Page 46 of Dream Mates (Into The Parallel Omegaverse #2)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Grace

“ D r. Harlowe, this is amazing. Astoundingly amazing,” I breathed as I watched the demonstration of her particle cutter at PIIP, the Particle Institute for Interdisciplinary Physics. Spencer stood at my shoulder. A few others from Compass BioTek Special Projects were with us.

“It really is. Oh, the things we could potentially do,” Dr. Harlowe replied. “So, who’d like to finish the tour?”

Dr. Harlowe, the dark-haired beta that I’d met at the science dinner, continued our special tour of PIIP.

The symposium started tomorrow at a nearby hotel.

As we toured the research facility, I couldn’t help but feel I was being watched.

Specifically, by one young woman who could be a grad student.

But then a lot of people were interested in the Compass BioTek team, since the company wasn’t synonymous with particle physics.

It was interesting to see all the things that they were doing here. I paid close attention to what I saw and who I met, making notes on my phone, since I was on the lookout for potential team members, including our super collider expert.

“Does anyone want to see our super collider?” Dr. Harlowe asked. “We have the most powerful one on this continent, well, for now. We also have one of the new micro particle accelerators.”

“Oh, we have one of those,” Margie dismissed, with a wave of her hand.

Which we did.

“I’d like to see it,” I replied, curious to see in person how it was different from what I’d used back in my world.

I looked over at Spencer, who gave me the slightest of nods. He probably wouldn’t want to see it. While he was okay with the micro particle accelerator we had in Special Projects, the large colliders brought back too many memories.

And I understood that completely.

We split off, my group going to see the collider and accelerator.

“You said for now, ” I asked. “Others are being built?”

Dr. Harlowe nodded, as we walked down the hall. “BaySci is building a large-scale laser-plasma circular collider, and the Research Circle Collaborative is attempting to build a CeCe.”

“Oooh. That’s pretty amazing. I’d love to see both of them.” I wasn’t quite sure what either of them were specifically–or where these places were.

She nodded. “Both are really exciting concepts, though the idea is to make them smaller and safer, not bigger and more dangerous.”

“Someone’s overcompensating?” I laughed, still curious as to what they used that made them so much more dangerous here.

Dr. Harlowe burst into giggles. “You said it, I didn’t.”

We rejoined everyone for some refreshments in one of their meeting rooms. The young woman who’d been watching me was there, as were a bunch of other young people.

“They’re curious,” Dr. Harlowe told us. “It’s not every day that Compass BioTek comes to PIIP. Before Dr. Terik’s research, we didn’t even know that you were working in any of these fields.”

Narif, Dr. Terik, was swarmed with eager young people, as was Spencer.

“Again, thank you for arranging a private tour and demonstration for us,” I said. “I’m so excited to be here.”

She smiled. “I look forward to one day coming to tour your facility and see what you are all up to.”

“Anytime.” I meant it. I wanted to keep a friendship with her and PIIP, especially if we hoped to actually make our simulator.

The young woman who’d been watching me came over, holding a paper cup and a bashful expression. She was younger than me, very graceful, and only a little taller, with golden skin and really long, dark hair.

She held the cup out. “I brought you some tea. There’s more if you want it.”

“Oh, thank you.” I took the cup, and she smiled and darted off. It tasted like the stuff Evan kept feeding me. I didn’t like it much, but I drank it.

“Inara’s one of our research fellows. She’s presenting Wednesday as part of the student forum,” Dr. Harlowe said softly. “While her research doesn’t dovetail with yours, she’d probably appreciate your support if you have the time.”

Got it. She was an omega. That’s why she’d been watching me and brought me tea.

“I’ll definitely try to attend.” I’d planned to attend the student forum anyway, to invite students to apply to the intern program.

When I went to get snacks, I looked for her, but she wasn’t there.

Finally, we finished, and our group assembled outside of PIIP to wait for the called cars. PIIP was in the idyllic Southern coastal town that was home to cute shops, beautiful beaches, and a number of research facilities and universities.

The May air was warm and sticky, and we were all dressed accordingly in more summery business clothes. Except for Spencer, who still wore a dark suit.

And looked delicious in it.

“We’ll see you later,” Spencer said, as he and I got in a different car. Everyone else was staying at the hotel the symposium was at. We were all having dinner together later.

As we rode, I held Spencer’s hand, looking out the window. The two of us had come straight to PIIP from the airport. Most of our team had arrived yesterday.

The water came into view as we drove to the resort the two of us were staying at.

“Ocean,” I’d breathed. I’d gotten a glimpse as we flew.

“We will take you to see as many oceans and beaches as you wish.” He squeezed my hand.

The car stopped in front of a very fancy hotel.

The kind you’d see in movies with lush landscaping, uniformed bellhops, and brass carts.

Spencer took my arm and led me into the lobby.

Our things had already been brought here from the plane, which was mind blowing in itself. Money did seem to have its privileges.

One wall of the lobby was all windows. There was a cafe to one side, and doors opening out to a patio, beyond that was a bar area, a pool…

…and the ocean.

Letting go of Spencer, I went right out those doors into the gleaming sand. Ocean waves lapped on the sandy beach, as families built sand castles and children frolicked in the waves.

Spencer’s arms wrapped around me. “The water’s warmer down here than where you went with Wes. Tonight, we’re having dinner on a boat.”

“We are?” I perked. “That sounds fun.”

Spencer nodded as we swayed gently in the very slight ocean breeze. “I thought it would be nice for everyone from the company to go on a sunset dinner cruise, especially since some people brought their families.”

“Perfect.” I snapped a picture of me and sent it to the group chat.

It was just me and Spencer on this trip and while I’d miss everyone else fiercely, I was looking forward to both the symposium and having some time with just him. And trying out the sexy panties I’d gotten. I also had some new swimsuits.

The group chat went off again.

Riley

I made the team!!!! I’m a swing.

She added a picture of the skate smash team roster for next year.

Me

Congratulations! I’m so excited for you.

“Would you like to go to the hotel room?” Spencer asked. “Or should we walk along the beach?”

I was already taking off my shoes. “Will you hold my hand and walk on the beach?”

He held out his hand. “My good doctor, it would be my pleasure.”

In the morning, I woke up to the alarm, nestled in Spencer’s arms. The hotel room we were in was extraordinary. It was a villa set aside from the hotel in a small grouping of other villas. We had a porch, hot tub, and more rooms than two people needed.

“Good morning, Darling. Excited for today?” Spencer kissed my temple.

“I am.” I sat up and stretched. It was the first day of the three-day symposium, though I was most interested in today and tomorrow. “What do you have planned for today? Are you still coming with me for breakfast and the opening session?”

While there were a few speakers Spencer wanted to see, mostly he was having a lot of business meetings and a couple speaking engagements.

He took his phone off the nightstand and glanced at it. “For part of it. I’m going to try to make one of the breakout sessions on micro-computing. Tonight, we’ve got the party we’re hosting.”

“I have the Daedalus Society reception this evening, but after that I’ll be up. If that works?” I gave him a kiss.

“Perfect.” His look went fond. “After, I’d love to take you to a late dinner at a special place.”

“I’d love that.” Last night had been extraordinary, first a sunset dinner cruise, then a moonlit walk on the beach.

Spencer made us some coffee, and I got dressed in one of my new outfits that I’d gotten while shopping over the weekend with Evan and Riley.

I looked all nice and professional, complete with some new jewelry that had mysteriously found its way into my suitcase.

Also, I’d gotten some flats that were pretty, but comfy.

“You look amazing. I ordered us some fruit and pastries. Breakfast will probably not be very exciting.” He handed me a very small mug of coffee and gave me another kiss. As usual, he wore one of his very nice suits.

“Thank you.” I took a sip.

We finished up and took a car over to the hotel the symposium was at and headed to the ballroom the opening session was in.

I checked my phone. “Deb has a table for us.”

We joined Deb, Margie, Tish, and Jordie, along with Narif and his team. The opening session was fascinating, going into depth as to what PIIP actually did, highlighting some of their programs and advances worldwide, as well as introducing some of the other organizations in attendance.

“The military is here?” I eyed a couple of tables of uniforms.

“There’s a military base near here,” Spencer explained.

“Another branch of the Space Authority, as well. We’re also a quick train ride to Research Circle, which has a lot of research universities, pharmaceutical and chemical companies, and think-tanks.

We’re also not far from the Capitol, via the ultra-bullet, and there are some amazing universities there as well.

I’m heading to Research Circle on Thursday–you’re welcome to come if there’s nothing you want to see here that day. ”