“I’ve never had a roommate. I’ve never lived with anyone besides my mother, and I’ve been alone here for over a decade.” She looked carefully at Jolie to gauge her reaction. When she was met with curiosity, she continued. “Actually, the reason that I want one now is that I need someone to take care of the place when I’m not here. I’m going to be gone a lot over the next few months, and then I’ll be gone permanently.”
Before she could continue, a horrified Jolie grabbed her wrist and whispered, “Oh my God, are you dying?”
“What? No, I’m just leaving.”
“Just…leaving?” Jolie asked, confused.
“I can’t actually say much more about it, but that’s the basics. I probably won’t ever come back here, even if I technically could someday.” Ana felt a surge of sadness saying it aloud, but quickly steeled her emotions as she had been practicing for years. “It’s not that nobody will know where I’m going. I just can’t say more about it now.”
Jolie looked at her, still puzzled, and glanced back at the wall where Martine’s picture had been. “Okay, well, it’s cute, the price is right, and you seem nice enough. I’m in, even with all the weird secretive stuff.”
As Jolie’s declaration sank in, Ana sobered. Jolie’s hand still rested on her arm, and the sensation was distracting. She shifted uncomfortably and Jolie seemed to realize where her hand was, quickly drawing it away. Ana was sorry she did.
Maybe having a roommate was a bad idea after all. Ana was sure she wanted to get to know Jolie, but she worried that her training and preparation might suffer from the distraction. It was no wonder that Dr. Mitchell kept her isolated. If having friends of her own, friends she saw on a regular basis, friends who casually touched her arm, was going to be like this, there was no chance that she’d be able to invest all of her attention in the mission. When she flicked her eyes back in front of her, she noticed a hint of amusement play across Jolie’s lips, and it made her insides crumble. For someone who had so carefully planned out her life, the uncontrollable magnetism of the woman across from her was strangely irresistible.
“Okay,” Ana said. “You’re hired. As my new roommate.”
Jolie beamed. “That’s wonderful. Anyway, I feel like I’m already halfway moved in, wearing your clothes and all. Speaking of which, I left mine on the floor in the—my room, I guess. Where’s your dryer?”
“I’ll take care of it,” Ana said. She needed a moment to catch her breath. She’d committed, fully, to the unexpectedly enchanting woman sitting on her couch. In the room, she bent to pick up Jolie’s clothing, holding it carefully in her hands for a moment as she imagined the room occupied, for once. It was an odd thought. For thirteen years, she’d walked by the door, almost never going in except to clean. There was so much she’d have to get used to, but especially the closeness of another body. She looked down at the damp clothing, very aware of how it had spent the earlier part of the day covering Jolie’s fair skin.
As she brought the clothes to the dryer in the hallway, she glanced into the main room. Jolie had picked up her creased and faded paperback and was reading a passage with amusement. Ten or so years ago, Ana had sat on that very couch, cheap romance novel in hand, engrossed in some erotic passage, when her mother came over to check on her. Cassiopeia must have been installed the year afterward because there was nobody to alert her to her visitor. She was reclined while one hand lazily stroked the skin just below her belly button. Before she even registered what was happening, the book was snatched out of her hands. She shivered as she remembered standing, fists clenched, not quite comprehending her mother’s anger. It had been so out of the ordinary to have her mother in the same room that it seemed as if she watched her mother yell at her from afar.
“This is what you read in your free time? I’m disappointed, Ana. I thought you were better than this. The world will be watching and you’ll have more important things to worry about, like survival.” Ana had simply nodded as her mother continued her tirade. “Besides, it doesn’t work like that. Nobody can keep up with you, and it will distract you from your work. Don’t even think about having a relationship until you are settled in your new home, or at least on board the ship.” Up until that point, Ana hadn’t really thought much about relationships or romance as anything other than abstract activities that other people participated in. They had never really fit into her life, and frankly, she hadn’t seen how they could. Ten years later, her mother’s words still rang in her head like a warning.
Standing there, absentmindedly feeding the clothes into the dryer, she regarded Jolie, and knew her mother was right. It would be a distraction, a huge one. But if it felt even a little like the adrenaline rush she was getting thinking about sharing a space with Jolie, she wanted more. Besides, what was a little harmless flirting, as long as she kept her emotions in check?
She returned to the main room just as Jolie was hailing a taxi with her bracelet.
“Are you sure it’s okay to drive in this?” Ana nodded toward the window, which framed an ongoing torrent of rain.
“Technically, a computer’s driving, so I would probably leave that decision to It.”
Ana ran her fingers through her shoulder length chestnut hair and chuckled. “Okay, well do you want to ride in this?” She hoped she didn’t sound too desperate to get Jolie to stay.
“Depends. I’m getting hungry. Are you making dinner?” Jolie asked with a gleam in her eye.
“Only if you’re staying for it,” Ana said.
“I’m starving.”
“Well, okay then. Dinner coming up.” Ana busied herself in the kitchenette, while Jolie sat patiently on the couch, reading the paperback. So far, so good. They seemed to be able to exist in the same space with ease. She’d never been so immediately comfortable with anyone, certainly not the rest of the crew. Their first meeting had been strange, a group of awkward teenagers sitting around a boardroom table, weighing their choices to commit the rest of their lives to a plan that wouldn’t be realized for years. Dr. Mitchell had said to them, “This is your family. You will learn to love each other, work together, and you will carry out the second greatest mission of this century as a cohesive, mentally fit unit. We’re doing it right this time.” Ana had signed the contract as a formality, since she didn’t have a choice. As the daughter of the mission director, she’d been born into this role.
“What are you cooking?” Jolie asked.
Ana jumped, pulled from her thoughts. She hadn’t noticed Jolie settling herself on her elbows on the other side of the island. Jolie was effortlessly attractive, her hair just beginning to dry, a mixture of dark orange clumps framed by wild, wiry strands that danced with static. Ana felt the urge to smooth them and thank her for suddenly making her life more interesting. Her pulse raced as she caught the gingery scent of Jolie’s perfume, or maybe her shampoo. Unexpected heat rose in her cheeks and she dropped her knife in the pile of red pepper she was dicing.
“I, uh—will you excuse me for a minute?” She wiped her hands on her jeans and walked quickly to her room, gently shutting the door behind her. After a few deep, meditative breaths, Ana felt like she might be able to continue making dinner without imagining touching Jolie. But she’d have to send her far, far away from the island.
She returned to the kitchen, avoiding Jolie’s questioning gaze. “Sorry, I just needed a minute. Really weird. Got dizzy for a second.”
“Okay.” Jolie looked concerned. “Are you sure you want me to stay? I can definitely just eat when I’m back, if you don’t feel like cooking.”
Ana shook her head. “No, no need.” The thought of Jolie leaving so soon was worse than her inability to stay focused and the creeping nervousness that churned her stomach. “Besides, I’ve already cut way too many vegetables just for myself, and I’d hate to have to eat the same thing twice in a row.” It was a lie, since she often cooked in large batches to save time. She forced a smile at Jolie, who settled contentedly on the couch with the book, snackin
g on the cherry tomatoes Ana had left out.
Ana finished cooking and brought the food over to the couch. Jolie’s eyes lit up with the first bite. “This food is amazing, Ana,” she said. “It’s been such a long time since I’ve eaten a meal without any synthetics.”
“Thanks.” Ana blushed. “I’m happy to have someone to cook for. It gets pretty boring cooking for one all the time.”
Jolie breathed in the scent of the food on her plate. “Is that rosemary? It smells incredible.”
“Oh, yeah, it’s my favorite. I put it in practically everything, which I’m sure would be frowned upon in culinary circles.”
“Well, I’m not a culinary circle, so you’re safe.” Jolie smirked. “So, you grew all of this?”
Ana’s heart swelled with pride. “All of it. I’ve got the garden outside, and a terrarium that I’ll show you some other time. Lots of it comes from there, and I store a lot of the extras in my cold storage.” She gestured toward the island.
“That’s a kitchen island,” Jolie said, confused.
“Almost everything in here is more than it seems.” Ana smiled and glanced around the room.
Jolie didn’t miss a beat. Her eyes pierced Ana’s as a devilish grin spread across her face. “I get that impression,” she said. Ana almost choked on a piece of lettuce.
The storm blew over as soon as they’d finished. Ana didn’t realize she was having so much fun until Jolie stood to retrieve her own clothes. She felt a hint of regret as the taxi crept up her gravel driveway.
“So, I’ll be here Thursday to move in. Let me know if something changes and I’ll come another day,” Jolie said as she moved toward the door.
“Thursday is fine.” Ana thought for a moment. “Actually, I’m going to be teaching a class in the morning, so if you need help getting your stuff together after that, give me a call.” She found herself willing to make any excuse to spend time with Jolie, the sooner the better.
“That would actually be great, if you don’t mind. I don’t have much stuff, so it won’t take long. My best friend, Nova, will probably be there helping, and I know she wants to meet you.”
Ana blushed. “I didn’t realize I was so famous,” she said.
“She dared me—I mean, she wanted me to come out here and look at this place. She saw your ad, too.”
“Wow, I’ve never been a dare before,” Ana said, amused at Jolie’s attempt to cover up her words.
Jolie winced. “Sorry, that’s not what I meant to say.”
“It’s okay, I don’t mind. I understand that the whole thing is a little weird.” Ana shrugged. “Anyway, I’ll be there. Send me the details.”
“You got it. Better go. These storms don’t like to wait too long for you before they start up again,” Jolie said almost apologetically as she gestured toward the driveway. They both walked to the door and stood facing each other. “Well, bye. Really, really nice to meet you, Ana. Thanks for everything.”
“Of course,” Ana said.
Jolie stuck out her hand and Ana melted as their fingers touched. Before she knew it, Jolie was out the door.
“Cassiopeia,” she said a few moments after the door closed. “What the hell just happened?”
“I believe you know what just happened, Ana.”
She covered her face and groaned in frustration, then flopped down on the couch with a ridiculous smile and replayed the afternoon in her mind.
Chapter Five
“I can’t believe I’ve barely said two words to you this whole week.” Jolie threw a pile of shirts into an open box and tucked in the flaps. They’d been packing her room for ten minutes, and she was already over it.
“Sorry, girl, I’ve barely said two words to myself. Pledging all week. And all next week. I can’t believe how busy I’ve been.” Nova sighed heavily as she dumped the contents of a drawer into another box.
“See? This is why I can’t be in your sorority.” Jolie emptied the rest of her clothing in a third box. “No me time. I already have no time to go to the studio, then you add pledging, all the parties.”
“Understood, understood. So? Are you going to tell me about crazy inventor chick?” Nova yawned and sat on the bed in a patch of sunshine.
Jolie gave up packing and joined her, running her hands over the colorful quilt that her mother had made her as a high school graduation present. “You’d better start calling her Ana, or else she’ll think we’ve been talking about her.”
“Well, we have. And sure, if I ever meet her, I’ll use her given name. So, was she as hot in person as she was in that photo?”
“Really? You thought that was attractive?” Jolie scoffed. “For your information, she’s a lot hotter in person.” She elbowed Nova in the ribs. “And you’ll get the chance to confirm that in…” She looked at the time on her bracelet. “Fifteen minutes.”
“What? She’s coming over here? She leaves her house?” Nova snorted as Jolie punched her in the arm.
“You’re the worst. She works here as some kind of professor, but I’ve definitely never seen her around.” I would have noticed, Jolie thought. “Anyway, she offered to help me move since she’s already here today. And judging by the amount of progress we’ve made so far, we need it.”
“That’s nice of her. So, tell me how the roommate interview went. You’ve got fourteen minutes.” Nova lay on her side and used an elbow to prop herself up.
Jolie leaned back and smiled, remembering. A warm rush cascaded through her body. “Well, things didn’t quite go as planned. Remember that huge storm on Sunday?” She looked at Nova, who nodded. “Yeah, so I got caught in that. I was soaked when I got there, so she made me tea and let me wear some of her clothes while mine were in the dryer. Oh, and she made me dinner while we waited for the rain to stop.” She smirked at Nova, whose eyebrows seemed to be stuck in a raised position.
“Mmm hmm. And then you made sweet, sweet love?”
“Oh my God, you are such a pervert.” Jolie grabbed a pillow and hit her over the head with it.
Nova was incredulous, even as she deflected the blows. “You are such a prude. Please tell me that doesn’t sound like a date to you.”
“Um, I went to look at her house, and now I’m going to be her roommate. It was most definitely not a date,” Jolie said, though she couldn’t deny the lingering feeling that there had been some kind of attraction between them.
“So you don’t have a thing for her? You did say she was hot.”
“Well, yeah,” she sputtered. “Objectively, she’s attractive. But there’s no thing. Why are you so obsessed with my love life, anyway?”
Nova ignored her. “So, if I asked her out, you would be fine with that.”
“Nova. Do not. Do you realize how awkward that would be? Plus, if her bed is anything like my new bed, there’s no room for that.” Jolie hesitated and Nova waited. “And how do you even know she likes women?”
“I guess we’ll see.” Nova got up and straightened her clothes. She was about to close a half-filled box when a tentative knock came from the door. Jolie scrambled to get off the bed to the door, but Nova beat her.
“Don’t worry. I got this.” Nova winked and opened the door.
Jolie put her hand over her eyes, unable to watch whatever show Nova was putting on.
“Hey, there. You must be Ana. I’m Nova, Jolie’s accomplice. Please come in,” she said in the sweetest voice Jolie had ever heard come out of her mouth.
Jolie shot her a warning look and mouthed, “you’re the worst.”
“Thanks, hi,” Ana said, uncertainly. She stepped into the room in a perfectly fitted suit, her dark hair pulled back in a neat bun. She carefully placed a locked briefcase against the wall, and caught Jolie’s eye as she turned back to the center of the room. “Nice to see you again.” A shy smile crept across Ana’s face.
Jolie couldn’t help but smile back. “You too. Thanks for coming by.” Jolie’s voice came out strained. This put together version of Ana was nothing li
ke the one she’d seen days earlier. This Ana seemed much more mature, with an air of quiet confidence that had Jolie imagining she was somewhat more accomplished than she’d initially let on. She regarded Ana curiously, trying to piece together the little information she knew about her.
Nova cleared her throat to break the silence. “All right, ladies. How about we get this shit done? I love you, but I have stuff to do later,” she said to Jolie.
“Right.” Jolie gestured to the boxes. “So, Ana, we’re just kind of putting things in boxes. Have at it.” Jolie continued to throw items in a box, and felt Ana surveying the progress over her shoulder. She caught a familiar scent as Ana leaned in. Rosemary? She inhaled deeply, very aware of Ana’s closeness, and suddenly felt lightheaded. She retreated to the wall, steadying herself against the door frame, where she had a somewhat better view of Ana in her work clothes. There was something undeniably appealing about the thought of her standing in front of a class and lecturing. Perhaps she just became interested in whatever kind of science Ana taught.
As she tried to melt further into the wall, Nova gave her a funny look. “Jo?”
Jolie shook her head almost imperceptibly, unwilling to let Nova pull her out of her daze.
Ana broke the silence. “Um, don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re both terrible at packing. I bet I could fit everything in this room in the six boxes you already put together.”
Jolie and Nova looked at each other, amused. “Well, we’re not going to win any awards for our packing skills, that’s for sure,” Jolie said.
Nova smirked mischievously. “I’ll bet you dinner that you can’t fit everything. You win, Jolie will take you to dinner. You lose, you take me. Deal?”
Jolie immediately jumped in. “Wait, you can’t just—”
“Deal,” Ana said. She shrugged. “Either way, I win.” She took off her suit jacket, placed it on the bed and rolled up her white shirtsleeves. While her back was turned, Jolie turned to Nova and mouthed, “what the fuck?”
The Universe Between Us Page 3
