“Callie knows everything about this place,” Brennan says, noticing our expressions.
“I do not,” Callie protests. “You know how the radio telescope was invented.”
“Yeah, because you told me!” He points a finger at her, laughing.
“I guess when your dad works at the observatory and your momteaches at the local school, it’s bound to rub off on you,” Callie sheepishly admits.
I keep waiting for Gavin to chime in, but he doesn’t. There have been plenty of opportunities, and their relaxed banter should put him at ease. What’s his deal?
After we finish off the fries and ice cream, we pay the bill and head out of the cafe. As we’re walking, I lean into Gavin when Brennan and Callie are slightly ahead of us.
“Why aren’t you talking to Callie?” I hiss at Gavin.
“I knew we shouldn’t have asked Callie to come today. Every time I try to speak, it’s like the words keep getting caught in my throat.”
“Well, figure out how to get them un-caught soon, before you find yourself permanently in the friend zone.”
He rolls his eyes but doesn’t argue with me.
“Since I already gave Gavin a tour of the facilities last time, do you want to show Elena around while I take Gavin to the lab?” Brennan asks Callie in the lobby of the observatory.
Let’s be real, there isn’t any part of this observatory I’m interested in learning more about. I’m only here to make sure Gavin doesn’t botch things up with Callie. So splitting up is not an option.
“Why don’t you give me the CliffsNotes version of what I missed so we can stick together?” I suggest.
Gavin gives me a subtle glance, indicating that he knows what I’m doing, which is a good reminder for him. Because with the way he’s avoiding Callie—both in distance and in peripheral vision—he needs more than a reminder. He needs an intervention.
“The lab isn’t the most exciting place in the observatory, but it’s where the real action happens,” Brennan says while we wait for the elevator.
“The lab?” I raise a skeptical brow. “I’d have thought the telescope was the main attraction.”
“The radio telescope does have an important job of collecting the signals from space, but it sends the data directly to the lab,” Callie explains. “And the analysis is where the actual discoveries are made.”
“So you don’t need to get close to the telescope to use it?” Gavin asks.
“No, but we can give you a tour of it if you want,” Callie offers.
“How close can we get to the telescope?” I ask.
Brennan and Callie exchange a knowing look. “I think we can get pretty close, right, Callie?” Brennan asks.
“Yeah, I think I can arrange that,” Callie says, pulling out her phone.
“I thought those were banned or something,” I blurt. I haven’t seen my phone in weeks. I’m starting to forget what it looks like.
“We don’t normally get to use them, but today is a maintenance day,” Callie explains. “It’s when the telescope is temporarily shut down and not collecting data, so radio waves won’t interfere with it.”
“More importantly it means today is the perfect day to ask for a tour of the telescope,” Brennan adds as Callie steps away to make a call.
“Who’s she calling?” I ask.
“Her dad. He runs security here,” Brennan says. “It’s a good thing Callie joined us today, since he’s the only one who can give us the proper clearance.”
“Itisa good thing Callie joined us,” I enunciate ever so slightly.
Gavin doesn’t acknowledge me, but the blush that blooms on his cheeks tells me he heard every word.
Chapter 20
