Page 10 of Hale Yes
My nose wrinkles. “My dad tries, but my mom…” I tilt my head back and forth a few times, trying to be diplomatic. “Let’s just say she doesn’t get me.”
Sensing the touchy topic, Shay changes the subject, which I appreciate. “I didn’t expect so many people to be hooking up at this conference, but everywhere I looked tonight, couples were leaving together left and right.”
I laugh, remembering my first conference years ago. “It’s not uncommon once the drinks get flowing. People have been in intense classes for days, so they want to let loose.”
Shay giggles. “I get that. I know all the talk about hormones made me feel a little frisky.” She tastes her drink and eyes me. “Were you with that tall guy you were talking to at the party?”
I nod, not wanting to talk badly about Conrad. I feel a little protective of the guy. “He was really nice.”
My new friend sighs. “My guy too. He had some ink on his arm, so I thought maybe he was a bit of a bad boy, but he was just… nice.”
Placing my fingertips on my temples, I close my eyes and hum. “Hmmmm, a tattoo? Let me guess. A model of an atom?” When I open my lids, Shay is gaping at me in shock, and I know I’m right. “Bohr model or Rutherford?”
“Bohr. How did you know that?”
I wave a hand at her. “It’s the same tat every biochem guy has. I’m still looking for a guy who has something original or inspiring.”
Shay’s face turns contemplative, her eyes unfocusing for a second before they widen. “Crap, you’re right. I saw at least twenty of them this week.”
I twist one of the escaped curls at the nape of my neck. “I’ve decided to swear off science guys. I’ve said it before, but I mean it this time.”
Shay titters out a laugh. “Same.” Her smile softens. “This is nice, having another woman to talk with. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Of course. We STEM wenches have to stick together. When I was first starting out, I found it difficult to connect with other people.” I shake my head. “Not on a professional level; that came a bit easier for me. But it was hard to find people I wanted to spend time with at the end of the day.”
She waves her hand in front of her shoulder. “I volunteer anytime you want to unwind after a conference.” Propping her chin in her palm, she says, “If you’re ever in Houston, give me a call. I’d love to hang out again.”
I think of the email I recently received—the one I haven’t been able to stop thinking about—and meeting a new friend from Houston feels like a sign I’m headed in the right direction. “I’ll do that,” I tell her, adding, “And it might be sooner than you expect.”
CHAPTER TWO
Monday can go fuck itself
Nicolette
I don’t like Mondays.
Sure, most people dislike the first day of the week after the weekend, but Idespisethem with every cell in my body. Why, you may ask?
Because this is the designated “family dinner night” at my parents’ house. Yay. And I mean that in the most sarcastic way possible.
“The roast is good, Ma,” I say, cutting into the tender meat and taking a bite. I’m doing my best to be pleasant in the hopes that if I’m nice to them, they’ll be nice to me.
“Thank you, dear. I cooked it in my new Instant Pot.” She pats my sister’s hand. “Angelica bought it for me.”
My eyes flash to my sister, who is smiling sweetly, and I say, “Well, that was nice of her.”
“It’s more than nice. It wasn’t even my birthday or anything.” Ma tilts her head and beams at Angelica like she’s gazing at thebrightest star in an enchanted sky. “She’s such a lovely person. So thoughtful.”
I don’t bother to point out that my lovely, thoughtful sis bought it on my Amazon account. With my debit card.
Beside Angelica, who’s sitting across from me, Rory whispers something into her ear, and she giggles. Rory is my sister’s boyfriend—who used to be my boyfriend. So yeah. That’s fun.
Ma adores him and passes him the tray of meat. “Rory, another slice?”
“Thank you, Mrs. Bell. This is the best roast I’ve ever had.”
She titters and fingers the pearls at her throat. “How is the insurance business, dear? Are you still staying busy?”
