Page 39 of Ordinary Secrets

As impassive as ever, she says, “I feel fine.”

Well, I’ve accomplished nothing.All I’ve got is more questions. How do I ask her if her grandpa was running from something, without sounding like a psycho?

“House salad with the dressing on the side,” our waitress says, placing it in front of Arella. “Caesar for the gentleman.”

While we indulge in our salads, I ask Arella about what her favorite movies and books are, because it’ll help make my questions about her family and childhood less suspicious. Victor wants me to rule out that her immunity is caused by something that happened to her as a kid. Besides the annual move and being raised by her grandparents, she seems to have had a normal upbringing.

One of Victor’s many theories to explain Arella’s immunity is that she was experimented on in a lab as a baby. By the way she talks about how much her grandparents love her, I doubt they would have allowed that to happen.

Another one of Victor’s theories is that Arella possesses some kind of gene defect. To me, she looks, sounds, and acts like any other twenty-two-year-old Ordi woman.

The most ridiculous theory Victor had is that Arella came from another planet. It’s only the first date, but I’m pretty sure I can rule that one out. Arella seems as human as anyone else.

“Wow,” she says, wiping her lips off on her napkin. Two empty pasta plates sit between us. So far, I’ve learned a lot about her, yet nothing at all. “That was the best Alfredo I’ve ever had.”

“I’m happy you think so.” I clean off my hands and nod toward the grass. “Now that we’re done eating, do you wanna dance?”

Dancing is the main reason I chose this place. While we slow-dance, I’ll have permission to touch her for an extended period of time. This will be a great opportunity for me to continue my physical research because, sadly, the verbal kind is getting me nowhere.

Unfortunately, Arella shakes her head. “I can’t dance.”

“It’s easy.” I stand and hold my palm out to her. “I’ll teach you.”

“Um, you go. I’ll watch.”

I make a crumpled face at her. “I’ll look like an idiot slow-dancing by myself. Is that what you want?”

Grinning, she nods eagerly.

She thinks I won’t do it. Clearly, she doesn’t know anything about me.

Challenge accepted.“All right. I’ll dance solo.”

Arella’s eyes go wide as I saunter away. She whisper-yells, “Trey! I was kidding!”

I wasn’t.I stop at the top of the patio steps and say over the heads of couples eating, “You gonna come dance with me?”

Her head shakes again.

Without another word, I hop down the steps and join the sea of couples swaying to the melodic notes. With gusto, I put my hand on the waist of an invisible woman and pull her close. My other hand holds her invisible palm up, then I twirl her around the grass.

The more dramatic my turns are, the more Arella loses it. She laughs so hard, she’s slapping her knee. I don’t care that other people are staring at me like I’m stupid and ridiculous. I know I am, and that’s the point.

“Okay, Trey,” Arella says through giggles over the railing. “You can stop now.”

“Nah. Miss Invisible and I are enjoying ourselves.” I continue for another minute before the song ends. To finish my performance strong, I spin my lovely dance partner twice, then dip her for a solid beat. Only once the crowd claps for the violinist do I make my way back to the table.

“Oh. My. God.” Arella’s still giggling. “I can’t believe you did that. Aren’t you embarrassed?”

I plop back into my chair, unashamed. “It made you laugh. The embarrassment is worth it.”

Arella’s cheeks fade into the most adorable shade of pink as she giggles some more. Whatever I’m doing, it’s working. She’s becoming more comfortable with me. Soon, she’ll be comfortable enough to tell me the information I need.

12

ARELLA

“The Big Ka-booms?”My stomach aches from all the laughing.

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