throughout the week. "
Jack was barely paying attention.
His shoulder was still bothering him from a training injury, and his thoughts were on the physical training session scheduled afterward.
"Wow, look at that," Mike whispered, nudging him.
Jack looked up.
And immediately looked again.
The woman on the screen was gorgeous. Dark, glossy hair. Expressive blue eyes. Full pink lips that matched the dress she was wearing.
Huh.
That's definitely not the little old widow lady I was expecting.
As Bella moved through the presentation, her confidence grew. The more she talked about the product, the more her passion showed. It was obvious how much thought and care had gone into every detail.
While speaking, she scanned the audience and found herself repeatedly drawn to a man sitting in the second row.
Handsome.
But not intimidatingly handsome.
Each time their eyes met, neither looked away immediately.
When the presentation ended, Bella stepped down to genuine applause.
"That was fantastic," Carrie said.
"You crushed it," Jerome added.
Dr. Campbell approached.
"I'd like to introduce you to the people you'll be working most closely with this week."
He gestured to the group.
"This is the Diana IV crew: Captain Elena Vasquez, our pilot; Specialist Margaret Sadlowski; Lt. Commander Michael Rendit; and mission commander Captain Jack Calloway."
As introductions continued, Bella reached out to shake Jack's hand.
The man from the second row.
Gray-flecked brown hair. Blue eyes. Sun-kissed skin.
Their hands touched.
A tiny spark jumped between them.
The kind caused by static electricity.
Or maybe not.
Oh my, Bella thought, feeling a flutter in her stomach.
Jack looked down into her bright blue eyes.
"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Genovese. I'm looking forward to working with you this week."
Wednesday arrived before Bella knew it.
She started the morning in the hotel gym. Between all the walking NASA required and the long days, she wanted to keep up her normal routine. After a workout and quick breakfast, she returned to her room to get ready.
Today she'd be working directly with the mission crew.
Yesterday had been spent observing scientists run tests on the product.
Bella chose a more casual outfit: a white linen button-down shirt paired with cropped khaki cargo pants. The shoes, however, were pure Bella—white floral Dolce & Gabbana sneakers.
After pulling her hair into a sleek ponytail, applying tinted sunscreen, brow gel, and mascara, she fastened the necklace she'd bought to celebrate the NASA contract: a white-gold medallion of Selene, the mission mascot, dotted with tiny diamonds representing stars.
She grabbed her Gucci messenger bag and headed out.
It was a rare late morning at home for Jack.
Normally he was at NASA by 0500, but today his first briefing wasn't until 0900.
The Bella Pelle products had been a huge hit with Sloane and Piper.
They'd practically tackled each other to claim the creams, lotions, and lip products. Sloane had immediately grabbed one of the unreleased Carrie's Color Crayons.
Apparently, her friends would be "way jelly."
Jack smiled at the memory.
Maybe he'd done something right.
He made a mental note to thank Isabella Genovese.
She'd been a pleasant surprise.
And if he was being honest with himself, he was looking forward to seeing her again.
A few hours later, Bella pulled into the NASA parking lot.
Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now" came on the radio.
Naturally, she turned it up.
Singing at full volume and dancing in her seat, she completely failed to notice the man watching from the car parked beside her.
When the song ended, she stepped out.
"Good morning."
Bella jumped.
Jack Calloway leaned casually against a graphite-gray Porsche 911, aviator sunglasses reflecting the morning sun.
And there it was again.
That flutter.
"Please tell me you didn't see that."
"Busted."
Bella laughed.
"I'm sorry you had to witness that. Count yourself lucky you didn't have to hear it."
"No judgment here. I've been known to belt out a song or two myself. Are you a good singer?"
"Oh God, no. I'm terrible, but I love it."
Laughing together, they headed toward the building.
Jack held the door open for her.
"Well, I'll see you a little later after our morning briefing. And don't worry."
He smiled.
"Your secret is safe with me."
Bella smiled back.
His eyes crinkle when he smiles.