Chapter 2

TWO

Q uinn blinked at her computer’s clock. 6:15 PM. “I just need to finish?—”

“Nope!” Lydia strode in and saved Quinn’s work with practiced efficiency. “The fate of the geological world can wait one night. Right now, you need to change, or we’ll be late.”

“Has anyone ever told you you’re bossy?”

“Only everyone I’ve ever met.” Lydia grinned, pulling the garment bag from its hook. “Now strip.”

Thirty minutes later, Quinn hardly recognized herself in the office bathroom mirror. The midnight blue dress transformed her usual practical appearance into something almost elegant. The color made her brown eyes look darker, more mysterious, and even her straight dark hair seemed to have more shine than usual.

“See?” Lydia dabbed another coat of lipstick on Quinn’s lips. “You clean up nice when you’re not covered in rock dust.”

“I haven’t been covered in rock dust in weeks,” Quinn protested. “I’ve been stuck in that basement running simulations.”

“Which is exactly why you need this party.” Lydia stepped back to survey her work. “Perfect. Now, remember—no geological shop talk for at least the first hour.”

Quinn rolled her eyes. “You realize this is a fundraiser for the Earth Sciences department? What else would we talk about?”

“I don’t know—the weather? Sports? The latest episode of that show about the sexy doctors?”

“I haven’t watched TV in months.”

“My point exactly.” Lydia linked their arms together. “Come on, Dr. Quinn. Time to join the world of the living.”

The chandeliers in the Grand Ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton cast a warm glow over the gathering crowd of Manhattan’s elite. Quinn felt distinctly out of place among the designer dresses and perfectly tailored tuxedos. Her fingers itched for her laptop and the comfort of data and graphs that made sense in a way these social interactions never did.

“Stop fidgeting,” Lydia whispered, pressing a champagne flute into Quinn’s hand. “You look gorgeous. And remember?—”

“No geological shop talk for the first hour. I remember.” Quinn took a sip of champagne, then frowned. “Does it count if someone else brings it up?”

“Quinn...”

“Because Professor Harrison is heading this way, and he still thinks he’s right about those magma channels.”

Lydia’s retort was cut off by the arrival of a distinguished-looking older man in a perfectly pressed tuxedo. Professor William Harrison had been Quinn’s advisor in graduate school—brilliant in his field but set in his ways.

“Dr. Quinn!” His booming voice drew several glances their way. “I just read your paper on predictive modeling for seismic events. Fascinating approach, though perhaps a bit... unconventional.”

Quinn straightened, recognizing the familiar academic code for ‘I disagree with everything you’ve written.’ “The data supports the model, Professor. The traditional approaches aren’t accounting for the new patterns we’re seeing in urban developments?—”

“Yes, yes,” he waved his hand dismissively. “But surely you see the risks in departing from established methodologies? The field of geology isn’t kind to radical theories.”

“Neither is it kind to ignore warnings,” Quinn countered, warming to the debate despite Lydia’s warning look. “The Highland Development site shows all the markers for?—”

“Dr. Samara Quinn?” A warm voice interrupted their brewing argument. Quinn turned to find an elegant woman in her early fifties approaching them, her silver-white bob gleaming under the chandeliers. Despite her obvious sophistication, there was something approachable about her, a twinkle of mischief in her blue eyes that immediately put Quinn at ease.

“Yes?” Quinn shifted her attention gratefully away from Professor Harrison.

“Geraldine Wilder.” The woman’s handshake was firm and confident. “But, please, call me Gerri. I’ve been hoping to catch you tonight.” She turned to include Lydia in her smile. “And you must be Lydia Marlowe, Dr. Quinn’s research assistant. Your work on ground-penetrating radar applications is impressive.”

Lydia’s eyes widened in surprise. Most people didn’t bother learning the research assistant’s name, let alone their work.

“You’re familiar with our research?” Quinn asked, intrigued despite herself. There was something different about this woman—an energy that seemed almost otherworldly.

“I make it my business to know exceptional talent when I see it.” Gerri’s smile held a secret. “Especially when that talent might be perfect for a unique opportunity I have in mind.”

Professor Harrison harrumphed beside them. “If you’ll excuse me, ladies. Dr. Quinn, do consider what I said about conventional methodologies.”

Quinn barely noticed him leave, too focused on Gerri’s mysterious statement. “What kind of opportunity?”

“The kind that involves unexplored territory and a planet in need of your specific expertise.” Gerri held up a hand at Quinn’s startled expression. “Before you dismiss this as crazy, hear me out. I have connections with various... let’s call them off-world communities. One in particular is experiencing significant geological instability. They need someone with your skills, Dr. Quinn. Someone who can think outside the box and isn’t afraid of unusual circumstances.”

Quinn barked out a laugh. “Off-world communities? As in aliens?” She glanced at Lydia, expecting to share an amused look, but her friend was leaning forward, completely engaged.

“I prefer to think of them as people with unique cultural and physical differences,” Gerri replied smoothly. She produced a business card that seemed to shimmer with an iridescent quality Quinn had never seen. “The Paranormal Dating Agency isn’t just about matchmaking. We facilitate connections of all kinds—professional, personal, and sometimes both.”

“Dating agency?” Quinn’s voice rose enough to draw looks from nearby partygoers. She lowered it quickly. “I’m not looking for?—”

“Of course not,” Gerri cut in with a knowing smile. “You’re focused on your career. But wouldn’t it be nice to work somewhere your brilliance is appreciated? Where your gender isn’t a barrier to respect?”

The words hit uncomfortably close to home. Quinn thought of all the times she’d been talked over in meetings, her research dismissed or stolen, her expertise questioned despite her impeccable credentials.

“This is fascinating,” Lydia chimed in, her green eyes sparkling with excitement. “Could I come too? Quinn and I work best as a team.”

“The more the merrier.” Gerri’s eyes twinkled. “Sometimes the best adventures are shared with friends.” She pulled out another shimmering business card. “Think about it. Call me when you’re ready to explore possibilities beyond Earth’s boundaries. The worst that could happen is you get a paid vacation to another world.”