Page 42 of Hale Yes
But oxy, specifically, is considered a love hormone, present during birth and bonding moments. “So you’re looking for love?” I ask, and her nose wrinkles when she turns around and releases her hair.
“No, not necessarily. I got this as soon as I turned eighteen. I was in college and feeling… down, I guess.” Nicolette picks a slice of wine-soaked orange from her glass and nibbles on it.“You know that high you get when oxytocin is released into your system while someone is hugging you?”
I nod. “Yes, some people refer to it as the hugging hormone because of that.”
“Right. I was craving that, so I got the tat to remind me that one day I’d find that feeling again.”
“That makes sense. You lived away from your family. I hope you got lots of hugs when you went home for the holidays.”
Her lips tighten into a humorless smile. “They’re not really the hugging type.” She mumbles the next two words, and I know they’re not meant for my ears, but I hear them anyway. “With me.”
Before I can ask what that means, Vicente appears beside the table. “More food or sangria?” On top of the three carafes of wine, Nicolette and I shared six small tapas.
“None for me,” Nicolette answers immediately.
Her eyes turn questioningly toward me, and I shake my head. “I’m good.”
When Vicente hands over the check, she attempts to reach for it, but I playfully smack her hand. “Don’t even think about it.”
“I can pay for my own food and drinks,” she argues, but I ignore her protests, handing over my card. After the manager departs to run my card, she glares at me. “Are you always this bossy?”
I meet her gaze. “Yes.”
She snorts at my blunt and concise answer. “I’m going to run to the restroom. I’m not even sure how long it will take me to walk home.”
Walk home?“You’ve lost your mind if you think I’m letting you walk home, Dr. Bell,” I tell her, reverting to her official name for stern emphasis. We have a staredown for a long moment before she sighs and rolls her eyes.
“Fine,” she snaps before standing and stomping to the back of the restaurant.
I watch her go as that little skirt swishes with each step, only pulling my eyes away when Vicente brings my debit card back. “She’s fantastic.”
“I know that,” I say shortly.
“Bring her back. I want her to try our bacon-wrapped figs next time.”
My eyes narrow at him. “She doesn’t like figs.” Okay, I have no idea if that’s true or not, but he’s getting on my nerves.
“She’ll like my figs,” he replies with annoying confidence.
“You keep your figs away from Nicolette,” I growl, but he just laughs good-naturedly.
“Bring your lovely mother in next time as well.”
“Why? So you can flirt with her too?” I’ve suspected for a while that Vicente has a crush on my mother, despite being ten years younger than her.
“So I can share my figs with two beautiful women,” he replies, bobbing his eyebrows before turning to walk away.
“I’m not leaving you a tip, smartass,” I call to his back, and I can hear his deep laughter until he reaches the front of the restaurant. I sigh and leave Vicente a very generous tip.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and since Nicolette is still in the restroom, I check it to find a message from my mother.
X-Chromosome: I want to meet your new girlfriend.
I stare at my phone like it’s an alien.
Helix: What girlfriend?
X-Chromosome: The one you’re having dinner with at The Tapas Table.
