Do you have any idea where you might end up ?
According to my agent, Jersey, Nashville, and L. A. are interested.
Well, L. A. wouldn’t be horrible, right ? she asked, her hand slowly massaging my thigh. Though it wasn’t at all suggestive-it was supportive. You’d be closer to your family at least. And sometimes good opportunities come in roughed up packages.
A single huff of a laugh left my lips as they curved upward slightly, and ever so slowly, I could feel the tension in my shoulders begin to melt away under her soft gaze.
So… Mighty Ducks ? she asked, nodding back to the television.
Looking back at the screen, I shook my head. No, not tonight. She’d been right. Tonight wasn’t about hockey. Reaching my arm over to wrap around her shoulders, I pulled into my side. Let’s go with Lord of The Rings.
She turned her face up towards mine, her mouth kicking up at one corner. Really ?
I kissed her quickly before nodding. Sometimes you just needed to invest a few hours into your nerdy side. Start ‘er up. And let’s demolish that pizza.
No response came through after that, and with the craziness he was likely dealing with, I didn’t necessarily expect one to. However, just as I finished my lunch and stepped out of the cafe I’d popped into, my phone buzzed.
Though it wasn’t Derrick. It was my mom.
Mom ? Everything okay ?
Her familiar laughter sounded through the speaker. Of course, dear. What ? A mother can’t call and check in on her own daughter ?
You can, I said, turning my face away from the wind, but you normally don’t during lunch. Or on Mondays.
Normally our weekly catch up took place on Sundays, whenever both my parents and I could find time to talk, though yesterday, while I hadn’t been busy, neither of my parents had been free.
Well, our weekends might be a bit busier out here for the foreseeable future, so these spontaneous calls may become a regular thing.
Busier ? I chewed my lip with worry, trying to rack my head for something I’d missed over the holidays. Some hint that things may be off, or changing, but I couldn’t think of anything. What do you mean ? Should I be worried about something ?
No, no, really, nothing’s wrong. Quite the opposite actually, she responded. Have you ever heard of San Fran’s Food Fantasy ?
I… think so, I said, trailing off as I remembered where I’d heard that name. They’re a food blog, right ?
Yeah, they are. And they actually did a piece on the restaurant last week.
Mom, that’s great !
The joy seeped into her words as she said, I know, I know. It’s crazy, and since the post went live on Wednesday, we’ve been swamped.
Well, you’ve always been popular in the city, so it’s about time the rest of the state-and the rest of the country-knows it.
Thanks, honey. After a short pause, she decided to turn the conversation back around to me. But what’s new with you ? I know you’ve been swamped lately working on your defense.
It’s definitely been busy, I replied as I finally reached my building, stomping the snow off my boots. Things are going good though. I’m still hoping to make some sort of connection between my research and the rest of the team’s, you know, to really solidify that I’m valuable enough to keep around after April, but otherwise, there hasn’t been many hiccups.
You’re the most valuable woman I know, Lia, and I’m sure-whether you can strengthen your defense or not-the department will see that.
I sighed, leaning my head against the lobby wall. I hope so.
But outside of work, how are you doing ? I don’t mean to pry, but I know last Sunday you said you had plans that night, and it didn’t escape me that it was Valentine’s Day, so… is there someone I should know about ? I felt my face heat as I chewed on the inside of my cheek, debating whether to tell her about Derrick, but my lengthy pause was enough of an answer for her. There is !
Laughing at her excitement, I said, Mom, it’s nothing serious. I’ve been out with this guy a few times, but I don’t know if it’ll last all that much longer.
As in… I didn’t think it’d last past today if the Knights shipped him off.
Well, as long as you’re being safe and enjoying yourself, I guess that’s all I can ask for.
I am, mom, don’t worry, I mused, because while our lines of communication were pretty open, there were just some things you didn’t need to delve into when talking to your mom about your sex life. But I should go. My lunch break is over and the data from my lab yesterday isn’t going to organize itself.
Okay then. I love you, and don’t work too hard.
I won’t, I said, smiling. And I love you too.
The rest of the day flew by in a blur. After lunch I’d plopped myself down in front of my computer and sorted through all my research for any final points I wanted and needed to address in my defense. I’d experimented with a lot of different techniques-some successful and some not-to transplant specialized proteins I’d manufactured into living cells, and while I knew I’d done great work here, I also felt like I was only at the cusp of discovering something more. Something more than I could’ve imagined when I’d started years ago.
But nothing was jumping out to me. Not in my data, not in my handwritten notes, and not in my very rough draft of a report. And it was incredibly frustrating.
As it approached five, I felt a headache begin to thrum behind my eyes and knew I needed to wind down for the day. Rubbing the bridge of my nose as I closed my eyes for a moment, I was spooked when the door opened suddenly.
Rough day ? Miles asked as he walked into our office, and I spun around in my chair to face him. Coat on and bag over his shoulder, he’d clearly only come by to grab something before leaving for the day, and when he reached for two books that’d been stacked on the far side of his desk, my theory was proved correct.