Page 31 of When the Smoke Clears

A slow grin steals across my face. “I’m going to send you a bill for putting out your fire.”

“I pay taxes, so I’ve already paid for it.”

“What’s up with gaming during work?” I nod toward her head even though she’s no longer wearing the VR headset.

“I use virtual reality exposure therapy, especially with children. I’ve designed and patented several programs, including one that can be personalized for a patient’s unique needs. For some, it’s easier to deal with reality when it’s not actually real. It’s a transformative tool for anxiety disorders, involving gradual exposure in immersive environments. VR is a great place to practice coping skills.” Everleigh’s whole body straightens as she talks. Confidence gives her petite posture an extra inch or two.

“Your work might be cooler than mine. But maybe not. We have robots we can send into fires. Do you have robots?” I ask.

“Not yet.” She folds her hands in front of her. “But I’m working on it.”

It’s hard not to let my gaze linger on her because every day feels like I’m seeing her in a different light. “Well”—I glance around the room as if I haven’t inspected its minimalistic decor a dozen times in half an hour—“I’d better let you get back to work. I’ll tell your mom I haven’t properly manscaped in a while, so I’ll have to pass on the painting offer.”

“Just tell her no. It’s that simple.”

“Yeah, but she’s probably purchased supplies.”

“Oh, William. You really need to find your voice.” She slides her phone out of her coat pocket, then her thumbs speed across the screen. “There. I just told her you don’t want to be painted. And she won’t waste any supplies because I’ll let her paint me after work.”

Well, shit.

A nude painting of Everleigh. Do I like that idea?

Before my dick thinks too hard about it, I open the door. “Thanks. I appreciate it. And for the record, my voice works just fine.”

Everleigh doesn’t respond, so I glance over my shoulder. She’s staring at my ass. When she lifts her gaze, she smirks.

Chapter Eleven

Eleven years earlier . . .

As if it wasn’t enough that I stayed the whole night with no sex, I played games in her apartment until she was done with her classes the next day. When Tyler called to see if I wanted to have lunch with him and his parents, I lied and said I had a headache.

Who was this girl? And why was I so fascinated by her?

“What do you want to do?” I hollered, continuing to play the game while she changed her clothes in the bedroom.

“Let’s fly a kite,” she said.

I wrinkled my nose, keeping my focus on the screen. “Fly a kite?”

“Yes. My father sent me a new one, and I haven’t had a chance to fly it yet.” She stepped around the corner in a sleeveless cream sundress and Birkenstocks. “When was the last time you flew a kite?”

I shut off the game and stood. “When I still had deciduous teeth.”

Everleigh eyed me with a hesitant smile. “Are you serious?”

“Yes. When was the last time you flew a kite?”

She pulled the kite out of the coat closet. “A couple of weeks ago.”

“You just . . . fly kites by yourself? For fun?”

“Yes.” She laughed, handing me the kite before threading her arms through her mini black leather backpack. “Don’t you have a solitary pastime?”

“Well, yes. But it’s not polite to talk about it.” I opened the door.

Everleigh studied me. I knew she wouldn’t get my joke, and there was no way I would tell her it was a quip about masturbating.