Page 82 of CHOICE Lover
His eyes narrow, but he shrugs. “Okay, then. I can’t wait to read it.”
He leans over her chair from behind, moving her hair aside so he can kiss the sensitive skin beneath her ear. He’s learned so quickly what she likes.
“I could give you a few ideas for your next scene,” he suggests.
Her toes curl. Boyfriend material indeed.
A loud growl sounds, and she chokes on a laugh. “Was that your stomach?”
He sighs, as if his hunger has foiled his plans. “Let’s go eat. There’s a new lunch spot I want to check out.”
She places her hand in his outstretched one, and he pulls her to her feet. As they’re leaving his unit, they pass—“Wait, was that Tommy? Tommy!” she calls.
Tommy turns around, grimacing. He says, “Oh hi, Electra,” breezing past her toward Res6’s apartment.
“What’s he doing?” Electra asks.
Res6 takes her arm and guides her to the elevators, but not before she throws a glance over her shoulder to see Lextr enter their unit.
He shrugs. “I left something for him to pick up.”
What sort of wild-goose chase has Res6 sent the poor man on now? “What type of something?”
“I’ve noticed curiosity is a trait we share,” he says, deflecting. “You know what they say, curiosity—”
“Killed the cat,” she finishes automatically.
His brow furrows. “What cat? Why would you kill a cat? Didn’t you also worship them in your time?” He shakes his head, chuckling. “Right, another saying from your time. I was going to say that, like the intense focus of a laser, unchecked curiosity can be an incredibly dangerous weapon. Curiosity, like lasers, can cut, burn, and even vaporize. Therefore, it should be used with extreme care.”
Is he serious? She can’t hold back a laugh as they step into the elevator. “Did you just make that up?”
“No. It’s from the Respectful and Considerate Conduct Course manual. Remind me to get you a private tutor.” There’s no edge of sarcasm in his voice.
It’s kind of bizarre that future people have a compulsory course that teaches basic human decency, but who is she kidding? They could have used one during her time. She jabs a finger into his side. “Is that how you learned to be so charming?”
He seizes her finger, spins her, and kisses her passionately. He only breaks away when the elevator doors open onto the food court. That’s when she notices half a dozen people pointing phones at them. Res6 isn’t fazed. He takes her hand, leaning down to say, “Smile,” and leads her into the crowd.
The kiss in the elevator has her buzzing with untamed glee. This time, smiling isn’t an issue.
26 – Camp Reincarnate
Electra
November 26, 2390.
Electra digs into her fill-you-UP fish sandwich. “This is delicious,” she praises, and Res6 nods approvingly. “I haven’t had fish since I was a teenager, and since it isn’t real, I guess I don’t have to feel bad about it.”
“Mmm,” he agrees. “I never understood the point of eating animals when the foods we can create in a lab are just as delicious and more nutritious.”
“Not to mention their impact on the environment,” she adds. “But sadly, we didn’t have faux foods this tasty during my time. I stillate them though.”
How many things they agree on is amazing. Who would have imagined her own personal book boyfriend would 1. Be this good-looking. 2. Be a vegetarian like her. 3. Love reading romance books, even if he read them in secret at first. 4. Be able to kiss like that.5. Be over a hundred years old.
Evidently, the Vine is kicking in because she’s feeling exceedingly positive about this week’s turnaround. Thoughts like,See, things might work outkeep popping into her mind at an alarming rate.
“I’ve been considering your worries about my identity.” Electra moves a faux-tay-toe around her plate. She’s been debating bringing this up with him for days now. Might as well attempt the conversation when the mood is primed for positivity.
He nods as he swallows a bite. “Good.”
