Page 51 of Conner's Luna

"Already married."

"Cousins that share your last name?"

"Also married."

I tap my chin, "Can I be adopted?"

"Sure," he shrugs, "but how would your dad feel about that?"

"Not great, but he's a very understanding guy."

"We'd have to change your citizenship."

"I like Canada."

"Have you ever been?"

"Nope."

Sarj finally cracks a smile. "You're crazy."

"Just smart," I respond cheerfully. The smart-vs-crazy debate is a long-standing joke between my friends and me.

Thinking about the people I left behind in Durham makes me wilt. Maybe I can ask Conner if we can take another trip down there to see them. This whole Jolena-being-killed-business has put the kibosh on my non-existent extracurriculars and social life, but surely going to Durham is fine? Heck, it's probably safer there.

"Who is this?" Mark's voice interrupts my thoughts about my friends and needing Conner Grim's permission to travel.

"Oh! Mark, this is Officer Sarj of the CSIS, Canadian spy extraordinaire," I boast a little. "Sarj, this is Dr. Mark. He's the lead researcher on the Honekier Gene Project here."

The men shake hands, silently appraising each other while I stand next to them literally twiddling my thumbs. Sarj once again has a blank face. Mark, on the other hand, looks visibly uncomfortable. They aren't smiling at each other. They aren't really greeting each other, either, despite the handshake. Is this a man thing?

Mark's eyes dart to me. "Ah, a boyfriend?"

"Just a friend," Sarj inserts smoothly. "She's dating one of our friends."

Am I? My knees feel weak as Conner's face flashes through my mind. Huh. Interesting how I just realized how in-deep-doodoo I am.

"Yup. Dating," I say cheerfully... and belatedly if I can make that judgment based on Sarj and Mark's faces.

"Well, I'm going to keep working on the new data from the New York testing we got. How is Dr. Honekier's research coming along?" Mark asks me, looking a little haggard as he mentions the special project I've been assigned to. Typically, Mark is in charge of assigning people to projects, especially lowly, unpaid interns like me. Dr. Honekier's research is putting a strain on the team.

"I should be finished tonight."

Mark sighs with relief. "Oh, good. We have a ton of new data flooding in over the next two weeks."

Sarj seems to ignore Mark, instead choosing to examine my work surface, a hint of a smile on his face as he reads my portable cup with the blue glitter words "I'm averaging today." Despite that, I can tell he's hanging on Mark's every word, judging and assessing. Just like arealsecret spy.

I can't hide my excitement and blurt out, "that's fabulous!" right in Mark's surprised face. "I mean... I love data!" I amend. I smile at Mark, resolving to be calm despite the suspicious choking sound I can hear behind me.

"Well, I'll let you get to it. The sooner Dr. Honekier has that data back and can finish the project, the better."

I give Sarj another nudge with my elbow as I sit primly in my chair.

"What?" he looks at me innocently.

"Canadians," I scoff.

He laughs and settles in next to me, pulling out his laptop. "Wi-Fi password?"

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