by Dara Girard
“I do care.”
Lora bit her lip to keep from laughing.
He raised his brows. “You don’t believe me?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes, I can’t allow what happened in the past to affect our relationship now. I’ve moved past it, but obviously you haven’t.”
“I have. And I’m trying to be polite.”
“Then stop and be honest.”
“And risk losing my job?” she shot back, her patience thinning.
“You won’t lose your job.”
Lora returned to her seat and sat. “Is that a promise?”
Silver fell silent and leaned back, a casual gesture that was anything but. “I already know what you think of me, and I know you’re not shy with voicing your opinion, so why start now? Although you are one of the best scientists we have here at Ventico, there’s always room for improvement.”
“I agree. May I go now?” Lora saw his eyes narrow, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of letting him know what she thought. She’d done that before, and it hadn’t changed anything.
“Yes.”
She stood again and walked to the door, feeling a small sense of victory.
“So what happened to your hair?”
Her hand flew to her hair as if she feared it had disappeared. She spun around and glared at him. “What do you mean?”
“It’s different.”
“I know.” Lora gaped at him, trying to figure out if he was joking, but his tone wasn’t mocking and his expression remained interested. Why was he casually talking about her hair? How had he noticed it? No one else seemed to. She’d gotten a trim and permed her thick hair to make it more manageable. She now wore it in a low, soft ponytail, using a decorative comb to hold it in place instead of a rubber band, and she’d added thin bangs and light brown highlights but nothing dramatic.
His eyes caught and held hers. “Whatever you did, it looks nice.”
Lora blinked, unable to respond. Was that a compliment? Had she fallen into a parallel universe? She turned to the door, eager to escape. It didn’t matter. He could be nice all he wanted, but that didn’t change the fact she thought he was a bastard.
Lora left Silver’s office, sat down at her desk and wanted to scream and kick something. Why did he criticize her one moment and compliment her the next? He was playing games. Yes, Justin Silver would get his payback.
“How did it go?” Carla asked. She was in her early forties, and Lora had met her briefly several years ago but had gotten to know her better while working at Ventico. She was slim with a face best suited for an operatic tragedy. Her lips turned down, and she had large somber brown eyes. She kept to herself. Lora knew she was single, never married, with an excellent mind. She was always very calm, as if she could walk through a storm without flinching. She’d helped Lora through the transition after Dr. Coolidge left and Dr. Silver took over. But although Carla was observant, she hadn’t noticed Lora’s new hairstyle—or at least she hadn’t mentioned it. No one had, not even Warren who she wanted to. Why had Silver noticed? Why had he said anything? “I’m still in one piece,” Lora said with a nonchalance she didn’t feel.
“Lucky you. He nearly made Dr. Yung cry with—”
“I don’t care what he says to me. I know he can be mean.” She’d never let herself care enough to let him hurt her. She was angry but not hurt.
“No, he—”
“How was your eval?”
“It was fine, but from your expression and tone I think I can surmise that we won’t be working closely together.”
“No. He effectively shot that possibility down.” She clenched her hand into a fist and shook it at his closed door. “He’s ruining my career.”
Carla laughed. “It’s not like you to be so dramatic. He’s a savvy director and has a keen eye for what’s best for us and our department.”
“He moves us around like chess pieces.”
“He’s used to winning.”
“So did he say anything specific?” Lora asked.
“Not really. I got good marks. I’m truly hoping he’ll allow more funding for my project.”
“You deserve it. I can’t see him not letting that happen.”
But as Lora said the words, she knew it was a lie. She could easily see him stopping Carla. Just as he had stopped her. If he didn’t think something was worthwhile, he would disregard it. But she didn’t care what he thought of her. He could think whatever he wanted. He was the type to always find fault anyway. But why had he given her a compliment? What was wrong with him? What was wrong with her? She wanted to stop thinking about him. Her makeover plan was supposed to impress men, but he didn’t count.
In following the steps in 30 Days to Romance, she’d already gotten a new pair of designer glasses. She’d tried contacts years ago but had never been able to adjust to them, and she had no interest in laser surgery. She’d also changed her hairstyle and even started wearing lipstick. She wasn’t averse to wearing makeup; she just hadn’t made it a priority. She’d even taken two dance lessons and was learning the salsa.
“I wonder what his evaluation was like,” Carla said as she peered at an attractive black man hurrying past.
Lora looked up and saw Warren Rappaport walking by; she hoped she wasn’t visibly drooling. She’d give him high marks all around. When Rappaport had arrived, most of the women had taken notice, but Carla hadn’t shown much interest. She never seemed to take interest in men, or women, for that matter. Her main focus was her work, just as it had always been for Lora.
“Have you talked to him yet?” Carla asked, knowing of Lora’s interest.
“Not yet.”
“Personally, if I had to choose between Rappaport and Silver, I’d go for Silver.”
“Are you insane?”
Carla held up her hands in surrender. “I know he’s terrifying and a bit distant—”
“As far as the Arctic.”
“But he’s established, respected and easier to read. Warren is attractive, I admit, but he’s still building his career, and he’s a little too charming.”
“How can a man be too charming? Everyone likes him.”
“Hmm. He just doesn’t seem as transparent as he acts. I hope that book you’re reading tells you how to catch the right man.”
“How do you know about my book?” Lora asked, surprised.
“I saw it in your bag. You better be careful about reading it in here. And whose interest you get.” She grinned, then walked away.
Lora folded her arms. Silver’s response was an aberration, that was all. It had to be. She had holiday plans, and Dr. Justin Silver would not be part of them. But Dr. Warren Rappaport definitely would be.
* * *
Justin touched two fingers to the inside of his wrist, then checked his watch. He measured the time and his beating pulse, then swore. Yep, his pulse was racing. He could feel it but wanted to confirm it. This was the effect Lora Rice had on him. It had been the same the first time they’d met, when she’d basically let him know that she thought he was the scum of the earth. Unfortunately, it was no different now. No, he was wrong, it was worse. Much worse. And he wasn’t sure what to do about it.
He found himself thinking of her skin, which was the color of roasted cocoa beans. Her lovely light brown eyes were warm like the sun shining on a white sandy beach. He’d already pictured her naked more times than he could count. At first he’d tried to stop himself, but then he just indulged. Now he couldn’t stop, and he’d started adding details he was eager to verify. This was not good. Women had never been a strong point for him. Facts, statistics, hypotheses he could grasp. But the female mind was a mystery. With three older sisters it wouldn’t seem so, but they’d been more like aunts than siblings. They were older and nurturing
of the youngest and only boy in the family.
In his career, he felt safe. Now Lora had taken that safety from him. He couldn’t predict her. She was like a wild variable in a controlled experiment. Why did she have to change her hair? He couldn’t stop staring at the golden highlights that glistened when she moved. He noticed how strands brushed against her neck. It was very distracting.
He knew she hated him and he wanted to change that, but she always met any attempt at a truce with suspicion. He’d just have to try harder. He couldn’t make her forget the past, but perhaps he could get her to forgive him. Hell, he shouldn’t even care. He didn’t want to. After all, she wasn’t just a personal threat, but also a professional one. Lora was a viable opponent in the race for the Poindexter Fellowship, and he had to make sure that he kept his record in place. That’s what he needed to focus on. Not a pair of beautiful brown eyes he wanted to see dilate with desire, or soft full lips he wanted to taste.
Justin glanced out the window. It was a bright, sunny day, but it didn’t disguise the late November chill. People were bundled up as they marched down the street. Holiday wreaths decorated buildings, and strings of colored lights draped around the trees, ready to light the darkness when evening came. Ah, he loved the holidays. He was looking forward to his nieces’ holiday pageant, the food, the gift giving and spending time with his family. They were the only people who seemed to understand him and with whom he could be himself and relax.
But this year would be different; he had to up his game for the fellowship, which meant spending long days and nights, and even weekends, in the lab. His poor dog, Louis, a three-year-old American bulldog, was showing signs of frustration from not having him around. The past two evenings Justin had come home to a house full of shredded paper. Louis had gotten into his study and emptied his trash bin. But for now, he couldn’t worry about his dog—he had something more urgent to worry about. Yes, he’d forget about Lora Rice. He had to.
* * *
Oh, how she hated the holidays. It was the last week of November, and holiday madness had begun. Lora navigated her way through the crowded mall, regretting her decision to help her older sister, Belinda, go shopping. Her sister seemed to have an ever-growing list of people she had to shop for.
When they were kids Lora had nicknamed her “The Bullet” because sometimes she could hit you right between the eyes with a tactless remark or demand. Her sister was beautiful and knew it, and she took advantage of her looks to get her way. She had one failed marriage behind her and was already planning for husband number two.
“Can you make it to my party?” Belinda asked, handing Lora another bag to carry while she studied the mall map.
“I have a cold.”
Belinda looked at her sister, unconvinced. “You don’t have a cold.”
Lora rubbed her throat. “I feel one coming on.”
“You had a cold last year.”
“It’s coming back.”
“And the year before that.”
Lora shrugged. “What can I say? I’m susceptible.”
“To the same cold around the same time each year? Come on, you’ll have fun.”
“No, thanks. You know I hate the holidays.”
“Still? I thought you’d gotten over that. I know as kids we didn’t have many happy memories, especially around the holidays, but we can make up for it now.”
“By drinking with a bunch of strangers?”
“They’re friends.”
“Your friends. Sorry, but my schedule is full.” Full of false cheer, she thought. She didn’t look forward to the office party or her parents’ holiday gathering or her grandmother’s holiday dinner, where she’d be asked again and again if she was seeing someone. She didn’t want to add Belinda’s bash on top of them. She wanted this holiday season to be different. Something had to change.
“I won’t take ‘no’ for an answer,” Belinda said. “You have to come, or I’ll get Mom to force you.”
Lora inwardly shivered. Whereas her sister was like a bullet, her mother was like a pair of handcuffs. Once she locked into you, you couldn’t escape. “Okay, you’re right,” Lora said quickly. “I wasn’t being honest with you.”
“I knew it.”
“I have a date,” she said, hoping her lie sounded convincing.
Belinda frowned. “With a man?”
Lora nudged Belinda with her elbow, affronted. “Of course with a man.”
“Not necessarily. Knowing you, you could be talking about a rat or monkey.”
“My experiments don’t involve animals.”
“What’s his name?”
“Just somebody at work. What’s the next store?” Lora asked.
“Who?” Belinda pressed.
Lora adjusted one of the five shopping bags she was carrying, feeling like a beast of burden. “If it works out, you’ll know.”
Belinda tapped her chin, looking intrigued. She was only carrying two bags because she said she needed to keep her hands free to hold the map and organize their shopping expedition. “You never talk about the people at your workplace except that guy you hate, Dr. Sliver.”
“Silver,” Lora corrected.
“Whatever. So what makes this guy so special?”
“When you meet him you’ll know.”
“Let’s double date.”
“No.”
“But I’m curious. This is your first date in—” She stopped. “Wait...have you ever had a first date?”
“Of course.”
“No, I mean a date you got on your own. Not one set up by me or Mom or Uncle Rudy.”
Lora curled her lip. “Never mention that again.”
“His heart was in the right place.”
“Maybe, but I don’t know where he’d put his brain.” Her uncle Rudy, her mother’s brother, had set her up on a date with a dock worker forty years her senior, whose main topic of conversation was his low libido and fear of dying alone.
“That was a mistake I’ll never repeat.”
“So this isn’t a blind date?”
“No.” Lora gestured to one of the window displays. “Doesn’t that dress look like something perfect for someone on your list?”
Belinda ignored her. “Did he ask you out, or did you ask him?”
“It was sort of mutual.” At least that’s how she hoped it would be one day.
“I want to hear all about this mystery man after your date.”
“You will.”
“And he had better be real.”
Oh, he was real all right. He just hadn’t noticed her yet. When she’d first laid eyes on Dr. Warren T. Rappaport, she’d had to stop herself from staring. She soon discovered that not only was he good looking, with rich caramel skin and chestnut eyes, but he also laughed easily, had a warm smile and always had a kind word. But the best part was the fact that he was single.
Suddenly, Lora spotted him only a few feet away, as if just by thinking of him she’d conjured him up. She had to act fast or he’d be gone. She waved. She didn’t expect him to see her at first, but he waved back and then started toward them. If her arms hadn’t been loaded down with bags she would have clutched her chest. Remember to breathe. Remember to breathe.
“Hi Lora,” he said.
“Hi. This is my sister, Belinda.”
“A pleasure to meet you. I see good looks run in the family.”
“And you are?” Belinda went into her “do you see me” mode. She wasn’t used to being ignored, and Rappaport was surprisingly focused on Lora.
“Sorry,” Lora said, ashamed that she hadn’t introduced him. “This is Dr. Warren Rappaport.”
“There’s quite a crowd here today,” Warren said. “I was just going to escape the madness by getting something to drink. Care to joi
n me?”
Belinda shook her head. “I wish we could, but we have loads more shopping to do.”
“Can’t we finish it another day?” Lora said under her breath.
“No.”
“I’ll call you.”
“But I’m your ride.”
“I’ll find my way home,” Lora said, sending Warren a quick glance. She knew he could hear them.
Belinda made a face. “You said you’d help me.”
Lora clenched her teeth. “I’ll make it up to you.”
“Is he the one you have a—”
“I’ll tell you later.”
Belinda shot Warren a suspicious glance, then grabbed some of Lora’s bags. “All right. Be careful and call me when you get home.” She kissed her sister on the cheek. “Nice to meet you, Warren,” she said as she walked off.
Warren looped Lora’s arm through his. “I thought she’d never leave. Is she always that overprotective?”
“She likes to look out for me.” Lora said, pleased by his charm.
They took the escalator to the third floor and went to the food court, where they were fortunate enough to find a table currently being vacated by a group of teenagers. He asked her what she wanted, then left to get the beverages.
“It’s been a crazy day shopping,” he said, returning with a plate of chips with nacho cheese and two drinks.
“I do most of my shopping online, but Belinda dragged me here.”
He grinned. “I’m glad she did.”
Lora sipped her drink, feeling her face grow warm. “It must not be like home,” she said, trying to recover. Warren had transferred from a small town in Georgia, and it seemed like he hadn’t gotten used to the big city yet.
“No. I had to fight with somebody for Digital Dilly.”
She adjusted her glasses. “Digital what?”
“It’s this new robotic horse that’s all the craze with little girls. You can feed it and take care of it and play games with it on your computer. I wanted to get it for my young cousin who’s sick, but this guy beat me to it. Although I offered him double the price and told him why I wanted it, he refused. He said he wanted it for his beloved niece and nothing could change his mind.”