Page 98 of The Scientist
He chuckled. “No, I’m just playing devil’s advocate here.”
I smiled.“The devil doesn’t need any more advocates.” I already had enough people trying to tell me what a great fit me and California were.
“Whether you want to admit it or not, the Cali life looks good on you, my friend.”
Spoken like a true Californian. “I’m starting to think all you Californians made a pact at some point to try and convert as many people to your way of life as possible.”
He gave me a cocky grin. “We know what we have.”
“Well, you can’t have me,” I said obstinately.
He smiled and shook his head. “Shipley’s been trying to reach you,” he said, changing the subject.
I sighed. “I know.”
Logan Shipley was a producer friend of mine who’d been calling and texting incessantly over the past month trying to get me to go to New York for a job, but I’d been dodging him. “I’ve just had a lot going on.” I hadn’t told anyone in the business about my mom except for a few really close friends.
“Logan’s been telling everyone that he doesn’t think you’re going back to New York either.”
I turned into the parking lot. “Then he needs a new fact checker.”
He chuckled. “I don’t know, Olivier. Now that I’ve seen you in action, I think there’s a shot at conversion.”
“Not a chance in hell.” My chin lifted. “If you ever catch me touting the benefits of matcha or complaining about the gridlock, just take me out.”
Jimmy burst out laughing.
From the first day I’d met Jimmy Blackmore, I’d always felt comfortable around him, despite his bad-boy reputation. I learned later on that it was carefully cultivated by his PR team because he was honestly one of the nicest guys I’d ever met. He didn’t allow drugs in the studio or on tour, and he had a long-time girlfriend that he was crazy about. None of that was a good fit for a rock star persona, however.
I thanked Jimmy again and said my goodbyes before dropping him off at his vehicle. I thought about what he said on the walk back to my office. He was now the second person to tell me that I seemed different here, and I wasn’t sure what to make of it. I could definitely think of one reason why I’d been feeling happier these days that had nothing to do with the state of California. I was seeing the human equivalent of a bottle of Prozac, so it was impossiblenotto feel happy. But my identity was woven so tightly around New York, I wasn’t sure it could ever be unraveled.
???
I checked my watch and realized I had lost track of time grading papers. I had told Lex I would be at his house at 6:00 and it was already 6:05. I gathered up my things and raced home, ridiculously eager to see him. As I made my way up the walkway, my phone started to buzz, and I checked to see that it was Lex.
“Hey, you still coming?” he asked as soon as I answered.
“Yes, sorry.” I picked up the pace. “I got caught up at work. I’m almost to your door, actually.”
The door to his home swung open just as I made it to the foot of their porch. Lex was standing there in the entryway, and we both hung up at the same time. I smiled like an idiot and ranup the steps, jumping into his waiting arms. He lifted me so that I could wrap my legs around him. One arm snaked around my waist to hold me there, and the other tangled in my hair as our lips found each other. I sighed at the relief of having his hands on me again even though it had been less than twenty-four hours since I’d seen him.
My eyes closed as I let him kiss me right there in the doorway, our tongues already sliding together. I was addicted to this feeling of him kissing me and was already thinking of when I could get my next hit. Running my fingers through his soft hair, I nipped playfully at his bottom lip. His answering growl made me giggle as he pulled back with a grin on his face. He kissed me softly once more before setting me down on my feet. I was still looking up at him, marveling at his handsome features, when I heard someone cough loudly next to us.
Stuart was standing there with a look of pure mischief gleaming in his eyes. It was a testament to how preoccupied I was with Lex that I hadn’t even noticed Stuart standing there until that moment.
“Is this how we’re doing greetings these days?” Stuart asked. “Because if so then… how do I put this delicately... my turn!”
“Stuart, I have something to tell you.” I gave him a serious look. “It’s going to come as a bit of a shock, but here it is… Lex and I are no longer platonic.”
“What?! No!” Stuart said, gasping, placing his hand over his chest. “Is it because he’s a neurobiologist and I’m just a chemist?”
“You caught me.” My chin dipped. “I’m a neurobiology-only kind of gal.”
“Figures,” Stuart said, but he was smiling looking between the two of us. Lex just shook his head, not bothering to get involved in our repartee.
We sat down for dinner together, and I wondered how much of our dynamic would change now that Lex and I were seeing each other. I didn’t want to make Stuart uncomfortable or feel like he was third-wheeling, but that didn’t seem to be a concern in Lex’s mind as he sat down right next to me, placing his hand on my thigh. Lex had always participated in our conversations in the past when we had dinner, but there was always some part of him that seemed reserved, and now I knew why. He held no such reservation tonight, however, as he ate with either his arm draped over my chair or his hand resting on my legs.
I glanced at Stuart throughout the dinner to see if it ever seemed like he was getting uncomfortable, but he just smiled like he was enjoying seeing his friend so happy. As usual, the food Lex cooked was absolutely delicious. A thought sprang to my mind that I’d been contemplating over the past few days that I’d just remembered to ask.