Page 46 of Liam

My mouth opens before my brain can stop it. “Oh, Liam was saying how the banking industry is—” I clamp my mouth shut, mortified. Why am I bringing up Liam? “I mean, that’s...numbers. Good. I like numbers. Science has lots of numbers.”

Jake’s eyebrows rise, but he’s smiling. “I guess it does. You’re cute when you’re flustered.”

My cheeks burn. Mia, bless her, jumps in. “So, Mark, Jake mentioned you’re into rock climbing?”

As Jake describes his passion for the sport, Mia leans over and whispers, “You’re doing great. Just breathe and be yourself.”

I nod, grateful for the reprieve.

The server appears, handing out menus. I stare at mine, trying to focus on the words, but my mind keeps drifting.

Does Jake think I’m weird? Too intense? I sneak a glance at him over the top of my menu. He’s studying his, a slight furrow between his brows as he concentrates. He looks so...normal. Put together. Everything I’m but.

What if he’s already regretting asking me out? He’s thinking of a polite way to end the evening early.Sorry, Aleria, but I remembered I have to wash my hair. For the next year.

I imagine trying to make small talk with him for the rest of the meal. What do normal people even talk about? Weather? Sports? I know about as much about sports as I do about fifteenth-century Hungarian poetry. Which is to say, nothing.

Oh God, what if he asks me about my hobbies? Can I say obsessing over spectral analysis is a hobby? Or setting things on fire in the lab?

I grip the menu tighter, my palms sweating. Maybe if I stare at it hard enough, it’ll open up and swallow me whole. That’d be less embarrassing than trying to navigate this social minefield.

“Aleria?” Jake’s voice breaks through my spiral of panic. “Have you decided what you want?”

I lift my head, realizing I haven’t read a single word onthe menu. “Oh, um... I’ll have whatever you’re having,” I blurt out, hoping it’s not something weird.

Jake smiles, and it’s warm and kind. “The steak it is, then. How do you like it cooked?”

“Peer-reviewed,” I blurt out. “I mean, medium rare?”

Jake laughs, a rich sound that makes some of my anxiety melt away. “Peer-reviewed steak? Is that a new scientific method I’m not aware of?”

My cheeks heat, but there’s no judgment in Jake’s eyes. Just amusement.

“Oh,” I say, trying to recover, “it’s when other people taste-test it before it’s served. Very rigorous process.”

Jake’s laugh grows louder. “You’re something else, Aleria.”

I’m about to respond when my phone buzzes. I glance at it, seeing Liam’s name on the screen. My heart does a little flip that I immediately scold it for. The message is strange.

Very strange even.

I stare at the screen, my mind racing. Is he drunk?

“Aleria, didn’t you mention a new project at work?”

I force a smile. “Right. Yes, we’re working on ASTRA—Advanced Spectroscopic Tissue Recognition Analysis.”

Jake leans in, looking interested. “That sounds intriguing. What does it do?”

For a moment, I forget my awkwardness, passion taking over. “We’re adapting techniques from astronomical spectroscopy to create a medical device for early disease detection.”

I pause, realizing I’m talking too much. “Sorry, I get a bit...excited about this stuff.”

Jake chuckles. “No, it’s great. I love seeing people passionate about their work. Any challenges you’re facing?”

“Oh, where do I start?” I laugh. “The technology is complex, and miniaturizing it is a huge challenge. Plus, the funding... Let’s just say innovative medical research isn’t cheap. My boss— I mean, Liam, uh, Mr. Valeur, has been very supportive of the project. But enough about my work finances. So, um, how about those...numbers you work with at the bank?”

I want to crawl under the table. Why can’t I stop mentioning Liam?