AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She sets down her bag, and I lock the door after us, then I unlace my shoes. She steps out of her boots and goes directly to the brightly colored framed images on thewalls.
“What is this?” sheasks.
“Cambia cells. Under amicroscope.”
“They’rebeautiful.”
“Most things are, if you look closeenough.”
Her fascinated gaze finds mine. “Did you takethis?”
“Yeah. But before you get too excited, the extent of my artistic talents involves strapping a smart phone to amicroscope.”
I took them years ago, found them in a box when I packed up my things to move backhome.
I try to ignore the fact that, in this tastefully decorated space, she went for the only thing here that’smine.
Rena crosses to the giant couch and drops ontoit.
I go to the kitchen and open the door of the stainless-steel fridge. “You want abeer?”
“Sure.”
Her voice has me sneaking a look at her over the top of the island separating the kitchen from the livingroom.
I’ve been doing a good job tonight of acting like a guy who doesn’t notice every inflection in hervoice.
Who hasn’t recruited an entire subcommittee of neurons in the left half of his cerebrum to deciding whether the “hot” descriptor should be revised to “beautiful,” elves bedamned.
Who doesn’t realize the boots by my door are the same ones I’d stepped over when I left her place Fridaynight.
Instead, at the school, I found myself thinking otherthings.
Like how thoughtful it was of her to bring medinner.
How much she cared about seeing her brother happy, or some semblance ofit.
Neither of which comes close to this project she’s doing with me, for me. I know she thinks it’s good experience, and the sample’s interesting, but that can’t fully explain hergenerosity.
I’m not used to being in the presence of someone who takes time out of pursuing their own goals to care about what other peoplewant.
“You need a hand?” sheasks.
I blink, realizing she’s looking at me. “Nah. I got it.” I open two beers and pass her one. “Had a German roommate in grad school. He got me hooked onthis.”
We clink, and I settle next to her. It’s a big couch, but I’m sure there’s an optimal distance. I wish I knew what itwas.
“You ready forthis?”
I lean in, reaching overher.
“For what?” Her eyeswiden.
My fingers close around the remote and I hold it up. “I meant forthis.”
“Right.”
Although now that she’s looking at me through narrowed eyes, I want to shift over her, shut that surprised mouth with mine, and say, “Sorry, McFly, catch you on the flipside.”
