“Thank you.” I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye.
“What is that bright mind of yours working on now? Chemistry?” He propped his elbows on the table and leaned forward, resting his chin in his hand.
“Yes, just working on something small.” I tapped my pen against the paper. “You wouldn’t happen to be good at reactions, would you?”
“I could try my best.” He lifted a shoulder indecisively, dragging my notebook toward him and plucking my pen from my hand. He studied it for a minute before looking at me over the rim of his glasses. “Still working on the toxin and antidote?”
“Yes.”
“The structure is unstable,” he pointed out. “With this, the antidote would cause a bigger reaction than just breaking it apart. It would destroy the poison and possibly surrounding matter. What are you trying to do with it?”
“Precisely that,” I said plainly.
“So you are weaponizing an antidote?”
“I want to see every possibility,” I explained.
He nodded with a smile as if he was amused.
“What?”
“Nothing, just admiring your mind.” He shrugged. “Have you tested any of this?”
“Some of it. It’s just not finished yet.” I pulled my notebook toward me and stole back my pen.
“What happens when it’s finished?” His voice had lost its curiosity. It sounded more like a challenge.
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly, closing my book and notes before standing.
“Are you not staying in your town house?” he asked suddenly. “I went to give you some literature, but I noticed the mail was piling up.”
“No, there is maintenance to be done,” I lied. “I am staying with a friend.”
“A friend,” he repeated, letting the words hang. I knew he wanted to ask, but he was too polite. He did not press me further.
“Yes, maybe for about a week or two. I am unsure how long the repairs will take.”
“I see.” He paused. “So where can I leave some papers for you?”
“I am unsure—it is best that you hold on to them unless you can bring them to the shop this week.”
“Will you be going to the gala in a few days?”
“If no act of God prohibits me, then yes.” I rolled my eyes. “Phoebe prefers that I come. She thinks she is socializing me like a newborn hound.”
He chuckled at my remark. “She is a good friend. Even if her methods are tedious. From what I have seen, she only hopes the best for you.”
“She does have an unusual way of showing her love.”
“That kind of love is always the purest kind.”
“I wouldn’t go as far as to say that.”
“Well, let me walk you home.” He stood and held his hand out to me.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
