We reach the ground floor and walk out of the building. When we’re standing outside, she turns to face us, taking a deep breath. “I was getting back from a Pilates class. It was alreadydark, and as I crossed the street to get to my building, searching for my keys in my purse, I heard honking. I looked up to see a car speeding toward me. They honked like crazy, but I froze. The streetlamp over there illuminated the car’s inside, and I saw a man with sheer terror in his eyes. That sight somehow kickstarted my brain again, and I darted out of the way just as the car sped past, crashing into the building right behind me.” She gestures toward a sharp corner in the road.
“The police report states that the driver was under the influence,” Josh states.
She shrugs. “I can’t say. I only caught a brief glimpse of him, but that image has burned itself into my memory.”
“The report also mentioned the car hit the wall at full speed,” I add. “Can you confirm this?”
“They were going fast, but it didn’t seem like he wanted to hit the wall,” she explains, starting to walk again.
“Why do you say that?” I ask.
“It looked like he tried to round the corner, but they were just too fast. They couldn’t have made it.”
“But the lack of skid marks or signs of braking supports the official report,” Josh points out.
“Look, that man didn’t want to crash or die. I’d bet the brakes failed. I told the officer that, but he brushed me off.”
“But the high speed. It doesn’t make sense for them to accelerate if they were trying to slow down,” Josh ponders.
She stops and faces us. “All I know is that man was fully aware that they were going to crash and likely die. And he didn’t want that. That’s all I can tell you. If we’re done, I really need to go.”
“Of course,” I say. “Thank you for your time, Ms. Stone.”
She gives me a brief, intense look before turning and walking away.
“This doesn’t add up. Even if the brakes were tampered with, why keep accelerating?” Josh muses.
“I have no idea,” I reply, frustrated.
Josh opensthe door to Sophia’s lab, and we see her and Carolina standing at the lab bench wearing lab coats, gloves, and safety goggles.
“Hey, should we come back later?” Josh asks, and we both pause just inside the lab.
“No,” Sophia replies, taking samples from a machine and placing them in a refrigerator beside the bench. “We’re finished. And I’m starving.”
She walks over to her desk and removes her gloves while Carolina wipes down the machine. As Josh walks over to her, she turns to him, and he gently lifts the goggles from her eyes, placing them on her forehead and leaning in to kiss her.
I’m close enough to hear her let out a happy hum, and a pang of jealousy hits me. It’s not that I’m envious of Josh making her happy. I want him to do just that, but I want to know how those lips feel too. Even Xander got a little taste.
I will be the last guy she ever shares a first kiss with.
Wait, that actually doesn’t sound too bad.
When they break the kiss, she looks up at him and whispers, “I missed you.”
“Missed you more,” he whispers back, leaning in to give her another quick kiss.
“And who missed me?” I chime in, crossing my arms over my chest.
Carolina releases Josh and steps in front of me. “I bet you miss yourself plenty when there’s no mirror around,” she teases,then grabs the front of my uniform and pulls me into a hug. “I never miss you,” she whispers.
I laugh and hold her close. “I haven’t missed you either. Not one bit.” I lean down and kiss the top of her head.
She steps back to remove her coat and gloves. Meanwhile, Sophia and Josh head for the door. Once she’s done, I take her hand, leading her to join the others.
In the hallway, Josh glances back at us holding hands, and Carolina tries to pull away, but I hold on tight. She gives me a stern look, then looks at Josh, who smiles at her and resumes his conversation with Sophia.
“You can’t do shit like that,” she warns. “People will talk. I can’t be with Joshua and then stroll down the hallway holding hands with you.”
