Page 3 of Savage Beauty

“Yes, it should be.”

He lifts the shoulder of my backpack, and I snatch it back.

“Easy, there, tiger. I was going to be a gentleman. Carry it for you.”

“There’s no need for that.” His gentleman reference clashes with his bad boy vibe.

Outside the offices, there is one lone car in the parking lot, and the front windows are rolled down. My bike is in the shade, locked in the bike rack. Sometimes I walk, but today I rode. Walking works a different set of muscles than riding a bicycle does.

He opens the passenger door for me. Inside, on the console, are two water bottles.

“Thirsty?”

I am thirsty, but I don’t like the idea of getting in a car with a stranger.

He gestures for me to get in.

“I have my bike.”

He ducks into the car, grabs a bottle, and hands it to me. It’s already been opened, but the water is full. Reusing water bottles is a wise choice for the environment. The water is slightly cooler than room temperature. Maybe the bottles were recently in the refrigerator.

He leans against the car, arms crossed below his chest while I take a swallow from the water bottle.

“You’re going to the marina across the way?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll meet you there.”

Sage always tells me I’ll never meet anyone if I spend all my time in the lab. But I met William. He moved, but still, we had sexual relations for over a year. And now, I’ve met another man while working in the lab. Two instances of meeting someone in my lab. Sage will be floored today on our video call.

“Can I take your picture?”

“Mine? Why?”

“My sister would get a kick out of seeing you.”

“And why is that?”

“You look like one of the men on her book covers.”

“You talk to your sister a lot?”

I unzip my backpack, searching for my phone. “Yes.”

“Where does she live?”

“In the States.”

Locating my phone, I pull it out.

“Don’t take a picture of me out here in a parking lot. Wait until we’re at the marina. Better background.”

Consideration should be given to the background when taking a photograph. The most memorable photographs feature an off-centered object with a background of interest.

“Get in the car.”

I shake my head and go to my bike. The marina is close. I’m not going to leave my bike here. Then I’d have to come back to get it, and I might be late for my call with Sage.

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