Page 9 of Nolan
They keep glancing at him and giggling. Finally, they both approach him while he leans back against the counter. “Hey, um,” one of them begins shyly, “are you Nolan? From the Belmont County Fire Department?”
He smiles at them. “Yep.”
The other squeals. “Oh my god, my dad is such a fan of yours. Would you take a selfie with us?”
“Sure.” Completely at ease with the request, Nolan steps out from behind the counter and stands between them. Subtly, I take note of his hands, folded behind his back.
He’s a gentleman. He doesn’t touch them.
They snap a few pics with their phone and swiftly bounce away. “Thank you!”
“Anytime,” Nolan says, and his eyes flit to me. I quickly look away and try to seem very seriously focused on a glittery fishnet sweater in front of me.
“Hey.”
My heart skips as he comes to stand near me. I look up at him and nibble my lower lip, trying not to smile too brightly. “Hi. You’re a pretty big deal, huh?”
“Something like that, I guess.” He almost looks bashful, rubbing his neck. “There’s just been some news pieces, that’s all. It’s not nearly as glamorous as you might think.” He seems eager to change the subject. “So how are you liking Belmont?”
“Well, I just got here, but so far it’s nice.” I’m trying to be as chill as possible, but I’m fiddling with a ring on my thumb. I think he notices. His eyes flit down my form and up again. “It’s different from South New Carnegie, but I think I’m going to like it here.”
“Oh?” He tilts his head. The gesture should be a little slower, smoother, maybe, but his movement is almost like a bird, and that’s the tell that he’s a little robotic beneath his synthetic materials that make him look oh-so-human. “Odd. I’d think most people find beaches and sunny weather preferable. Pennsylvania gets humid with mosquitoes in summer, and then it gets cold, rainy . . .”
“Believe me, after living most of my life here, I used to agree.” I look down at my phone. “Then again, my view just vastly improved. I think I’m beginning to understand the appeal.”
My heart climbs up to my throat. That’s the most forward I’ve ever been. I like being chased, seeing what a man’s made of. Shy, reserved types aren’t my go-to. Nolan lifts his eyebrows and draws in a breath—or what I think sounds like one. Can androids breathe? Probably not.
Apollo comes out of the office, and Nolan lets his smile fade. “Well, glad to hear it. I hope you’ll enjoy your time here,” he says with a glint in those bionic eyes, one that tells me he knows precisely what I was up to. I had no idea how expressive androids could be. It’s incredible.
He’s not exactly flirting back, and I guess it could be a rejection. Either way, at least I shot my shot. “Let me know if you ever want some fashion tips—not that you need them, of course. Just saying. Jess and I are in the same career field, and I always love a good shopping trip.”
A little less dorky than the sweet bun, but also not nearly as smooth as I’d like it to be. “I’ll keep that in mind.” He returns to Apollo.
“I’ll see you at the house after the weekend, Mia,” Apollo tells me.
“Okay, cool.”
“Ready?” Apollo turns his attention to Nolan.
“Whenever you are.”
They head out of the store together, and I let myself down with a little mental pat on the back for trying. I missed my shot.
It could be for the best, right? He does work with my brother.
But then a few minutes later, as I’m stepping outside to grab some night photos of the shop exterior, I hear his voice behind me. “Excuse me. Mia? Sorry, it appears I forgot something.”
I turn to face him with the sweetest smile I can muster, even though I can’t think of anything he might’ve brought in to forget. It’s not like androids need phones, car fobs, or any of the personal effects humans lug around everywhere. “Sure. What is it? I can grab it for you.”
His deep voice is lower, softer than it was before. “Your number.”
Victory soars through me. It’s a miracle my feet are still touching the ground.
“Is that okay?” he says while I stare at him like a deer caught in headlights. “I thought you were possibly flirting with me earlier. Did I misread your intentions? It’s been a couple of years since my activation, but I still get things wrong from time to time. But I’d like it if we could talk more, if that’s all right with you.”
“Oh my god, no.” I’m fumbling over my words. “I was definitely flirting. Probably badly. I’m not exactly great at this stuff.”
“Not at all. It was cute,” he replies. “Wholly unexpected, but not unwelcome.”
