Page 53 of Stripe Theory

Maya’s blush was answer enough.

They worked through more treatment variations, each success bringing hope. When Sierra’s latest readings showed improvement, Alora couldn’t contain her excitement. She spun to share the news and found herself caught up in Rehan’s arms, his kiss fierce with joy and pride.

“Brilliant,” he murmured against her lips. “You’re absolutely brilliant.”

“We’re all brilliant,” she corrected, though she didn’t pull away. “It’s a team effort.”

“Mostly brilliant,” Maya amended. “Some of us are just here to look pretty and make inappropriate comments.”

“And bet on people’s love lives,” Hunter added dryly.

Alora laughed, feeling lighter despite their circumstances. They still faced impossible odds, but somehow, wrapped in Rehan’s arms with their family around them, those odds felt a little less daunting.

Hours later, with Sierra stable and security protocols in place, Maya practically shoved them out of the lab.

“Go. Date. Be disgustingly cute somewhere else,” she insisted. “Hunter and I can monitor things for a few hours.”

“But—”

Maya’s expression softened. “You’ve been working for thirty-six hours straight. Take a break before you face-plant into a microscope.”

“She’s right,” Jewel added, checking Sierra’s readings. “Everything’s stable. Go.”

Rehan didn’t need to be told twice. His hand found Alora’s, tugging her toward the door. “I know a place.”

“I should at least change first,” Alora glanced down at her wrinkled lab coat. “I smell like chemicals and coffee.”

“You smell perfect.” But he steered them toward his private office anyway. “Though I do keep spare clothes here.”

His office proved to be as imposing as the rest of him – all dark wood and leather, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. A door revealed a small private bathroom where Alora found not only a change of clothes but also her favorite shower products.

“Maya stocked it,” Rehan explained at her raised eyebrow. “Last week. She said, and I quote, ‘someone needs to plan ahead for you two idiots.’”

Twenty minutes later, feeling human again in soft leggings and an oversized sweater, she emerged to find Rehan had also changed into casual clothes. The sight of him in a fitted black Henley and dark jeans short-circuited her brain momentarily.

“Ready?” He held out his hand.

Instead of answering, she rose onto tiptoes to kiss him. He responded immediately, pulling her close as the kiss deepened. When they finally broke apart, his eyes had gone tiger-amber again.

“Keep that up and we won’t make it to dinner,” he growled.

“Is that a promise?”

His answering kiss left her breathless.

They did eventually make it to dinner – though “dinner” turned out to be gourmet takeout spread on a blanket in hisprivate rooftop garden. String lights twinkled overhead, and the city sprawled below them like a sea of stars.

“This is perfect,” Alora sighed, leaning back against his chest. “Though I’m surprised you’re okay with eating on the ground.”

“I do occasionally relax.” His arms tightened around her. “Usually when brilliant scientists wear down my defenses with cat puns and explosive experiments.”

“Hey, that smoke bomb saved our lives.”

“It also turned my favorite tie purple.”

“Purple is your color.” She twisted to kiss his jaw. “Makes you look less broody.”

He growled playfully, nipping at her ear. “I don’t brood.”

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