Page 18 of Love and the Laws of Motion
“Really?Another genius like Nick?”
“I don’t think anybody is as smart as Nick.”He absorbed her teasing with a shrug and a smile.
“Too true.I don’t even understand what he’s talking about half the time.”Poppy laughed self-deprecatingly, and Nick squeezed her hand.
Livie reached for her messenger bag, still hanging on the back of one of the chairs lining the kitchen island.As she started packing it up, Nick reached out and touched her arm.She shifted away as subtly as possible.
“I’ll text you,” he said.“We can do some more work later this week.”
“Sure.Just let me know when.”
“Brush up on your Klingon in the meantime.”
“What?”
“The nonexistent language we have to teach Hubble?Never mind.It was a joke.”
Now his smile was full-blown, and Livie couldn’t help but return it, even though she had no idea what Klingon was.
“I guess I’ll see you soon.”
“Guess you will.”He grinned.
And for a minute, it felt like every stern lecture she’d been giving herself about her stupid crush seemed utterly in vain, because his smile made her heart beat hard enough to explode.Maybe she’d be over it by the next time she saw him.It was very unlikely, but she would choose to live in hope.
Chapter Eight
It was Wednesday before Nick wanted to get together again, and not until early evening.He’d texted her at four p.m.promising to spring for the pizza if she was willing to work through dinner.He said he feltinspiredand wanted to work while his juices were flowing.What did inspiration or juices have to do with science?And why did it have to happen with no warning?She almost wished she was busy, just so he’d plan better next time.
When the elevator opened into the little vestibule outside his door, she immediately knew something was wrong.The door was partially ajar, for one.And through it, she could hear Nick talking.No, not talking—shouting.And then she heard Poppy’s voice, too, high and tense.
“Jesus, Poppy, I said I can’t go out tonight.It’s hardly cause for World War Three.”
“Can’t or won’t, Nick?”
“I have plans.I’mbusy.”
“That science thing you’re working on with that girl, Libby?Just reschedule.For me.”
“It’s Livie,” he snapped.“And leave her out of this.It’s between you and me.”
“Exactly!Surely you can blow off work this once and come out with me to my friend’s party.”
“You’ve dragged me out to your stupid parties three nights this week.”
“Oh, my friends are stupid now, are they?”
“Quit putting words in my mouth.That’s not what I said.”
“But it’s what you meant!You hate my friends!”
Livie leaned back against the elevator doors.They were fighting.And it sounded bad.This was not something she should be witness to.
“This has nothing to do with your friends.”
“You hate spending time with me.”
“What are you talking about?You’re my fiancée.”
