Page 12 of Toward Immortal Ruin

“We moved to the city, and I really didn’t have a chance to after that. Not that I wouldn’t love to hop aboard again, but …” She trailed off, shrugging. “I think I’ve rambled on about myself enough, and I’m impressed that you’ve somehow managed to get all the way to my childhood regrets in such little time. So, when you’re not touring as Blade and fighting terrorists, what type of buildings do you design?”

“I specialize in commercial, but the last few years, I’ve been doing residential,” he confessed. “Not my favorite, but it’s been a learning experience. I enjoy seeing people happy with the finished product.”

“I can imagine. I’ve never owned my own home, but I love dreaming about designing a perfect kitchen. I’m very opinionated when it comes to granite.”

“Is that true?” He grinned. “There’s a joke in there somewhere about being stubborn as a rock. Just you wait, I’ll think of it.”

“Take your time.”

Snickering, she sipped the remnants of her cappuccino and, all of a sudden, realized she didn’t want this date to end.

“What’s Oahu like?” she asked.

“It’s beautiful there. Island life can be a bit tricky at times, but the food is spectacular, and the views are incredible. It’s home. Has been for a long time.”

“I’ve never been there. Or any of the islands, actually.”

“We should change that.”

The level of excitement that pinged through her was indisputable, despite how she quickly tried to play it off as a joke. Going to the islands had always been on her bucket list. Now, it simply seemed like there wasn’t enough time.

Nero downed the last of his drink, then pointed to hers. “Any good?”

“Delicious and far too many calories.” She raised her empty cup in a toast. “Carpe diem.”

“Calories eaten—or drank—with friends don’t count.”

She grinned across the table at him and stepped out on a limb. “Do you have any other counterterrorism attacks to hold off this afternoon, or can I give you that guided tour of the fear exhibit at the museum?”

“I’m all yours, Eden.”

***

The moment Nero walked into the Science and Industry Museum, he became a deer in the headlights. It was clearhe’d never seen the inside of the building before, and he had good reason to be awestruck. The massive indoor arena was overwhelming, with a thousand different places to look.

The first exhibit that caught Nero’s eye was the tornado vortex. Several stories high, the machine spun a white cloud within, forming the cone of a supercell.

“Eden, this is spectacular. I can’t believe I’ve never been here.”

“Me neither,” she replied, moving closer to hear him over the commotion. “It’s like a rite of passage, especially for Chicagoans.”

“I’m just a couple years past due, then.”

Around them, the crowds increased, and they slowly became swarmed by onlookers. To avoid being jostled around, Nero’s fingers found hers. She gave a soundless gasp as the sensation sent a shockwave of blissful sunny energy up her arm.

They pressed closer together as they pushed through the crowds, walking from one exhibit to the next. It was a crowded day at the museum, and despite having met him only yesterday, Eden felt comfortable with Nero.

The pair of them came upon the exhibit studying the human body—always one that earned its fair share of viewers. It was packed wall to wall, and Eden found herself snuggled up against Nero, charmed and content. She typically only found that peace at home, in her carefully curated apartment; although welcome, this new source of comfort was unexpected. She probably just missed human contact and support more than she realized. It made sense to enjoy it now while it lasted.

Nero’s fingers tightened around hers and the warmth of his body chased of the last vestiges of cold from hers. They’d taken an Uber over, but they’d still had to walk in the spitting snow. As her disease progressed, she found it more and more difficult to keep warm.

A ream of electricity pulsed above their heads. Her date had taken an unconventional interest in the tesla coil. While she found it fascinating, Nero read everything he could on the exhibit, and they’d waited for the coil to light up once more before he finally conceded to moving on.

“Electricity fascinates me,” he admitted as they roamed toward the fear display. “Always has.”

Recalling his words from before, she parroted, “There’s a joke in there somewhere about the spark between us.”

Chuckling, he brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “So where is this fear exhibit, professor? I’m beginning to think you brought me here for shock value only.”

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