Entanglement

by Max Ellendale

  "You have been exceptionally strange lately, Olsen," she said, "Coming to Jimmy's tonight?"

  "No. I have plans," I answered, and clicked send on my report. "Finished the report on the Steinberg investigation."

  "Good. Plans with Mira?" She sauntered her way over to sit on the edge of my desk. I didn't answer her or look at her. "Billie. What's going on?"

  "Nothing."

  "You're lying."

  I closed the drawer of my desk with a snap after depositing a file. "It's not your business, Angie."

  "It is if you're going to shut me out. Why are you shutting me out?" She flopped her hands in her lap.

  "Because you tell Eve everything. It's no one's business. None of it. The minute Eve gets any information, so will everyone else."

  "I can keep things quiet, Billie. I'm your friend…"

  "You're Eve's friend first. You won't keep it from her," I said, leaning back in my chair. "When I'm ready to talk about my life, I will."

  She didn't have anything to say to that, and her gaze lingered on mine. I could tell that I'd hurt her feelings, but everything I said was the truth and she knew it.

  "I'm heading to the gym then home. See you Monday," I said, rising from my seat.

  "I'm calling you tomorrow," Angelina shouted after me on my way out.

  "Fine." I waved and headed down the hall.

  After a workout and a shower, I drove out to U.W. and then trudged over to Mira's classroom as I'd done many times at this point. Her afternoon class, and the last class of the work week, would be ending soon and I wanted to try my hand at something a little different.

  Like always, I snuck in the back door of the packed lecture hall. Mira stood at the front of the room, teaching Quantum Field Theory. Every blackboard had complex equations and drawings. I couldn't understand a lick of it, but everyone else seemed to. I watched Mira, in her black skinny jeans, white button-down, and sexy stilettos, then realized how often I admired her outfits. Not to mention how she looked in them. With her sleeves cuffed to her elbows, her hair down long, and her shirt unbuttoned just low enough, I wondered how many of the students crushed on her, because I could barely contain myself.

  For half an hour, I listened to her spew mathematics and scribble equations in chalk. At one point, she wrote effortlessly, with one hand tucked in her pocket. The students engaged with her when necessary, but ultimately, it was all her. Most of my classes in college carried on like this, but with technology as it is today, all the chalkboards brought back a nostalgia and realness to the situation.

  When Mira turned around, I gulped as she leaned against the desk and crossed her legs at the ankles, both hands in her pockets. My God, she's flawless.

  A pause hitched in her speech when she caught sight of me and her formerly stern expression melted into an uneven smirk. She continued on, talking about some crazy theorem, though she never stopped looking at me. I tossed her a wink and I could've sworn I saw her belly flutter under her shirt. In front of me, one of the young guys turned slowly in his seat, his brow narrowed when he met my gaze. I rolled my eyes at him and he swung right back around like I'd bruised his fragile ego.

  Mira's class ended a few minutes later with the students meandering out. I waited until the last of them faded away, then gazed at Mira from the back of the room. She remained in her position at the desk, hands in her pockets, and a smile on her lips. I burned the image in my mind, and allowed myself to melt under her stare.

  "Miss Olsen, class ended five minutes ago. Is there something I can help you with?" Her croon echoed in the vast space.

  "Professor, I was wondering…" I rose from the chair, keeping one hand behind my back as I did so.

  "About the makeup of dark matter, perhaps?" Her smile made it to her eyes, settling them to a soft twinkle.

  "Sort of." My boots clicked rhythmically when I made it to the bottom of the stairs and on my way to her. "Professor, when we met all that time ago, I should've asked you something."

  "What's that?" she asked, then bit her bottom lip.

  I pulled my hand from behind my back to reveal a single red rose. "Will you have dinner with me tonight? I can't promise dark matter, but I can promise decent company and some wine."

  Mira's face reddened with her sudden blush. She accepted the flower with her mouth slightly slack until she brought it to her nose. Her shimmering eyes met mine, and a slow, gentle smile curved her crimson lips.

  "Like a date?"

  "Yes." I chuckled, coming to stand in front of her. "A date. With me. In case that wasn't clear. Will you have dinner with me, Mira?"

  She nodded faintly and wore a blush so deep that her cheeks appeared about ready to burst while she gnawed the inside of her cheek. "Yes. I'll have dinner with you."

  "Best. Day. Ever." My heart fluttered in my chest as I nudged her with my elbow. "Pick you up at…" I glanced at my watch. "Five-forty-five?"

  "Yes." She laughed, twirling the flower in her fingers while she held it against her chest. "You're very sweet, Billie."

  "Only for the right person." I glanced to the door when the sound of laughter echoed in the hall.

  Mira started, as if the notion of other humans surprised her. She looked back to me, a brief panic dimming her features.

  "Ready to get out of here?"

  "Yes, please," she said, then made to pick up her bag. I lifted it for her, then tossed it over my shoulder.

  "I'll carry your books," I declared, grinning at my own corny chivalry.

  She snickered, and bumped me with her shoulder before we headed out the side door. Never once did she lower the flower from her chest, and occasionally she would sniff it. We walked in relative quiet out to my car, until she broke the lull.

  "This is the first flower I've ever received," she said when I opened the passenger door for her.

  "You deserve flowers every day," I told her, leaning inside the car to fasten the seat belt for her. The way she looked at me, with a certain degree of awe, made me quiver with delight. I brushed my thumb over her bottom lip before ducking out and closing the door.

  I scurried around the car, then climbed into the driver's side. After I turned over the engine, she held her hand to me. I took it, and brought her fingers to my lips for a swift kiss.

  "Where are we going?"

  "Well, two options. An Italian place, Valentina's, if you like that. It's on the water. Or an Asian-fusion place across from it. I wasn't sure what you liked or didn't like."

  "I like both." Her perpetual smile only egged me on more.

  "How about Valentina's? It's a nice night. We can sit outside on the patio."

  "I'd sit in the middle of the ocean on a raft if it meant being with you…" She squeezed my hand and mimicked my gesture, bringing my fingers to her lips for a kiss.

  "Ditto, girl. Ditto."

  When we arrived at Valentina's, the server led us to our table for two outside on the patio. In Autumn, the water lent a crisp breeze to the setting, but the large fire that burned in a stone hearth at the center brought warmth and comfort. Twinkle lights lined the covered roof, and vines tangled around the pillars added a romantic feel to the place, which was partially my intention. I pulled out Mira's chair for her, and she sat, her eyes never leaving me while I took my own seat.

  "Have you been here before?" I asked, laying my napkin in my lap after we placed our drink orders. Red wine all around.

  "Only once, when the University had a board meeting here and I came to present," she said after tucking the flower gently into her purse. "I can't believe we're doing this."

  "Having a date?" I smiled at her and let my hand fall across the table toward her. She glanced around us. A few people lingered with their partners or small groups, sharing their meals and company. I waited her out, allowing her time to war with her feelings. Eventually, she placed her hand on top of mine.

  "Yes." She drew a deep breath. "I'm really nervous."

  "I feel that clammy palm." I tickled it and she smiled.
"Don't be. It's just me and you having dinner, except not on your sofa. If you're not comfortable with something, just tell me. If you're uncomfortable holding hands, we don't have to."

  "I want to hold your hand…" She brushed her thumb over mine. "What if someone sees us and heckles us?"

  "I'll shoot 'em dead." I patted my side arm.

  She chuckled softly, her eyes widening. "Billie, no murder or mayhem."

  "I know all of this is scary in the beginning. Please don't keep your feelings inside, okay?"

  "Okay." That seemed to soothe her and we kept a hold on each other's hand until the server brought over our wine.

  "What are you in the mood for?" I asked as we perused the menus. "I think I'm going to have the penne."

  "Chicken francaise, I think. I'm starving," she said, closing her menu after.

  I followed suit and we ordered when the server returned. Small talk ensued, and I asked her about her lecture while we waited for our dinner. In record time, it seemed, the servers brought out our dishes, and we tucked in.

  "When was the last time you were on a real date?" she asked me in between bites.

  "Before tonight, years. Four years? Maybe more. How about you?"

  "I've had a few coffee or drink dates over the years, but never a real one. It never went anywhere…"

  "Why do you think it didn't?" I queried, wondering where her line of questions angled.

  "They weren't ever interesting enough it seemed." She sipped her wine, then set the glass back down.

  "Am I?"

  She nodded, a smile lifting the corners of her mouth. "Very. I want to know everything about you."

  "Do you?" I couldn't help grinning at her declaration. "Like what?"

  "What's your favorite color? Food? What was it like growing up for you with your parents as they were? What you do every day at work. I want to know what you look like when you're sleeping in bed at night, or when you wake up in the morning." The words tumbled from her with greater ease than I expected. "And more than that."

  "Red. Pasta. Miserable. Hunt down killers. And pretty terrible on the latter." I grinned and it made her laugh.

  "I love when you make me laugh…"

  "I love when you make me laugh, too." Now it was my turn to blush. "What are your parents like, Mira? I know we've spoken a little about it."

  "I mean, I know they love me. They're distant sometimes. Like they don't know what to say to me or how to include me. Especially after Declan's death." She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. "My sister talks to me the most. My brother on occasion, but they're the same. They walk on eggshells around me."

  "Do they all live close?"

  "Pretty close. My parents are out in Spokane with my brother and his family. My sister and her husband are closer in the Olympia area, but occasionally they move for work. Sedona visits sometimes," she said, finishing off half her dinner at that point. "This was really good, by the way. Do you want to try it?"

  "Sure. Want to try the penne?"

  "Yes." Her smile returned and we exchanged forks with a bit of each. "This is yummy, too."

  "Agreed. Do you go out to Spokane for holidays?" I continued my query after we returned our forks.

  "Sometimes. Not always. It's a long drive for an uncomfortable time usually." Mira sipped her wine, her eyes on me still. "I love how you have dinner every Sunday with your siblings," she said. "It's super sweet."

  "We're the only family that we have. I try to get them to have dinner together or at least breakfast a few times a week as well. Lately, they're off being young adults. Robert is very independent now, and Eleanor is towing the line between independence and needing me. I let her wax and wane. I worry about her though, because she's less experienced at life and hasn't been out here long." I let everything tumble from my mouth without much filter. "And she got accepted to the dorms for next year. I had no idea she even applied. We only talked about it."

  "I see her on campus sometimes," offered Mira. "She's made quite a few friends. And she always stops to say hi to me. Not a single worry about what people will think about her being friendly to a boring old professor."

  "You're hardly boring or old. I can attest to that." I flicked her knuckle when she reached for her glass again.

  "Well, someone's made me more interesting lately."

  "You've been interesting to me from the start. Even if you do speak another language altogether sometimes, I still can't stop listening to you. I didn't understand a word you said today, but I loved it anyway."

  A shy smile parted her lips after she sipped her wine. "You surprised me today."

  "I noticed. I'm glad I did."

  "Me too."

  Our date continued with heaps of conversation, shared dessert, and taking the time to get to know each other more. I learned that Mira hated onions, loved international coffees, and might've had a crush on half the 2019 U.S. Women's Soccer Team, except she wasn't aware of it yet.

  We made it back to her apartment around nine. The city lights from her large window illuminated the living room in a brighter way than usual.

  "Do you mind if I have a quick shower?" she asked, grabbing hold of my hand.

  I brushed my thumb over the back of her hand. "I, in fact, do not mind. How about I start a fire and brew some coffee while you do that? Because I know you'll do it anyway."

  "Okay." She chuckled, releasing me by the hallway. I watched her go after slipping out of her heels then padding down the hall. It made me smile, to see her nerves kick up, because it was extremely cute.

  I turned my focus to the tasks at hand and got the fire going, then made off for the kitchen after flicking on the light.

  While the coffee brewed, I checked my phone and texted our family group chat for a status report.

  How's everyone? I asked.

  Good. Finn's moms live close to Mira, said Eleanor

  How do you know where Mira lives?

  The GPS in your car.

  You're a creeper.

  LOL. I'm a good detective, too.

  Work sux, said Robbie. Gonna die.

  You will survive, little bro.

  What if work kills him, Beej?

  We'll sue them for wrongful death.

  Hooray.

  Not funny, jerkfaces.

  LMAO.

  Haha! We love you, Robbie. Get some rest later.

  Luv u2.

  Behave, Ellie. Love you.

  LYSM!

  I had no idea what that meant, but the coffee finishing its brew drew my attention from it. I poured out two cups, and toted them to the living room a minute before Mira appeared. As always, she adorned fluffy socks and leggings, though this time her giant sweater had a mix of purple hues.

  "What does L-Y-S-M mean when a teenager texts it?" I asked her after removing my jacket, and setting my gun down on the coffee table. Her ease around my weapon now told me of her security in my ability to control it.

  "'Love you so much,' I'm pretty sure," she said, dropping down onto the sofa. Her damp hair hung to her mid-back.

  "Oh. That makes sense." I showed her my phone with the text conversation and she laughed softly.

  "They're super cute."

  "They really are. Ellie is hanging out with some girls who are younger than her and it makes me a little nervous."

  "How old are they?"

  "Sixteen and seventeen."

  "Not much younger. I'm sure they'll be okay, worrywart," she said, lifting her mug and taking a sip. "Yum. You made the good kind."

  "Just for you." I winked at her and her cheeks flushed. "I do worry a lot."

  "Like a good surrogate parent." She reached out to run her finger over my cheek. "It's inspiring."

  I found myself leaning into her touch more than usual. "Thanks."

  Her smile remained a constant tonight and I enjoyed the ease in which she carried herself. It spoke of her growing comfort in the changes I'd brought to her life. "I have a game tomorrow afternoon. Want to come?"

  "O
f course. I'm not sure if I mentioned this, but sometimes there are chances that I'll get called into work at night or on the weekends if there is a big case. It hasn't happened recently with the FBI still trudging all over the area, and average cases coming up, but it's always a possibility. I don't want it to come as a surprise when it happens."

  "I pretty much assumed it would. I mean, I watch a lot of crime shows…" She snickered and I swatted her knee.

  "They're so fake and drama-filled."

  "Oh, nearly getting blown up at a hidden compound in the middle of the woods isn't dramatic?" She scowled and it made me laugh. "You could hardly hear out of your left ear for a week."

  "That was a casual day in the neighborhood." I laughed as I crawled over her, leaning her back into the cushions as I nipped at her lips, urging her mug from her hands. She melted under me as if I'd poured boiling water over a block of honey. She gnawed at her bottom lip, and ran her hands up my torso without hesitating this time.

  "Don't say that. I already worry about bullets flying at your head." She cupped my face in her hands, stroking both thumbs over my mouth.

  "If it's any consolation, before that siege in the woods, I hadn't fired my weapon in the field in almost two years. Homicide is very serious, but not as active as other fields," I told her, kissing her thumbs one after the other. "I try to avoid hanging out with the FBI."

  She scrunched up her nose, but chuckled after. "A little consolation."

  "Good." I noticed she held her thighs together rather tightly tonight and worried that her nerves had kicked up. "I want to try something a bit different…"

  "Okay…" A tentative gaze met mine when I leaned up. Her hand pressed against my stomach like she often did to keep our connection, I assumed.

  She watched me as I unbuttoned my shirt, then tossed it on the floor. Her eyes widened a fraction, so I kept going, and released my bra, leaving me naked from the waist up. My hair tickled my chest, and the cool air hardened my nipples. Mira's eyes wandered over me as if she'd never seen anything like it before, and I felt her thighs tense at my hip. I placed my hand on her knee, and rubbed gently.

  "You okay?"

  "You're beautiful," she said, using the knuckle of her index finger to circle around my navel. "And rock hard. Did you work out today?"