I knew it, Esme said, slapping the table loudly, not caring she had drawn in so much attention. You just have that glow about you. A I-had-bomb-ass-sex-last-night kind of look.
Let everyone know, why don’t you ? I mumbled, shaking my head so that my hair created a make-shift wall, shielding my face from view.
What ? Esme shrugged, taking a sip of her sugar-filled frappe. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about.
I’m not embarrassed, I countered. At least not for having sex with Derrick again. That had been a great decision. The fact she was trying to blurt that out to the world, however, was a little embarrassing. Checking the time quickly, I continued. But I am late. I cast a pleading look toward Harper. Any chance I could get a ride to campus ?
More car trouble ?
Is it really that surprising at this point ?
No, not really. Though this does mean you’ll have to put up with this one’s- Harper hooked a thumb toward her girlfriend as we gathered our things. -interrogation a while longer.
The corner of my lip ticked upward. I guess I could grin and bear it.
And while she did indeed try to pester me for more details, I kept my lips sealed. Not every romp between the sheets needed to be revisited in a play-by-play break down, and honestly, I wouldn’t even know where to begin if I tried. How did I put into words the kind of tension and animalistic need he seemed to bring out of me ?
Impossible, that’s what it was. Or at least for the time being. The last thing I needed was to be reliving these thoughts-of tangled limbs and sweaty bodies moving in tandem-while on campus.
That wasn’t to say that my good mood went unnoticed, however. In fact, for a Monday morning at a university, my cheery attitude had me sticking out like a sore thumb. Professor Klein was quick to notice in our morning meeting, pointing out that I looked like I’d had a good weekend. Like I was refreshed and ready to work.
And when Miles popped into our shared office after he finished his morning class, he didn’t fail to pick up on it either. Likely because I’d been humming as I made progress with my defense.
Morning.
Grabbing my mug, already half-empty with my second cup of coffee that day, I spun around in my chair to face him. Morning, I chirped in an echo.
He chuckled. What’s got you so happy ? His eyes drifted to the screens on my desk, my report and various data documents scattering the screen. Did you finish the first draft of your report already ?
Snorting, I shook my head. I’m organized, Miles, but I’m not Wonder Woman.
Then what is it ? he asked, taking a seat in his own chair. Did you have a breakthrough ? Walk a student through a problem ? Land a position with the university ?
That last one hit a bit close to home, being that there was definitely talk within the department that a lecturing spot was opening up earlier than expected. In the summer rather than the fall. Which meant if I wanted to apply, and I did, I needed to start thinking about that on top of my research, as well as pluck up the courage to talk to Professor Klein about it.
No, I replied, shaking those thoughts from my head. For the rest of the month I’d focus on getting as much work done on my defense as I could, and hopefully, by the time a job posting went live in the coming weeks, I’d have time to dedicate to an application. I just had a good weekend is all. He quirked a brow as a smile bloomed on my lips. I had a date yesterday, and you know, it went well.
Oh, he said, voice flattening as he crossed his arms over his chest. Anyone I know ?
Thrown slightly by the apathy of his response, my forehead creased. Uh, no, I don’t think so. I paused before letting Derrick’s name slip through my lips, not wanting to seem like I was bragging. But Miles and I were friends, and I didn’t see an issue with telling him. It wasn’t like he would blab it around town. Unless you know Derrick Wellsley.
Without much thought, he began to shake his head, only to freeze with wide eyes seconds later. The hockey player ?
I bit my lip and nodded. Mhm.
You’re dating a professional hockey player ?
I mean, I wouldn’t call it dating exactly, I said, tucking my hair back behind my ear. It was one date. Nothing serious.
Those two words were like a bolt of lightning for Miles, his expression immediately perking up. Ah, gotcha, he replied with understanding. As though he took it to mean there wouldn’t be another date, and that made him happy.
And to be fair, I didn’t know if there would be another date. I had Derrick’s number and he had mine, but we were both so busy, who knew what would or wouldn’t happen ?
Thrown slightly by his reaction, I didn’t particularly want to go into any more detail on my end. And coupled with the small voice in my head whispering it was because he was actually interested in being more than friends, I felt the need to steer the conversation back toward a safer ground-our research.
After all, that was where my focus needed to be.
Now, do I go white or red tonight ? Harper asked out loud, standing in front of her fridge, the door open as she surveyed the two bottles of wine.
You could always jump ship, I suggested, holding up my own glass of rose and pointing to the bottle I’d brought over. Feel free to pour yourself a glass.
Her nose scrunched up in disgust. No thanks, she replied, making me laugh.
The perfect pick me up after a dreadfully long week.
While most of the week had progressed normally with no real changes to my routine, I’d walked into the office on Thursday after class to see a note from Miles stuck to my computer screen. He’d found an error I’d made in my recent set of calculations, causing a handful of fully functioning genomes to appear to have small abnormalities and be unfit for further testing. And though grateful for the extra set of eyes, I couldn’t fathom how I’d made that kind of mistake in the first place. I knew better, and yet I lost a full day in the lab, having to painstakingly rework my equations and rerun the simulations until I was sure the problem had been eradicated.
Thankfully, it had been, and after putting in additional hours this morning and afternoon to catch up, I’d given into Esme and Harper’s messages, convincing me to come over for a Saturday wine night.
Which, funnily enough, would accompany their watch party for tonight’s Knights’ game.
How about you go white and I go red ? Esme offered, cozying up next to her girlfriend before throwing a wicked smile my way. I’m in the mood for something rich to accompany the teasing remarks that’ll leave my mouth watching Lia’s boy toy skate around all night.
Boy toy ? Really ?
I knew there’d be no way of avoiding the obvious elephant in the room while watching the game, but I hadn’t expected the jibes to start this early. Especially because I’d already clued them in to the fact there’d been no progression on the Derrick front this week.