by Nia Arthurs
“In any case, you’re giving me flashbacks to that day and that’s never a good thing.” She fixes the collar of my cheesy pink uniform. “Is everything okay?”
I bite down on my bottom lip, wondering if I should just come clean and tell her the truth.
It’s not my first time debating that thought. Ashley’s the only person I can talk to here, but I’m too afraid she’ll think I’m crazy if she finds out who I really am.
I paste a tight smile on my face and lift a shoulder in a half-hearted shrug. “Everything’s fine.”
“You sure?”
I nod, hating that I’m lying to her. Hating that I’m lying to everyone. That’s why last night with Morgan was so important to me. It was the first time I felt really connected to anyone on this earth.
I wasn’t hiding.
Wasn’t trying to play a character.
He knew exactly where I came from.
He saw me.
He bought groceries for me.
And now, he’s finding me a way home.
“Oh, I know what it is.” Ashley points to my grin. “You’ve got a new man.”
I bark out a laugh. “Ashley, I’m engaged.”
“To a guy who never stops by or calls or texts you,” she argues, following me as I go to collect the fresh burger from the slab in the kitchen door. “If we weren’t so tight, I’d say you were lying to me.”
“I’m not.”
“I know, sweetie. I’m just concerned you’re dating a jerk.”
“Miles isn’t a jerk.”
“Well, he’s not putting in the effort.”
My heart twinges. “That’s because…”
“Because what?” She folds her arms over her chest. “You think any sane guy with a girlfriend as hot as you wouldn’t drop by once. Just to check on her?”
“He lives far away.” Try another dimension.
Ashley shakes her head. “He better be careful because someone can snap you up while he’s not looking.”
I laugh. “That’s not going to happen.”
“Mm-hm.”
“Can you move? My order’s ready.”
Ashley eases back while I skate to the customer and deliver the right order.
Just then, the bell above the door jangles, admitting a large group. Aware of the crowd, I quicken my movements, tossing empty plates into my grey bowl and wiping down a table.
In the corner of my eye, I notice a man hovering behind me.
“Just a minute,” I mumble, bending over and stretching on the tips of my toes to clean the other end of the table.
“Ehem.”
I spin, my short skirt flouncing around my thighs. My eyes land on Morgan and widen in surprise.
He’s standing a healthy distance away, his arms over his chest. In the light of day, I can truly appreciate how handsome he is—and I should know. I was dating a member of B4 (arguably the hottest guys on the planet).
Morgan’s dark brown, wavy hair is messy in that chic way that only really cute guys can pull off. A few strands fall over his forehead, pointing to thick eyebrows above long-lashed green eyes. His sculpted jaw and straight nose add to his appeal, but those eyes…
They’re a mesmerizing color.
Mossy, dark and magnetic.
And right now, they’re simmering with an emotion I can’t place.
The sound of my heartbeat echoes in my ears. “Morgan!”
“Hey. Nice outfit.” He nods to my uniform.
I do a little curtsy. “Suits me, right?”
His cheeks turn pink. He clears his throat. “When does your shift end?”
Another customer waves for my attention. I glance that way. “I’ll be finished in an hour.”
He nods. “Can I talk to you when you’re done?”
“Yeah. Sure.”
“Excuse me!”
“I need to…”
“Go.” He smiles.
I dart away to help the customer and return to the kitchen.
Ashley is peering through the door. She drags me aside. “Girl, I take it back.”
“Take what back?”
“If I had a man who looked like that, I’d hide him away too.”
“Don’t you work?” I arch an eyebrow.
“Mm.” Ashley licks her lips as she spies on Morgan again. “Talk about Tall, Dark and Nerdy.”
“It’s handsome.”
“You think so too?” She gives me a sultry grin.
“No, I meant—never mind. And he’s not my boyfriend.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.” I think about how shyly Morgan was looking at me just now. “I don’t think he’s into black girls.”
“That’s weird. He was checking you out when you were bent over that table.”
“What?”
“He looked embarrassed,” Ashley shrugs. “But I caught him sneaking a peek.”
I laugh aloud. “You’re wrong.”
“Then you won’t mind if we exchange tables?”
I shake my head.
“Good.” Ashley smiles mischievously. “Here we go.”
6
Morgan
“Hey.” A waitress that’s not Kaz saunters to my table. She brings a hand to the collar of her Pepto-pink uniform. Cocks her head to the side. Smiles at me. “Can I get you anything?”
I automatically look past her. “Kaz.”
“What?” Blonde eyebrows form a V. “You want Kaz?”
“Where is she?”
“Oh. She’s waiting another table.”
I look around.
See a brown and pink blur.
There.
She’s all the way across the room, notepad in hand and a beautiful smile on her face. Black curls caress her cheeks as she bobs her head and jots orders down.
“Sir?”
I drag my attention back to the waitress. The name-tag on her collar says ‘Ashley’ and the way she’s licking her lips says she’s interested.
I shift back in my seat.
Unlike some of my friends, I’m not blind to the opposite sex.
They aren’t blind to me either.
Lots of female colleagues have dropped hints or left their number with the invitation to discuss quantum theory in private. Sometimes, they flat out proposition me. I’m not usually this bold, but I feel a deep connection to you. Do you want to come over tonight?
I always say no. My interest in relationships got buried six feet under a long time ago. It’s why my career took off the way it did. Why I became such a success at my age. I dedicated my life to science. Relationships meant nothing to me.
The single life was good.
No distractions. No drama. No urges.
I glance down at my pants.
Until now.
And no, it’s not because Ashley’s chest is popping out of her uniform.
It’s Kaz.
A minute ago, she was laid out over the table, her skirt inching up to reveal just a hint of her backside and her roller skates balanced on the toes as she tried to get her body to stretch further than her tiny frame could go.
I saw her struggling and I wanted to help.
I wanted to drag her tray out of her hands and clean up every table for her.
But there was also a part of me that didn’t want to be a gentleman. A part of me that wanted to rock my hips against hers. The urge was so strong that I almost walked out from fear that I’d give in to the impulse.
When she turned those brown eyes my way, looking innocent and happy to see me, guilt speared me right in the heart, piercing me like a pitchfork from hell.
Damn.
Is it her? Or do I just need to get laid so badly that I’m losing my mind.
Kaz is like Tom Hanks from The Terminal.
Like a misplaced refugee.
Like a lost puppy.
She’s stuck here. She’s vulnerable. It’s not the time to think about bending her over tables in public.
“Should I give you a l
ittle more time?” Ashley asks.
I clear my throat. “Coffee.”
“Black?”
I nod.
“You sure?” She reaches over to take my menu, subtly shoving her chest in my face. The scent of garlic meatloaf wafts over me. “You look like a man who could use a little sugar.”
I smile politely. “I’m on a diet.”
“Bummer.” She winks. “I’ll get that coffee right out.”
“Thanks.”
She rolls away, putting a little extra sway in her stride. I hardly notice because my eyes are back on Kaz. She’s skating confidently to the kitchen. Slim arms pump at her sides and that ridiculously short skirt flirts with her smooth brown thighs.
Her hand darts up to wipe her brow as she skids to a stop in front of the kitchen window. She reaches out. Balances her elbow on the sill. Barks out an order to the chef. In a smooth turn, she faces the dining hall and surveys the room. Then she looks my way.
Our eyes connect.
My pulse jumps.
She smiles slightly everything okay?
I glance aside, annoyed with myself for being affected by her. How is she the mature one in this situation? Why am I losing control around that tiny thing?
Inappropriate thoughts. Dirty impulses. They’re unlike me.
I’m a scientist. I believe in the power of higher thinking.
Will over nature.
Intelligence over lust.
It’s embarrassing that my hormones are reacting to her like a thirteen-year-old boy watching his first adult film.
We had dinner. Shared a conversation. Talked about her life and mine. That’s it. That’s all. I’m a master of restraint and one petite woman from another dimension isn’t going to break my streak now.
Ashley brings the coffee. Steam rises from the mug. The rich scent wakes me up and pulls me out of my frantic thoughts.
I take a sip and taste the bitter brew against my tongue.
Perfect.
“Just a warning, hun.” Ashley tilts her head so her blonde ponytail falls over one shoulder. “She’s engaged.”
“Who?”
Ashley nods to where Kaz is collecting platters of food on a big wooden tray.
Shaking my head, I correct her. “That doesn’t concern me.”
“Mm-hm.” She pushes up her cleavage. “Need anything else?”
“No.”
“Thought so.”
I set my coffee on the table as she skates away. My fingers drum the surface, matching the pace of a hundred thoughts skittering through my mind.
Kaz is engaged? She didn’t mention that at all last night.
Why wouldn’t she mention that?
I drain my coffee and pretend the thought doesn’t bother me. Getting Ashley’s attention, I gesture for a refill.
She smirks as she returns to my table. Tilting the coffee mug, she asks, “You’re upset, aren’t you?”
“About?”
“Kaz’s engagement.”
I sigh. “Look—”
“From what I gather, the guy lives in another state. Kaz hardly talks about him. I get the feeling they’re on thin ice. If you try hard enough, it just might break.”
“You’ve got the wrong idea.”
“Do I?”
“Kaz and I are just friends.”
“She said the same thing.”
“Then it must be true.”
“You can’t keep your eyes off her.”
“For research.”
“That’s a new one.”
“It’s the truth.”
“You should go for it.” She smirks. “People call off engagements all the time.”
Unease stirs in the pit of my stomach. She’s wrong. Sometimes, engagements are cancelled for darker reasons.
My throat tightens. There it is. Grief trying to taint a normal moment. Infringing on a simple conversation.
Screw that.
I breathe in deeply. Let it out through my mouth. Focus on Ashley. On the moment. Anything but the pain and resentment.
Ashley pulls the coffee decanter back after filling my mug.
“Thanks.”
“I know when to admit defeat.” She winks. “I’ll put in a good word for you.”
A smile tugs on my lips. Taking a fresh sip, I drag my tablet out of my bag and try to focus on a few equations that are giving me hell.
My work sucks me in.
Time stops.
It’s always that way. When things don’t make sense, math does. There’s always an answer to the problem. Always a method to the madness. I count on science to steer me in the right direction and it’s never let me down.
Humans, on the other hand, are notoriously flawed.
Constantly disappointing.
Always confusing.
Someone taps me on the hand. I glance up, surprised to find Kaz staring at me.
“Sorry. You looked busy, but my shift is done.” She gestures to her tennis shoes. “And my feet are killing me. Should we head out now?”
I nod, studying her. She looks tired but happy. Her black hair is frizzier now than it was last night. Stray curls pop out from behind her ears. She isn’t wearing any makeup except for something that makes her lips soft and shiny.
Her eyes meet mine as I open the door for her. “So what’s important enough that you drove all the way down here?”
“I want you to meet my colleagues.”
“The guys who helped you open the doorway to my earth?” She hunkers close to my side as a group of customers storm the sidewalk and take up most of the space.
I tuck my fingers against her hip and drive her against me. “Pavel and McCarthy.”
“Why didn’t you just bring them to the diner?”
Dropping my hands from her waist, I clear my throat. “I wanted your permission first.”
Shock careens into her eyes.
“It’s your life. Telling them about who you are is a risk you have to calculate.”
“Why didn’t you just make the decision for me?”
“Because you’re more than capable of making it for yourself.” I reach for my keys as my Jeep comes into sight. “And I don’t want to do anything unless you want it too.”
Kaz goes quiet.
I glance back, noticing that she’s frozen on the concrete.
“Kaz?”
“It’s nothing. I just…” She takes a step forward, her voice low and earnest. “I’m happy.” Her eyes soften and she takes my hand. “I’m happy you’re my friend.”
There it is.
My body deflates.
My veins cool.
Friend.
That’s all I’ll be.
All I can allow myself to be.
She’s from another world.
She’s leaving.
She’s got a fiancé.
And there’s not a damn thing I can do about that.
7
Kaz
Morgan drives with both hands on the wheel. His fingers grip the leather tightly. Green eyes train on the road ahead and a frown strains on his thin pink lips.
He’s been in a weird mood ever since we left the diner. Awkward silence echoes louder than the wheels spinning on the road. It feels like he’s chewing on something big. Working something out.
I don’t know how geniuses process and I don’t want to mess up his big ideas, but I’ve been wanting to talk to him all day and I really can’t keep quiet now.
“So…”
His green eyes land on my face before jumping away.
“We’re going to your place?”
“That’s where we’re keeping the doorway.”
“Cool.”
Quiet falls between us again. I feel like I’m standing in the middle of a freezer talking to myself.
The air conditioner blows a cool breeze in my direction.
Smells like Morgan—minty and masculine.
“Ashley likes you,” I say, staring intently at him.
H
e grunts in response.
“She said you shot her down though.” I study him. “Most guys don’t.”
Another grunt.
“Do you have a girlfriend? Is that why you rejected her?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
He frowns into the distance.
It’s a clear message. Drop it.
I know I should, but I’m curious. He told me to be myself and I’m a very nosy person. “What kind of woman do you usually go for?”
No answer.
Not that I expected one.
“Let me guess.” I tap my chin as I picture his preference. “She’s tall. Willowy. Blonde. Definitely blonde. She wears glasses, but she’s not mousy. She’s bold, confident and intelligent.”
“You’re wrong.”
“Really?”
“Not blonde.”
“Red-head then?” I grin.
“Brunette.”
“Can I meet her?”
His jaw clenches. “No.”
My curiosity demands satisfaction but, as I study him, I realize that pushing for further information now would be like running straight into a brick wall—painful and a huge waste of time.
The car settles into silence again.
I turn to him. “Did I tell you I’m going to school?”
His eyelashes flutter. “How’d you manage that?”
“It’s what Shanel was doing before the switch and I figured I’d keep the trend going. Business management.”
“You just… got up and went to her classes?”
“Yup.”
“How long ago?”
“Mm. Since I got here.”
“Day one?”
I nod proudly. At Brighton Academy, I was too worried about Miles to focus on school. My efforts were minimal and my attention was divided.
Here, I’m free to discover what I enjoy.
And guess what?
I really like business management. It’s all about making the right decisions, expanding profitability and increasing efficiency. I was doing that with my allowance long before I ever came to this world (Prada bags aren’t cheap), but I realize I have a knack for it. Hell, I’m a prodigy.
“I aced my accounting test last week,” I gush to Morgan, my hands lifting with the rhythm of my words. “I was nervous about it because math isn’t my strong suit.”
“I can help you with that.” He clears his throat. “Math.”