Chemical Reaction: Nerds of Paradise, #6 by Em Farmer

Author:Em Farmer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Merry Farmer

CHAPTER 7

“Sorry about my parents,” Calliope said as she and Jonathan walked toward Main Street. Jonathan lived in one of the apartments on south Main Street that Howie had converted for his employees. “They’re a little, uh….”

“Demonstrative?” Jonathan suggested.

“Embarrassing.” She snorted, but couldn’t help grinning just a little. They were her parents, after all.

“I think it’s cool that they’re still so into each other after how many years of marriage?”

“It was thirty last year,” Calliope said. “We had a big celebration and everything. They handed out dildos and anal plugs as party favors.”

Jonathan laughed, turning a bright shade of red that Calliope could see even though the sun had gone down. “Actually, I think that’s awesome,” he said, nodding in consideration.

“Really? Because it embarrassed the hell out of me and Melody.”

“No, really. It’s a great idea,” he went on. “Give people the gift that keeps on giving.”

Calliope snorted again.

“It’s what I would have done,” Jonathan went on.

“Given people dildos?” Calliope arched a disbelieving brow.

Jonathan shook his head. “Given my party guests something that would continue to make them happy. And okay, maybe sex toys aren’t really my personal style, but the more I think about it, the more I have in common with your parents.”

The idea sent a chill down Calliope’s back. She wasn’t sure if it was a good chill. Aside from that thing that said a woman always looked to date someone like her dad—and when he wasn’t embarrassing her, her dad was pretty awesome—her parents seemed so distant sometimes, so focused on each other. Which meant they didn’t have as much time for their kids.

“Okay, you’re going to have to tell me what that look is for,” Jonathan said.

Calliope blinked. “What look?”

He swerved closer to her, taking her hand as they turned onto Main Street. “That sort of tight look you get sometimes.”

“I get a tight look?” A burst of fear, like she’d been caught doing something bad, hit her.

Jonathan shrugged. “It’s a subtle look, but I’ve seen enough to know that it comes over you when something’s wrong.”

“Nothing’s wrong with me,” she said in a rush. “I’m fine.” The feeling of getting caught intensified.

“Sweetie, you’re more than fine,” he said with a roguish look.

Every bit of her self-consciousness blew away. He’d never sweet-talked her like that before. She liked it. A lot.

“You’re not so bad yourself.” She flirted back as they headed toward the station platform and the bridge that would take them to south Main Street. “In fact, I’d say you’re finer than frog hair.”

Jonathan laughed. “Is that one of those charming, western idioms?”

“It’s a true statement,” she said with a wink.

The moment of awkwardness was gone, and they strolled along through the shops that made up the south side of town. Jonathan’s building was at the far end, which suited Calliope. It was quiet, secluded. Or as secluded as anyone could be in Haskell. By the time they climbed the stairs to the second floor apartment above the print shop, she was ready for what she hoped would come next.

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