Page 206 of Rescuing Ally: Part 1

A place for me? Mitzy mentioned something, but I didn’t believe her.

I open my mouth, but the words don’t quite come.

It’s an offer I didn’t expect—one that shifts something inside me, makes my brain start calculating possibilities, mapping out futures I hadn’t dared to consider yet.

Malikai doesn’t push. He just watches, letting me absorb it. Then, smoothly, he pivots.

“How’s it going, anyway?” His voice is lighter now, teasing. “The actual work, not the ‘strategic delays.’ What’s left? And more importantly—what can I do to help?”

I sigh, rubbing my forehead. “Mostly revisions. Cleaning upsome sections and tightening my arguments. And then there’s the defense, which I should be prepping for but keep conveniently avoiding.”

“Then let’s fix that.”

I glance up, eyebrows raising as he smirks.

“I can meet you here after your shifts,” he offers, nodding toward the café. “We’ll go over your stuff, get you prepped so you can walk into that defense ready to annihilate anyone dumb enough to question you.”

I chew my lip, considering. It’s… a solid idea. Having someone who knows my work and who gets how my brain functions would help. Malikai is nothing if not relentless when it comes to holding people accountable.

He shrugs as if sensing my hesitation. “Or, you could come to my office instead. Check out the space I’m keeping for you.”

That catches me off guard. “You’re keeping a space for me?”

His smirk widens. “Of course. You might be too stubborn to admit it now, but eventually, you will say yes.”

I huff a laugh, shaking my head. “Confident much?”

“I know talent when I see it.” His voice is quieter now, more serious. “I’m not going to let you waste it.”

There’s no pressure in his words—just certainty. A reminder that he believes in me.

During a brief lull after Malikai leaves, I find myself restocking cups, my mind drifting to the research waiting for me at Cornell. My quantum containment thesis isn’t going to finish itself, though Dr. Whittman has been understanding about the delay since our kidnapping ordeal. Still, I’ll need to get back to it soon.

“Earth to Ally,” Malia says, snapping her fingers before my face. “You went somewhere for a minute there.”

I blink, coming back to the present. “Sorry. Just thinking about my thesis.”

“Missing your lab at Cornell?” she asks, genuine curiosity in her voice.

“Parts of it,” I admit. “I was so close to finishing when… everything happened. Dr. Whittman needed time off to process everything, and I agreed to pause too, but sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever get back to where I was.”

“You will,” Jenna says confidently, joining our conversation. “Your brain is terrifying. Those quantum whatever equations don’t stand a chance.”

I laugh, appreciating their support. “Thanks. It’s just weird having my life split like this. Coffee shop barista by day, quantum physicist… also by day, just not right now.”

“Well, when you do go back to finish your fancy degree, just know Hank and Gabe aren’t letting you go that easily,” Malia says knowingly. “I’ve seen how they look at you. They’re in it for the long haul.”

“I know,” I say softly, a warm feeling spreading through my chest. “They’ve made that pretty clear.”

And they have. Despite my occasional fears about what happens next, Hank and Gabe have been explicit about their commitment. They’re not temporary fixtures in my life—they’re planning to be permanent ones, regardless of where my career takes me.

“Besides,” Jenna adds with a sly smile, “I’m pretty sure they’d follow you anywhere. The way Gabe watches you when you talk about your research? The man is smitten.”

“And Hank practically radiates pride whenever you go off on one of your science tangents,” Malia agrees. “Trust me, they’re not going anywhere.”

The espresso machine chooses that moment to give another alarming sputter, bringing us back to more immediate problems.

“Unlike this thing,” I mutter, giving it a gentle, placating pat. “Which is definitely on its last legs.”

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