Page 24 of Only Forever

“Never mind,” she mutters. “Forget I asked.”

“No. I want to discuss this.”

Her head tilts to the side as she studies me. “You do? My sisters said I’m not allowed to discuss defecation at the office.”

I chuckle. “Defecation?”

“It is the proper terminology.”

“It’s also a word adults don’t use except for scientists and doctors.”

Her cheeks darken, but her voice is steady when she responds, “I’m a scientist.”

“I wouldn’t refer to an engineer as a scientist.”

She clears her throat. “A scientist is a person who studies or has expert knowledge of one or more of the natural or physical sciences. In addition to my engineering degree, I have a master’s degree in biology, which I believe qualifies me as a scientist in this regard.”

This is an absurd discussion. Why are we talking about the definition of a scientist? Oh right. Because I’m the asshole who embarrassed her when I found her use of the word defecation amusing.

“Anyway, I’m not constipated.”

“Good. Constipation is a symptom of colon cancer. I would hate for you to be ill.”

I stand up straight. “You would?”

Her brow wrinkles. “Yes, I would. I do not wish harm on anyone,” she claims, but she won’t meet my gaze.

Lilac is a straight shooter. She never lies, but she’s being evasive now and I want to know about what. Before I have a chance to ask, her phone beeps again.

She reads the message before picking up her briefcase. “I really do need to leave now.”

Not on my watch. “You are not running off on some date while we have work to do.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I was speaking English, wasn’t I?”

“Of course, you were speaking English – according to your personnel file, you don’t speak any foreign languages – but your words made no sense.”

I forgot I need to be literal with Lilac. She doesn’t understand innuendos or ambiguities.

“We have work to do. Your date can be postponed or, better yet, cancelled.”

“You’re speaking English, but your words are still confusing. What makes you think I have a date?”

I wave toward her phone. “You laughing and giggling while reading messages from some man while I’m standing here in front of you.”

“I don’t giggle,” she protests.

“Whatever. You laughing then.”

“Hold on. You’re upset because you think I have a date this evening?”

“I know you do. I heard you tell Jack all about it.”

She snorts. “Obviously, you didn’t listen to everything I told Jack because then you would know tonight’s date is with my sisters.”

Relief slams into me with such a force, I grasp the doorknob to stop myself from rushing to her. “Your sisters?”

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