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She purses those delectable lips together. “It’s different for you.”
“Yeah, I can’t imagine working for the federal government.” Or anyone, for that matter. I’ve always known I wanted to be my own boss, have my own company.
“It’s not so bad.”
“So you like it, then? Your job?”
“I do. My dad is a scientist and actually worked for the FDA himself for a while. So I grew up around it.”
I don’t tell her I already know that, and a lot more, courtesy of some sleuthing I did after last weekend. Her dad’s a world-renowned scientist, with both medical and biochemistry degrees and a slew of awards.
I know a thing about big shoes to fill.
“Where was that?”
“Where I grew up?”
I nod and take a sip of beer, watching her carefully. Is Ada Flemming as unaffected by me as she pretends to be? Did I completely misread her last week?
“Rochester, although my family lives in Maryland now. We moved there when my dad got his job with the FDA. How about you?”
She thanks the waitress, who has already returned with her water and two menus.
“I grew up in New Canaan, Connecticut,” I say. “But my parents always had a place in the city, so I think of this as home too.”
How many getting-to-know-you conversations like this one have I had over the course of my life? Hundreds?
Why does this one feel different? More significant?
I try to remind myself that I’ll never see this woman again after a few months, but the thought doesn’t stick. I want to know everything about her.
“How long have you lived here, Doctor Flemming?”
Her lip swoops to the side, half amused and half annoyed.
“Ada, please.”
I want to say it’s a pretty name, because it is. But I’m aware of the thin ice I’m skating on. “It’s not a name you hear very often.”
“My parents, well, more like my dad, named me after a famous female scientist. Ada E. Yonath. She was from Rochester too.”
“Ahh, so he’s a true science nerd, then?”
She laughs. It’s a musical sound, and her whole face glows with it. And I instantly want it to happen again.
“Totally. Drives my mother insane.”
“Do you have siblings?”
I don’t care if I’m being too personal. I want to know.
“Two sisters. Kristina is almost five years younger than me. She’s twenty-five. And my other sister, Jenna, is nineteen. You?”
I wish.
“Nope. Only child.”
“Lucky. My sisters and I drive each other crazy.” She takes a sip of water. “But I shouldn’t say that. I love them to death. I couldn’t imagine not having them in my life.” Her eyes widen. “I mean, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking . . .”
