“Yeah,” she says, nodding like there’s an unspoken agreement between us.
“That can’t happen again,” I say.
“Completely agree,” she says, tucking her legs under herself. “We got caught up in the moment.”
“It was a really tight space.”
Rooney sits up on her knees, gesturing with her arms. “It’s like the thing we do. We walk, talk, kiss at the end. Totally normal.”
I move toward the center of the bed and cross my legs. “Right. It wasn’t the first time, but it has to be the last.”
We fall quiet, staring at each other. My eyes drop to her lips. She’s not wearing lipstick today, but they’re still a little red from earlier in the space capsule.
Somehow, we’re closer to each other, gravity pulling us together without much resistance. Our faces are inches apart.
A knock at the door ends the moment before it can begin. We jump back from each other. Rooney slides off her side of the bed and takes an entire three steps to hide in the bathroom.
On the other side of the door is Kenneth. Did he see us in the Rocket Garden? Is this why he’s here? I pull the heavy door open and force a smile onto my face.
“Jackson!” Kenneth says before I can say hello. “Sorry to surprise you like this. Was that you I saw in the Rocket Garden?”
“In this weather? That would be reckless.” I inhale sharply. “I was there earlier, though,” I say, not being able to commit to the lie. “What brings you to town?”
Kenneth laughs and lifts his arms. Drops of water roll off his sleeves. “Good point. I had a meeting with the Center Director. They had shirts for the team,” he says, handing me a Kennedy Space Center T-shirt. “There’s one for Rooney, too.”
I take it from him before he offers to bring it to her. “I’d be happy to give it to her tomorrow. I think she’s… busy,” I interject.
“Great. Thanks. Oh, hey! Congrats on being put up for a promotion. Your manager reached out for a recommendation,” he shares.
“I didn’t know… That’s great,” I say. Did I miss an email about this? I make a mental note to check.
Kenneth smiles reassuringly. “Don’t worry. Only good things to say here. You’re doing fantastic work. Keep it up. My fingers are crossed for you.”
“Thanks,” I mumble.
“I won’t keep you. See you back in LA!” Kenneth says as he turns toward the elevator.
I return with a half wave and close the door.
Rooney peers out from behind the door. “Can I come out?”
I nod, handing her the T-shirt. “My manager put my name in for a promotion.”
“I heard,” she says. “That’s really great news.”
“Yeah.”
“Are you okay?”
“That was dangerously close, Rooney,” I whisper.
“Completely agree,” she says in a hushed tone. “I don’t want to compromise anything for you.”
“And this program is too important for you,” I say. We stare deeply into each other’s eyes. It feels like saying good-bye in New York City all over again.
Rooney nods quickly. “Yes. These opportunities mean too much. We can’t risk anything.” She pulls at a wet strand of hair. “Friends, then?”
Before any semblance of hesitation takes over, I agree. “Friends.”
