She shrugged, desperately seeking nonchalance, which was hard to do when you knew your face had turned a deep scarlet. “I had some time this afternoon. And I didn’t want to eat them all myself.”
“No nuts,” he observed, looking up with a smile.
“Of course not” she agreed, somewhat dazed from the effect of that smile.
“Only an insane person would add nuts to a chocolate chip cookie.” His smile deepened. “Can I have one?”
“Yeah, they’re for you,” she finally admitted. “I know you don’t always take a lot of breaks to, you know, sleep or eat.” He still looked at her with disbelief as he helped himself. “And they’re a thank you,” she continued. “For all the help and everything.”
She opened her purse, looking into it blindly. Maybe it could swallow her up whole if she put her mind to it? Nope, too small. She pulled out her folded-up lab-packet and began smoothing it out.
Alek didn’t notice the origami this time around. He’d turned from her to reach behind a desk and pull out a bundle of fleece. “Here’s the jacket you loaned me.”
“Right.” She swallowed and gave her thumbnail a good bite, wishing she had just an ounce of coolness in her. She guessed she’d maybe been cool once—probably back in college she realized with irony—but now she felt as gawky and awkward as a 13-year-old, offering jackets and baking cookies and all but wearing that “I heart Alek” sign.
“Thanks,” Alek said, handing her the jacket. “That was nice of you.” She grabbed it and resisted the urge to beg him to put it on again, just one more time so she could admire how the coffee color brought out the golden flecks in his deep brown eyes. Might seem too forward.
As Alek turned to gather some papers, he asked offhandedly, “Is the jacket your boyfriend’s?”
“No, no.” It came out too loud and Clara laughed nervously, as if the suggestion were absurd.
“Does it belong to your friend? The one who meets you sometimes?”
“Cat?”
“With the black hair?”
“No! Why, do you want to date her?” Her voice came out rather sharp.
“What?” He turned around with surprise.
“Nothing, I...” Clara took a breath and tamped down the bright green monster of jealousy. Almost. “I was just wondering if you’re interested in Cat?”
“No, no.” Now he took a turn laughing as if the suggestion struck him as absurd. “Not my type.”
Clara silently studied the corner of the lab table, tracing the edge with her fingertip. She knew she shouldn’t ask. But how often were you given a chance like this, sent back in time with the guy of your dreams? OK, in her case it was three times. Also, she’d mixed up which guy was actually the dream guy. But, any way you looked at it, this was her last chance.
Super-casual-like, Clara squeaked out, “What is your type?”
He grinned at her, still seeming off-balance at her behavior though not exactly as if he minded it. “Why do you want to know?”
“No reason. I was just…” Pathetically fishing for you to tell me that I’m your type, Clara mentally added as she picked up her lab packet. She devoted the full focus of her eyes to the page, if not in any way her thoughts.
“We should get started.” Alek led the way to the computer. She sat next to him as he tapped the keyboard. He talked about star systems and Hertzsprung-Russell diagrams while Radiohead played softly in the background. She tried not to gaze at the way his hair was long enough to curl, slightly, at the collar of that damn flannel shirt. She could tell the flannel was really worn in and would feel so good if she could just reach out and touch it already.
No touching, no touching she repeated to herself, thinking of that funny TV show Arrested Development. In several episodes the father in prison had to keep putting his hands in the air during visits and yelling back-and-forth with the guards, “No Touching!” She needed a prison guard to yell that at her now. She smiled into her hand, suppressing a laugh.
“You OK?” Alek asked.
She nodded.
“Are you in a rush to get out of here?” He glanced up at the clock, already 6:45.
“No, no rush.”
“Really? You do remember it’s Saturday night,” he teased. “Even on a Tuesday you’re usually running off to a frat party.”
“No, I’m not.” Defensive as a thief caught holding the bag of loot.
“So you’re not going to a frat party tonight?”
“Well, I am.” She paused. “But only so I can break up with my boyfriend.”
“What?” Less teasing now. More interested.
“It’s over. We’re…” She gestured into the air searching for the right words, finally landing on, “ridiculous together. I don’t know why it took me so long to realize it. Now I just need to tell him.” Looking up into Alek’s eyes, she added, “But I don’t have to go yet.”
He looked back down to the keyboard. Tapped at it. Keyboard clicks never sounded so loud. He cleared his throat.
Clara shifted, crossing and then deciding to uncross her legs. She noticed him watch her legs. That heart of hers started hammering away again, so loud it prompted her to cover up the incriminating sound by blurting out the first thing that came to mind.
“Do you ever go to frat parties?”
“Nope.”
“Do you not like going out?”
He laughed. “It’s not the same thing. Just because campus life revolves around the Greeks it doesn’t mean there’s nothing else to do.”
“What else is there to do?” Clara asked with honesty, having never explored the question during her time at Cornell.
He shrugged. “Get outside, for one. That park I work at is filled with trails.”
“I like trails.” Great, now she sounded like the 13-year-old following after the cool kid in school shouting, ‘I like what you like!’
After a pause, so casual, he said, “You could come along sometime.”
“That’d be so fun!” And impossible, she immediately remembered, what with the time travel and all. But for the 10 years, she’d totally be there.
“Cool. Maybe—”
“I can’t.”
“Right.” Silence again.
“I just mean I’m about to graduate. But otherwise…”
They sat next to each other and looked at the screen. Alek said something about something physics-y. He clicked through a few more screens.
Then, into the silence, he admitted, “I work all the time. I practically live here at the lab.”
“That’s OK,” Clara rushed to defend him to himself. “You’re doing really important work.”
He paused a second, then turned toward her with a conspiratorial grin. “I do have a stash of beers here, though. In a mini fridge.”
“Yeah?” She grinned back.
“Yeah. Want one?”
“Yes I do.”
She’d agreed with an uncomplicated, simple statement, but the mixed emotions kicked in as soon as she followed him out of the lab room. Elation flared up; more time with Alek! Alone and with beers! Relief jockeyed for position as well as she finally left the scene of the cookies, lying there on the tray offering incriminatingly graphic evidence of her affection. But she also felt anxious as she flagrantly veered off-script. She could picture Jeanie wagging a manicured index finger in disapproval.
He led her into a small, dark room, then flicked the switch. Nothing much save a microwave, a mini fridge and a small, frayed and tattered sofa.
“Good for power naps,” he gestured to it.
“Really?” Clara asked dubiously, giving it a test sit. She had to admit, “Not bad.”
Alek popped off the caps, then joined her on the couch. They clinked bottles. She took a sip of beer, cold and refreshing. Looking at the label, she didn’t think she’d ever seen much less tried this kind before.
“Czech beer,” Alek explained. “We make the best beer in the world.”
“I see.” Clara smiled at hi
s hometown pride; he sounded as if he’d just tapped a keg from his own personal brewery. She kicked off her heels, propped her feet up on an overturned milk crate and took another sip. This beat working on an astronomy lab any day. She knew Jeanie wouldn’t be pleased, but that beer was mighty tasty.
“OK, here’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you,” Alek began. “Why does one of the prettiest, most popular party girls on campus spend every Saturday with—?”
“Wait, what?”
“Why do you spend every Saturday—?”
“No, before that. I’m a party girl?” she asked, somewhat offended. But then couldn’t resist adding, in a lower voice, “And you think I’m pretty?”
“It’s purely a scientific observation.” He picked at the label on his beer bottle. “Based on empirical evidence. I’m nothing if not data based.”
“Um, thank you… I think?”
“But what I was asking you was why do you spend every Saturday with that girl at the pond?”
“Jessica? Well, like I said, she’s my little sister. Though the program.”
“You said that, but why do you do it? Every Saturday. I remember one time it was hailing and you still took her to that duck pond.”
“Oh, well, she really likes those ducks.” Clara tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, shy under his scrutiny. “I like spending time with her. It’s hard to understand I guess.”
“No, I was just surprised.”
“Because I’m such a superficial spoiled brat?”
“No—”
“Sorry.” Clara took a breath, trying to dispel her reflexive defensiveness. “I first heard about Big Brothers Big Sisters when my sorority did a walkathon for them. Sophomore year I got matched up with Jessica and…” She shrugged. “I’ve always liked spending time with kids. I don’t know how good a job I’m doing of mentoring her. I’m actually grateful to her for slowing me down and getting me outside each week. And I know she needs the peace and quiet at the park.”
“It’s really great that you spend that time with her.” His voice sounded warm and his body practically radiated heat next to her on the couch. Clara took a sip of cold beer, because Jeanie would have wanted her to cool off. And definitely not think about how good he smelled, kind-of musky. Not like he’d sprayed himself with Axe bodywash, but maybe woodsy, or… she was sure she could find the right words to describe it if she could just spend some serious time devoting herself to the subject, maybe starting in with a lingering kiss right there at the base of his neck.
Alek continued, “I have a little sister a few years older than Jessica. She’s still back in the Czech Republic.”
Clara cleared her throat and her brain. “Is she there with your parents?”
“My mom. My dad moved with me to America when I was 14.”
“That’s difficult.”
“It was a great opportunity,” Alek explained. “My father grew up under Communist rule. His family were farmers and they lost everything. When he found a way to come here and give me a better chance, he took it. But my sister was still young and the move was too much for my mom. She didn’t want to start over in a new place.” Now it was Alek’s turn to shrug. “I don’t know why I’m telling you all this.”
Clara put a hand on his forearm. “No, I’m really interested. I can’t imagine.” She shook her head at everything she couldn’t fathom, high school with no mom there to tell you to turn your light off and get enough sleep, or nag you to eat your eggs before you rushed off in the morning, or drive you around in a minivan (which you hated as a teen—lame!) to an endless carousel of activities. She thought she’d felt pressure because her parents spent what they’d saved for her college education; what if they’d split up and started over in a new country for her?
“You must feel a lot of pressure,” she said. “Like you have to succeed and make all the sacrifice worth it.”
He gave her a somewhat rueful smile, not making a big deal over it, but essentially confirming that she’d hit the nail on the head.
“No wonder everyone here drives you crazy. All the rich kids and frat boys who’ve had it so easy.”
“Don’t forget sorority girls,” he teased, taking another sip of his beer.
She looked down. “I know.”
He gave her a nudge with his elbow. “I’m probably just jealous.”
Jealous? She picked at her beer bottle. Never once had that occurred to her. Did he mean he was jealous of her life? Or jealous that she had a boyfriend? Because he might… this crossed into dangerous territory. If Jeanie were there and had one of those removable cop car flashing lights, she’d pull it out and put it right on top of this topic.
“But the thing is,” Clara perked up and moved on to safer territory. “With the work ethic you have, and you’re so brilliant, you’re going to accomplish so much. You’re going to make a real difference in the world.”
“You think so?” he asked, skeptically.
“I know so,” she enjoyed telling him.
“That’s cool.” He propped his feet up next to hers. She never knew sneakers next to her bare feet could feel so sexy. “OK, I’ll admit something.” He stretched his long arm behind her along the back of the couch and leaned closer. “Someday, I want to make a discovery. Or a major advancement—”
“Yes!” Clara exclaimed, turning toward him and grabbing his shirt with excitement. “A breakthrough!”
“Maybe with renewable energy—”
“Yes!”
“Something that could make a big difference.”
“To a ton of people. To the world! You’re going to do it!”
He smiled. “You’re fun to talk to.”
“I mean it, though. I’m not just saying it.” Clara made herself release the clutch of fabric in her hand and back away from his chest. Down, girl.
“How about you?” he asked. “What do you want to do?”
Sitting so close on the couch, feeling the heat of his body along the length of hers, she could think of lots of things. But she stayed true to the intent and purpose of his question and confessed, “Help kids. That was my dream back in college. Or—” she corrected herself, “You know, when I started college, and it still is. I don’t know how to go about it, but—”
“You could teach,” Alek suggested.
“Yeah,” Clara agreed. “My mom teaches third grade and she’s so amazing with her kids. But then I think about Jessica and all the kids like her and I wonder if I can’t do something… something that could change… that could open up opportunities for kids like Jessica.” Clara faltered as a wave of self-doubt washed over and silenced her. CAHWCFC could do that to a person.
“I bet you can.” Alek rested his hand along her bare shoulder and gave it a soft caress.
Clara couldn’t stop a contented sigh from escaping her lips, hopefully quiet enough that he didn’t quite catch it. But the look in his eyes seemed to suggest otherwise. He really had the most delectable lips she’d ever seen. It made her lick her own.
And remember. She was back in time. On a schedule. Already veering wildly off-course. What kind-of damage would a kiss do? How would it change the future? Would she go back to present day and find dinosaurs roaming the earth? Zombies risen from the dead? Kim Kardashian the President of the United States? She couldn’t take that chance.
Clearing her throat, she sat herself up and away on the couch. She took another sip of beer.
“OK, so we’re both going to save the world,” she said, lightly. “Glad we’ve got that taken care of.”
Alek gave a deep and slow “mmm-hmm.” Clara swallowed and tried hard not think about the very appealing way that sound resonated with her. And she tried not to feel the pull of his heavy-lidded gaze, but, honestly, she sat not even an arm’s length away. And even that distance she could feel closing between them, almost as if requiring no effort at all to melt away. His warm, broad hand eased slowly along the small of her back and damn if she didn’t feel her stomach d
o a full flip.
“Hey! So!” She sat up straighter, ran her fingers through her hair and babbled. “You like that snack hut? Is it fun working there?”
“No.” He rested his arm back along the couch and looked at her somewhat bemused. “People around me in the park are playing and having fun. But I’m in the snack hut.”
“Right, playing in the park.” She nodded. That reminded her of something. Wise words of advice a brilliant physicist had once offered. “It’s good to take time to play.” She looked up at him again with a smile. It was, after all, her last chance to spend time with him. With no small amount of mischief twinkling in her eyes, she asked, “Have you ever gone swimming in the lake at the park?”
“No. You’re not allowed to swim there.”
She gave a dismissive wave. “Some guy told me that’s just because the college’s lawyers are worried that drunk frat boys will drown themselves.” She looked at Alek with a gleam in her eyes. “What if we went swimming?”
“In the lake?” he asked.
“In the lake.” She hopped up. It was the best idea she’d ever had. “Right now.”
He surveyed her, gold lamé top, black leggings and all. “Are you wearing a swimsuit under all that?”
“Nope.” She grinned.
“But I get you wouldn’t want to swim in those clothes.” He started to smile as well. “You wouldn’t want to ruin them.”
“Nope.”
“I’m in!” He stood up and grabbed her hand. They ran out of the room and down the hallway laughing.
He thought to grab an old, scratchy army surplus blanket out of a supply cabinet. Turning to Clara, he asked, “You sure you can handle this, California girl? It might be cold. You think you can take it?”
Giving his hand a tug, she headed toward the door. “Come on! It’s time to go play!”
CHAPTER 18
STEP AWAY FROM THE LAKE
“It’s warm!” Alek called from the lake, splashing around. He dove under and popped back up, then shook water off his hair.
“Really?” Clara stood at the edge of the lake, toes flirting with the water. She’d made Alek get in first, pleading modesty as she ducked behind a tree to strip down to her bra and undies. Now here she stood nearly naked in the night air, preferring the certainty of exposing herself to the uncertainty of plunging into the deep. And of course she had to be wearing a lacy red bra and matching thong panties, perfect for the seductive frat party outfit. Not exactly a one-piece Speedo tank.
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