Page 38 of The Restoration Program

“I know you’ll keep me safe,” she said, assuring herself as much as him.

She squirmed in his grasp, using the excuse that she couldn’t reach the worksheet anymore. Leaning back into his loose hold, she held the paper in front of her face and nodded.

“Okay, let’s get back on track.” She pointed down the list of directions and hummed in thought before whipping the paper down to her lap. “Next, they need you to recite the alphabet backward.”

His chest heaved with a startled laugh. “Okay, Nicki—”

“No, really, it says that!” She brought the paper directly in front of her eyes. “It says ‘the NüPrint’s partner is required to recite the alphabet backwards to prove they are of sound mind.’ You see? Do it.”

“Give me that.”

“No!” Nicole ducked away from his hand, clutching the paper against her. “The words are too small for you to read anyway!”

“I think I can manage. I’ll use my empathy.”

“That makes no sense!”

She giggled, scrambling off his chest and onto the carpet as his hands chased her. He rolled onto his side, blocking her path with one arm and using his other hand to pry at the sheet. Squirming, she crumpled the paper to keep it out of his reach.

“Okay, okay!” she laughed. “It doesn’t say that!”

“Really? I can’t believe it.” Ryan relaxed, letting his hand drop in front of her. At this angle, he had a much easier view of her. His grin softened as he gazed at her. “What am I gonna do with you?”

She straightened primly and looked back down at the worksheet. “Okay, for real this time… Next it says for you to hold still. And close your eyes.”

“Close my eyes? You said—”

“Ah, ah!” She pointed at him. “Close.”

Laughing exasperatedly, he did as he was told. “Why do I feel like I’m about to get kicked in the face?”

Abandoning the paper, she side-stepped his hand and approached him. “Don’t you trust me?”

Ryan grunted, but his anticipation was palpable as she knelt and placed her hand on his cheek. She kissed him, unflinching this time as he returned it.

She was grateful that he remained on his side, allowing her to steer them. Nicole experimented with more pressure. She explored the strong planes of his face, teased the corner of his lower lip with a gentle nibble.

“Can we just stay here tonight?” she murmured. “Keep doing this?”

“I thought you were excited to go out.”

“I am, but…” She lowered onto her side, combing a hand through his hair. He hummed appreciatively. “People are going to stare, Ry.”

The Restoration Program had gone public with NüPrints earlier that week. Nicole had steered clear of every news outlet and social media site for her own sanity. The Facility had allowed a few select reporters into the building. Thankfully, a Program rep had approached her for nothing more than a quote at the previous support group meeting.

His eyes flicked open, soft and searching. Nicole let the weight of his attention pin her, wrap up her entire world. “You’ll be safe,” he promised. “There’s legislation in place to protect you.”

“Temporary.”

“It’s still in place.” He frowned pleadingly. “Come on, Nicki. It’ll be our only chance to have a night out before I head back into work on Monday. We deserve to put ourselves out there, don’t we?”

She pursed her lips. “I know Dr. Burman said it was a good idea… Get back into the world. Find some normalcy, once we’re comfortable. But I’m a little scared.”

“I’ll be with you,” Ryan reminded her quietly. He kissed her. “Every second. Don’t you trust me?”

Nicole nodded, feeling more childlike than ever when tears still threatened to fall at the image of those looming faces and shocked whispers.

“It’ll be okay. I promise.” When Ryan smiled, surety flooded into her.