Page 83 of Fault Line

“I’m so glad you could both make it,” Dr. Khatri says warmly, ushering us both inside.

Amidst the sterile halls, the air crackles with anticipation. Researchers, entrepreneurs, and fellow students flock inside, eager to exchange ideas and make connections. In the lobby, the three of us search for our name tags and quickly secure them into place.

Thankfully, there isn’t too much going on tonight outside of this. It’s meant to be a mixer and networking event, while the real breakout sessions and keynote speakers take place tomorrow.

As we roam around the room, Dr. Khatri first introduces us to a fellow professor, Dr. Thiel, who’s working on neuro stim research for veterans with PTSD. It’s right up our alley, meshing with both Kaia’s and my dissertation topics, and we’re both hooked on the work he’s doing.

We’re quickly engrossed in the conversation, and I sense Kaia’s excitement bubbling over. She’s always been so passionate about academia, research, and the field of biomedicine as a whole; it’s great to see her connect with someone who shares that same mindset.

The night goes on, and we’re introduced to a handful of other researchers and academics—true visionaries who are changing the world through their work. Kaia is a star—of course she is—engaging effortlessly in conversation and exuding confidence.

It’s sexy as hell, and I’m brimming with pride as I watch her shine. She was right, after all. The girl’s a real fucking natural.

Eventually, the event winds down, and we reconvene with Dr. Khatri. The three of us make a plan for tomorrow’s sessions before Kaia and I head to the hotel together.

Once we’re tucked back into our room, the weariness in Kaia’s eyes is visible, but it’s mixed with a fire that I know all too well.

“So, you can probably tell that I loved that,” she says, kicking off her shoes and collapsing onto the bed.

I join her there, wrapping my arm around her as she snuggles into my side. “Yeah, and I’m so proud of you, baby. You were incredible tonight.”

She smiles, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “Thanks, Beck. You did good, too.”

“Ah, another compliment from Kaia.”

“Hey, I compliment you sometimes.”

“Sure you do,” I tease, curling my finger underneath the strap of her dress. “With a thinly veiled insult thrown in for good measure.”

“You can take it.”

“That I can,” I murmur, tracing a tiny star-shaped pattern against her bare shoulder.

“Hey, Beck ... this isn’t weird, right?”

“This, what?” I ask, brows knitted in confusion.

“Us, here, going to research symposiums together.” Avoiding my gaze, she rolls onto her back beside me and stares up at the ceiling. “Sharing a hotel room. Complimenting each other and genuinely meaning it.”

I chuckle softly. “I sure fucking hope not, considering the fact that you’re my girlfriend and all.”

Her eyes widen, and she visibly stiffens. “Your ...”

“Girlfriend.” My lip lifts in amusement. “Right, you can say the word.”

“I-I didn’t realize I was your girlfriend.”

“We’re dating exclusively, sleeping together nearly every night, yet for some reason, you didn’t think you were my girlfriend?”

“Well, you never actually asked!”

“Karras, come on.” I give her a sideways glance, stunned by her denial. “I didn’t think I needed to.”

She abruptly sits up on the bed, crossing her arms over her chest with an exasperated huff. “If you want me to be your girlfriend, then you have to ask me properly.”

“Okay.” My lip curls up into a smirk. She’s trying so hard to be serious right now, but the way she crosses her arms over her chest and purses her lips just makes her look even more adorable. A hint of a smile tugs at the corners of her mouth, and it only serves to make me grin wider. “Kaia,baby, will you please be my girlfriend?”

“No,” she says simply, settling back onto the bed.

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