Page 5

CHAPTER 5

VANESSA

S unlight streams through my window, and for once, I don't hit snooze. My lips curve into a smile before I even open my eyes. The warmth in my chest has nothing to do with my fluffy comforter.

"Oh god," I whisper to my empty bedroom, pressing my palms against my cheeks. They're warm. "I'm actually excited about a guy. This is terrible."

But the giddiness doesn't fade as I swing my legs out of bed, practically bouncing to my closet. I catch myself humming while picking out my work uniform - the same boring knee-length black dress I wear every day.

My phone buzzes. It's Becca.

"Spill everything," she demands before I can even say hello. "I've been dying all night."

"It was..." I pause, trying to find words that won't sound completely ridiculous. "Different. Good different. He kept asking these questions about why humans- I mean, why people do the things they do on dates. Like he was studying us."

"Kinky."

"Not like that!" Heat rushes to my face. "Just... thoughtful. He actually listened when I talked about my art. Didn't try to mansplain color theory to me like Derek did."

"Low bar, but continue."

I'm grinning like an idiot while putting on mascara. "We were the only ones in the Egyptian exhibit, and he asked me what I thought happened to all the ancient couples who left love notes in the tombs. If their feelings survived somewhere, somehow. Who thinks like that?"

"Apparently your alien boyfriend does."

"He's not my-" I stop, catching my reflection in the mirror. My eyes are bright, my cheeks flushed. I look... happy. Actually happy, not the forced smile I've been wearing since Christmas. "I don't know what he is. But I want to find out."

"That's the spirit! Now please tell me you're seeing him again."

The giddiness bubbles up again. "Friday. He's planning something but won't tell me what. Says it's another 'social experiment.'"

I untie my apron, ready to collapse after a long shift, when Jack appears at the counter. His presence sends an unexpected flutter through my stomach.

"Ready for some simulated combat?" He grins, leaning against the pastry case.

"That's your big plan? Laser tag?"

"It's perfect for studying competitive human behavior in a controlled environment." He pauses. "Plus, I get to shoot at you."

"Oh, it's like that?" I grab my purse from under the counter. "Game on, Professor."

The laser tag place is packed with teenagers, but Jack doesn't seem to notice as he studies the scoring system with intense concentration. "Fascinating. A hierarchical display of dominance through light-based weaponry."

"You make everything sound like a research paper." I nudge him with my elbow. "Just admit you want to play."

At the registration desk, we have to pick our call signs. Jack types his in without hesitation.

"'Anthropoid'?" I peek at his screen. "Really leaning into the whole professor thing, aren't you?"

"It's scientifically accurate. What's yours?"

I type quickly: "BaristaBanshee."

"Interesting choice. Does it reflect your frustration with customer service or-"

"It reflects that I'm going to destroy you." I zip up the vest, adjusting the sensors. "What's your hypothesis about that, Dr. Tanner?"

His eyes spark with something that makes my breath catch. "Hypothesis: your competitive nature suggests unresolved tensions seeking outlet through recreational combat."

"Or maybe," I check the weight of the laser gun, "I just really want to shoot you."

"The question remains - why?"

"Keep talking like a textbook and you'll find out."

The waiting room fills with more players, but Jack keeps his focus on me, like I'm the most fascinating specimen he's ever encountered. It should be weird. Instead, it makes me feel... special.

"Next group, you're up!" calls the attendant.

Jack gestures toward the dark doorway. "Shall we test your theory about destruction?"

"After you, Anthropoid."

The neon maze pulses with black lights and synthetic fog. I duck behind a barrier, my heart racing, and scan for movement. For someone who spends his days buried in academic papers, Jack moves like... well, not like any professor I've ever seen.

"That's seven hits to two," his voice echoes from somewhere in the darkness. "Are you sure you want to stick with that destruction theory?"

I press my back against the wall, trying to steady my breathing. "How are you doing this? Did you take some secret military laser tag course?"

"Simple geometry and predictive movement patterns." He appears at the end of the corridor, his vest glowing eerily.

I fire, but he's already sliding behind a pillar. The speed of his movement makes my jaw drop.

"That was close," he calls out. "Your aim is improving."

"And you're not playing fair. Nobody moves that fast."

"Perhaps you're just slow?" There's a teasing lilt in his voice that makes me want to prove him wrong.

My vest vibrates - another hit. I whirl around to find him right behind me, grinning. "How did you-"

"You telegraph your position when you talk." He's not even breathing hard. "Basic hunting principles."

"Hunting?" I raise an eyebrow. "What exactly do you hunt, Professor?"

For a split second, something flickers across his face - surprise? worry? - but then his easy smile returns. "Knowledge, of course. Speaking of which, your defensive posture suggests-"

I take advantage of his lecture mode to fire point-blank at his chest sensor. The satisfying beep of a hit makes me smirk. "Suggests what?"

"That I should stop underestimating you." His green eyes gleam in the dark, and suddenly I'm very aware of how close we're standing.

The moment stretches, electric and uncertain, until a group of teenagers rounds the corner, breaking the spell with their shouts and laser fire.

The walk home stretches longer than usual, each step weighted with possibility. Jack matches my pace, his shoulder occasionally brushing mine. The contact sends sparks through my sweater.

"Hey..." My heart thunders hard while I try to find the right words for what I want to tell him. "That was… a really good date."

He leans forward slightly, and I catch the scent of his cologne - something woodsy and unfamiliar. My eyes flutter closed...

"Thank you for participating in tonight's experiment, Vanessa."

My eyes snap open. He's already turning away, hands in his pockets. "That's it?"

"For now." He glances over his shoulder, and the look in his eyes makes my knees weak. "I prefer to gather more data before drawing conclusions."

I watch him disappear around the corner, pressing my fingers to my lips where his kiss should have been.

But for once, anticipation feels better than satisfaction.