Page 64 of Reckless Hearts
Well, I guess it’s a good idea to remind Marcus how much of a science geek I am straight up. Just in case he’s forgotten.
Marcus props an elbow against the bar, looking at me for a few heartbeats before he speaks.
“Well, I wouldn’t be so sure there’s no rocket fuel at this wedding. Have you seen the cocktail menu? Some of those drinks could probably power a small spacecraft.”
I can’t help laughing, and a small smile slides onto Marcus’s face.
“At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if Saskia wants a spacecraft so she can rearrange the stars for optimal wedding night constellation viewing,” I say.
It’s Marcus’s turn to laugh, and it’s like hearing a favorite song I forgot existed.
He signals the bartender for another cocktail, then turns back and fixes those intense gray eyes on me. I will myself not to flush under Marcus’s stare.
“So, how are you doing?” he asks. “You still studying?”
It deflates me a bit that Marcus hasn’t bothered to ask Saskia about what I’m doing now. But I power through my disappointment to answer Marcus’s question.
“Yep, I’m still studying. I finished my PhD last year, and I’m in my first year of my post-doc at Auckland University.”
“So, you’re now Dr. Kleggs?”
“Yeah, although don’t say that too loudly, or people expect I can do something actually useful, like give them medical advice on their weird rashes or how to deal with ingrown toenails.”
Marcus receives his cocktail and takes a long sip. I try not to focus on how Marcus’s lips wrap around his straw.
Epic fail.
“What are you doing your post-doc on?” those lips ask.
I snap my attention back to the rest of his face. “I’m looking at the impact of climate change on nesting behaviors of the fairy tern.”
Marcus’s eyebrows fold together. “I don’t think I’ve heard of a fairy tern.”
“Not many people have. It’s one of the most endangered seabirds in the world.”
His eyes soften. “You always did want to help save native bird species. You said that would be your life’s mission.”
I freeze like someone has hit the pause button on my body.
“You remember that?” I manage to say finally.
“Of course I remember.” Marcus’s voice is low and intimate, and I suddenly wonder what else he remembers.
My salivary glands appear to be another organ starstruck by Marcus, and I have to swallow hard to get moisture back in my mouth and respond to him.
“Um…yeah. I did my PhD thesis on the albatross and then applied to do my post-doc on the fairy tern, which is how I ended up in Auckland.”
“Are you enjoying the move?”
“Yeah, I guess. The university’s great. And Auckland is pretty cool. I could do without the Aucklanders, but, you know, it’s the price you’ve got to pay.”
He huffs out a small chuckle.
I take a sip of my beer and use the time to summon the courage to turn the questions around on him. I desperately wantto keep talking to Marcus, even if we’re only exchanging small talk.
“What about you? How’s Los Angeles?” I ask.
Marcus traces the rim of his glass with his finger, a small furrow appearing between his brows. “It’s…different. It was a big culture shock after Dunedin.”
