Page 85 of Pucking My Grumpy Roommate
But it was. The enzyme complex I'd developed had created a cascade effect, breaking down the resistance mechanisms in ways I hadn't even anticipated.
"Dr. Ellis?" Brian poked his head into my lab space. "You okay? I heard cursing and that's usually my department."
"Better than okay." I spun my monitor toward him, unable to contain my excitement. "Look at this binding pattern! The molecules are attaching at junction points we didn't even know existed!"
Brian squinted at the screen. "Is that... wait, are you actually creating perforations in the cell wall without triggering the resistance response?"
"Yes!" I nearly screamed, jumping up from my chair. "It's bypassing the entire efflux system. The bacteria don't even recognize it as a threat until it's too late!"
I grabbed my notes, scribbling furiously. This could change everything—reduce treatment times, save lives.
"Dr. Barnes needs to see this immediately," Brian said, already backing toward the door.
"Call her," I agreed, not looking up from my notes. "And the sequencing team. We need to document every aspect of this before we publish."
The next few hours disappeared into a scientific frenzy. Dr. Barnes arrived, her typically stern expression giving way to something that on anyone else might have been classified as excitement. The sequencing team crowded around my station, and soon we were all talking over each other, pointing at data sets and molecular models.
It wasn't until my phone buzzed for the fifth time that I remembered—dinner with Austin. I checked the time: 9:48 PM. Shit.
"I need to make a call," I said, extricating myself from the crowd.
Austin answered on the second ring. "Let me guess—you're still at the lab."
"I'm so sorry," I said, wincing. "I had a breakthrough and completely lost track of time. The enzymatic inhibitor I've been working on created nanoperforations that bypass the traditional resistance?—"
"Kate," Austin interrupted, his voice warm despite the interruption. "In English?"
I laughed, pushing my hair back from my face. "I found a way to potentially kill superbugs that doesn't trigger their resistance mechanisms. It's like..." I searched for a metaphor he'd understand. "It's like sneaking past the opponent's defense by disguising yourself as one of their teammates."
"That sounds incredible," he said, and I could hear the genuine pride in his voice. "Important enough to miss dinner for."
"I really am sorry. I was so wrapped up in the data that I forgot about everything else. Including basic human needs like food and not sitting hunched over a microscope for six hours straight."
"Sounds like you need dinner and a back rub," Austin replied, and I could practically hear his smile. "Should I order something for when you get home?"
Home. The word still sent warmth through me every time he said it, as if our shared space was more than just an apartment.
"I'll probably be another hour at least," I warned. "We need to lock down the documentation before we leave tonight."
"Then I'll have food waiting. Go change the world, Dr. Ellis. I'm not going anywhere."
The call ended, and I leaned against the wall for a moment, overwhelmed by how different this was from my last relationship. Daniel would have exploded, guilt-tripped me, made passive-aggressive comments about my priorities. Austin just... supported me.
When I finally made it back to the apartment, it was past eleven, my body aching from tension and excitement. The lights were dimmed, and the scent of something delicious hit me as I closed the door behind me.
"Welcome home, genius," Austin called from the kitchen.
I dropped my bag and followed his voice, finding him at the stove, reheating what looked like pasta. He wore sweatpants that hung low on his hips and nothing else, his broad back and muscled shoulders on full display as he moved around the kitchen with unexpected grace for such a large man.
"You cooked," I said, surprised.
He turned, that half-smile that still made my heart skip playing at his lips. "Don't sound so shocked. I can follow a recipe." He gestured to the counter where a bottle of champagne chilled in an ice bucket beside two glasses. "Figured your breakthrough deserved a celebration."
"You're amazing," I breathed, crossing to him and pressing my face against his chest, breathing in his clean, masculine scent. "And I'm starving."
"Food first, then you can tell me about your science victory in excruciating detail." He dropped a kiss on the top of my head before giving me a gentle push toward the table. "Sit before you fall over."
I sat at the table, suddenly aware of how exhausted I was. Austin placed a steaming plate of pasta primavera in front of me and poured champagne into two flutes.
