Hard Start by S.V. Farnsworth

Hard Start by S.V. Farnsworth

Author:S.V. Farnsworth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: space opera, science ficton, romantic suspense, Mars, Martian
Publisher: Stone Wolfe Press
Published: 2021-10-10T00:00:00+00:00


Chapter Twenty-Two

Lisa and Cody returned to their apartment after church. Cody headed for his room, but she caught him by the elbow. He faced her without meeting her gaze.

“Please listen to me.” Lisa searched his expression. “The government is manipulating us, but I trust in the Lord. I’ll be patient with you, I promise.”

Cody paced the living area, trying not to show her how upset he was. “Why don’t we have any furniture?” He went to the bathroom and pulled some tissue from the roll, blowing his nose.

Lisa looked around the apartment, knowing he had changed the subject to avoid talking about their relationship. “Koreans sit on the floor.”

He came into the living area and leaned against the wall. He looked so emotionally devastated that she pitied him. What had he and President Rosales talked about?

“I can order something.” She avoided his gaze, sensitive to the gulf of economic disparity that lay between them.

“No, it’s fine. I’m sure you realize how nice this place is. I mean, we never run out of hot water.” He slid down the wall to sit on the floor with his knees upright in front of him.

She knelt facing him and sat on her heels. “Who runs out of hot water?”

He chuckled and swiped at his eyes. “Everyone.”

She frowned. “Why is that funny?”

He waved a hand. “It’s not. I miss my old life. None of this feels right. I don’t fit in here.”

She bowed her head, regretting his discomfort. “What can I do?”

He dropped his knees and crossed his ankles. “I don’t mean our place, exactly. I kind of like our Korean-style apartment. It’s nice. Comfortable, except for the lack of a couch.” He shook his head. “I hate the squat toilet, but I’m already used to it.” He blushed and looked away.

“It makes potty training easier.” She had thought ahead when she designed the apartment.

His brows crashed downward. “Don’t even joke about kids.”

She tilted her head in confusion. “When the thirty days are up, don’t worry about hurting me. I overreacted. It’s going to be all right.”

He shook his head. “It’s good that you’re willing to wait because I can’t control myself right now. You’d better stay clear of me until the drugs are out of my system.”

She nodded in agreement. “I’ll monitor the reports and let you know when it’s safe to try.”

He clenched his fists and squeezed his eyes closed. “I hope we work this out between us soon.”

She wished he would look at her. “Me too, Cody. Waiting doesn’t feel right.”

He leaned his head against the wall. “There’s a chance that I’m not actually attracted to you. If that’s true, then we have a serious problem.”

The depth of his concern made her smile. “God did not put us together to fail.”

He swallowed. “What makes you think you want me? You didn’t like the look of me when we first met.”

She pondered the question. “It started with your confidence at the wedding, your secret smile when you thought I didn’t see you looking at me.



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