equipment being kept inside. Or stealing models. Believe it or
not, it’s happened. The lab skeleton is very popular.
“I know it’s last minute, but I was wondering if you
might be free to have a drink with a prospective match tonight.
If not, I can tell him no. I wasn’t planning on even asking you
this soon, but he seems great. He’s an executive of a travel
company. He’s quite well-off, so I don’t think money should
matter to him so much. At least not yours. He’s thirty-five. He
doesn’t have kids but wants them. There are some other details
that I can send over, and I’ll send the conversations. He’s not
free until eight anyway. I know that’s kind of late, but it is a
Friday. If not, that’s fine. He’s going on business trip for two
weeks after today though, so I thought I’d take a chance and
ask you. Honestly, don’t feel pressured. I can tell him no and
try again when he’s back if you’re interested. I really don’t
normally rush things—”
“It’s fine.” I don’t know that it is fine, but I can also
hear the stress and panic in Adley’s voice and I don’t want her
to be upset. “I’ll go. As long as it’s not too fancy.”
“Okay. Let me send over the conversation. And I’ll try
to get him to agree to a place near you. If you give me the
neighborhood, I can get it figured out.”
I give her the subdivision name and she thanks me and
hangs up. I’m strangely unsettled and have to reach out and
palm the lab door. It takes me a few deep breaths until I feel
strong enough to straighten up and walk out of the school.
Even when I get to my car, I’m a wreck. My palms are all
sweaty, my lungs feel compressed to the point that it’s hard to
breathe, and the butterflies in my stomach are making me feel
slightly sick.