Thirty Nights (American Beauty #1)(65)

I find some air and string the words together. “I think what you’re offering is a tremendous opportunity, Mr. Hale. If it’s okay with you, may I think it over to make sure I’m doing the right thing? For both of us?”

His eyebrows rise slightly at my last words, but he nods. “Yes, but don’t take too long. You have to let Bob know soon, and you don’t want any delays.” He looks intense, anxious even.

“I understand. I’ll let you both know by this weekend.”

“Good. Now, are there any other questions before we sign the agreement?”

I’m about to shake my head when I remember. In my astonishment, I almost forgot. “Why are you interested in military defense, Mr. Hale?” I try to keep my tone light and not give away how much I want this information for my theory.

The tectonic plates shift in his eyes abruptly. He takes a sip from his glass of water, looking like he was hoping this question would never come. I wait.

“You’re not the only one who has fought for the American dream,” he says after a few moments.

Bingo! “You were in the military?”

He nods once, keeping his eyes on me.

“That’s impressive, Mr. Hale. When?” Denton asks. With every word Aiden speaks, I think Denton is developing a man crush on him.

“When I was eighteen,” Aiden answers politely, but his voice is hardening.

“How long were you in the military? Were you in the Army?” Denton presses on. He’s in love.

“No, the Marines. For about five years.” Aiden’s sentences are getting shorter. I know I have only moments before he ends the conversation. I make my move for the final missing piece.





Chapter Thirty





Discovery


“Were you in combat?” I ask.

His jaw flexes for a millisecond and he turns to me. “Yes. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll add your terms to the agreement.”

The moment he leaves the room, my brain jumps into overdrive but Denton interrupts me.

“What an inspiring creature. Marine, then college, then this. When does the man sleep?”

“I don’t know,” I mumble, grateful for my long hair in case my face betrays my intimate knowledge of Aiden Hale’s bedroom.

“Isa, I’d like you to forget about my being a professor for a moment. Can you do that?”

The question takes me by surprise. “Sure, what do you need?”

“I need you to talk to me like a friend.” He smiles. “What’s going on with you and Hale?”

I flush. How embarrassing. Denton was thinking I managed to impress a businessman with my supplement and now he suspects I got this deal with something else. I can’t look him in the eye. I doodle with my finger on the cherry wood table.

“I like him.” I whisper the understatement of the century.

Denton’s hand moves closer to mine and he bends his head to see my face. “I’ll give you some unsolicited advice because I wish someone had given it to me. I think he made you an incredible offer. If you weren’t so taken with him, I’d say jump on it. But if you feel strongly about him and you don’t think he can reciprocate, I implore you to think it over carefully. I don’t want you to jump into this because you feel you have no other options. With your visa, kid, they’ll line up to hire you, and you’ll get your own lab someday. Just think it over.” He pats my shoulder.

A surge of gratitude for this man overwhelms me. It’s exactly the kind of advice I needed, the kind of faith only someone in his position can give. Before I realize what I’m doing, I give him a hug.

“Thank you, Arthur.”

He chuckles. “Here is a scientific observation for you, Isa. When it comes to feelings, the male of the species is an idiot. But the good news is, he eventually comes around.” He winks. I twist the paperclip, laughing. Even his love advice is scientific.

Aiden strides into the room minutes later. He must be the most efficient contract drafter ever. Of course, his supermemory must help. And hurt.

He turns to me. “Ready?”

I nod, the magnitude of the moment settling in. He hands me his pen from the inside pocket of his jacket. The pen is warm from his heartbeat. The new lifeblood pounds in my chest as I recognize it. It’s the one he used to sign my new books. I look up at him, startled.

Aiden smiles. “Sign away.”

I wonder if my hand would have shaken with any other pen. But with this one, it does not. He signs his assertive, no-frills autograph next to mine. Denton takes a picture, laughs and claps. When Aiden extends his hand, I take it, knowing he will hold mine. And knowing it will rip me apart tonight.

“Congratulations!” he says. “Time for a celebration lunch?”

Oh no! Alone time. I don’t need Reagan’s pearls of wisdom to know this idea would be like sniffing vapors off the fume hood. Addictive and deadly. “I can’t, Mr. Hale. But thank you for all your help. I’ll never forget it.” I put as much feeling as I can in my voice and squeeze his hand.

His grip tightens once—almost painfully—then he lets me go.

*

Denton drops me off at home. The whole way, he analyzed the pros and cons of Aiden’s business offer. I heard only half of it. Calico runs to me on the steps, and I do a poor job scratching his head. He abandons me, looking offended.