A wave of heat washed over Miri’s cheeks. “I told you. It’s not like that,” she said. Though by the shit-eating grin on Anissa’s face, she clearly wasn’t fooling anyone.
“And I told you, you’re a terrible liar.”
Miri sat still.Maybe if I pretend I didn’t hear her…
“Don’t pretend like you didn’t hear me,” Anissa followed up. “Tell me what happened between you two!”
Miri groaned. “Fine! We kissed.”
“Oh my God, yes! I knew it!” Anissa said, covering her mouth and giggling. “How was it?”
“It was…it was amazing,” Miri said with a sigh.
“Of course it was.”
“Well, it won’t be happening again.” Miri pulled the towel up under her armpits, then got up to get her clean clothes from across the room.
“Why?” Anissa cocked back her head. “Because of those texts? Seriously, who the fuck cares? Quinn’s gone. And you’re both adults. You can do what you want.”
Miri furrowed her brow. “But they were right. I’m distracted. And, I don’t know, Vautour seems to knowa lotabout Rafa. Why would he know who he is?”
“I mean, if he’s some rich guy’s kid, then it would make sense that people might know who he is. Not people like us, maybe, but people like Vautour—they make it their business to know things. And he wasn’t exactly pulling strings for him.”
“But he also wasn’t trying to get him fired, like he’s trying to get me.”
“Sure, but what would getting Rafa canned accomplish? You’re the one who’s looking for the Moon City, not him.”
“Okay, then I need toactuallylook for it and focus on this expedition, not on some guy.”
“Who says you can’t do both? Look at Corrie and Ford. They took the dig seriouslyandfell in love at the same time.”
“Fellin love?” Miri couldn’t mask the incredulity in her voice. “You’re talking aboutlovenow?”
“Yeah, so what?”
“So what?” Miri started pacing. “Anissa, I’ve known the guy for a total of forty-eight hours and you’re already comparing my relationship with him to Corrie and Ford’s!”
Anissa smirked.
“What now? What are you smirking about?” Miri asked.
“You said your ‘relationship.’ ”
“Oh my God, Anissa!” Miri tossed her head back and threw the towel at Anissa. “It’s just a word! Besides, I’ve never been in love. I don’t even know what lovefeelslike. This is…this is lust. That’s all.”
Yeah. That was it. It couldn’t be a relationship. Miri hadn’t been in a relationship in well over five years. Definitely not since getting her PhD.
“Okay, and what is it about him that you find attractive?” Anissa rested on her side, propping her head up under her arm.
“Well, he’s funny, and kind, and brave, and patient, and—” Miri stopped and stared at Anissa sitting there looking quite satisfied. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Oh, hon. You like him,” Anissa said, staring at Miri with tenderness in her eyes. “Like, youreallylike him.”
“Oh, I do, do I? And how do you know that?”
“Because you listed all these reasons why you like him, andnoneof them have anything to do with how he looks. That’s not lust. That’s”—Don’t you dare say it. Don’t you dare say the L-word.—“affection.” Anissa sat up. “Look, Dr. Quinn’s not even here anymore, so you don’t have to worry about someone tattling on you, if that’s what you’re worried about. I’m certainlynot going to say anything. And honestly, Miri, if thisisonly lust, you could probably stand to get laid.”
Miri’s jaw dropped.
