Page 96 of Chemistry: The Chemist

With a heavy sigh, she nodded. “Yes.”

“Then it’s settled.”

Within the hour, we reached the small, private airport where the family’s plane was gassed and waiting for our departure. I was the first out of the truck. Eden was next, stunning everyone within view with her never-ending legs and confidence. She trekked the runway beside me, looping our fingers and staying close enough for our arms to remain at our sides without stretching forward or backward.

“Mr. Childers.”

“Wendy.”

Staff waited on the tarmac for our arrival. As we boarded the plane, they filed inside behind us. Eden didn’t loosen her grip on my hand until I showed her to her seat. Even then, she pulled me down with her, refusing to lose sight of me. I leaned over, lips to her ear, and teased.

“Did you use super glue?”

I lifted our hands, reminding her she was still holding onto me. She released me, finally.

“Sorry.”

“Stop apologizing, baby. Is there anything you need before I head to the back?”

“To the back?”

“To rid myself of these clothes.”

“I– I’m fine.”

I leaned forward again, this time kissing her cheek before I reached her ear.

“Liar.”

I grabbed her by the hand, forcing her out of the seat and toward the sleeping quarters where there were clothes and shoes waiting. I closed the door behind us and ushered her to the bed.

Easily reading Eden was becoming my favorite task. She wore her feelings on her sleeves now. Hiding them from me wasn’t a chore she cared for. Her laziness was my secret weapon.

“Stop pouting, Choc.”

Her lips parted and curved upward into a smile. “You think you know me so well.”

“I could always know you better.”

I discarded the clothes I had on, exchanging them for something more suitable. A pair of black denim, a Louis Vuitton top, and shoes that matched felt much better, and less restricting.

“The feeling is mutual.”

“Thirty-six. Berkeley bred. Eldest of twelve. Mother committed suicide. Father– father won’t be around too much longer,” I shared, feeling an ache in my chest, but continuing anyway.

“A chemist. Earned my doctorate in five years. Swimmer. Could’ve been an Olympian but that wasn’t where my heart was. Childless, for now. What else is there to know?”

“Since you put it that way, I guess there isn’t much more you can tell me. Everything else is learned.”

“Agreed. But I know hardly anything about you.”

“Chemistry, I find that hard to believe.”

“Fuck what I’ve discovered. Tell me what you want me to know.”

“The middle child. I have a brother and sister, both took wrong turns in life and ended up on the wrong paths. Master’s degree in social work. Discovered later that it wasn’t the career path I wanted to continue down. Quit and stayed home for a while and then boredom consumed me. After leading a black-and-white life, I wanted a bit of color. That led me to Roulette.”

“And then, me.”

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