Page 15 of Hale Yes (Highway to Hale #1)

CHAPTER NINE

It’s a good thing I’ve sworn off science guys

Nicolette

Okay, it’s admission time. I’m a sucker for a hot nerdy guy. Give me a man with glasses and a brain, and I’m toast. And my new boss fits neatly into the hot nerd category, which leaves me feeling quite toasty.

But it’s not just the glasses. The man is tall… like so tall I have to crane my neck to look up at him. He seems broad beneath his lab coat too. And his face? He’s so handsome I checked the floor of my office after he left to make sure I hadn’t produced a puddle of drool—or other bodily fluids.

If you looked up square jaw in the dictionary, they would most assuredly have a photo of Helix Hale with arrows denoting the rugged lines of his face.

And his eyes are so blue, I would think they were contact lenses if he weren’t wearing glasses.

Though I guess he could be wearing them for cosmetic reasons.

And I’m not even going to discuss his lips.

Okay, okay, since you asked nicely, here goes.

They are the softest shade of rose and perfectly plump, though not full-on Kardashian.

He has the kind of mouth that would make me wail in despair if he grew a bushy mustache and covered the pronounced cupid’s bow with its soft peaks and gentle center dip.

There. I hope you’re satisfied because I’m not discussing Dr. Hale’s mouth anymore.

Speaking of names, he called me Dr. Bell all morning.

I noticed he called Abigail by her first name, but he’s been very formal with me while we moved about the lab, so I reciprocated by calling him by his official title like the other employees do.

Everything is just so… polite. Maybe he’s simply not comfortable enough with me yet to be on a first-name basis.

Which is fine. I’m here to do a job and not make friendship bracelets with my new boss. It’s not like we’re TayTay and Travis.

Late in the morning, as I peer into a microscope, I become aware of someone standing beside my stool. Pulling my eyes away from the device, I slip my glasses back onto my face and peer up at the star of my thoughts.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to disturb you, Dr. Bell. I just wanted to let you know I’m headed to lunch. I’m sure Abigail showed you when you toured, but there’s a cafeteria on the first floor with a nice selection. Everything from comfort food to more healthy options.”

“She did,” I say, giving him a friendly smile. “I’ll grab something in a bit when I’m done with this.” I bob my head toward the microscope.

Dr. Hale nods, his eyes dropping to my lips for a second before he jerks his gaze away. “I’ll… just be going then. You have my number if you need anything.”

He shrugs off his jacket, and holy beakers! He’s wearing suspenders. Like the glasses weren’t enough. Why does he insist on perpetuating this whole hot nerd scenario with suspenders as well?

I don’t miss the way the buttons of his baby-blue shirt strain across the wide expanse of his chest while he removes the jacket, and then he folds it over his forearm and turns to leave.

My gaze is drawn to his very tight butt beneath the fine fabric of his gray pants, and the audacity of this man to have such a brilliant mind while also being built like an athlete.

It’s a good thing I’ve sworn off science guys.

Twenty minutes later, I make my way through the cafeteria line, choosing meatloaf, steamed broccoli, and a side salad that looks super fresh.

Turning toward the seating area, I’m suddenly taken back to my first day of high school as a twelve-year-old in the lunchroom with kids who were able to drive and some who were even old enough to vote.

I feel like that girl again… the one with frizzy hair, a flat chest, and no friends. Though I do have boobs now.

“Dr. Bell?”

I twist my head to the side to find a man standing beside me holding a tray. I think I recognize him as an assistant in the microbiology lab, but I don’t recall his name.

“Hi,” I say.

“I’m Theodore Nguyen,” he says. “From the micro lab. Would you like to sit with us?” He tilts his head toward a round table with three other people sitting around it.

“Sure,” I say, trying not to let the relief I feel ebb into my words. “Thank you.”

Once we’re seated, I’m introduced to Grace Arnold, Ned Wright, and Isla Martinez.

Grace has a PhD and supervises the microbiology lab, while Isla is Dr. Hale’s admin.

Ned is a lab assistant and has the curliest blond hair I’ve ever seen and resembles a tall, skinny baby with his boyish, freckled face.

“How is your first day going?” Grace asks. She’s a pretty dark-skinned woman with black wavy hair that hangs down her back in a low ponytail. I love that this company doesn’t shy away from putting women in positions of power. It’s not always that way in STEM-based organizations.

“Very well. I think I’m going to like it here.”

“The perks are amazing,” Isla says with a glint in her eye, and she and Grace share a smirk.

“Yeah, the benefits package is impressive, and the work environment seems perfect, busy but not hectic,” I reply.

“That’s not the package they’re referring to.” Theodore wings an eyebrow at me and announces wryly, “Every straight female here is in love with Dr. Hale.”

“And some of the men,” Ned adds, his face turning the color of a McIntosh apple.

Isla rushes to add, “But we’re just looking. Dr. Hale is completely professional and would never get involved with anyone who works here. I’m not sure he even dates.”

For some reason, that both comforts and disappoints me. Before I can blurt out that odd thought, I shove a bite of meatloaf into my mouth and try not to groan at the savory flavors that burst on my tongue.

“Mmm, this is good. Better than my mother’s,” I declare.

“All the food is fantastic here,” Grace tells me. “They have a couple really good chefs that prepare the menus each day.”

By the end of lunch, we’re all chatting comfortably, and Grace and I end up in the elevator together. “It’s really nice to have you here, Dr. Bell,” she tells me, her smile soft and wide.

“It’s nice to be here. Everyone has made me feel so welcome. And please call me Nicolette, if that’s something you’re comfortable with.”

“Good, and I’m Grace,” she tells me before stepping off the elevator on the second floor. “See you tomorrow.”

The afternoon goes much like the morning. Dr. Hale is reserved and cool, though he’s not a dick or anything. Most of the workers are in quality control this afternoon, so there are only a few of us in the development lab.

Near the end of the day, I ask, “Are there any particular projects you want my help with?”

My boss rubs at the creases that have formed in his forehead and sighs.

“Actually, I’m working on some things for the McNamara ad campaign.

Jordie McNamara, the football player,” he clarifies.

“Phoenix—he’s my twin brother and head of the marketing department—wants to play up her more natural looks.

I’m struggling with the colors I want to use. ”

“There are two of you?” I blurt out. I want to kick myself, but at least I didn’t voice my next thought: God help the women of Houston.

Dr. Hale cracks a grin, causing a small dimple to appear in one cheek, and that does not help my attraction to him one little bit.

“You have no idea how many times we heard that growing up. I was a pretty chill kid when I was by myself, but Phoenix always seemed to drag me into some mischief when we were together.”

“Your poor parents,” I laugh.

“My mother likes to name her gray hairs after us. The majority of them are named Phoenix.”

Ahh, so Dr. Helix Hale does have a sense of humor.

“What would you like me to do on the McNamara campaign?”

He walks around the lab table and slides some color cards, photos, and sample jars across to me.

“Maybe give me another set of eyes to help me finalize? It’s weird.

I’m usually really good with colors,” he says, an amused smile turning up the corners of his lips like he just told himself a private joke. I wonder what that’s about.

“Of course,” I say, pulling a picture of Jordie from the stack and studying it. She’s a stunning natural beauty, not plain at all, just a really pretty young woman without makeup.

Dr. Hale is silent while I flip through photos of her and read the campaign proposal.

“Okay,” I finally breathe. “First of all, Jordie is very popular. I’m not even from Texas, and I know who she is.

What if we develop an eyeshadow palette with her name on it?

She’s young and fresh, and even though she doesn’t seem to wear a lot of makeup, I bet she would have fun selecting some colors to go in it.

Maybe some lipsticks as well. Your marketing department could even make a logo label with a football shaped like a heart or something. ”

My boss’s blue eyes seem to glitter with excitement. “Yeah, I like that idea. It might make her feel like a part of the whole process instead of just showing up for photo shoots while people primp her.”

I examine the sample jars and slide one over to him.

“I like the neutral lipstick you picked out, but I’d use this foundation.

It’s more sheer and will let her freckles show through.

Play up her youth and appeal to the younger demographic.

” Glancing at her picture again, I say, “She doesn’t need a lot of coverage because she has the kind of flawless skin women die for. ”

“You have really pretty skin too,” Dr. Hale says a second before his eyes pop into rounded orbs of panic. “I mean, objectively speaking, you have nice skin. As a professional, that’s my professional opinion. Professionally.”

Despite my attempts to hold it in, a small snort escapes at his rambling. “Don’t worry about it, Dr. Professional. I’m not offended.”

He huffs a relieved breath. “Okay, I just didn’t want you to think I’m… because I’m not… Dammit, why aren’t my words working today?” Running a hand over his handsome face, he shakes his head. “I apologize for cursing in front of you, Dr. Bell.”

I wave a dismissive hand. “I grew up in Jersey. You’ll have to come at me with something a lot stronger than dammit if you want to offend me.”

That stupid dimple makes another appearance with his crooked smile. “I’ll remember that. Now what else?” He leans forward with his forearms on the lab table, and I catch a whiff of chlorine.

“I like the idea of a soft purple eyeshadow for the photo shoot, but I think this one,” I tap the top of one of the tiny jars, “is too bright. Maybe something a little more earthy. I can mix up a couple samples for you to look at, perhaps add a little taupe to tone it down.”

His head bobs us and down. “I look forward to seeing what you come up with.”

I pull one of the color cards and point to an aquamarine color. “Jordie’s eyes are the first things that jump out at me when I look at her photo. A touch of this would make a beautiful complementary color to the purple and really make her pop.”

This isn’t the most scientific part of working in a cosmetics lab. There’s so much testing and regulation that goes into making products that are safe and effective. But it sure is the most fun.

“Anything else?”

“Out of the two blush colors, I like this one.” I slide one of the samples toward him. “The other is too pink. This has a more peachy tone if we’re going for the girl-next-door look.”

“Good, good,” he mutters almost to himself as he scratches down notes on a spreadsheet that rests on his clipboard.

My heart flutters a little at the fact that he’s writing down my ideas.

It’s been so long since anyone has actually listened to me at work.

I’ve felt almost obsolete for a while, like a well-trained monkey could do my job just as effectively.

“I’ll get started on the lavender samples,” I say, and Dr. Hale pops his head up from his clipboard before glancing at the digital clock at the end of the room.

“It’s almost time to call it quits for the day. Why don’t you knock off a little early? You can do the samples tomorrow.”

“I don’t mind,” I argue, but he gives me a scowl that makes my core tingle for reasons I’d rather not think about.

“I insist,” he says, his voice dropping about an octave.

I clamp my jaw shut before it can go slack. Damn, there’s something about a commanding man. After straightening my area, I say goodbye to Dr. Hale and the other two employees who are at the farthest table working on paperwork.

Since I seem to find myself with some spare time today, I head to the medical center and locate The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, something I’ve been meaning to do since I moved here.

Then I take a deep breath and enter.