Page 4 of A Thin Line

As if on command, Dr. Rakhimov’s voice cut through the space, nearly making me jump. “Annalise!” The way she barked that word almost made me hate my name.

Quickly removing the walkie-talkie on the belt around my waist, I pressed the button and spoke into it. “I’m here.”

“Where is here?” I thought I heard a rustling sound somewhere deep in the lab. Probably Jenna messing around again—or getting up from her short nap.

“I just got back to the lab.”

“You have the programs?”

Closing my eyes, I worked hard to keep my voice calm. “Yes.”

“Then I need you over here.” At the auditorium. It made sense since the lab was ready to go. “Now. Jenna is here already, but she can’t do everything without you.”

I couldn’t help the anger that surged through my veins at her statement. Jenna hadn’t been able to do anything with me for the first part of the day—maybe it would do her good to work on her own for a bit. But Dr. R. would neither empathize with my plight nor find my thoughts funny. In fact, if I’d told her Jenna had simply sat on her rear all day while I’d set up and tested the lab, she would have blamed my lack of leadership skills.

So I kept it short. “Okay. I’ll be right there.”

“I need you here five minutes ago.”

After putting the walkie-talkie away, I picked up the programs and dimmed the lights in the lab. Someday, this would be a forgotten memory.

I pulled the big door to the lab closed so that it locked it behind me, something Jenna should have done when she’d left her post. As I began treading down the hall, I shook my head. If Dr. R. had known that Jenna hadn’t locked that door behind her, she would have given the girl plenty of good reasons to call her Cruella.

But I was trying to let the negativity go as I turned the corner, heading to the other end of the building where the auditorium—also a new addition to the health and science building—was located. I felt a sharp pain in my heel and turned my head to look at it, nearly running into a tall man coming the other way.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said, holding out my hand to keep from falling into him.

He steadied me by holding my elbow. “It’s no problem. Are you okay?”

“Yes. Thanks.” Nodding my head, I tried not to stare. This man was awfully good looking and sharply dressed. It was rare to see men on campus wearing business attire, especially in July in this oppressive heat—but he seemed as cool as an ocean breeze. His dark brown hair framed his angular face and eyes as dark as sapphires seemed to burn with a heat from within. His facial hair was cut close, and the shadow made him look a little rugged and mysterious. Even with the stubble, I noticed a slight scar just over the right side of his lip—but it was the twitch of both lips that softened what might otherwise be an intimidating visage.

I tried not to get hung up on appearance, because all the good-looking boys I’d grown up with were cruel and mean. As an adult, I’d continued to be wary.

Still…this man took my breath away—and his initial kindness at helping me keep my balance had allowed my guard to slip a bit.

My elbow nearly tingled where he was touching it and I was disappointed when he withdrew his hand. Silly.

I started to straighten myself when he asked, “Do you work here?”

“Kind of.” His gorgeous brows pinched together and I added, “I mean, yes, I do. I’m a work-study student.”

“Perfect. Then can you point me in the direction of the new simulation lab?”

Motioning in the direction I’d just come from, I said, “It’s that way—but the lab is locked right now. Are you here for the celebration?”

“I am.” His smile nearly made my knees buckle. Until this very moment, I hadn’t looked at men much. My position as town outcast had made me unwanted by every boy in school and, now that I was older and discovered that some men had designs on me nonetheless, I wasn’t interested. I wasn’t about to allow myself to fall for any male until I was out of this godforsaken town. Still, it was sometimes impossible to ignore one’s visceral reaction to a specimen of this caliber. Honestly, I’d never had a reaction to a man like this.

And he wasn’t just tall. Next to me, even in my heels, he was like a tree. I guessed he was about a foot taller than me.

Something inside me was drawn to him—and I had the feeling he was interested too. My heart was beating in my chest like a ticking time bomb, and I hoped he couldn’t tell.

Swallowing, I said, “You’re pretty early.”

“Yes. I wanted to check everything out before it all started.”

“Well, the evening events begin in the auditorium. That’s where I’m heading if you’d like to come with me.”

I started walking back down the hall in the direction of the auditorium, trying not to feel awkward with this handsome man next to me, especially because I was so taken with him. As if he could sense my discomfort and perhaps out-of-control emotions, he decided to engage in small talk. “So what are you attending school for?” His voice was low and smooth, almost melodic, and I once again found myself perking up.

---