Page 88 of The Spark Between Us

But I felt distance between us.

If anything could knock the wind from my sails after the phone call, it was Braden’s measured response.

“Tell me more. What did they say?” he asked, his voice sounding calm but strained. His almost-forced smile made it seem like he was working hard to convey interest.

Maybe all my physics talk wasn’t that exciting to him. He’d been nice about taking an interest, but maybe other than a prelude to sex in my office, he could take it or leave it.

I gave him the broad strokes, shaking my head because I was still processing it. “Well, they got an opening because a professor is leaving, so there’s an unexpected pot of money and the chair said he’s been impressed with the progress of what we’re doing at the lab. He said I’d earned a permanent spot at on the faculty, and they were lucky to have me.” Even as I heard myself say the words, I was having trouble believing them.

Braden released me from his grasp. “I’m so proud of you. You’re going to do great things.” He kissed the top of my head. It almost felt like a goodbye kiss, like a parent was sending me off to college.

I was so confused. “Thanks.”

He nodded.

I persevered, determined to get him out of whatever post-work funk he seemed to be in. “So, things have been going well at the lab, and I think we’ll finish ahead of schedule. I might have a couple weeks of unexpected free time.”

He leaned against the countertop with his arms crossed. “Right. I overheard you tell Isla you’re wrapping up a little early at the lab. You didn’t mention it.”

“No, because there were still a few boxes to check, but now it’s more certain. The team will continue using the lasers for welding after I leave. So I was wondering...if maybe you’d want to take a weekend away with me. Maybe a very long weekend.”

He smiled, and if I didn’t know him at all, that smile would have launched a thousand rockets with its heat. But I knew what he looked like when he was happy, and this wasn’t it. He wasn’t locking eyes with me. He wasn’t even looking at me.

“I don’t think I can get the time off.” Braden turned away from me and started to wash the dishes in the sink.

Slipping behind him, I wrapped my arms around his waist and tipped my head against his back. For a second, I thought I felt him flinch at my touch, but I decided I’d imagined it. But Braden didn’t turn around. “Hey. Do you have to wash those right now?” I ran my nails along the skin at his waist, teasing him.

“I really should.”

He really should?

This was a man who had no problem leaving dishes for days when he had a shift. How many times had he run out in the morning and told me he’d wash the dishes when he got back—tomorrow?

Something was different. He was keeping his distance. It didn’t take a tenured professor to know that.

I took a step back. Now I was the one leaning against the counter with my arms crossed. “Braden, what’s wrong? Did something happen at work?”

Turning off the water, he motioned me into the den and sat on the couch. I perched on the ottoman. It didn’t feel like he wanted me next to him.

“Nothing’s wrong at work.”

“So tell me. What is it?”

“Nothing. Things are exactly as they should be.”

I threw my hands in the air. He was so stoic and exasperating. It was like the Braden from five months ago was back. “I have no idea what that means. Please explain.”

He looked at me calmly and pushed a hand through his hair. “We’re good. We made it through our six months, roomie.” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Hope I didn’t annoy you too much.”

“No, not at all ...in fact, I’ve loved being here with you. So things feel different to me now. I guess I’m asking ...should I take it?”

“Take what?”

“Should I take the position they’re offering?”

He looked stunned at the question. “What? Of course you should. That’s your dream job. Why wouldn’t you?”

It was the loaded question I’d been pondering from the moment I got the news. Yes, I still wanted the coveted tenure track position at a top university. But I wanted him too.

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