“To New Zealand?This summer?”
Her brow crinkles.“It’s short notice, I know, but according to the detailed plan you outlined, it’s possible if you can leave the museum.Ittrulyis magnificent, Henry.I’m so proud of you.”
A smile peeks through my incessant kissing.“Thanks, and yes, we’ll go wherever, whenever you want.I’ll speak to Carly, and I’ve made Eric the Sword-Swallower, Eric the manager.It’s too much for me, and Jay would’ve wanted me to have help.”
“Help is good,” she says, her brow pinched as if trying to come up with something more eloquent, though she said it perfectly.
More kissing.
“Oh, there’s more,” she says.“I’ve agreed to teach special topics courses at UNCW and assist Dad with his research part-time, so I can pursue my art, too.A textbook company has reached out about hiring me for illustrations.”
“That’s amazing.You’re amazing.”My lips crush hers in yet another desperate kiss.“I love this plan.I love that you want us with you.It’s fucking perfect.”
She pulls away, smiling coyly.“It’s me being Venus and you being Henry, and us, finally getting to love each other like we’ve always wanted.”
“Finally.”I take her hands in mine, bring them between us, and kiss her fingers.“Venus, look!Your ring!”
Her damp eyes widen as she takes in the long, oval surface of my grandmother’s ring, now an unmistakable blue.Bright and serene, like the perfect summer sky.
“I-I don’t understand,” she gawks.“It’s not onyx.”
“No, it’s a mood ring,” I remind her.
“Mood rings use thermochromic liquid crystals that change according to body heat and blood flow.The crystals absorb energy, causing a molecular color change.Why would it change now?After all this time?”
I can’t contain my sappy grin.“Because you’re happy.”
Her brow pinches with scrutiny, her eyes fluctuating between me and the ring, and I sense the scientific argument that’s building in her head.
“Trust it.Don’t reason it out,” I say with a laugh before kissing her again.“I bet it stays that color from now on.”
“Highly unlikely, scientifically,” she says, “but anything’s possible with you.”
I kiss her again.“I like the sound of that.Maybe it’s blue because you’re being so damn romantic.Staying with us.”
“Not romantic.Pragmatic,” she corrects.“I’d be too distracted to work and make incredible scientific discoveries without you and Olly close at hand.”
“Yeah, right,” I say, with playful sarcasm.“Us being together—it’s for science.”
“The world needs me at my best,” she says.“Olly, too?—”
As if whispering his name summoned him, a low pound on the door is followed by, “Dad?Venus?”
I laugh against her.“Think we can pull ourselves together enough to get back out there?”
She tugs my glasses from my face and wipes the smeared lenses with my tie.“I hope so.There’s cake.”
“Just a sec, Olly,” I call before kissing her again.
She straightens the knot in my tie while I sweep out the wrinkles in her dress.
“How long did it take you?”I ask, realizing that the escape room test will need a result.
Her coy smirk gives me pause.“Eight minutes.”
“Damn, only eight?”
“It’s very enjoyable, Henry.I predict it will take the average group with limited prior knowledge about forty minutes, especially given the obvious conflicts and debates typical of a group endeavor.That’s ideal, I think.”
