weekend?”
She looks perplexed. Does she not realize how beautiful and sexy she is?
She shakes my shoulder. “Come on, you’re a guy. Tell me why they do that.”
I blow out a breath. How did I end up being the guy friend again? This is hard work, not crossing the line. I keep it simple, stick to the facts. “You’re a pretty girl—”
“Woman.”
“You’re a pretty woman who’s sitting alone, so they think you’re single. They’re hoping to be with you.”
She shakes her head. “But it’s the library. Duh! Obviously I’m there to study.”
“That’s why they’re asking you out for later. Most people go out on the weekends.”
“Most people aren’t aiming for Harvard Medical School. Besides, my physical needs were already met. What else do I need a guy for?”
“Nothing.” I agree with her there. What else is there, unless you want to get into deep committed territory?
She smiles widely, and my heart thumps harder. She’s irresistible when she’s smiling. And when she’s not.
Ah, hell. I need to get out of here. But I feel responsible for her now. I didn’t think she’d get drunk just from one drink. Of course, I didn’t know she’d skipped dinner either. I can’t leave a drunk woman loose in the casino. She might do something she regrets later. As soon as she’s done her second drink (and no more than that, I’m putting my foot down), and eats her fill of nachos, I’ll see her safely back to her room. And that is that.
Hopefully, she’ll get a hangover and decide it’s not worth torturing a guy like this ever again.
5
Chloe
Brendan is being so-o-o gross. I’m glad I didn’t grow up with brothers. He’s got cheese string from the nachos caught on his chin beard. I’d tell him about it, but he doesn’t need to look any hotter, thank you very much. I like having fruity alcohol drinks with him. I’m a wee bit tipsy, but it’s okay. Brendan is being sensible enough for the both of us.
The nachos are delicious, and I devour more than my share. I take my time with my second drink, wanting it to last. No way I’m going for three drinks. Brendan said so. He’s the expert. I also drank a big glass of water. I’ll probably have to pee at three a.m.
“So what made you want to cure cancer?” he asks.
I chew and swallow. “It’s the scourge of our existence, and I want to help humanity. The whole world.” I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. “Dedicating my life to it.”
“Did someone close to you suffer from it?”
“No. My parents were hit by a drunk truck driver when they were walking on the sidewalk.” I turn at his silence. Oh no, not that, anything but that. He’s looking at me with sympathy in his eyes. I put my hand over his eyes.
He smiles and, dammit, he still looks gorgeous. “What don’t you want me to see?”
“I don’t wanna see you, Brendan-bo-bendan.” I drop my hand and pull the cheese string out of his beard and hand it to him. He pops it in his mouth. “Eww, boys are gross.”
“Men.”
I laugh. “Men are gross.”
“I’m very well trained. I always put the toilet seat down.”
“Your mother raised you right.”
“She did, but my dad is also a real stickler for manners and etiquette since he was raised here to be king. Seriously, though, what makes you so focused on being a cancer researcher? There’s other ways to help humanity.”
I go for the last nacho and hold it aloft for a moment, surprised he let me take it. “My high school had a science research course. I was matched up with a professional mentor involved in cancer research. It piqued my interest and, the more I read about it, the more I knew it was what I wanted to do. It’s my purpose in life.” I shove the nacho in my mouth whole and chew, closing my eyes as the lobster, cheese, and salty chip flavors melt in my mouth. Fantastic.
I open my eyes to find him staring at me. “Sorry, did you want the last nacho?”
He laughs. “Little late to ask.”
“We could get another order.”
“I’m fine. It’s cool what you’re doing with your life.”
I nod. “I’m pretty excited about CRISPR research in particular. Have you heard of it? It’s editing actual genes. They’re working on using a patient’s own immune system to fight cancer.”
“Haven’t heard of it. Tell me more.”
So I do. I can talk biomedical stuff for hours. And