Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
He looked down at his work again after he took a bite, stretching the fabric of his hoodie in the arms, shoulders, and chest. His hair was messy because he’d been fingering it throughout the day, something he did sometimes when he was thinking hard about a problem. His jaw was getting dark because he’d skipped the shave for a while.
I stared at him longer than I should have and forced myself to stop.
He erased what he’d written and redid his calculation before he raised his chin and looked at me before he took a bite.
“What are you working on?”
He gave a gentle shrug. “Just some final calculations.”
“Final?”
“I think I’m finished with this prototype.”
I raised an eyebrow. “But there’s nothing in here.”
“I send everything over to a different department, and they build it in the hangar. Then I’ll check it a million more times.”
“So, you’re almost done building a rocket?”
“Yes.”
“Wow…then what?”
“We test it some more…and more.” He stared at me as he chewed, wearing that hard expression that drilled so deep inside me. “But I have to move on to my next project. I’m already behind.”
“What’s the next project?”
“A rover for Mars.”
“Really?” I asked.
“Yeah, it’s a collaborative project with NASA.”
“That’s so cool.”
He never boasted about his work or seemed remotely impressed with himself. His brilliance didn’t give him an ego, which was shocking. His goals were altruistic, so he didn’t think about himself at all. It made him even more attractive because he wasn’t cocky. He ate like he hadn’t just shared incredible news.
Could I really work for the man who ruined all other men for me?
I dropped my gaze and looked at my food.
“Everything okay?” He picked up on my moods easily, as if he could read my expressions.
“Yeah. I was just thinking about everything I need to take care of tomorrow. Have you considered the TED Talk?” They were blowing up my inbox because they were so eager to make this interview work. It would be the first time Derek had spoken in a public setting like this, and they were excited.
He dropped his gaze at the mention of it and continued to eat.
Just the way he could feel my mood, I could feel his. “Derek, I know you can do it.”
He ate in silence.
“I will make sure they don’t ask you about the Odyssey. But…I think it’s such a vital part of your story that it would inspire people to give one hundred percent, to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.”
Still, nothing.
“I’ll tell them no, then…”
“No.” He released a heavy sigh. “I’ll do it.”
“Really?” I asked. “Because I want you to do it because you want to. Don’t let me pressure you.”
“No, I’ll do it.” He raised his gaze and looked at me again.
I couldn’t believe I’d gotten an agreement out of him.
He flashed me that serious expression, his gaze burning deep into mine, like the intimacy of our eye contact gave him the reassurance he needed. “It’s time for me to move on…and get on with my life.”
“Why do I need to learn geometry? Seriously, who uses this shit—”
I slapped her wrist. “Watch it. Are you a lady or a gangster?”
“If gangsters don’t need to learn geometry, then I’ll happily be a gangster.”
I suppressed my chuckle, but it was hard.
“Have you used geometry once since you graduated?” Lizzie challenged. “Seriously?”
No, not once. “Here and there…”
She shook her head. “You’re so full of it, Mom.” She looked at her textbook.
I wished I could help her with her math homework, but geometry was just not my thing.
My phone vibrated with a text message from Derek. I want to talk to you. Can you come over?
I read that message three times, and with every single pass, my heart pounded a little harder. The last time he’d said that to me, he’d kissed me when I walked in the door. Flashbacks came into my mind of that kiss in his entryway, the way he kissed me better than any other man ever had. I was still because I didn’t know what to do. I was anxious to go over there to hear what he had to say, but I was also scared.
I wanted him to say that he wanted to be with me, accept all the baggage that came with me.
But I was afraid he would say something worse, like it was too hard for us to work together…and he wanted to let me go.
God, I was going to be sick.
I texted him back. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.
Lizzie kept working, focused on her math homework, so she didn’t notice the text message.
“I’m going to drop you off with Grandma and Grandpa. I have to run an errand.”
“What?” she asked in surprise. “Right now?”
“Yes. Grab your stuff.”
“Or you could just leave me here alone…” She waggled her eyebrows.
“Nope. It’s too late to leave you unsupervised. I did it last time, but I don’t want to make a habit out of it.”