Page 12 of Overachiever
“It’s okay. You don’t want the pheromones to set you off and make you want me. I completely understand. I’ll go shower off my irresistible masculine scent while you order a pizza.”
When I emerge from my shower, Remee gathers her clothes and disappears into the bathroom to take her turn. “Pizza is on the way. I grabbed us some sodas from the vending machine,” she calls, before closing the door.
I’m on my second piece of pizza and thinking about where we can go and what we want to do tonight when Remee returns. “Why the hell are you wearing pajamas?” Not that she doesn’t look cute in the thin pants and camisole, but it’s just getting dark outside.
With a frown, she pulls her wet hair into a ponytail. “Because they’re comfortable.”
“It’s Friday night.”
“I’m aware.” She grabs a plate of pizza, sits cross legged on the bed, and pulls a giant book over beside her.
“We’re in Florida.”
“Right again, navigator.”
I’m ignored when I move to sit beside her, but her eyebrows rise as I lean to read the title of the book. “Abnormal Psychology? You brought a textbook?”
“It’s required reading for one of my classes next fall.”
“No. No-ho-ho, this isn’t happening.” She reaches for the book when I snatch it and get to my feet.
“Owen! Give it back!”
Holding the book up out of her reach, I shake my head. “Nope, this is for your own good, Rem. I promised Serena I wouldn’t let you spend the summer studying and being all uptight.”
“I’m not uptight!” Ignoring her glare, I lift the book as she jumps for it. “Owen, I’ve had a shitty day. I’m sunburnt and grouchy. I’m done with people today. Go hit the bars or whatever you plan to do, but I’m staying in.”
“No bars and no people.” My attention lands on my telescope case in the corner. “I’ll even take you to do something educational.”
Her arms fold across her chest. “Educational? Like what?”
Chapter Five
Remee
“Ice cream is educational?”
Owen grins over his chocolate sundae at me. “Absolutely. Look how a solid turns into a liquid. It’s science.” He dips his plastic spoon into the edge of his sundae and lets a few drips fall back into it.
“Uh-huh, and do you want to explain to me what’s happening during that process?” I pop the lid off of my banana shake and stir it around. The ice cream shop we visited on the way here was great, but man they make their shakes thick. It was crowded so we decided to take them to go.
“Sure, it’s all about the structure of the molecules and…atoms, and the viscosity of the matter from which we can extrapolate results.”
“You said absolutely nothing in that sentence.”
He points his spoon at me. “Hey, it’s not my fault if you can’t keep up. It’s understandable with my top notch braining abilities.”
Considering Owen majors in physics and space sciences, he actually does know what he’s talking about. His goofiness often overshadows how intelligent he is. For some reason, he likes to play it off.
The night air is cool and fragrant with the sea. The sand beneath us is warm on top but cool when I dig my toes in. The spot he’s found on the beach isn’t completely deserted—an occasional couple walks by—but it’s not full of partiers. We mostly have it to ourselves. At night, I suppose most are at the bonfire parties or the bars.
“This is nice.” With the sound of the ocean surrounding us, and a million stars growing brighter above our heads, I take a deep breath, feeling my difficult day fade away. Owen finishes his ice cream and spends a few minutes setting up his telescope while I watch.
“That looks complicated.”
“I could do this blindfolded.” His hands move quickly, adjusting and arranging. “It took me two years to save up enough for this, and the first summer I had it, I spent almost every night outside.”
There’s no doubt it’s an expensive instrument. “Do you plan to teach astronomy?”