Page 18 of The Wrong One

As the last set drew to a close, I felt a sense of accomplishment wash over me. A familiar surge of endorphins coursed through my veins, awakening every cell in my body. I wiped the sweat from my brow, reveling in the burst of energy I felt.

Now, I was ready to work.

With a final glance around the gym, I gathered my things, preparing to face the outside world anew. The sun had risen, telling me it was time to get moving. I headed back up to my apartment, took a shower, and got ready for the day.

I spent too long in the gym and now I was running late. Not good considering the day I had in front of me. I had to focus on the copious amounts of control tests for my tech before I could push it to production. I knew Ramsey was excited about the next step, but me as the creator felt a little nervous. I had to make sure everything was perfect. I needed it to be working fine in the lab with no concerns. As soon as we took it out of the lab and my comfort zone, anything could happen. Once the tech was in hospitals, anything could go wrong.

I swung by one of the coffee shops near campus to get another caffeine boost. I probably drank too much caffeine, but I would worry about that later. I stood in line at the bustling coffee shop, waiting to order my usual morning brew. The place was packed with plenty of college-types. I was older than most of them, but I did spot a few of the researchers and professors getting their morning coffee.

The rich aroma of freshly ground coffee beans wafted through the air, tempting my senses and invigorating my tired mind. As I approached the counter, I locked eyes with the barista, a friendly smile playing on her lips. She was a pretty woman and we flirted quite a bit. I never asked her out, but I was pretty sure we both thought that was where the flirtation was headed.

“Good morning! What can I get started for you today?” she greeted me cheerfully, her voice warm and inviting.

“Good morning,” I replied, flashing her my usual smile. “I’ll have a medium-sized black coffee, please.”

She nodded, her hands deftly working the espresso machine with a practiced ease. As she prepared my order, I leaned against the counter, watching her work. I should ask her out. It would help get my mind off Izzy. Working with Izzy this week was a distraction, which was why I had to hit the gym so hard. Working around Izzy made it hard for me to focus. I often found myself sneaking looks her way and admiring how beautiful she was.

“So, how’s your day going so far?” I asked, attempting to strike up a casual conversation.

Her blue eyes sparkled with amusement, as if she appreciated the gesture of connecting beyond the simple exchange of coffee and money. “Oh, you know, it’s a typical morning rush, but I can’t complain. How about you?” She asked it in a somewhat seductive tone. “The mad scientist hard at work?”

I nodded, a grin spreading across my face. “Yes, guilty as charged.”

“Sure, you don’t want me to make this a double?” she teased. “I know you’re up there working to save the world. I wouldn’t mind contributing to your success.”

I leaned in closer, lowering my voice conspiratorially. “So, what’s your personal favorite on the menu?”

She leaned in, mirroring my playful demeanor with her eyes flaming with desire. “Well, if I had to pick, I’d say the caramel macchiato. It’s a delightful combination of sweet and creamy, with just the right amount of espresso kick. Sweet with a punch.”

I chuckled, enjoying the flirting. “You know what? I’ll have to give that a try next time. It sounds like a perfect treat.”

“Trust me, it is the perfect treat,” she said and went back to making my coffee.

We both knew we weren’t talking about coffee. With a flourish, she finished preparing my coffee and slid it across the counter. I reached for it, our fingertips touching for a brief moment. “Thanks,” I said. “Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I’ll be waiting,” she replied before moving back to the counter to help her next customer.

I took a sip, and the familiar bitterness of the black coffee greeted my tastebuds, awakening my senses. I wasn’t a coffee snob, but there was something to be said for a good cup of coffee. It was probably mind over matter. It wasn’t like I really felt the same usual jolt from the coffee as I used to, but it was a habit.

I carried the drink to the office. I was still early, just not as early as I liked to be. I swiped my card through the lock and walked inside. The lights were off, which was normal. I went to my workstation and turned on my computer. I assumed I was alone and moved about the lab without thinking about anyone around me. I liked getting in early when it was quiet in the building. It gave me a chance to get my bearings.

So, when I saw a body huddled in the corner, I was stunned. Long, auburn hair hid her face, but I knew who it was. She was sitting on the floor with her knees bent and her head resting on them. I thought about walking away and leaving her to have her moment, but I couldn’t just walk away.

I sat down beside her. “Iz,” I said gently.

She groaned. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry,” I said. “What’s going on?”

“I’m so embarrassed.”

“Did something happen?” I asked. “How long have you been here?”

She took a shaky breath and lifted her head. Her face was pale. Tears stained her cheeks, and her eyes were full of such sadness it broke my heart. “I don’t know,” she murmured. “An hour maybe.”

“You did go home last night, right?” I asked.

“Yes.” She nodded and wiped her face. “I’m fine.”

---