Lost Behi

ney said, her voice tense as she

g a folder in one hand and a cup of black cof

rowed. Why a

your team. " He passed her the f

tion phase, we are working

s chest t

e and scanned it. His name

on the folder. "T

ily, "I tho

. You're good. So I wil

him, scanned her ID,

smell. So did the hum of her equipment waiting to

ing the seat opposite from

answering. H

? Why r

iments still quite raw. Holding every

e finally stated w

his elbows on the table.

re rolled, exposing veiny arms. His eyes we

heart flutters littl

mples, she said, "Just

't drea

rs

lights f

under immedi

nce filled the space next to her, C

s too

t every ti

sample, her skin tensed like it expected him to touch her. He

im. He seemed so comp

ht her

eddening, she tur

ttle smirk

ry much," Alessandro

. "I am not familiar enoug

concluded I'

to be here. I don't want anyone-any

s, though, I am not here to do

aped unexpec

nd, shattering glass r

tant yelled. "I spille

lose by the centrifuge. Yellow liquid gathered on t

med, "Unpl

it out before she reached it. Just before the flu

towels and bent nearby

hands

ed. He st

s were tou

Reli

ised h

aze con

nsion

swallowed deeply, "Thank y

ightly; "You would

reath, standing abru

f Quarters l

zing at the computer screen

ere on

everything to him. Relying on him.

nched h

his voice on the phone with Abby

y name

ed in her hands unt

No man would ever take

ocking on th

ssa

she did

ou left your notebook at the lab. Thoug

od up.

ly and arranged

day? "

y nodded. "You

as s

"You're carrying something heavy

eart

ough he was cautious with her. As he perceiv

ly, "I don't w

't offe

sil

d shallow

ed him t

sitated for a second. Then no

and locked the

in hand, Court

ll for quit

ck down, one idea r

time and leave them b

yes searched the strewn pages on her desk: her outdated formulations,

t stopped. Between the pages of her laboratory

o

ed it ou

id today. You're more

t stoppe

ripped the do

ssa

t for. The movement, though, tugged at somethi

fica

t falsehood and false kisses. Th

baffl

heavily, after placing

, her inb

ignment of Project: Al

art th

over something. Most likely wi

ke fate teasing her

c appeared o

owed it

ice. thr

d record, and responded

your call or the next time you c