Sixteen

"D r. Skye," Brett said timidly from the vicinity of his doorway.

Nova groaned and continued typing his email to the university president. He'd started it straight away when he arrived at work but was derailed by construction issues resulting in a potential delay in their grand opening. Nova had returned to his office a few hours later to resume the correspondence, which then needed to include the latest telescope disasters. He'd nearly finished the email when a fight broke out among staff. Not a fistfight—they were scientists after all—but a pretty big fracas had broken out in the breakroom over which Star Trek captain was the best—Picard or Kirk. Normally, Nova wouldn't engage in stupid arguments, but the shouting had gotten loud enough to reach him in his office.

He had stormed into the small space and demanded to know what the hell was going on. Brett, who'd had his arm cocked back like he was about to let his fruit cup fly, dropped the container onto the table, spilling juice onto the surface. One of the other scientists reacted like hot lava was about to consume them, and a new fight broke out. He'd heard names like Picard's puppets and Kirk's crazies being bandied about between the two factions.

"Knock it off," he'd yelled. All eyes had turned to him, and Nova made eye contact with each of them. He knew he wouldn't accomplish anything by hollering, so he aimed for his dad voice. "Look, I know things are pure chaos around here right now with the construction going on, but this in-fighting is the last thing we need."

"Yes, sir," Brett had replied.

"Suck-up," one of the male staffers in the back had mumbled. Nova had a pretty good idea who it was based on the trajectory of Brett's glare.

"We need to pull together and support one another. Therefore, I'm putting a temporary moratorium in place for controversial topics. No more Star Trek debates until further notice." Nova shook his head, letting his disappointment show. Several staff members lowered their heads to avoid his gaze, but a few notched their chins in defiance. "Besides, everyone knows Captain Kirk is the unparalleled best."

"At getting laid," one of the ladies had jeered.

Nova tried for a pissed-off dad glare but must've failed because she giggled and hadn't displayed an ounce of remorse. He'd stalked back to his office to finish his email but hadn't completed it in time for the department budget meeting. He'd rather deal with nerdy science debates than get caught between arrogant professors who preferred to engage in pissing contests rather than conduct business like adults. Nova knew many of them resented his swift rise to the top, and that was before he'd landed the partnership with NASA.

He'd had a full-blown headache by the end of the meeting and had lost any desire to stick around for the luncheon provided. Nova only wanted to slink back to his office, finish his correspondence, and find something to eat.

"I hate to interrupt you, sir," Brett said when Nova ignored him.

"Then don't," Nova replied, nearly flinching when he heard the hostility in his tone. He didn't want to take his bad mood out on his assistant, so he tamped down his irritation. "Can you just give me like thirty minutes?"

"I'm afraid not," Brett insisted. Nova glanced up and locked eyes with Brett, who stood in the doorway with a carryout bag and drink carrier sporting the logo from his favorite fast-food restaurant. "Your milkshake will melt."

Nova hadn't realized just how hungry he was until he smelled the roast beef sandwich and french fries. His stomach growled, and his mouth watered in anticipation. "You're a lifesaver, Brett."

His assistant smiled and crossed the room. "It's the least I could do. I'm really sorry your day has gone to shit. You looked like you'd floated to work on cloud nine this morning, and now you're looking more…"

"Like I was caught in a thunderstorm?"

Brett chuckled. "That's a fair analogy."

Nova unwrapped his sandwich and took a bite. It was the first real meal he'd eaten since the cookout after the paddleboard excursion. He'd been too exhausted to eat more than a banana after Jimmy dropped him off at home. Jimmy . Nova let out a deep sigh.

"Good sandwich, huh?" Brett asked.

It was delicious but not the sole reason for the contentment settling over him like a warm throw blanket. "It's perfect. Thank you."

"You're very welcome," Brett replied. "I'll run interference for a bit so you can get caught up on your tasks." He ducked out of Nova's office, leaving him alone once more.

Nova reread the email while eating his sandwich and fries, stopping to correct some grammar mistakes before sending it off. He saved his milkshake for last like always since he viewed it as a dessert. Nova picked up his phone and typed a quick text to Jimmy. Milkshakes: beverage or dessert? It didn't take long for the bubbles to appear on his phone.

Dessert beverage , Jimmy replied.

Nova laughed and started typing again. What's your favorite flavor of dessert beverage?

Peanut butter. Yours? Jimmy asked.

Strawberry , Nova replied.

We go together like peanut butter and jelly , Jimmy wrote. The message made Nova smile, but before he could reply, Jimmy's bubbles appeared again. That might've been the dumbest thing I've ever said .

Really? Nova typed. I would say it's your smartest. I really wish you were here right now drinking a peanut butter milkshake. We could test out your theory.

Like mix them together? Jimmy asked.

Smiling, Nova wrote, Not exactly what I had in mind.

Don't leave me hanging , Jimmy fired back.

Feeling ridiculously charmed, Nova typed, If I were to take a drink of my shake, and you took a drink of yours…

And… Jimmy wanted to know.

Nova's pulse started to kick up a little as he responded. We kiss…

Oh. Milkshake kisses. Adding that to my list , Jimmy wrote.

Smiling, Nova replied, Too late. Already added it to mine.

Jimmy's response was a selfie of him pouting. Nova longed to kiss those lips until he smiled again.

He wasn't adept at the selfie thing, so Nova ended up looking constipated or furious—and sometimes both—in his first several attempts before finally nailing an expression to convey his wicked thoughts. Nova hit send before he could change his mind and nervously waited for Jimmy's response. He didn't have to wait long.

Promises, promises , Jimmy wrote. Then he immediately sent another message. I have to run. Staff meeting. I'll text you later.

Nova reread their exchange and stared at Jimmy's photo for far longer than was healthy. The ridiculously adorable man stirred things inside him he'd never felt before and wasn't quite sure how to process. Why did it seem like he'd known Jimmy for years instead of a fistful of days? Why did everything with him come as naturally as breathing? He knew what his mother would say if he were to ask her. She'd tell him the stars don't lie, but relationship advice wasn't something Nova saw when he gazed up at the sky. He was a scientist who thrived on facts and data, not lore. Romantic love, if it existed, was based on the principle of proximity, not some stellar alignment. This was lust, a chemical charge between two people looking for a good time over the summer. It was best Nova kept that knowledge in the forefront of his mind.

His eyes strayed to Jimmy's pouting lips again. If all he was feeling was a chemical reaction, then why did his mind instantly replay a montage of Jimmy smiling at him over the past two days? Shouldn't Nova's thoughts have gone straight to the gutter and recall Jimmy on his knees sucking his cock?

The one rule they'd insisted on keeping was being truthful with each other. How could Nova be honest with Jimmy if he insisted on lying to himself? There was something so much stronger than chemistry working between them. Space exploration was exciting, but matters of the heart were terrifying. Nova could shy away from his feelings and stand on familiar ground or bravely go where only smart men dared. Playing it safe hadn't worked out so well for him. And since he was being honest, Nova had to admit Jimmy was the first person who made him want to be the braver version of himself.

His cell phone rang, startling him from his musing. Nova smiled when he saw his mother's name on the caller ID. He tapped the accept button and said, "Hey, Mom."

"Hello, my darling son. How are you?" she asked.

"It's been a Monday from hell." Though texting with Jimmy had boosted his mood immeasurably.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," his mom said. "Would you like to call me back tonight after you get home from work?"

"I'm taking my lunch break now," Nova told her, "so your timing is perfect."

"Wow. You really must be having a bad day if you're not eating lunch until two o'clock," she said.

"The Mondayest Monday to ever Monday," he quipped. Nova told her about the breakroom squabble.

His mom laughed. "Sounds more like a kindergarten teacher's day."

"Preschool," Nova corrected. "I preempted a food fight." Her laughter rang through their connection, helping him to relax back in his chair. "As annoyed as I was with my staff, I'd much prefer to break up their arguments than attend department meetings, especially the one where we discuss allocations of funds for the programs."

"Ah," his mom said, "Nigel again?"

"Still," Nova said. "The man is brilliant, but he doesn't play well with others. The closer I get to achieving tenure, the pettier he becomes."

"Do you really care what Nigel thinks?"

Nova had faced down his share of bullies over the years and the quantum physics professor was no match for him. "No, but he's added disciples to his I-hate-Nova club. As much as I'd love to ignore the buzz he's making, I think we're headed toward a confrontation."

"Or you can just continue to put your faith in Dr. Grimshaw," his mother suggested. "She's a sharp woman and capable of seeing through Nigel's bullshit. She's the one calling the shots, not him."

"Very true." Nova smiled because his mom always knew the perfect thing to say. "Enough about me. What did you and Dad get up to this weekend?"

She told him about their weekend getaway with Butch and Gretchen, a couple they'd known since their early college years. "Your father and Butch weren't too excited about the numerous stops we made at the antique stores, but they were good sports about it, so Gretchen and I rewarded them with a few rounds of golf."

"Did you find any hidden gems?" Nova asked, thinking about Jimmy and his Queen Anne desk. He had the strongest urge to tell his mom all about it but held back.

"I added a few nice pieces to my collections," she replied. "My favorite part of the trip was the food. The bed-and-breakfast owner served us the fluffiest pancakes I've ever had in my life. I asked what her secret was, but she wouldn't tell me."

"Egg whites," Nova said without thinking.

"Pardon?" his mom asked. "Did you say egg whites?"

Shit . Nova tried to find something to rhyme with egg whites to steer the conversation in a different direction, but he just wasn't that creative. "I saw a demonstration this weekend," he told her. "The person whipped egg whites and added them into the batter. Folded, I think, was the term the chef used."

"Ahhh," she said. "Good to know. I've never had any luck getting egg whites to peak."

"It helps if you chill the bowl first." Nova grimaced as soon as the words left his mouth.

"Who the hell are you, and what have you done with my son?" his mom asked.

Nova snorted. "Very funny."

His mother's laugh said she thought the situation was hilarious. "Son, there's a reason we delegate you to washing dishes. Forgive me if I'm suspicious. Where was this epic pancake demonstration? I'd like to sign up and see this for myself."

Think fast, dumbass . "Um, it was on television," Nova said.

"Since when do you watch cooking shows?"

He just kept digging himself a deeper hole. "I was bored out of my mind, and I'd already watched my Star Trek marathon."

"You don't say. Well, which show was it? I want your father to look at me like he did those pancakes at the B and B."

"Gross," Nova said. "And I don't remember which show. There are so many."

"Uh-huh. Are you sure it was a television show? Or perhaps you learned the technique from your weekend guest."

"Damn nosy-ass neighbors," Nova grumbled. "Who told?"

"I'll never reveal my sources. Tell me about the guy who drives a Subaru," his mom countered. She had no idea it was Jimmy because she'd only seen him driving the Buick from hell.

"Nope," Nova said defiantly. "Is that the real reason you called?"

"Yes and no," she replied.

Nova snorted. "The yes is self-explanatory, so let's focus on the no."

His mom giggled, then cleared her throat. "It's about Jimmy."

Just hearing his name brought a smile to his face, so Nova was glad they were talking over the phone. He willed his voice not to betray how much the man was coming to mean to him. "What about Jimmy?"

"I'm still committed to the article idea I pitched, and I'd really like for you to participate too. If I'd known you were dating someone, I wouldn't have pushed Jimmy at you so hard." There was a hint of admonishment in her tone. How the hell had her meddling become his fault?

"Uh-huh," Nova said,

"I'm serious," she replied. "Luckily, it didn't seem like Jimmy was that into you."

"A good thing," Nova deadpanned, even though his lips quivered. He felt absolutely no guilt for stringing her along. Well, maybe a tiny bit, but he got over it quickly.

"You have to admit he's a sweet guy."

Nova's heart squeezed. She'd only seen an inkling of Jimmy's true character. Nova had delved beneath the surface, so he knew that sweet wasn't nearly good enough to describe the man's nature. "Seems so," he replied calmly.

"Do you think you can set aside your frustration with me to finish the project with us?" his mom asked. "I promise to give up on trying to fix the two of you up."

Could he keep his growing feelings for Jimmy to himself if the three of them were together? More importantly, why did he want to? Nova knew there'd been a good reason for his reservation when he first pitched the idea to Jimmy, but hell if he could remember why.

"I'm available tomorrow night."

"Oh, Nova. Thank you." She blew kisses through the phone. "I'll reach out to Jimmy to see if he's free. I'll let you know tonight. I don't want to keep you from toddler wrangling."

Nova laughed. "Yeah, it's almost time for recess. I love you, Mom."

"Love you too. Don't work too hard."

After they disconnected, Nova tucked his phone away and forced his mind back to work tasks, even though he only wanted to think about milkshake kisses with Jimmy.