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When the kids shake their heads, I say, “Well, let’s let Hudson explain it.”
He smiles at me, but I can see in his eyes, he’s hurt. Well, good. That makes two of us.
He turns to the class. “I’d be happy to. An astronomer studies outer space—things like planets, stars, and other galaxies. There are lots of different types of astronomers, but in the case of the people here at the SETI Research Institute, their specific area of interest is in seeking out and communicating with extraterrestrial intelligent life forms. Does anyone know what that means?”
Hands shoot up, and little me says, “Like E.T.?”
“That’s right,” he answers, all warm and smooth and despicable. “Someday they’re going to make contact with aliens like E.T.”
Clearing my throat, I say, “Well, they won’t look like E.T. of course. That was just a pretend version, designed by someone who clearly doesn’t understand evolution because honestly, there’s no way his species would have survived with those stubby little legs. They never would’ve been able to outrun predators, therefore their civilization wouldn’t have survived long enough to achieve spaceflight.”
The kids all stare at me like I’ve suddenly sprouted a goatee, but Hudson just nods. “Man, she’s smart, hey kids? Dr. Cammareri knows everything there is to know about space and evolution. Now, should we get started on the tour?”
“Yes!” the class shouts, which is just so irritating. Not once, in my eleven years of giving tours, has a class cheered. Not one damn time.
He gestures for them to follow him, and they do exactly that. I wait and bring up the rear, frustrated beyond all imagination that this is going to be so easy for him. He’s got them all fooled, just like the rest of the world. But I’ve seen behind the curtain, and the Great and Powerful Hudson isn’t who they think he is. He’s not the super-handsome, charming, easy-going, charismatic person he’s masquerading as. He’s a wizard of deception. A master of manipulation. Another man pretending I meant something to him.
My mind wanders back to when I first opened my eyes this morning. My chest was tight and my stomach felt heavy. And I knew what the pattern was. My brain must have been working on it all night while I slept—figuring out every moment he charmed me out of thinking clearly. His whole ‘I have something more fun in mind,’ bullshit, followed by the ‘I know it’s customary to wait until the end of the first date to do this, but I’d very much like to kiss you right now.’
Urgh! How could I have been so stupid to fall for that? I knew he couldn’t be interested in me. I definitely knew it. And yet, I let the wool be pulled over my eyes so easily. I fell for all of it—the gifts, him constantly feeding me, the listening to every word I said, the showing up at my house to charm the pants off every living relative of mine. Except my dad. He knew better the whole time. That’s it. From now on, I’m letting my father make all my decisions for me. Well, personal ones, anyway. Obviously, I’m killing it professionally. I just made what is likely going to be the greatest advancement in SETI research history. Me, Allie Cammareri. So, suck on that, Hudson and Lando. And screw love. Screw it. Not worth it.
Yes, forget men forever. From now on, I’m going to focus all my energy and attention on my job. My job has never let me down. Really, this is for the best. It’s not like someone with my potential should split her attention between her job and a man. Being in love is just a huge waste of time. Just think of what I can accomplish if I stay single.
We crowd into the server room, and I’m on alert, in case one of the kids tries putting their sticky little fingers on one of the computers. They always do that. Every single time. Except, apparently not today. Today, they’re all fascinated while Hudson the Hoodwinker explains how the computers in this room are receiving signals from radio telescopes from all over the planet. He smiles at me and says, “Have I missed anything yet, Dr. Cammareri?”
“Nope, you seem to have covered it all.” Dammit. He has too, when a very petty part of me wants him to fail.
“Excellent,” he says. “Remember kids, if you have questions about anything, she’s the expert. I’m just going to play one in a movie.”
Oh, stop sucking up. There is literally no possible way I’m falling for your act again.
“Wicked!” one of the boys says. “Is it going to be like Guardians of the Galaxy?”
“No,” he says. “It’s set on Earth and it’s about a scientist like Dr. Cammareri here.”
The boy’s shoulders drop. “Oh. Sounds boring.”
Mrs. Brutain makes a tsking sound. “Braxton, that’s not nice.” She turns to Hudson, batting her eyelashes at him. “I’m sure it’s going to be a thrilling movie.”
Blech. I’m glad we’re done. Who would want to put up with women hitting on your man all the time? Not this lady. No siree. No thank you.
Hudson leads the kids back out into the hallway, calling, “Who wants some freeze-dried ice cream?”
They all cheer while I stomp along behind them trying not to scowl or shout at them not to let the smooth-talking, womanizing, very bad man fool them. Because oh my God, does it ever hurt.
33
Breaking Up is Hard to Do…
Hudson
This is not how this evening was supposed to go. I was planning on taking Allie out for a dinner at a cozy little Japanese restaurant before karaoke, where we’d talk about the future, plan a duet to sing, and celebrate her victory. It was supposed to be the start of a new phase in our relationship—the totally-worth-it, long-distance phase, which would involve lots of weekend flights and late-night phone calls until we could figure out phase two—the being-together-all-the-time part.
Instead, I ate supper alone in my condo while I waited for her to answer my can we talk? text, and I’m now just pulling into the parking lot of the Off-key Emporium, even though I know going in there is quite likely a horrible idea. But it’s not like I have much choice, especially when the team has some fun send-off planned for me. I can only hope she’ll give me a chance to explain, although I guess technically I already did and it’s not exactly helping my cause. I fucked up. Big time. And I’m not sure if she’ll ever be able to trust me again. And the thing is, I don’t blame her.
Her car is already here, and my stomach tightens, knowing she’s inside. She managed to avoid being alone with me for the entire day, and ducked out early when I was distracted with Edward, who downloaded a new ‘facial symmetry’ app that he was dying to try out.
I hurry through the parking lot, a cool wind against my face that fits my mood. I screwed up. I get that. There’s nothing I can do to change what happened. All I can do now is convince her that I love her, and that I’m never going to make that type of mistake again.
