Ultraviolet Catastrophe (18 page)

I nodded, more pleased than I wanted to admit. This was a real task, not some busy work. “I’ll see what I can come up with.”

“It might be nothing, but it’s just a hunch.” He got to his feet and paused, staring at me like he wanted to say something. “Lexie, you know my dinner with Amy isn’t a date. I’m just helping her with her calculations. She was feeling like she’d fallen behind.” He shrugged. “I wanted to be a good friend.”

I hated the relief that surged through me. It shouldn’t matter to me what he did with his time. He’d offered to help me plenty of times, but I’d been too stubborn to take him up on it. “You don’t have to explain to me. You can hang out with whoever you want. We’re just friends.”

He stared at me for a long moment before finally turning away. “I’ll see you around, Lexie.”

Dad pulled into the QT parking lot, and I opened the door into the clear, dark night. Lights blazed from the building, and I knew inside would be filled with laughing, chatting scientists. But out here, for this moment, it was calm and peaceful. The scent of dying leaves filled the air, and a cool breeze caressed my cheeks. It was amazing how different the air was here from back in Ohio. Maybe because of the altitude, or maybe it was something else. But though I’d never admit it to anyone else, I was starting to like the way it always smelled crisp and clean, with just a hint of metal behind it.

“You ready for this, Lex?” Dad asked, coming around to my side of the car and offering his arm.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” I pulled my shawl closer, teetering on my spiky heels, and clutched at him.

“You look very pretty tonight,” Dad said, leading me toward the building. His black tuxedo had a slight sheen in the lights from the building and fit his tall frame perfectly. He’d shaved and smoothed his hair for a change, but I knew in twenty minutes it’d be standing on end again after he forgot and ran a hand through it.

“Thanks! You don’t look so bad yourself.” I beamed at him, then smoothed my hands down the crisscrossed fabric of the corset of my dress. I’d never had a gown like this before. It was strapless, the dark purple of the bodice fading subtly down the dress until it gave way to a flowing skirt with a lighter purple hem where it skimmed the floor. It reminded me of moonlight and mystery, and part of me felt like I’d suddenly hit some milestone of adulthood.

A twinge of loneliness shot through me. I’d emailed Mom a picture of me before we left, but I wanted her here in person to see me. To have helped me pick the dress out instead of going to the mall myself. To help me put my hair up into a half-twist and curl the tendrils I’d left down over my shoulder. I missed her every day, and communications with her were spotty at best. I’d asked again in my last email when she was coming home, but there’d been no answer.

I sighed, and Dad squeezed my arm. “What’s up, Lex?”

“I wish Mom was here with us.”

He nodded, his sandy hair dark in the moonlight. “Me too. She has a few things to finish first. But soon.”

I snuck a glance at him. “What’s up with you guys? Does she know about Jordan?”

“Jordan?” Dad frowned. “Jordan and I are coworkers — that’s it. Lexie, I’ve never stopped loving your mother. There’s never been anyone else for me.”

I stared at him, blinked. Until I’d seen them kissing, I’d never dreamed he hadn’t gotten over her. What else didn’t I know about their relationship?

Finally, I cleared my throat, annoyed and happy at the same time. “It might have been nice to have known that. Here I thought you guys hated each other for most of my life. Oh, and you might want to be a little clearer with Jordan, too. I’m not the only one you’ve fooled.”

Dad pushed open the doors to QT, and a wave of laughter and chatter greeted us. Jordan appeared instantly, dressed in a slinky black gown, as if she’d been waiting to pounce.

“William,” her voice was husky as she drank in my dad in his tux.

“Coworkers, huh?” I muttered.

“Lexie,” Dad warned. “Good evening, Jordan. You look very nice.”

She preened, her grin wide and predatory. “I thought you might like it.” She tucked a hand in Dad’s other arm. “Hey there, Lexie. Love the dress.”

I sighed and stepped away, shaking my head. “I’m going to go find my friends. I’ll see you guys later.”

Dad stopped me. “Dr. Danvers is going to make a special announcement at eight, so make sure you’re there.”

I nodded. “I will. Have fun.”

Jordan and Dad strolled off toward a group of other scientists sipping champagne from tall crystal flutes. The whole lobby was a glittering wonderland of black and gold, from the tables covered in sparkling fabric to the lavish displays of black feathers and gold glitter. Onyx candles flickered on every surface, scenting the room with melting wax.

A group of my classmates stood nearby, and suddenly, I was self-conscious and uneasy. I’d come alone. Dateless. At my last school, that would have been grounds for social shunning. But I had a purpose tonight, and it included saving all of their sorry lives. I squared my shoulders, ignoring my imagination as it conjured up whispers and giggles from the group.

My pulse steadied as I spotted Max and Zella across the room. Walking carefully so I didn’t trip in my heels, I pushed through the crowds toward them. If I didn’t already have a crush on Asher, I would have totally fallen for Max in his tux. He looked unbelievable. His hair was carefully messy, and oh my god, he had shoulders like Thor.

Zella’s gazed at him hungrily, and I bit back a smile. Evidently, I wasn’t the only one appreciating the view.

“Hey, guys.”

“Wow.” Max’s jaw dropped open. “Lexie, you look great.”

I felt heat stain my cheeks. “Thanks, Max. You look pretty good yourself. And Zella? That dress is amazing.”

She’d worn a peacock-blue dress that showed off her great legs and made her dark skin glow. The bubble skirt hit just above her knee, and the corset bodice highlighted curves I had no idea she had.

Zella smiled at me. “Thanks, Lexie. I love that color on you.”

The three of us stood awkwardly for a moment, the sound of Mozart from the quartet across the room weaving between us.

“There’s Asher and Amy.” Max practically jumped to attention at having something to break the heavy silence. His eyes got a strange, glazed expression. Zella and I exchanged confused glances.

And then I spotted Amy. Her sparkling silver dress put mine to shame. It was short, figure-hugging, and something my dad would have killed me for wearing. Every guy in the place was drooling over her, their heads turning and whispers rippling through the crowd as she walked past. The sequins on her dress sparkled in the candlelight, and she’d piled her blonde hair on her head, letting a few long curls hang loose and draw the eye to her tan shoulders.

I tugged at the bodice of my own dress and wished I’d gone with something…tighter. I let out a sigh and finally noticed the guy she was clutching like her life depended on it.

Asher.

My lips parted as a whoosh of air snuck past them. I barely recognized him in his tux. His hair was still messy, but he’d worn a blue bowtie that matched the color of his eyes. And the way his jacket molded to his shoulders? So. Hot.

Amy toppled on her heels with a giggle and clutched at his arm to stay upright. Asher slipped an arm around her, and I tried not to growl as they approached. He made my heart pound on a good day but dressed like this?

Pull it together, Kepler
, I told myself.

I squared my shoulders. Beside me, Zella clutched her hands together, and I flashed her a sympathetic smile.

“Zella, don’t you look cute.” Amy’s eyes raked up and down Zella’s dress, and then she turned to me, eyebrow raised. “And Lexie. That’s an interesting color. You look…a bit like an ultraviolet catastrophe.”

I wrapped my arms around my waist, trying to hide from her as my eyes started to smart.

“I think Lexie’s dress is gorgeous,” Zella said, stepping forward so we were shoulder-to-shoulder. Beside her, Max nodded. Gratitude flooded through me, and I smiled at both of them.

Amy giggled. “I didn’t mean anything by it, you know. It’s just…violet.”

I stared at the floor and wished it would swallow me. Or Amy.

“Lexie always looks beautiful. But tonight…” Asher’s voice trailed off, and I glanced up at him. A ghost of a smile played on his lips, making my insides squirm. His eyes only left mine to travel down the length of the dress and back to my face. A blush heated my cheeks as his smile deepened, and for a moment, we were the only two people there.

“Tonight, she’s the most beautiful woman in the room.”

Amy went still, her lips parted in shock. I couldn’t help the smirk I felt on my face.

Even clueless Max obviously felt the tension as he glanced between us. “What’s the plan then?” he asked. “Danvers has an announcement scheduled for eight. Do we do this now or during the announcement?”

Asher scanned the room. “I’m tempted to do it now just to get it over with, but it’ll make more sense to wait. Everyone will be here listening to her.”

Max nodded once. “My thought, too. We have twenty minutes. I’m starving — anyone up for some food?”

Zella rolled her eyes. “You and your stomach. Maybe after you eat, we can dance?”

His eyes widened. “Um…yeah. Maybe.”

They wandered off toward the buffet table, leaving me with Asher and Amy. His words still made my cheeks burn, and I wobbled a little on my heels, not wanting to meet his gaze. Especially not with the death stare Amy was giving me.

“I’m going to…” I started

“Want to go…” Asher said.

We both laughed uncomfortably, and I waved at him. “Continue.”

“I was just going to ask if you wanted to scope out the other end of the room. We should probably figure out some alternate escape routes.”

I nodded. “Sure. That’s a good idea.”

Amy leveled a stare at me before smiling sweetly at Asher. “I’m going to go find something to drink. Catch up with me when you’re done, all right?” Amy slunk away, hips swinging. She glanced back at us and blew Asher a kiss.

“Oh my god. Seriously?” The words escaped before I could stop myself.

Asher scuffed a shoe against the floor and looked away. “She doesn’t get the point, does she?”

“Then maybe you’re not hinting loud enough.” I turned away, heat flooding my cheeks again at my outburst.

“Lexicon…” He gave me one of those looks, and I shook my head. I had to keep reminding myself it didn’t matter. Asher’s love life was none of my business.

“Come on — don’t be like that.”

I let out a sigh, his smile melting away my embarrassment and anger. I shrugged. “Let’s go check out the other side of the room.”

He offered an arm, and I slipped a hand in the crook of his elbow. I watched the violet fabric of my dress swish around my ankles as we walked and tried to ignore the heat from his body wrapping around me.

We stopped at a pair of glass doors, and Asher waved to the space past them. “This is the main corridor to Avery’s office. About halfway down, there are two smaller ones that loop back around on either side. It’s basically a circle bisected by a line.”

I strained to see further into the corridor, wishing I could make out more than the soft security lights illuminating nameplates on each door. “So we could sneak out one of the side halls if we needed to?”

He nodded. “But let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. I can’t imagine playing hide-and-seek in the dark would be much fun.”

I flushed and looked away. Sounded like a lot of fun to me. As long as he caught me at the end.

Asher pulled his cell phone out of his tux pocket. “It’s five to eight. Should we warn the others we’re going in?”

I searched the crowded ballroom but only saw a wall of tuxedoed men and swirling dresses. “Might as well. That way they can wander in this direction and keep an eye out.”

He texted, and almost at the same moment, the tone of the crowd shifted as they started making their way toward the dais at the other end of the room. The murmurs grew more pronounced, swelling with excitement.

I spotted Max and Zella pushing their way through the crowds in the opposite direction. Amy didn’t seem to be having a problem; they parted for her like the Red Sea as she passed.

“Ready?” Asher asked as everyone joined us near the door.

Max nodded. “I’ll go left, Amy, you go right. Zella can have the middle. We’ll give you a fifteen-minute warning. And we’ll text if anyone starts heading your way.”

“Let’s do this.” Asher held open the door for me with a flourish that made my heart trip.

At the far end of the room, everyone’s attention was on the podium where Dr. Danvers, dressed in a slinky black dress, tapped at a microphone. “Good evening, everyone. I know we’re gathered here for a celebration, but a shadow lies over us. The death of Michael Avery was shocking and unexpected. Some of you might be wondering what’s next for Quantum Technologies. Tonight, we’re here to both celebrate the legacy of Dr. Avery and talk about our future.”

The heavy glass doors shut behind us, cutting off Danvers’ words and leaving Asher and me alone in the darkened hallway. I tried to ignore the weirdness between us and slipped out of my heels to tiptoe toward Avery’s office at the end of the hall. The overhead fluorescent lights had been shut off, and only the soft light from sconces on the wall lighted the way. The guards who’d been standing watch over Avery’s office were gone, though the door was still blocked with a strip of yellow police tape. Like all the office doors in this wing, there was a keypad and fingerprint scanner.

“Did you bring it?” Asher asked.

I nodded and pulled the envelope from my clutch purse. Inside was a thin sheet of plastic with a copy of Avery’s thumbprint. Asher had pulled Avery’s records, and I’d used the skin-plastic copy machine in my dad’s office to make the print. It always helped to have a genius scientist with access to all the cool machines as a dad.