Page 14 of Love in the Lab
I grin. “Perfect.” I knew bringing beignets was the right move.
She pops the last bit of donut in her mouth and chews thoughtfully. Then, she sits up and levels me with a stern gaze. “I get there has to be a next time for fieldwork. Dr. Gantt says. But, please, next time, can you give me a heads up? Let me know what to expect so I can be prepared? I’ll be easier to work with if I know what’s going to happen.”
Does not like surprises. Got it.
“Understood. I’m sorry. I’ll communicate better next time.”
She takes a deep breath. “Thank you.”
Then, she smiles—a real smile with her teeth showing and her eyes crinkling in the corners. Just like yesterday when she smiled at me in the bayou, I’m breathless. I’m desperate for more of her smiles.What I wouldn’t give to be the one to make her smile like that every day.
That’s a weird thought. This is Molly Delaney. Yes, I’ve always been attracted to her, but she hates me.
I run a hand through my hair and stand, suddenly eager to leave. “I’ll get out of your hair now. There’s more beignets in the bag. All yours. I hope you feel better soon.”
“Thank you for the beignets.” She stands and walks with me toward the door.
I step into the hallway. I’m halfway to the stairwell when she calls, “Jonathan!” I turn around and from the open doorway, Molly tips her head in a teasing expression. “I still don’t like you.”
She makes me work for every inch of progress, that’s for sure.
I grin. “I didn’t expect you would.”
My phone rings on my way back to the lab. It’s my sister, Tamara, so I answer.
“Hey, sis! How are the girls?” My sister is mother to my three delightful nieces, aged somewhere between two and … nine, I want to say?
“Hi, Jonny. The girls are great. They miss you. We all do.”
Tamara and her family live in Ohio, just a couple of streets over from our dad, who still lives in the house I grew up in. When she says, “we all do,” I know she’s including Dad. It’s her subtle way of saying I should call him more.
“Did you miss a call from Dad yesterday?” And that’s her not-so-subtle way of saying it, I guess.
“Oh, um, not sure. I was busy yesterday.”
“Jonny,” she scolds.
Even though she can’t see me, I roll my eyes. “Okay, yes. He called when I was out with a colleague.” I realize how that sounds and backtrack. “Well, you know, not ‘out’ with acolleague like a date or anything. She was … we were … visiting our sample sites and … collecting samples,” I finish lamely.
Tamara is quiet for a second. “Okay, there’s a lot to unpack there, but I just don’t have the time today, baby brother. Dad’s going to call you again tonight. You should answer.”
“Maybe I have plans.”
“Do you?”
“No. But I often do have plans, you know.” I could have plans if I wanted to have plans. I just haven’t wanted to lately.
“I’m sure you do, Casanova. Tonight, your plans are to talk to Dad when he calls you. Okay?”
“Why?”
“He has news he wants to tell you.”
I consider this for a minute, dread already starting to turn my stomach sour. “Good news or bad news?”
“Ithink it’s wonderful news. You may not agree.”
I groan. “He’s marrying Sharon, isn’t he?”
