Page 124 of Dream Mates
“Wow, the resemblance in person is even stronger,” Inara breathed as we just stood there, staring at each other.
“Can everyone please clear the room so we can get set up for the next session?” someone announced. “Lunch is grab and go in the main ballroom.”
“We should go out to the lobby. You can find us a seat, and I’ll share my lunch with you.” Inara took Creed’s arm.
Creed continued to stare at me, as he allowed Inara to drag him out of the room. She pushed him into a chair in the lobby.
“Save the couch for us, we’ll be back with food.” Inara grabbed my hand, and we headed into the ballroom.
“Wow, we look a lot alike,” I said softly, as we got in the food line.
“Creed’s a good guy. He’d be an asset. Smart. Loyal. Hardworking. Great big brother,” she stated.
We grabbed our food, and I grabbed an extra box lunch. “Just getting one for my colleague,” I brushed off, striding out like I knew what I was doing.
Inara giggled. “They just let you take an extra, that’s brilliant.”
We went back to Creed who was frowning at his phone.
“Here you go.” I handed him the extra.
“Thank you. You look a lot like my little sister,” he said softly. “Perhaps we’re cousins.”
“Maybe?” Not in this dimension. “You have sisters? I always wanted sisters.”
“She does look like a blonde, short-haired version of Mercy,” Inara said.
He pulled up a picture of a tiny girl with blonde pigtails. “I was thinking more like a grown-up version of Hope.”
A pang shot through my heart, because the little girl looked an awful lot like little me. My dad always braided my hair like that. Though her hair looked curly and her nose was different.
“Awww. You have a lot of siblings?” I asked as we ate.
“Tons,” Inara answered for him. “All brilliant. Just like all his parents. He’s from a pack full of scientists–not just everyone’s favorite chemistry professor.”
Creed paused. “You know my father?”
I shook my head. “No. People just keep asking if he’s my dad.”
He thought for a moment and nodded. “I could see that. You’re in Daedelus Society, right? He’s very well known there.”
“Yes.” Oh dear. If Creed was this universe’s me, was this professor guy some version of my biological father?
My heart raced and I felt my phone buzz. I checked it.
Evan
Are you okay? I felt that all the way over here.
Me
I think I just met this universe’s me. It’s weird.
“Dr. Ellington, are you all right?” Creed’s voice grew soft.
“Just one of my mates texting me,” I replied. “Everything’s fine.”
Creed told me about his work and studies as he polished off his food. It sounded impressive.
