Page 128 of The Restoration Program

“No bites today. Companies may be opening up more remote positions, but there’s also a ton of NüPrints waking up every day.”

He stroked her cheek. “I’m sure you’ll find something. If not… I told you, babe. I’ve got us covered.” She didn’t get a chance to reply before he leaned in and nuzzled her. He kissed up her thigh. “I don’t need to be back online for a couple hours, at least. You up for a nooner?”

Her hesitance to answer said it all.

He sighed. “Please, Nicki. Give me a chance to make things up to you.”

You can start by explaining the bank statement to me.

But the words wouldn’t come out. She stroked his jaw and forced a smile. “I guess I’ll give you a fighting chance.”

dAY ONE HUNDRED SIXTY

Stars glinted in the skylight overhead. Nicole swished a bit of mouthwash between her cheeks, stealing a look over at Ryan at the adjacent sink.

“Are you afraid of him, Zhou?”

Carlos’ voice mingled with the multiple texts she’d received from Darlene over the past week. “Why haven’t you asked him yet? Is everything okay? Are you sure? Are you sure?”

She didn’t know how to answer anymore. At least, not in a way that would make sense to anyone besides a NüPrint.

Waking up no more than fifteen percent of her original height had instilled a primal fear—ancient self-preservation designed to protect her from the now-massive threats that filled her world. Only others like her could understand.

She’d never considered it until Carlos asked if she was afraid. Now, she was hyper aware of the new discomfort that had crept under her skin and made a home there. The way her shoulders bunched when Ryan offered his hand, the subtle catch of her breath when he gave her the faintest stern glance.

The idea of confronting him made her sick to her stomach. She found her anger flickering into avoidance each time she tried to muster the courage to approach him about the strange purchases. Every excuse against it seemed more reasonable.

What if the worst came to light? What if he confirmed her fears of infidelity and decided to leave her? She would have nothing—she’d be forced to lodge at the Facility in one of those sterile dormitories. Alone. Completely and utterly alone.

She still had goosebumps from that chilling image when she caught his eye in the mirror. Ryan smiled around his toothbrush. He’d have to be a sociopath to smile so sweetly if he was lying to her face.

“Is something wrong?” he asked thickly before spitting.

She spat into her own sink, then pushed on the faucet handle with both hands to rinse the toothpaste down.

“Just tired,” she offered, turning back to face the mirror. She pulled her long hair over her shoulder and began weaving it into a braid.

“You have alook,” he said

“No, I don’t. How can you tell anyway, on my little button face?” She scrunched up her nose at him. The lightness injected into her voice felt fragile, even to her own ears.

Ryan’s chuckle edged towards a groan. “I keep telling you, babe, you’re notthatsmall.”

Nicole considered her reflection when he turned away to tidy up his space. She tied off her braid with her favorite navy ribbon, letting it rest in a graceful swirl across her exposed collarbone. The ivory shift hung off her slender frame pleasantly, the lacy hem brushing her knees.

She didn’t realize Ryan was staring, too, until his voice rumbled again to her right. “You’re wearing the one I got you.”

He leaned against the wall, arms folded over his chest. There was no spite in his voice. No ulterior agenda that she could discern. Just a man looking at his wife.

“Yeah, the Facility is getting way better at making these,” Nicole said, looking down at herself. “It’s soft. You should feel.”

Ryan blinked, but shuffled over and reached a hand towards her waist. He took hold of the hem and rubbed it between a finger and thumb, humming in appreciation.

“You’re right, this is good stuff. I should order one for me, too.”

Nicole craned her neck. The look on his face was tired.Gentle. Her hand found its way to his before he could pull away.

She felt his pulse quicken as the seconds passed—something easy for a NüPrint to notice. Her private superpower. Their touches had been so fleeting lately, it was little wonder that prolonged, deliberate contact made the both of them go stiff and hyper aware of the other.