["There\t was\t something\t about\t the\t way\t he\t talked.\t Maybe\t it\t was\t an\t accent, maybe\tjust\ta\tquality\tof\this\tvoice.\tOlive\tdidn\u2019t\tquite\tknow\twhat,\tbut\tit\twas\tthere, in\t the\t way\t he\t said\t her\t name.\t Precise.\t Careful.\t Deep.\t Unlike\t anyone\t else. Familiar\u2014impossibly\tso. \u201cWhat\t did\t you\t say\t to\t her?\u201d\t she\t asked,\t trying\t not\t to\t care\t about\t how\t Adam Carlsen\tspoke.\t\u201cThe\tgirl\twho\tran\tout\tin\ttears?\u201d It\ttook\thim\ta\tmoment\tto\tremember\tthat\tless\tthan\tsixty\tseconds\tago\tthere\thad been\t someone\t else\t in\t the\t office\u2014someone\t whom\t he\t clearly\t made\t cry.\t \u201cI\t just gave\ther\tfeedback\ton\tsomething\tshe\twrote.\u201d Olive\t nodded,\t silently\t thanking\t all\t the\t gods\t that\t he\t was\t not\t her\t adviser\t and never\twould\tbe,\tand\tstudied\ther\tsurroundings.\tHe\thad\ta\tcorner\toffice,\tof\tcourse. Two\t windows\t that\t together\t must\t total\t seventy\t thousand\t square\t meters\t of\t glass, and\t so\t much\t light,\t just\t standing\t in\t the\t middle\t of\t the\t room\t would\t cure\t twenty people\u2019s\t seasonal\t depression.\t It\t made\t sense,\t what\t with\t all\t the\t grant\t money\t he brought\t in,\t what\t with\t the\t prestige,\t that\t he\u2019d\t been\t given\t a\t nice\t space.\t Olive\u2019s office,\ton\tthe\tother\thand,\thad\tno\twindows\tand\tsmelled\tfunny,\tprobably\tbecause she\t shared\t it\t with\t three\t other\t Ph.D.\t students,\t even\t though\t it\t was\t meant\t to accommodate\ttwo\tat\tthe\tmost. \u201cI\twas\tgoing\tto\temail\tyou.\tI\ttalked\tto\tthe\tdean\tearlier\ttoday,\u201d\tAdam\ttold\ther, and\tshe\tlooked\tback\tat\thim. He\t was\t gesturing\t to\t the\t chair\t in\t front\t of\t his\t desk.\t Olive\t pulled\t it\t back\t and took\ta\tseat. \u201cAbout\tyou.\u201d \u201cOh.\u201d\t Olive\u2019s\t stomach\t dropped.\t She\u2019d\t much\t rather\t the\t dean\t didn\u2019t\t know about\ther\texistence.\tThen\tagain,\tshe\u2019d\talso\trather\tnot\tbe\tin\tthis\troom\twith\tAdam Carlsen,\thave\tthe\tsemester\tbegin\tin\ta\thandful\tof\tdays,\thave\tclimate\tchange\tbe\ta thing.\tAnd\tyet. \u201cWell,\tabout\tus,\u201d\the\tamended.\t\u201cAnd\tsocialization\tregulations.\u201d \u201cWhat\tdid\tshe\tsay?\u201d \u201cThere\u2019s\tnothing\tagainst\tyou\tand\tme\tdating,\tsince\tI\u2019m\tnot\tyour\tadviser.\u201d A\tmix\tof\tpanic\tand\trelief\tflooded\tthrough\tOlive. \u201cHowever,\tthere\tare\tsome\tissues\tto\tconsider.\tI\twon\u2019t\tbe\table\tto\t collaborate with\t you\t in\t any\t formal\t capacity.\t And\t I\u2019m\t part\t of\t the\t program\u2019s\t awards","committee,\twhich\tmeans\tthat\tI\u2019ll\thave\tto\texcuse\tmyself\tif\tyou\tare\tnominated\tfor fellowships\tor\tsimilar\topportunities.\u201d She\tnodded.\t\u201cFair\tenough.\u201d \u201cAnd\tI\tabsolutely\tcannot\tbe\tpart\tof\tyour\tthesis\tcommittee.\u201d Olive\t huffed\t out\t a\t laugh.\t \u201cThat\t won\u2019t\t be\t a\t problem.\t I\t wasn\u2019t\t going\t to\t ask you\tto\tbe\ton\tmy\tcommittee.\u201d He\tnarrowed\this\teyes.\t\u201cWhy\tnot?\tYou\tstudy\tpancreatic\tcancer,\tright?\u201d \u201cYep.\tEarly\tdetection.\u201d \u201cThen\t your\t work\t would\t benefit\t from\t the\t perspective\t of\t a\t computational modeler.\u201d \u201cYeah,\tbut\tthere\tare\tother\tcomputational\tmodelers\tin\tthe\tdepartment.\tAnd\tI\u2019d like\tto\teventually\tgraduate,\tideally\twithout\tsobbing\tin\ta\tbathroom\tstall\tafter\teach committee\tmeeting.\u201d He\tglared\tat\ther. Olive\tshrugged.\t\u201cNo\toffense.\tI\u2019m\ta\tsimple\tgirl,\twith\tsimple\tneeds.\u201d To\t that,\t he\t lowered\t his\t gaze\t to\t his\t desk,\t but\t not\t before\t Olive\t could\t see\t the corner\t of\t his\t mouth\t twitch.\t When\t he\t looked\t up\t again,\t his\t expression\t was serious.\t\u201cSo,\thave\tyou\tdecided?\u201d She\t pressed\t her\t lips\t together\t as\t he\t watched\t her\t calmly.\t She\t took\t a\t deep breath\tbefore\tsaying,\t\u201cYes.\tYes,\tI\t.\t.\t.\tI\twant\tto\tdo\tit.\tIt\u2019s\ta\tgood\tidea,\tactually.\u201d For\tso\tmany\treasons.\tIt\twould\tget\tAnh\tand\tJeremy\toff\ther\tback,\tbut\talso\t.\t.\t. also\teveryone\telse.\tIt\twas\tas\tif\tsince\tthe\trumor\thad\tbegun\tto\tspread,\tpeople\thad been\ttoo\tintimidated\tby\tOlive\tto\tgive\ther\tthe\tusual\tshit.\tThe\tother\tTAs\thad\tquit trying\tto\tswitch\ther\tnice\t2:00\tp.m.\tsections\twith\ttheir\thorrifying\t8:00\ta.m.\tones, her\tlab\tmates\thad\tstopped\tcutting\tin\tfront\tof\ther\tin\tthe\tline\tfor\tthe\tmicroscope, and\t two\t different\t faculty\t members\t Olive\t had\t been\t trying\t to\t get\t ahold\t of\t for weeks\t had\t finally\t deigned\t to\t answer\t her\t emails.\t It\t felt\t a\t little\t unfair\t to\t exploit this\thuge\tmisunderstanding,\tbut\tacademia\twas\ta\tlawless\tland\tand\tOlive\u2019s\tlife\tin it\thad\tbeen\tnothing\tbut\tmiserable\tfor\tthe\tpast\ttwo\tyears.\tShe\thad\tlearned\tto\tgrab whatever\t she\t could\t get\t away\t with.\t And\t if\t some\u2014okay,\t if\t most\t of\t the\t grads\t in the\tdepartment\tlooked\tat\ther\tsuspiciously\tbecause\tshe\twas\tdating\tAdam\tCarlsen, so\tbe\tit.\tHer\tfriends\tseemed\tto\tbe\tlargely\tfine\twith\tthis,\tif\ta\tlittle\tbemused. Except\t for\t Malcolm.\t He\u2019d\t been\t shunning\t her\t like\t she\t had\t the\t pox\t for\t three solid\tdays.\tBut\tMalcolm\twas\tMalcolm\u2014he\u2019d\tcome\taround.","\u201cVery\t well,\t then.\u201d\t He\t was\t completely\t expressionless\u2014almost\t too expressionless.\t Like\t it\t was\t no\t big\t deal\t and\t he\t didn\u2019t\t care\t either\t way;\t like\t if she\u2019d\tsaid\tno,\tit\twouldn\u2019t\thave\tchanged\tanything\tfor\thim. \u201cThough,\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\tthinking\tabout\tthis\ta\tlot.\u201d He\twaited\tpatiently\tfor\ther\tto\tcontinue. \u201cAnd\tI\tthink\tthat\tit\twould\tbe\tbest\tif\twe\tlaid\tdown\tsome\tground\trules.\tBefore starting.\u201d \u201cGround\trules?\u201d \u201cYes.\tYou\tknow.\tWhat\twe\tare\tallowed\tand\tnot\tallowed\tto\tdo.\tWhat\twe\tcan expect\t from\t this\t arrangement.\t I\t think\t that\u2019s\t pretty\t standard\t protocol,\t before embarking\ton\ta\tfake-dating\trelationship.\u201d He\ttilted\this\thead.\t\u201cStandard\tprotocol?\u201d \u201cYup.\u201d \u201cHow\tmany\ttimes\thave\tyou\tdone\tthis?\u201d \u201cZero.\tBut\tI\tam\tfamiliar\twith\tthe\ttrope.\u201d \u201cThe\t.\t.\t.\twhat?\u201d\tHe\tblinked\tat\ther,\tconfused. Olive\t ignored\t him.\t \u201cOkay.\u201d\t She\t inhaled\t deeply\t and\t lifted\t her\t index\t finger. \u201cFirst\t of\t all,\t this\t should\t be\t a\t strictly\t on-campus\t arrangement.\t Not\t that\t I\t think you\u2019d\twant\tto\tmeet\tme\toff\tcampus,\tbut\tjust\tin\tcase\tyou\twere\tplanning\tto\tkill\ttwo birds\twith\tone\tstone,\tI\u2019m\tnot\tgoing\tto\tbe\tyour\tlast-minute\tbackup\tif\tyou\tneed\tto bring\ta\tdate\thome\tfor\tChristmas,\tor\u2014\u201d \u201cHanukkah.\u201d \u201cWhat?\u201d \u201cMy\t family\t is\t more\t likely\t to\t celebrate\t Hanukkah\t than\t Christmas.\u201d\t He shrugged.\t\u201cThough\tI\u2019m\tunlikely\tto\tcelebrate\teither.\u201d \u201cOh.\u201d\t Olive\t pondered\t it\t for\t a\t moment.\t \u201cI\t guess\t this\t is\t something\t your\t fake girlfriend\tshould\tknow.\u201d The\tghost\tof\ta\tsmile\tappeared\ton\this\tmouth,\tbut\the\tsaid\tnothing. \u201cOkay.\t Second\t rule.\t Actually,\t it\t could\t be\t interpreted\t as\t an\t extension\t of\t the first\trule.\tBut\u201d\u2014Olive\tbit\tinto\ther\tlip,\twilling\therself\tto\tbring\tit\tup\u2014\u201cno\tsex.\u201d For\tseveral\tmoments\the\tsimply\tdidn\u2019t\tmove.\tNot\teven\ta\tmillimeter.\tThen\this lips\t parted,\t but\t no\t sound\t came\t out,\t and\t that\u2019s\t when\t Olive\t realized\t that\t she\t had just\trendered\tAdam\tCarlsen\tspeechless.\tWhich\twould\thave\tbeen\tfunny\tany\tother","day,\t but\t the\t fact\t that\t he\t seemed\t dumbfounded\t by\t Olive\t not\t wanting\t to\t include sex\tin\ttheir\tfake-dating\trelationship\tmade\ther\tstomach\tsink. Had\t he\t assumed\t that\t they\t would?\t Was\t it\t something\t she\u2019d\t said?\t Should\t she explain\tthat\tshe\u2019d\thad\tvery\tlittle\tsex\tin\ther\tlife?\tThat\tfor\tyears\tshe\u2019d\twondered whether\t she\t was\t asexual\t and\t she\t had\t realized\t only\t recently\t that\t she\t might\t be able\t to\t experience\t sexual\t attraction,\t but\t only\t with\t people\t she\t trusted\t deeply? That\t if\t for\t some\t inexplicable\t reason\t Adam\t wanted\t to\t have\t sex\t with\t her,\t she wasn\u2019t\tgoing\tto\tbe\table\tto\tgo\tthrough\twith\tit? \u201cListen\u201d\u2014she\tmade\tto\tstand\tfrom\tthe\tchair,\tpanic\trising\tin\ther\tthroat\u2014\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\tbut\tif\tone\tof\tthe\treasons\tyou\toffered\tto\tfake-date\tis\tthat\tyou\tthought\tthat we\twould\u2014\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d\t The\t word\t half\t exploded\t out\t of\t him.\t He\t looked\t genuinely\t appalled. \u201cI\u2019m\tshocked\tthat\tyou\u2019d\teven\tfeel\tthe\tneed\tto\tbring\tit\tup.\u201d \u201cOh.\u201d\tOlive\u2019s\tcheeks\theated\tat\tthe\tindignation\tin\this\tvoice.\tRight.\tOf\tcourse he\tdidn\u2019t\texpect\tthat.\tOr\teven\twant\tthat,\twith\ther.\tLook\tat\thim\u2014why\twould\the? \u201cI\u2019m\tsorry,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tmean\tto\tassume\u2014\u201d \u201cNo,\tit\tmakes\tsense\tto\tbe\tup-front.\tI\twas\tjust\tsurprised.\u201d \u201cI\t know.\u201d\t Olive\t nodded.\t Honestly,\t she\t was\t a\t little\t surprised,\t too.\t That\t she was\tsitting\tin\tAdam\tCarlsen\u2019s\toffice,\ttalking\tabout\tsex\u2014not\tthe\tmeiosis\tkind\tof sex,\t but\t potential\t sexual\t intercourse\t between\t the\t two\t of\t them.\t \u201cSorry.\t I\t didn\u2019t mean\tto\tmake\tthings\tweird.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\t okay.\t This\t whole\t thing\t is\t weird.\u201d\t The\t silence\t between\t them\t stretched, and\t Olive\t noticed\t that\t he\t was\t blushing\t faintly.\t Just\t a\t dusting\t of\t red,\t but\t he looked\tso\t.\t.\t.\tOlive\tcouldn\u2019t\tstop\tstaring. \u201cNo\tsex,\u201d\the\tconfirmed\twith\ta\tnod. She\thad\tto\tclear\ther\tthroat\tand\tshake\therself\tout\tof\tinspecting\tthe\tshape\tand color\tof\this\tcheekbones. \u201cNo\t sex,\u201d\t she\t repeated.\t \u201cOkay.\t Third.\t It\u2019s\t not\t really\t a\t rule,\t but\t here\t goes:\t I won\u2019t\t date\t anyone\t else.\t As\t in\t real\t dating.\t It\t would\t be\t messy\t and\t complicate everything\t and\t .\t .\t .\u201d\t Olive\t hesitated.\t Should\t she\t tell\t him?\t Was\t it\t too\t much information?\t Did\t he\t need\t to\t know?\t Oh,\t well.\t Why\t not,\t at\t this\t point?\t It\t wasn\u2019t like\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tkissed\tthe\tman,\tor\tbrought\tup\tsex\tin\this\tplace\tof\twork.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t date,\tanyway.\tJeremy\twas\tan\texception.\tI\u2019ve\tnever\t.\t.\t.\tI\u2019ve\tnever\tdated\tseriously before,\tand\tit\u2019s\tprobably\tfor\tthe\tbest.\tGrad\tschool\tis\tstressful\tenough,\tand\tI\thave","my\t friends,\t and\t my\t project\t on\t pancreatic\t cancer,\t and\t honestly\t there\u2019s\t better things\tto\tuse\tmy\ttime\tfor.\u201d\tThe\tlast\tfew\twords\tcame\tout\tmore\tdefensively\tthan she\u2019d\tintended. Adam\tjust\tstared\tand\tsaid\tnothing. \u201cBut\tyou\tcan\tdate,\tof\tcourse,\u201d\tshe\tadded\thastily.\t\u201cThough\tI\u2019d\tappreciate\tit\tif you\tcould\tavoid\ttelling\tpeople\tin\tthe\tdepartment,\tjust\tso\tI\tdon\u2019t\tlook\tlike\tan\tidiot and\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tlook\tlike\tyou\u2019re\tcheating\ton\tme\tand\trumors\tdon\u2019t\tballoon\tout\tof control.\t It\t would\t benefit\t you,\t too,\t since\t you\u2019re\t trying\t to\t look\t like\t you\u2019re\t in\t a committed\trelationship\u2014\u201d \u201cI\twon\u2019t.\u201d \u201cOkay.\tGreat.\tThanks.\tI\tknow\tlying\tby\tomission\tcan\tbe\ta\tpain,\tbut\u2014\u201d \u201cI\tmean,\tI\twon\u2019t\tdate\tsomeone\telse.\u201d There\t was\t a\t certainty,\t a\t finality\t in\t his\t tone\t that\t took\t her\t by\t surprise.\t She could\t only\t nod,\t even\t though\t she\t wanted\t to\t protest\t that\t he\t couldn\u2019t\t possibly know,\teven\tthough\ta\tmillion\tquestions\tsurfaced\tin\ther\tmind.\tNinety-nine\tpercent of\tthem\twere\tinappropriate\tand\tnot\ther\tbusiness,\tso\tshe\tshooed\tthem\taway. \u201cOkay.\tFourth.\tWe\tobviously\tcan\u2019t\tkeep\ton\tdoing\tthis\tforever,\tso\twe\tshould give\tourselves\ta\tdeadline.\u201d His\tlips\tpressed\ttogether.\t\u201cWhen\twould\tthat\tbe?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tsure.\tA\tmonth\tor\tso\twould\tprobably\tbe\tenough\tto\tconvince\tAnh\tthat I\u2019m\tfirmly\tover\tJeremy.\tBut\tit\tmight\tnot\tbe\tenough\ton\tyour\tend,\tso\t.\t.\t.\tyou\ttell me.\u201d He\tmulled\tit,\tand\tthen\tnodded\tonce.\t\u201cSeptember\ttwenty-ninth.\u201d It\twas\ta\tlittle\tover\ta\tmonth\tfrom\tnow.\tBut\talso\t.\t.\t.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\ta\tweirdly\tspecific date.\u201d\t Olive\t racked\t her\t head,\t trying\t to\t figure\t out\t why\t it\t could\t be\t meaningful. The\tonly\tthing\tthat\tcame\tto\tmind\twas\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tbe\tin\tBoston\tthat\tweek\tfor\tthe annual\tbiology\tconference. \u201cIt\u2019s\tthe\tday\tafter\tthe\tdepartment\u2019s\tfinal\tbudget\treview.\tIf\tthey\tdon\u2019t\trelease my\tfunds\tby\tthen,\tthey\twon\u2019t\trelease\tthem\tat\tall.\u201d \u201cI\t see.\t Well,\t then,\t let\u2019s\t agree\t that\t on\t September\t twenty-ninth\t we\t part\t ways. I\u2019ll\t tell\t Anh\t that\t our\t breakup\t was\t amicable\t but\t that\t I\u2019m\t a\t little\t sad\t about\t it because\t I\t still\t have\t a\t bit\t of\t a\t crush\t on\t you.\u201d\t She\t grinned\t at\t him.\t \u201cJust\t so\t she won\u2019t\tsuspect\tthat\tI\u2019m\tstill\thung\tup\ton\tJeremy.\tOkay.\u201d\tShe\ttook\ta\tdeep\tbreath. \u201cFifth\tand\tlast.\u201d","This\t was\t the\t tricky\t one.\t The\t one\t she\t was\t afraid\t he\u2019d\t object\t to.\t She\t noticed that\tshe\twas\twringing\ther\thands\tand\tplaced\tthem\tfirmly\tin\ther\tlap. \u201cFor\tthis\tto\twork\twe\tshould\tprobably\t.\t.\t.\tdo\tthings\ttogether.\tEvery\tonce\tin\ta while.\u201d \u201cThings?\u201d \u201cThings.\tStuff.\u201d \u201cStuff,\u201d\the\trepeated\tdubiously. \u201cYep.\t Stuff.\t What\t do\t you\t do\t for\t fun?\u201d\t He\t was\t probably\t into\t something atrocious,\t like\t cow-tipping\t excursions\t or\t Japanese\t beetle\t fighting.\t Maybe\t he collected\t porcelain\t dolls.\t Maybe\t he\t was\t an\t avid\t geocacher.\t Maybe\t he frequented\tvaping\tconventions.\tOh\tGod. \u201cFun?\u201d\the\trepeated,\tlike\the\u2019d\tnever\theard\tthe\tword\tbefore. \u201cYeah.\tWhat\tdo\tyou\tdo\twhen\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tat\twork?\u201d The\tlength\tof\ttime\tthat\tpassed\tbetween\tOlive\u2019s\tquestion\tand\this\tanswer\twas alarming.\t\u201cSometimes\tI\twork\tat\thome,\ttoo.\tAnd\tI\twork\tout.\tAnd\tI\tsleep.\u201d She\t had\t to\t actively\t stop\t herself\t from\t face-palming.\t \u201cUm,\t great.\t Anything else?\u201d \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tdo\tfor\tfun?\u201d\the\tasked,\tsomewhat\tdefensively. \u201cPlenty\tof\tthings.\tI\t.\t.\t.\u201d\tGo\tto\tthe\tmovies.\tThough\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tsince\tthe last\t time\t Malcolm\t had\t dragged\t her.\t Play\t board\t games.\t But\t every\t single\t one\t of her\t friends\t was\t too\t busy\t lately,\t so\t not\t that,\t either.\t She\u2019d\t participated\t in\t that volleyball\ttournament,\tbut\tit\thad\tbeen\tover\ta\tyear\tago. \u201cUm.\t I\t work\t out?\u201d\t She\t would\t have\t loved\t to\t wipe\t that\t smug\t expression\t off his\t face.\t So\t much.\t \u201cWhatever.\t We\t should\t do\t something\t together\t on\t a\t regular basis.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow,\tmaybe\tget\tcoffee?\tLike,\tonce\ta\tweek?\tJust\tfor\tten\tminutes, at\ta\tplace\twhere\tpeople\tcould\teasily\tsee\tus.\tI\tknow\tit\tsounds\tannoying\tand\tlike\ta waste\t of\t time,\t but\t it\u2019ll\t be\t super\t short,\t and\t it\t would\t make\t the\t fake\t dating\t more credible,\tand\u2014\u201d \u201cSure.\u201d Oh. She\u2019d\t thought\t it\t would\t take\t more\t convincing.\t A\t lot\t more.\t Then\t again,\t this was\tin\this\tinterest,\ttoo.\tHe\tneeded\this\tcolleagues\tto\tbelieve\tin\ttheir\trelationship if\the\twas\tto\tcajole\tthem\tinto\treleasing\this\tfunding.","\u201cOkay.\t Um\t .\t .\t .\u201d\t She\t forced\t herself\t to\t stop\t wondering\t why\t he\t was\t being\t so accommodating\tand\ttried\tto\tvisualize\ther\tschedule.\t\u201cHow\tabout\tWednesday?\u201d Adam\tangled\this\tchair\tto\tface\this\tcomputer\tand\tpulled\tup\ta\tcalendar\tapp.\tIt was\tso\tfull\tof\tcolorful\tboxes\tthat\tOlive\tfelt\ta\tsurge\tof\tvicarious\tanxiety. \u201cIt\tworks\tbefore\televen\ta.m.\tAnd\tafter\tsix\tp.m.\u201d \u201cTen?\u201d He\tturned\tback\tto\ther.\t\u201cTen\u2019s\tgood.\u201d \u201cOkay.\u201d\t She\t waited\t for\t him\t to\t type\t it\t in,\t but\t he\t made\t no\t move\t to.\t \u201cAren\u2019t you\tgoing\tto\tadd\tit\tto\tyour\tcalendar?\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll\tremember,\u201d\the\ttold\ther\tevenly. \u201cOkay,\tthen.\u201d\tShe\tmade\tan\teffort\tto\tsmile,\tand\tit\tfelt\trelatively\tsincere.\tWay more\tsincere\tthan\tany\tsmile\tshe\u2019d\tever\tthought\tshe\u2019d\tbe\table\tto\tmuster\tin\tAdam Carlsen\u2019s\tpresence.\t\u201cGreat.\tFake-dating\tWednesday\tit\tis.\u201d A\tline\tappeared\tbetween\this\teyebrows.\t\u201cWhy\tdo\tyou\tkeep\tsaying\tthat?\u201d \u201cSaying\twhat?\u201d \u201c\u2009\u2018Fake\tdating.\u2019\tLike\tit\u2019s\ta\tthing.\u201d \u201cBecause\tit\tis.\tDon\u2019t\tyou\twatch\trom-coms?\u201d He\t stared\t at\t her\t with\t a\t puzzled\t expression,\t until\t she\t cleared\t her\t throat\t and looked\t down\t at\t her\t knees.\t \u201cRight.\u201d\t God,\t they\t had\t nothing\t in\t common.\t They\u2019d never\tfind\tanything\tto\ttalk\tabout.\tTheir\tten-minute\tcoffee\tbreaks\twere\tgoing\tto be\tthe\tmost\tpainful,\tawkward\tparts\tof\ther\talready\tpainful,\tawkward\tweeks. But\tAnh\twas\tgoing\tto\thave\ther\tbeautiful\tlove\tstory,\tand\tOlive\twouldn\u2019t\thave to\twait\tfor\tages\tto\tuse\tthe\telectron\tmicroscope.\tThat\twas\tall\tthat\tmattered. She\t stood\t and\t thrust\t her\t hand\t out\t to\t him,\t figuring\t that\t every\t fake-dating arrangement\t deserved\t at\t least\t a\t handshake.\t Adam\t studied\t it\t hesitantly\t for\t a couple\t of\t seconds.\t Then\t he\t stood\t and\t clasped\t her\t fingers.\t He\t stared\t at\t their joined\thands\tbefore\tmeeting\ther\teyes,\tand\tOlive\tordered\therself\tnot\tto\tnotice\tthe heat\tof\this\tskin,\tor\thow\tbroad\the\twas,\tor\t.\t.\t.\tanything\telse\tabout\thim.\tWhen\the finally\tlet\tgo,\tshe\thad\tto\tmake\ta\tconscious\teffort\tnot\tto\tinspect\ther\tpalm. Had\the\tdone\tsomething\tto\ther?\tIt\tsure\tfelt\tlike\tit.\tHer\tflesh\twas\ttingling. \u201cWhen\tdo\tyou\twant\tto\tstart?\u201d \u201cHow\tabout\tnext\tweek?\u201d\tIt\twas\tFriday.\tWhich\tmeant\tthat\tshe\thad\tfewer\tthan seven\t days\t to\t psychologically\t prepare\t for\t the\t experience\t of\t getting\t coffee\t with Adam\tCarlsen.\tShe\tknew\tthat\tshe\tcould\tdo\tthis\u2014if\tshe\thad\tworked\ther\tway\tup","to\t a\t ninety-seventh\t percentile\t on\t the\t verbal\t portion\t of\t the\t GRE,\t she\t could\t do anything,\tor\tas\tgood\tas\u2014but\tit\tstill\tseemed\tlike\ta\thorrible\tidea. \u201cSounds\tgood.\u201d It\t was\t happening.\t Oh\t God.\t \u201cLet\u2019s\t meet\t at\t the\t Starbucks\t on\t campus.\t It\u2019s where\t most\t of\t the\t grads\t get\t coffee\u2014someone\u2019s\t bound\t to\t spot\t us.\u201d\t She\t headed for\t the\t door,\t pausing\t to\t glance\t back\t at\t Adam.\t \u201cI\t guess\t I\u2019ll\t see\t you\t for\t fake- dating\tWednesday,\tthen?\u201d He\twas\tstill\tstanding\tbehind\this\tdesk,\tarms\tcrossed\ton\this\tchest.\tLooking\tat Olive.\tLooking\tentirely\tless\tirritated\tby\tthis\tmess\tthan\tshe\u2019d\tever\thave\texpected. Looking\t.\t.\t.\tnice.\t\u201cSee\tyou,\tOlive.\u201d \u2014 \u201cPASS\tTHE\tSALT.\u201d Olive\twould\thave,\tbut\tMalcolm\tlooked\tlike\the\twas\talready\tsalty\tenough.\tSo she\t leaned\t her\t hip\t against\t the\t kitchen\t counter\t and\t folded\t her\t arms\t across\t her chest.\t\u201cMalcolm.\u201d \u201cAnd\tthe\tpepper.\u201d \u201cMalcolm.\u201d \u201cAnd\tthe\toil.\u201d \u201cMalcolm\t.\t.\t.\u201d \u201cSunflower.\tNot\tthat\tgrape-seed\tcrap.\u201d \u201cListen.\tIt\u2019s\tnot\twhat\tyou\tthink\u2014\u201d \u201cFine.\tI\u2019ll\tget\tthem\tmyself.\u201d To\t be\t fair,\t Malcolm\t had\t every\t right\t to\t be\t mad.\t And\t Olive\t did\t feel\t for\t him. He\t was\t one\t year\t ahead\t of\t her,\t and\t the\t scion\t of\t STEM\t royalty.\t The\t product\t of generations\t of\t biologists,\t geologists,\t botanists,\t physicists,\t and\t who\t knows\t what other\t -ists\t mixing\t their\t DNA\t and\t spawning\t little\t science\t machines.\t His\t father was\ta\tdean\tat\tsome\tstate\tschool\ton\tthe\tEast\tCoast.\tHis\tmother\thad\ta\tTED\tTalk on\tPurkinje\tcells\twith\tseveral\tmillion\tviews\ton\tYouTube.\tDid\tMalcolm\twant\tto be\tin\ta\tPh.D.\tprogram,\theaded\tfor\tan\tacademic\tcareer?\tProbably\tno.\tDid\the\thave any\t other\t choice,\t considering\t the\t pressure\t his\t family\t had\t put\t on\t him\t since\t he was\tin\tdiapers?\tAlso\tno. Not\t to\t say\t that\t Malcolm\t was\t unhappy.\t His\t plan\t was\t to\t get\t his\t Ph.D.,\t find\t a nice\t cushy\t industry\t job,\t and\t make\t lots\t of\t money\t working\t nine-to-five\u2014which","technically\tqualified\tas\t\u201cbeing\ta\tscientist,\u201d\twhich\tin\tturn\twas\tnot\tsomething\this parents\twould\tbe\table\tto\tobject\tto.\tAt\tleast,\tnot\ttoo\tstrenuously.\tIn\tthe\tmeantime, all\the\twanted\twas\tto\thave\ta\tgrad\tschool\texperience\tthat\twas\tas\tun-traumatizing as\t possible.\t Out\t of\t everyone\t in\t Olive\u2019s\t program,\t he\t was\t the\t one\t who\t best managed\t to\t have\t a\t life\t outside\t of\t grad\t school.\t He\t did\t things\t that\t were unimaginable\t to\t most\t grads,\t like\t cooking\t real\t food!\t Going\t for\t hikes! Meditating!\t Acting\t in\t a\t play!\t Dating\t like\t it\t was\t an\t Olympic\t sport!\t (\u201cIt\t is\t an Olympic\tsport,\tOlive.\tAnd\tI\tam\ttraining\tfor\tgold.\u201d) Which\t was\t why\t when\t Adam\t forced\t Malcolm\t to\t throw\t out\t tons\t of\t data\t and redo\thalf\this\tstudy,\tit\tmade\tfor\ta\tvery,\tvery\tmiserable\tfew\tmonths.\tIn\tretrospect, that\t might\t have\t been\t when\t Malcolm\t started\t wishing\t a\t plague\t on\t the\t Carlsen house\t(he\thad\tbeen\trehearsing\tfor\tRomeo\tand\tJuliet\tat\tthe\ttime). \u201cMalcolm,\tcan\twe\tplease\ttalk\tabout\tthis?\u201d \u201cWe\u2019re\ttalking.\u201d \u201cNo,\t you\t are\t cooking\t and\t I\t am\t just\t standing\t here,\t trying\t to\t get\t you\t to acknowledge\tthat\tyou\tare\tmad\tbecause\tAdam\u2014\u201d Malcolm\t turned\t away\t from\t his\t casserole,\t wagging\t his\t finger\t in\t Olive\u2019s direction.\t\u201cDo\tnot\tsay\tit.\u201d \u201cDo\tnot\tsay\twhat?\u201d \u201cYou\tknow\twhat.\u201d \u201cAdam\tCarl\u2014?\u201d \u201cDo\tnot\tsay\this\tname.\u201d She\tthrew\ther\thands\tup.\t\u201cThis\tis\tcrazy.\tIt\u2019s\tfake,\tMalcolm.\u201d He\twent\tback\tto\tchopping\tthe\tasparagus.\t\u201cPass\tthe\tsalt.\u201d \u201cAre\tyou\teven\tlistening?\tIt\u2019s\tnot\treal.\u201d \u201cAnd\tthe\tpepper,\tand\tthe\u2014\u201d \u201cThe\t relationship,\t it\u2019s\t fake.\t We\u2019re\t not\t really\t dating.\t We\u2019re\t pretending\t so people\twill\tthink\tthat\twe\u2019re\tdating.\u201d Malcolm\u2019s\thands\tstopped\tmid-chop.\t\u201cWhat?\u201d \u201cYou\theard\tme.\u201d \u201cIs\tit\ta\t.\t.\t.\tfriends-with-benefits\tarrangement?\tBecause\u2014\u201d \u201cNo.\t It\u2019s\t the\t opposite.\t There\t are\t no\t benefits.\t Zero\t benefits.\t Zero\t sex.\t Zero friends,\ttoo.\u201d","He\tstared\tat\ther,\tnarrow-eyed.\t\u201cTo\tbe\tclear,\toral\tand\tbutt\tstuff\ttotally\tcounts as\tsex\u2014\u201d \u201cMalcolm.\u201d He\t took\t a\t step\t closer,\t grabbing\t a\t dishrag\t to\t wipe\t his\t hands,\t nostrils\t flaring. \u201cI\u2019m\tscared\tto\task.\u201d \u201cI\t know\t it\t sounds\t ridiculous.\t He\u2019s\t helping\t me\t out\t by\t pretending\t we\u2019re together\tbecause\tI\tlied\tto\tAnh,\tand\tI\tneed\ther\tto\tfeel\tokay\tabout\tdating\tJeremy. It\u2019s\tall\tfake.\tAdam\tand\tI\thave\ttalked\texactly\u201d\u2014she\tdecided\ton\tthe\tspot\tto\tomit any\tinformation\tpertinent\tto\tThe\tNight\u2014\u201cthree\ttimes,\tand\tI\tknow\tnothing\tabout him.\tExcept\t that\t he\u2019s\t willing\tto\t help\t me\t handle\t this\tsituation,\t and\t I\t jumped\tat the\tchance.\u201d Malcolm\t was\t making\t that\t face,\t the\t one\t he\t reserved\t for\t people\t who\t wore sandals\tpaired\twith\twhite\tsocks.\tHe\tcould\tbe\ta\tlittle\tscary,\tshe\thad\tto\tadmit. \u201cThis\t is\t .\t .\t .\t wow.\u201d\t There\t was\t a\t vein\t pulsating\t on\t his\t forehead.\t \u201cOl,\t this\t is breathtakingly\tstupid.\u201d \u201cMaybe.\u201d\tYes.\tYes,\tit\twas.\t\u201cBut\tit\tis\twhat\tit\tis.\tAnd\tyou\thave\tto\tsupport\tme in\tmy\tidiocy,\tbecause\tyou\tand\tAnh\tare\tmy\tbest\tfriends.\u201d \u201cIsn\u2019t\tCarlsen\tyour\tbest\tfriend\tnow?\u201d \u201cCome\t on,\t Malcolm.\t He\u2019s\t an\t ass.\t But\t he\u2019s\t actually\t been\t pretty\t nice\t to\t me, and\u2014\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tnot\teven\u2014\u201d\tHe\tgrimaced.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tgoing\tto\taddress\tthis.\u201d She\t sighed.\t \u201cOkay.\t Don\u2019t\t address\t this.\t You\t don\u2019t\t have\t to.\t But\t can\t you\t just not\t hate\t me?\t Please?\t I\t know\t he\u2019s\t been\t a\t nightmare\t to\t half\t the\t grads\t in\t the program,\tyou\tincluded.\tBut\the\u2019s\thelping\tme\tout.\tYou\tand\tAnh\tare\tthe\tonly\tones I\tcare\tabout\tknowing\tthe\ttruth.\tBut\tI\tcan\u2019t\ttell\tAnh\u2014\u201d \u201c\u2014for\tobvious\treasons.\u201d \u201c\u2014for\t obvious\t reasons,\u201d\t she\t finished\t at\t the\t same\t time,\t and\t smiled.\t He\t just shook\this\thead\tdisapprovingly,\tbut\this\texpression\thad\tsoftened. \u201cOl.\t You\u2019re\t amazing.\t And\t kind,\t way\t too\t kind.\t You\t should\t find\t someone better\tthan\tCarlsen.\tSomeone\tto\tdate\tfor\treal.\u201d \u201cYeah,\t right.\u201d\t She\t rolled\t her\t eyes.\t \u201cBecause\t it\t went\t so\t well\t with\t Jeremy. Who,\t by\t the\t way,\t I\t only\t agreed\t to\t date\t following\t your\t advice!\t \u2018Give\t the\t boy\t a chance,\u2019\tyou\tsaid.\t\u2018What\tcould\tpossibly\tgo\twrong?\u2019\tyou\tsaid.\u201d Malcolm\tglared,\tand\tshe\tlaughed.","\u201cListen,\t I\u2019m\t clearly\t bad\t at\t real\t dating.\t Maybe\t fake\t dating\t will\t be\t different. Maybe\tI\u2019ve\tfound\tmy\tniche.\u201d He\tsighed.\t\u201cDoes\tit\thave\tto\tbe\tCarlsen?\tThere\tare\tbetter\tfaculty\tmembers\tto fake-date.\u201d \u201cLike\twho?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tDr.\tMcCoy?\u201d \u201cDidn\u2019t\ther\twife\tjust\tgive\tbirth\tto\ttriplets?\u201d \u201cOh,\tyeah.\tWhat\tabout\tHolden\tRodrigues?\tHe\u2019s\thot.\tCute\tsmile,\ttoo.\tI\twould know\u2014he\talways\tsmiles\tat\tme.\u201d Olive\t burst\t into\t laughter.\t \u201cI\t could\t never\t fake-date\t Dr.\t Rodrigues,\t not\t with how\tassiduously\tyou\u2019ve\tbeen\tthirsting\tafter\thim\tfor\tthe\tpast\ttwo\tyears.\u201d \u201cI\thave,\thaven\u2019t\tI?\tDid\tI\tever\ttell\tyou\tabout\tthe\tserious\tflirting\tthat\thappened between\t us\t at\t the\t undergrad\t research\t fair?\t I\u2019m\t pretty\t sure\t he\t winked\t at\t me multiple\t times\t from\t the\t other\t side\t of\t the\t room.\t Now,\t some\t say\t he\t just\t had something\tin\this\teye,\tbut\u2014\u201d \u201cMe.\tI\tsaid\tthat\the\tprobably\thad\tsomething\tin\this\teye.\tAnd\tyou\ttell\tme\tabout it\tevery\tother\tday.\u201d \u201cRight.\u201d\tHe\tsighed.\t\u201cYou\tknow,\tOl,\tI\twould\thave\tfake-dated\tyou\tmyself\tin\ta heartbeat,\tto\tspare\tyou\tfrom\tgoddamned\tCarlsen.\tI\twould\thave\theld\thands\twith you,\tand\tgiven\tyou\tmy\tjacket\twhen\tyou\twere\tcold,\tand\tvery\tpublicly\tgifted\tyou chocolate\troses\tand\tteddy\tbears\ton\tValentine\u2019s\tDay.\u201d How\trefreshing,\tto\ttalk\twith\tsomeone\twho\u2019d\twatched\ta\trom-com.\tOr\tten.\t\u201cI know.\t But\t you\t also\t bring\t home\t a\t different\t person\t every\t week,\t and\t you\t love\t it, and\tI\tlove\tthat\tyou\tlove\tit.\tI\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\tcramp\tyour\tstyle.\u201d \u201cFair.\u201d\t Malcolm\t looked\t pleased\u2014whether\t at\t the\t fact\t that\t he\t really\t did\t get around\t a\t fair\t bit\t or\t at\t Olive\u2019s\t thorough\t understanding\t of\t his\t dating\t habits,\t she wasn\u2019t\tsure. \u201cCan\tyou\tplease\tnot\thate\tme,\tthen?\u201d He\ttossed\tthe\tkitchen\tcloth\tonto\tthe\tcounter\tand\tstepped\tcloser.\t\u201cOl.\tI\tcould never\t hate\t you.\t You\u2019ll\t always\t be\t my\t kalamata.\u201d\t He\t pulled\t her\t into\t his\t chest, hugging\t her\t tight.\t At\t the\t beginning,\t when\t they\u2019d\t just\t met,\t Olive\t had\t been constantly\t disoriented\t by\t how\t physical\t he\t was,\t probably\t because\t it\t had\t been years\t since\t she\u2019d\t experienced\t such\t affectionate\t contact.\t Now,\t Malcolm\u2019s\t hugs were\ther\thappy\tplace.","She\t laid\t her\t head\t on\t his\t shoulder\t and\t smiled\t into\t the\t cotton\t of\t his\t T-shirt. \u201cThanks.\u201d Malcolm\theld\ther\ttighter. \u201cAnd\t I\t promise\t if\t I\t ever\t bring\t Adam\t home,\t I\u2019ll\t put\t a\t sock\t on\t my\t door\u2014 Ouch!\u201d \u201cYou\tevil\tcreature.\u201d \u201cI\twas\tkidding!\tWait,\tdon\u2019t\tleave,\tI\thave\tsomething\timportant\tto\ttell\tyou.\u201d He\tpaused\tby\tthe\tdoor,\tscowling.\t\u201cI\u2019ve\treached\tmy\tmaximum\tdaily\tintake\tof Carlsen-related\tconversation.\tAnything\tfurther\twill\tbe\tlethal,\tso\u2014\u201d \u201cTom\t Benton,\t the\t cancer\t researcher\t from\t Harvard,\t reached\t out\t to\t me!\t It\u2019s not\tdecided\tyet,\tbut\the\tmight\tbe\tinterested\tin\thaving\tme\tin\this\tlab\tnext\tyear.\u201d \u201cOh\tmy\tGod.\u201d\tMalcolm\twalked\tback\tto\ther,\tdelighted.\t\u201cOl,\tthis\tis\tamazing!\tI thought\tnone\tof\tthe\tresearchers\tyou\tcontacted\thad\tgotten\tback\tto\tyou?\u201d \u201cNot\t for\t the\t longest\t time.\t But\t now\t Benton\t has,\t and\t you\t know\t how\t famous and\t well-known\t he\t is.\t He\t probably\t has\t more\t research\t funds\t than\t I\t could\t ever dream\tof.\tIt\twould\tbe\u2014\u201d \u201cFantastic.\t It\t would\t really\t be\t fantastic.\t Ol.\t I\t am\t so\t proud\t of\t you.\u201d\t Malcolm took\t her\t hands\t in\t his.\t His\t face-splitting\t grin\t slowly\t gentled.\t \u201cAnd\t your\t mom would\tbe\tso\tproud,\ttoo.\u201d Olive\t looked\t away,\t blinking\t rapidly.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t cry,\t not\t tonight. \u201cNothing\t is\t set\t in\t stone.\t I\u2019ll\t have\t to\t persuade\t him.\t It\t will\t involve\t quite\t a\t bit\t of politicking\tand\tgoing\tthrough\tthe\twhole\t\u2018pitch\tme\tyour\tresearch\u2019\tbit.\tWhich\tas you\tknow\tis\tnot\tmy\tforte.\tIt\tmight\tstill\tnot\twork\tout\u2014\u201d \u201cIt\twill\twork\tout.\u201d Right.\tYes.\tShe\tneeded\tto\tbe\toptimistic.\tShe\tnodded,\tattempting\ta\tsmile. \u201cBut\teven\tif\tit\tdidn\u2019t\t.\t.\t.\tshe\twould\tstill\tbe\tproud.\u201d Olive\t nodded\t again.\t When\t a\t single\t tear\t managed\t to\t slide\t down\t her\t cheek, she\tdecided\tto\tlet\tit\tbe. Forty-five\tminutes\tlater,\tshe\tand\tMalcolm\tsat\ton\ttheir\tminuscule\tcouch,\tarms pressed\t together,\t watching\t reruns\t of\t American\t Ninja\t Warrior\t while\t they\t ate\t a very\tundersalted\tveggie\tcasserole.","Chapter\tFour \tHYPOTHESIS:\tAdam\tCarlsen\tand\tI\thave\tabsolutely\tnothing\tin\tcommon,\tand having\tcoffee\twith\thim\twill\tbe\ttwice\tas\tpainful\tas\ta\troot\tcanal.\tWithout\tanesthesia. Olive\tarrived\tto\tthe\tfirst\tfake-dating\tWednesday\tlate\tand\tin\tthe\tfoulest\tof\tmoods, after\t a\t morning\t spent\t growling\t at\t her\t cheap,\t knockoff\t reagents\t for\t not dissolving,\tthen\tnot\tprecipitating,\tthen\tnot\tsonicating,\tthen\tnot\tbeing\tenough\tfor her\tto\trun\ther\tentire\tassay. She\t paused\t outside\t the\t coffee\t shop\u2019s\t door\t and\t took\t a\t deep\t breath.\t She needed\t a\t better\t lab\t if\t she\t wanted\t to\t produce\t decent\t science.\t Better\t equipment. Better\t reagents.\t Better\t bacteria\t cultures.\t Better\t everything.\t Next\t week,\t when Tom\tBenton\tarrived,\tshe\thad\t to\tbe\ton\ttop\tof\ther\tgame.\tShe\tneeded\tto\tprepare her\tspiel,\tnot\twaste\ttime\ton\ta\tcoffee\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tparticularly\twant,\twith\ta\tperson she\t most\t definitely\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t talk\t to,\t halfway\t through\t her\t experimental protocol. Ugh. When\t she\t stepped\t inside\t the\t caf\u00e9,\t Adam\t was\t already\t there,\t wearing\t a\t black Henley\tthat\tlooked\tlike\tit\twas\tideated,\tdesigned,\tand\tproduced\tspecifically\twith the\t upper\t half\t of\t his\t body\t in\t mind.\t Olive\t was\t momentarily\t bemused,\t not\t so much\t that\t his\t clothes\t fit\t him\t well,\t but\t that\t she\u2019d\t noticed\t what\t someone\t was wearing\t to\t begin\t with.\t It\t was\t not\t like\t her.\t She\u2019d\t been\t seeing\t Adam\t traipse around\t the\t biology\t building\t for\t the\t better\t part\t of\t two\t years,\t after\t all,\t not\t to mention\tthat\tin\tthe\tpast\tcouple\tof\tweeks\tthey\u2019d\tspoken\tan\tinordinate\tamount\tof times.\tThey\thad\teven\tkissed,\tif\tone\tcounted\twhat\thad\thappened\ton\tThe\tNight\tas a\tproper\tkiss.\tIt\twas\tdizzying\tand\ta\tlittle\tunsettling,\tthe\trealization\tthat\tsank\tinto her\tas\tthey\tgot\tin\tline\tto\torder\ttheir\tcoffee.","Adam\tCarlsen\twas\thandsome. Adam\t Carlsen,\t with\t his\t long\t nose\t and\t wavy\t hair,\t with\t his\t full\t lips\t and angular\tface\tthat\tshouldn\u2019t\thave\tfit\ttogether\tbut\tsomehow\tdid,\twas\treally,\treally, really\thandsome.\tOlive\thad\tno\tclue\twhy\tit\thadn\u2019t\tregistered\tbefore,\tor\twhy\twhat made\ther\trealize\tit\twas\thim\tputting\ton\ta\tplain\tblack\tshirt. She\twilled\therself\tto\tstare\tahead\tat\tthe\tdrink\tmenu\tinstead\tof\this\tchest.\tIn\tthe coffee\tshop,\tthere\twere\ta\ttotal\tof\tthree\tbiology\tgrad\tstudents,\tone\tpharmacology postdoc,\tand\tone\tundergraduate\tresearch\tassistant\teyeing\tthem.\tPerfect. \u201cSo.\tHow\tare\tyou?\u201d\tshe\tasked,\tbecause\tit\twas\tthe\tthing\tto\tdo. \u201cFine.\tYou?\u201d \u201cFine.\u201d It\toccurred\tto\tOlive\tthat\tmaybe\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tthought\tthis\tthrough\tas\tthoroughly as\tshe\tshould\thave.\tBecause\tbeing\tseen\ttogether\tmight\thave\tbeen\ttheir\tgoal,\tbut standing\tnext\tto\teach\tother\tin\tsilence\twas\tnot\tgoing\tto\tfool\tanyone\tinto\tthinking that\tthey\twere\tblissfully\tdating.\tAnd\tAdam\twas\t.\t.\t.\twell.\tHe\tseemed\tunlikely\tto initiate\tany\tkind\tof\tconversation. \u201cSo.\u201d\t Olive\t shifted\t her\t weight\t to\t the\t balls\t of\t her\t feet\t a\t couple\t of\t times. \u201cWhat\u2019s\tyour\tfavorite\tcolor?\u201d He\tlooked\tat\ther,\tconfused.\t\u201cWhat?\u201d \u201cYour\tfavorite\tcolor.\u201d \u201cMy\tfavorite\tcolor?\u201d \u201cYep.\u201d There\twas\ta\tcrease\tbetween\this\teyes.\t\u201cI\u2014don\u2019t\tknow?\u201d \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tmean\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tknow?\u201d \u201cThey\u2019re\tcolors.\tThey\u2019re\tall\tthe\tsame.\u201d \u201cThere\tmust\tbe\tone\tyou\tlike\tmost.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tso.\u201d \u201cRed?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\u201d \u201cYellow?\tVomit\tgreen?\u201d His\teyes\tnarrowed.\t\u201cWhy\tare\tyou\tasking?\u201d Olive\tshrugged.\t\u201cIt\tfeels\tlike\tsomething\tI\tshould\tknow.\u201d \u201cWhy?\u201d","\u201cBecause.\tIf\tsomeone\ttries\tto\tfigure\tout\twhether\twe\u2019re\treally\tdating,\tit\tmight be\tone\tof\tthe\tfirst\tquestions\tthey\task.\tTop\tfive,\tfor\tsure.\u201d He\t studied\t her\t for\t a\t few\t seconds.\t \u201cDoes\t that\t seem\t like\t a\t likely\t scenario\t to you?\u201d \u201cAbout\tas\tlikely\tas\tme\tfake-dating\tyou.\u201d He\tnodded,\tas\tif\tconceding\ther\tpoint.\t\u201cOkay.\tBlack,\tI\tguess.\u201d She\tsnorted.\t\u201cFigures.\u201d \u201cWhat\u2019s\twrong\twith\tblack?\u201d\tHe\tfrowned. \u201cIt\u2019s\tnot\teven\ta\tcolor.\tIt\u2019s\tno\tcolors,\ttechnically.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tbetter\tthan\tvomit\tgreen.\u201d \u201cNo,\tit\tisn\u2019t.\u201d \u201cOf\tcourse\tit\tis.\u201d \u201cYeah,\twell.\tIt\tsuits\tyour\tscion-of-darkness\tpersonality.\u201d \u201cWhat\tdoes\tthat\teven\u2014\u201d \u201cGood\tmorning.\u201d\tThe\tbarista\tsmiled\tat\tthem\tcheerfully.\t\u201cWhat\twill\tyou\thave today?\u201d Olive\tsmiled\tback,\tgesturing\tat\tAdam\tto\torder\tfirst. \u201cCoffee.\u201d\tHe\tdarted\ta\tglance\tat\ther\tbefore\tadding,\tsheepishly,\t\u201cBlack.\u201d She\t had\t to\t duck\t her\t head\t to\t hide\t her\t smile,\t but\t when\t she\t glanced\t at\t him again,\t the\t corner\t of\t his\t mouth\t was\t curved\t upward.\t Which,\t she\t reluctantly admitted\t to\t herself,\t was\t not\t a\t bad\t look\t for\t him.\t She\t ignored\t it\t and\t ordered\t the most\tfatty,\tsugary\tthing\ton\tthe\tdrink\tmenu,\tasking\tfor\textra\twhipped\tcream.\tShe was\twondering\tif\tshe\tshould\ttry\tto\tmake\tup\tfor\tit\tby\tbuying\tan\tapple,\ttoo,\tor\tif she\tshould\tjust\tlean\tinto\tit\tand\ttop\tit\toff\twith\ta\tcookie,\twhen\tAdam\ttook\ta\tcredit card\tout\tof\this\twallet\tand\theld\tit\tto\tthe\tcashier. \u201cOh,\tno.\tNo,\tno,\tno.\tNo.\u201d\tOlive\tput\ther\thand\tin\tfront\tof\this\tand\tlowered\ther voice.\t\u201cYou\tcan\u2019t\tpay\tfor\tmy\tstuff.\u201d He\tblinked.\t\u201cI\tcan\u2019t?\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tnot\tthe\tkind\tof\tfake\trelationship\twe\u2019re\thaving.\u201d He\tlooked\tsurprised.\t\u201cIt\tisn\u2019t?\u201d \u201cNope.\u201d\tShe\tshook\ther\thead.\t\u201cI\twould\tnever\tfake-date\ta\tdude\twho\tthinks\tthat he\thas\tto\tpay\tfor\tmy\tcoffee\tjust\tbecause\the\u2019s\ta\tdude.\u201d He\tlifted\tan\teyebrow.\t\u201cI\tdoubt\ta\tlanguage\texists\tin\twhich\tthe\tthing\tyou\tjust ordered\tcould\tbe\treferred\tto\tas\t\u2018coffee.\u2019\u2009\u201d","\u201cHey\u2014\u201d \u201cAnd\tit\u2019s\tnot\tabout\tme\tbeing\ta\t\u2018dude\u2019\u2009\u201d\u2014the\tword\tcame\tout\ta\ttouch\tpained \u2014\u201cbut\tabout\tyou\tstill\tbeing\ta\tgrad\tstudent.\tAnd\tyour\tyearly\tincome.\u201d For\ta\tmoment\tshe\thesitated,\twondering\tif\tshe\tshould\tbe\toffended.\tWas\tAdam being\t his\t well-known\t ass\t self?\t Was\t he\t patronizing\t her?\t Did\t he\t think\t she\t was poor?\t Then\t she\t remembered\t that\t she\t was,\t in\t fact,\t poor,\t and\t that\t he\t probably made\tfive\ttimes\tas\tmuch\tas\ther.\tShe\tshrugged,\tadding\ta\tchocolate\tchip\tcookie,\ta banana,\t and\t a\t pack\t of\t gum\t to\t her\t coffee.\t To\t his\t credit,\t Adam\t said\t nothing\t and paid\tthe\tresulting\t$21.39\twithout\tbatting\tan\teye. While\t they\t were\t waiting\t for\t their\t drinks,\t Olive\u2019s\t mind\t began\t drifting\t off\t to her\t project\t and\t to\t whether\t she\t could\t convince\t Dr.\t Aslan\t to\t buy\t her\t better reagents\tsoon.\tShe\tlooked\tdistractedly\taround\tthe\tcoffee\tshop,\tfinding\tthat\teven though\t the\t research\t assistant,\t the\t postdoc,\t and\t one\t of\t the\t students\t were\t gone, two\t grads\t (one\t of\t whom\t serendipitously\t happened\t to\t work\t in\t Anh\u2019s\t lab)\t were still\t sitting\t at\t a\t table\t by\t the\t door,\t glancing\t toward\t them\t every\t few\t minutes. Excellent. She\t leaned\t her\t hip\t against\t the\t counter\t and\t looked\t up\t at\t Adam.\t Thank\t God this\t thing\t was\t only\t going\t to\t be\t ten\t minutes\t a\t week,\t or\t she\u2019d\t develop\t a permanent\tcrick\tin\ther\tneck. \u201cWhere\twere\tyou\tborn?\u201d\tshe\tasked. \u201cIs\tthis\tanother\tone\tof\tyour\tgreen\tcard\tmarriage\tinterview\tquestions?\u201d She\t giggled.\t He\t smiled\t in\t response,\t as\t if\t pleased\t to\t have\t made\t her\t laugh. Though\tit\twas\tcertainly\tfor\tsome\tother\treason. \u201cNetherlands.\tThe\tHague.\u201d \u201cOh.\u201d He\tleaned\tagainst\tthe\tcounter,\ttoo,\tdirectly\tin\tfront\tof\ther.\t\u201cWhy\t\u2018oh\u2019?\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know.\u201d\t Olive\t shrugged.\t \u201cI\t think\t I\t expected\t .\t .\t .\t New\t York?\t Or maybe\tKansas?\u201d He\t shook\t his\t head.\t \u201cMy\t mother\t used\t to\t be\t a\t US\t ambassador\t to\t the Netherlands.\u201d \u201cWow.\u201d\t Weird,\t to\t imagine\t that\t Adam\t had\t a\t mother.\t A\t family.\t That\t before being\t tall\t and\t scary\t and\t infamous,\t he\u2019d\t been\t a\t kid.\t Maybe\t he\t spoke\t Dutch. Maybe\the\thad\t smoked\therring\tfor\tbreakfast\ton\tthe\treg.\tMaybe\this\tmother\thad wanted\t him\t to\t follow\t in\t her\t footsteps\t and\t become\t a\t diplomat,\t but\t his\t shiny","personality\thad\temerged\tand\tshe\u2019d\tgiven\tup\ton\tthat\tdream.\tOlive\tfound\therself acutely\t eager\t to\t know\t more\t about\t his\t upbringing,\t which\t was\t .\t .\t .\t weird.\t Very weird. \u201cHere\t you\t go.\u201d\t Their\t drinks\t appeared\t on\t the\t counter.\t Olive\t told\t herself\t that the\t way\t the\t blond\t barista\t was\t obviously\t checking\t out\t Adam\t as\t he\t turned\t to retrieve\ta\tlid\tfor\this\tcup\twas\tnone\tof\ther\tbusiness.\tShe\talso\treminded\therself\tthat as\tcurious\tas\tshe\twas\tabout\this\tdiplomat\tmother,\thow\tmany\tlanguages\the\tspoke, and\t whether\t he\t liked\t tulips,\t it\t was\t information\t that\t went\t well\t beyond\t their arrangement. People\thad\tseen\tthem\ttogether.\tThey\twere\tgoing\tto\tgo\tback\tto\ttheir\tlabs\tand tell\timprobable\ttales\tof\tDr.\tAdam\tCarlsen\tand\tthe\trandom,\tunremarkable\tstudent they\u2019d\tspotted\thim\twith.\tTime\tfor\tOlive\tto\tgo\tback\tto\ther\tscience. She\tcleared\ther\tthroat.\t\u201cWell.\tThis\twas\tfun.\u201d He\tlooked\tup\tfrom\this\tcup,\tsurprised.\t\u201cIs\tfake-dating\tWednesday\tover?\u201d \u201cYep.\t Great\t job,\t team,\t now\t hit\t the\t showers.\t You\u2019re\t free\t until\t next\t week.\u201d Olive\tstabbed\ther\tstraw\tinto\ther\tdrink\tand\ttook\ta\tsip,\tfeeling\tthe\tsugar\texplode in\t her\t mouth.\t Whatever\t she\u2019d\t ordered,\t it\t was\t disgustingly\t good.\t She\t was probably\tdeveloping\tdiabetes\tas\tshe\tspoke.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tsee\tyou\u2014\u201d \u201cWhere\twere\tyou\tborn?\u201d\tAdam\tasked\tbefore\tshe\tcould\tleave. Oh.\tThey\twere\tdoing\tthis,\tthen.\tHe\twas\tprobably\tjust\ttrying\tto\tbe\tpolite,\tand Olive\tsighed\tinwardly,\tthinking\tlongingly\tof\ther\tlab\tbench.\t\u201cToronto.\u201d \u201cRight.\tYou\u2019re\tCanadian,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tlike\the\u2019d\talready\tknown. \u201cYep.\u201d \u201cWhen\tdid\tyou\tmove\there?\u201d \u201cEight\tyears\tago.\tFor\tcollege.\u201d He\t nodded,\t as\t if\t storing\t up\t the\t information.\t \u201cWhy\t the\t US?\t Canada\t has excellent\tschools.\u201d \u201cI\tgot\ta\tfull\tride.\u201d\tIt\twas\ttrue.\tIf\tnot\tthe\twhole\ttruth. He\tfidgeted\twith\tthe\tcardboard\tcup\tholder.\t\u201cDo\tyou\tgo\tback\ta\tlot?\u201d \u201cNot\t really,\t no.\u201d\t Olive\t licked\t some\t whipped\t cream\t off\t her\t straw.\t She\t was puzzled\twhen\the\timmediately\tlooked\taway\tfrom\ther. \u201cDo\tyou\tplan\tto\tmove\tback\thome\tonce\tyou\tgraduate?\u201d She\t tensed.\t \u201cNot\t if\t I\t can\t help\t it.\u201d\t She\t had\t lots\t of\t painful\t memories\t in Canada,\t and\t her\t only\t family,\t the\t people\t she\t wanted\t nearby,\t were\t Anh\t and","Malcolm,\t both\t US\t citizens.\t Olive\t and\t Anh\t had\t even\t made\t a\t pact\t that\t if\t Olive was\tever\ton\tthe\tverge\tof\tlosing\ther\tvisa,\tAnh\twould\tmarry\ther.\tIn\thindsight,\tthis entire\t fake-dating\t business\t with\t Adam\t was\t going\t to\t be\t great\t practice\t for\t when Olive\tleveled\tup\tand\tstarted\tdefrauding\tthe\tDepartment\tof\tHomeland\tSecurity\tin earnest. Adam\tnodded,\ttaking\ta\tsip\tof\this\tcoffee.\t\u201cFavorite\tcolor?\u201d Olive\t opened\t her\t mouth\t to\t tell\t him\t her\t favorite\t color,\t which\t was\t so\t much better\tthan\this,\tand\t.\t.\t.\t\u201cDammit.\u201d He\tgave\ther\ta\tknowing\tlook.\t\u201cDifficult,\tisn\u2019t\tit?\u201d \u201cThere\tare\tso\tmany\tgood\tones.\u201d \u201cYup.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tgo\twith\tblue.\tLight\tblue.\tNo,\twait!\u201d \u201cMmm.\u201d \u201cLet\u2019s\tsay\twhite.\tOkay,\twhite.\u201d He\t clucked\t his\t tongue.\t \u201cYou\t know,\t I\t don\u2019t\t think\t I\t can\t accept\t that.\t White\u2019s not\treally\ta\tcolor.\tMore\tlike\tall\tcolors\tput\ttogether\u2014\u201d Olive\tpinched\thim\ton\tthe\tfleshy\tpart\tof\this\tforearm. \u201cOw,\u201d\t he\t said,\t clearly\t not\t in\t pain.\t With\t a\t sly\t smile,\t he\t waved\t goodbye\t and turned\taway,\theading\tfor\tthe\tbiology\tbuilding. \u201cHey,\tAdam?\u201d\tshe\tcalled\tafter\thim. He\tpaused\tand\tlooked\tback\tat\ther. \u201cThanks\tfor\tbuying\tme\tthree\tdays\u2019\tworth\tof\tfood.\u201d He\thesitated\tand\tthen\tnodded,\tonce.\tThat\tthing\the\twas\tdoing\twith\this\tmouth \u2014he\twas\tdefinitely\tsmiling\tdown\tat\ther.\tA\tlittle\tbegrudgingly,\tbut\tstill. \u201cMy\tpleasure,\tOlive.\u201d \u2014 Today,\t2:40\tp.m. FROM:\[email protected] TO:\[email protected] SUBJECT:\tRe:\tPancreatic\tCancer\tScreening\tProject Olive, I\u2019ll\tbe\tflying\tin\ton\tTuesday\tafternoon.\tHow\tabout\twe\tmeet\ton\tWednesday\taround\t3:00 p.m.\tin\tAysegul\tAslan\u2019s\tlab?\tMy\tcollaborator\tcan\tpoint\tme\tin\tits\tdirection.","TB Sent\tfrom\tmy\tiPhone \u2014 OLIVE\t WAS\t LATE\t for\t her\t second\t fake-dating\t Wednesday,\t too,\t but\t for\t different reasons\u2014all\tTom\tBenton\trelated. First,\tshe\u2019d\toverslept\tafter\tstaying\tup\tlate\tthe\tprevious\tnight\trehearsing\thow she\t was\t going\t to\t sell\t him\t her\t project.\t She\u2019d\t repeated\t her\t spiel\t so\t many\t times that\t Malcolm\t had\t started\t finishing\t her\t sentences,\t and\t then,\t at\t 1:00\t a.m.,\t he\u2019d hurled\t a\t nectarine\t at\t her\t and\t begged\t her\t to\t go\t practice\t in\t her\t room.\t Which\t she had,\tuntil\t3:00\ta.m. Then,\tin\tthe\tmorning,\tshe\u2019d\trealized\tthat\ther\tusual\tlab\toutfit\t(leggings,\tratty 5K\t T-shirt,\t and\t very,\t very\t messy\t bun)\t would\t probably\t not\t communicate \u201cvaluable\t future\t colleague\u201d\t to\t Dr.\t Benton,\t and\t spent\t an\t excessive\t amount\t of time\tlooking\tfor\tsomething\tappropriate.\tDress\tfor\tsuccess\tand\tall\tthat. Finally,\t it\t occurred\t to\t her\t that\t she\t had\t no\t idea\t what\t Dr.\t Benton\u2014arguably the\t most\t important\t person\t in\t her\t life\t at\t the\t moment,\t and\t yes,\t she\t was\t aware\t of how\t sad\t that\t sounded\t but\t decided\t not\t to\t dwell\t on\t it\u2014even\t looked\t like.\t She looked\t him\t up\t on\t her\t phone\t and\t found\t out\t that\t he\t was\t somewhere\t in\t his\t late thirties,\tblond\twith\tblue\teyes,\tand\thad\tvery\tstraight,\tvery\twhite\tteeth.\tWhen\tshe arrived\tat\tthe\tcampus\tStarbucks,\tOlive\twas\twhispering\tto\this\tHarvard\theadshot, \u201cPlease,\tlet\tme\tcome\twork\tin\tyour\tlab.\u201d\tThen\tshe\tnoticed\tAdam. It\twas\tan\tuncharacteristically\tcloudy\tday.\tStill\tAugust,\tbut\tit\talmost\tfelt\tlike late\t fall.\t Olive\t glanced\t at\t him,\t and\t she\t immediately\t knew\t that\t he\t was\t in\t the nastiest\t of\t moods.\t That\t rumor\t of\t him\t throwing\t a\t petri\t dish\t against\t a\t wall because\t his\t experiment\t hadn\u2019t\t worked\t out,\t or\t because\t the\t electron\t microscope needed\t repairs,\t or\t because\t something\t equally\t inconsequential\t had\t happened came\tto\tmind.\tShe\tconsidered\tducking\tunder\tthe\ttable. It\u2019s\t okay,\t she\t told\t herself.\t This\t is\t worth\t it.\t Things\t with\t Anh\t were\t back\t to normal.\t Better\t than\t normal:\t she\t and\t Jeremy\t were\t officially\t dating,\t and\t last weekend\t Anh\t had\t showed\t up\t to\t beers-and-s\u2019mores\t night\t wearing\t leggings\t and an\t oversize\t MIT\t sweater\t she\u2019d\t clearly\t borrowed\t from\t him.\t When\t Olive\t had eaten\t lunch\t with\t the\t two\t of\t them\t the\t other\t day,\t it\t hadn\u2019t\t even\t felt\t awkward. Plus,\t the\t first-,\t second-,\t and\t even\t third-year\t grads\t were\t too\t scared\t of\t Adam","Carlsen\u2019s\t\u201cgirlfriend\u201d\tto\tsteal\tOlive\u2019s\tpipettes,\twhich\tmeant\tthat\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\thave to\t stuff\t them\t in\t her\t backpack\t and\t take\t them\t home\t for\t the\t weekend\t anymore. And\t she\t was\t getting\t some\t grade\t A\t free\t food\t out\t of\t this.\t She\t could\t take\t Adam Carlsen\u2014yes,\t even\t this\t pitch-black-mood\t Adam\t Carlsen.\t For\t ten\t minutes\t a week,\tat\tthe\tvery\tleast. \u201cHey.\u201d\t She\t smiled.\t He\t responded\t with\t a\t look\t that\t exuded\t moodiness\t and existential\tangst.\tOlive\ttook\ta\tfortifying\tbreath.\t\u201cHow\tare\tyou?\u201d \u201cFine.\u201d\t His\t tone\t was\t clipped,\t his\t expression\t tenser\t than\t usual.\t He\t was wearing\t a\t red\t plaid\t shirt\t and\t jeans,\t looking\t more\t like\t a\t wood-chopping lumberjack\t than\t a\t scholar\t pondering\t the\t mysteries\t of\t computational\t biology. She\tcouldn\u2019t\thelp\tnoticing\tthe\tmuscles\tand\twondered\tagain\tif\the\thad\this\tclothes custom-made.\tHis\thair\twas\tstill\ta\tbit\tlong\tbut\tshorter\tthan\tthe\tprevious\tweek.\tIt seemed\ta\tlittle\tsurreal\tthat\tshe\tand\tAdam\tCarlsen\twere\tat\ta\tpoint\twhere\tshe\twas able\tto\tkeep\ttrack\tof\tboth\this\tmoods\tand\this\thaircuts. \u201cReady\tto\tget\tcoffee?\u201d\tshe\tchirped. He\tnodded\tdistractedly,\tbarely\tlooking\tat\ther.\tOn\ta\ttable\tin\tthe\tback,\ta\tfifth- year\twas\tglancing\tat\tthem\twhile\tpretending\tto\tclean\tthe\tmonitor\tof\this\tlaptop. \u201cSorry\tif\tI\twas\tlate.\tI\tjust\u2014\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tfine.\u201d \u201cDid\tyou\thave\ta\tgood\tweek?\u201d \u201cFine.\u201d Okay.\t\u201cUm\t.\t.\t.\tdid\tyou\tdo\tanything\tfun\tlast\tweekend?\u201d \u201cI\tworked.\u201d They\t got\t in\t line\t to\t order,\t and\t it\t was\t all\t Olive\t could\t do\t to\t stop\t herself\t from sighing.\t\u201cWeather\u2019s\tbeen\tnice,\tright?\tNot\ttoo\thot.\u201d He\tgrunted\tin\tresponse. It\twas\tstarting\tto\tbe\ta\tbit\tmuch.\tThere\twas\ta\tlimit\tto\twhat\tOlive\twould\tdo\tfor this\t fake-dating\t relationship\u2014even\t for\t a\t free\t mango\t Frappuccino.\t She\t sighed. \u201cIs\tit\tbecause\tof\tthe\thaircut?\u201d That\tgot\this\tattention.\tAdam\tlooked\tdown\tat\ther,\ta\tvertical\tline\tdeep\tbetween his\teyebrows.\t\u201cWhat?\u201d \u201cThe\tmood.\tIs\tit\tbecause\tof\tthe\thaircut?\u201d \u201cWhat\tmood?\u201d Olive\tgestured\tbroadly\ttoward\thim.\t\u201cThis.\tThe\tbad\tmood\tyou\u2019re\tin.\u201d","\u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tin\ta\tbad\tmood.\u201d She\t snorted\u2014though\t that\t was\t probably\t not\t the\t right\t term\t for\t what\t she\t just did.\tIt\twas\ttoo\tloud\tand\tderisive,\tmore\tlike\ta\tlaugh.\tA\tsnaugh. \u201cWhat?\u201d\tHe\tfrowned,\tunappreciative\tof\ther\tsnaugh. \u201cCome\ton.\u201d \u201cWhat?\u201d \u201cYou\tooze\tmoodiness.\u201d \u201cI\tdo\tnot.\u201d\tHe\tsounded\tindignant,\twhich\tstruck\ther\tas\toddly\tendearing. \u201cYou\tso\tdo.\tI\tsaw\tthat\tface,\tand\tI\timmediately\tknew.\u201d \u201cYou\tdid\tnot.\u201d \u201cI\tdid.\tI\tdo.\tBut\tit\u2019s\tfine,\tyou\u2019re\tallowed\tto\tbe\tin\ta\tbad\tmood.\u201d It\twas\ttheir\tturn,\tso\tshe\ttook\ta\tstep\tforward\tand\tsmiled\tat\tthe\tcashier. \u201cGood\t morning.\t I\u2019ll\t have\t a\t pumpkin\t spice\t latte.\t And\t that\t cream\t cheese danish\t over\t there.\t Yep,\t that\t one,\t thank\t you.\t And\u201d\u2014she\t pointed\t at\t Adam\t with her\t thumb\u2014\u201che\u2019ll\t have\t chamomile\t tea.\t No\t sugar,\u201d\t she\t added\t cheerfully.\t She immediately\ttook\ta\tfew\tsteps\tto\tthe\tside,\thoping\tto\tavoid\tdamage\tin\tcase\tAdam decided\t to\t throw\t a\t petri\t dish\t at\t her.\t She\t was\t surprised\t when\t he\t calmly\t handed his\t credit\t card\t to\t the\t boy\t behind\t the\t counter.\t Really,\t he\t wasn\u2019t\t as\t bad\t as\t they made\thim\tout\tto\tbe. \u201cI\thate\ttea,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cAnd\tchamomile.\u201d Olive\tbeamed\tup\tat\thim.\t\u201cThat\tis\tunfortunate.\u201d \u201cYou\tsmart-ass.\u201d He\t stared\t straight\t ahead,\t but\t she\t was\t almost\t certain\t that\t he\t was\t about\t to crack\ta\tsmile.\tThere\twas\ta\tlot\tto\tbe\tsaid\tabout\thim\tbut\tnot\tthat\the\tdidn\u2019t\thave\ta sense\tof\thumor. \u201cSo\t.\t.\t.\tnot\tthe\thaircut?\u201d \u201cMm?\t Ah,\t no.\t It\t was\t a\t weird\t length.\t Getting\t in\t my\t way\t while\t I\t was running.\u201d Oh.\t So\t he\t was\t a\t runner.\t Like\t Olive.\t \u201cOkay.\t Great.\t Because\t it\t doesn\u2019t\t look bad.\u201d It\t looks\t good.\t As\t in,\t really\t good.\t You\t were\t probably\t one\t of\t the\t most handsome\t men\t I\u2019d\t ever\t talked\t to\t last\t week,\t but\t now\t you\t look\t even\t better.\t Not that\t I\t care\t about\t these\t things.\t I\t don\u2019t\t care\t at\t all.\t I\t rarely\t notice\t guys,\t and\t I\u2019m","not\t sure\t why\t I\u2019m\t noticing\t you,\t or\t your\t hair,\t or\t your\t clothes,\t or\t how\t tall\t and broad\tyou\tare.\tI\treally\tdon\u2019t\tget\tit.\tI\tnever\tcare.\tUsually.\tUgh. \u201cI\t.\t.\t.\u201d\tHe\tseemed\tflustered\tfor\ta\tsecond,\this\tlips\tmoving\twithout\tmaking\ta sound\tas\the\tlooked\tfor\tan\tappropriate\tresponse.\tThen,\tout\tof\tthe\tblue,\the\tsaid,\t\u201cI talked\t with\t the\t department\t chair\t this\t morning.\t He\u2019s\t still\t refusing\t to\t release\t my research\tfunds.\u201d \u201cOh.\u201d\t She\t cocked\t her\t head.\t \u201cI\t thought\t they\t weren\u2019t\t due\t to\t decide\t until\t the end\tof\tSeptember.\u201d \u201cThey\t aren\u2019t.\t This\t was\t an\t informal\t meeting,\t but\t the\t topic\t came\t up.\t He\t said that\the\u2019s\tstill\tmonitoring\tthe\tsituation.\u201d \u201cI\t see.\u201d\t She\t waited\t for\t him\t to\t continue.\t When\t it\t became\t clear\t that\t he wouldn\u2019t,\tshe\tasked,\t\u201cMonitoring\t.\t.\t.\thow?\u201d \u201cUnclear.\u201d\tHe\twas\tclenching\this\tjaw. \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry.\u201d\t She\t felt\t for\t him.\t She\t really\t did.\t If\t there\t was\t something\t she could\tempathize\twith,\tit\twas\tscientific\tstudies\tcoming\tto\tan\tabrupt\thalt\tbecause of\ta\tlack\tof\tresources.\t\u201cDoes\tthat\tmean\tthat\tyou\tcan\u2019t\tcontinue\tyour\tresearch?\u201d \u201cI\thave\tother\tgrants.\u201d \u201cSo\t.\t.\t.\tthe\tproblem\tis\tthat\tyou\tcannot\tstart\tnew\tstudies?\u201d \u201cI\tcan.\tI\thad\tto\trearrange\tdifferent\tpots,\tbut\tI\tshould\tbe\table\tto\tafford\tto\tstart new\tlines\tof\tresearch,\ttoo.\u201d Uh?\t \u201cI\t see.\u201d\t She\t cleared\t her\t throat.\t \u201cSo\t .\t .\t .\t let\t me\t recap.\t It\t sounds\t like Stanford\tfroze\tyour\tfunds\tbased\ton\trumors,\twhich\tI\tagree\tis\ta\tcrappy\tmove.\tBut it\talso\tsounds\tlike\tfor\tnow\tyou\tcan\tafford\tto\tdo\twhat\tyou\twere\tplanning,\tso\t.\t.\t. it\u2019s\tnot\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tworld?\u201d Adam\tgave\ther\tan\taffronted\tglare,\tsuddenly\tlooking\teven\tmore\tcross. Oh,\t boy.\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t get\t me\t wrong,\t I\t understand\t the\t principle\t of\t the\t matter,\t and I\u2019d\t be\t mad,\t too.\t But\t you\t have,\t how\t many\t other\t grants?\t Actually,\t don\u2019t\t answer that.\tI\u2019m\tnot\tsure\tI\twant\tto\tknow.\u201d He\tprobably\thad\tfifteen.\tHe\talso\thad\ttenure,\tand\tdozens\tof\tpublications,\tand there\twere\tall\tthose\thonors\tlisted\ton\this\twebsite.\tNot\tto\tmention\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tread on\this\tCV\tthat\the\thad\tone\tpatent.\tOlive,\ton\tthe\tother\thand,\thad\tcheap\tknockoff reagents\tand\told\tpipettes\tthat\tregularly\tgot\tstolen.\tShe\ttried\tnot\tto\tdwell\ton\thow much\tfurther\tahead\tthan\ther\the\twas\tin\this\tcareer,\tbut\tit\twas\tunforgettable,\thow good\the\twas\tat\twhat\the\tdid.\tHow\tannoyingly\tgood.","\u201cMy\t point\t is,\t this\t is\t not\t an\t insurmountable\t problem.\t And\t we\u2019re\t actively working\t on\t it.\t We\u2019re\t in\t this\t together,\t showing\t people\t that\t you\u2019re\t going\t to\t stay here\tforever\tbecause\tof\tyour\tamazing\tgirlfriend.\u201d Olive\t pointed\t to\t herself\t with\t a\t flourish,\t and\t his\t glare\t followed\t her\t hand. Clearly\the\twas\tnot\ta\tfan\tof\trationalizing\tand\tworking\tthrough\this\temotions. \u201cOr,\t you\t could\t stay\t mad,\t and\t we\t could\t go\t to\t your\t lab\t and\t throw\t test\t tubes full\tof\ttoxic\treagents\tat\teach\tother\tuntil\tthe\tpain\tof\tthird-degree\tburns\toverrides your\tshitty\tmood?\tSounds\tlike\tfun,\tno?\u201d He\t looked\t away\t and\t rolled\t his\t eyes,\t but\t she\t could\t see\t it\t in\t the\t curve\t of\t his cheeks\tthat\the\twas\tamused.\tLikely\tagainst\this\twill.\t\u201cYou\tare\tsuch\ta\tsmart-ass.\u201d \u201cMaybe,\tbut\tI\u2019m\tnot\tthe\tone\twho\tgrunted\twhen\tI\tasked\thow\tyour\tweek\twas.\u201d \u201cI\tdid\tnot\tgrunt.\tAnd\tyou\tordered\tme\tchamomile\ttea.\u201d She\tsmiled.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\twelcome.\u201d They\t were\t quiet\t for\t a\t few\t moments\t as\t she\t chewed\t through\t the\t first\t bite\t of her\tDanish.\tOnce\tshe\u2019d\tswallowed\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry\tabout\tyour\tfunds.\u201d He\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry\tabout\tthe\tmood.\u201d Oh.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tokay.\tYou\u2019re\tfamous\tfor\tthat.\u201d \u201cI\tam?\u201d \u201cYep.\tIt\u2019s\tkind\tof\tyour\tthing.\u201d \u201cIs\tthat\tso?\u201d \u201cMmm.\u201d His\tmouth\ttwitched.\t\u201cMaybe\tI\twanted\tto\tspare\tyou.\u201d Olive\t smiled,\t because\t it\t was\t actually\t a\t nice\t thing\t to\t say.\t And\t he\t was\t not\t a nice\tperson,\tbut\the\twas\tvery\tkind\tto\ther\tmost\tof\tthe\ttime\u2014if\tnot\talways.\tHe\twas almost\t smiling\t back,\t staring\t down\t at\t her\t in\t a\t way\t that\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t quite interpret\tbut\tthat\tmade\ther\tthink\tweird\tthoughts,\tuntil\tthe\tbarista\tdeposited\ttheir drinks\ton\tthe\tcounter.\tHe\tsuddenly\tlooked\tlike\the\twas\tabout\tto\tretch. \u201cAdam?\tAre\tyou\tokay?\u201d He\tstared\tat\ther\tcup\tand\ttook\ta\tstep\tback.\t\u201cThe\tsmell\tof\tthat\tthing.\u201d Olive\tinhaled\tdeeply.\tHeaven.\t\u201cYou\thate\tpumpkin\tspice\tlatte?\u201d He\twrinkled\this\tnose,\tmoving\teven\tfarther\taway.\t\u201cGross.\u201d \u201cHow\t can\t you\t hate\t it?\t It\u2019s\t the\t best\t thing\t your\t country\t has\t produced\t in\t the past\tcentury.\u201d \u201cPlease,\tstand\tback.\tThe\tstench.\u201d","\u201cHey.\t If\t I\t have\t to\t choose\t between\t you\t and\t pumpkin\t spice\t latte,\t maybe\t we should\trethink\tour\tarrangement.\u201d He\teyed\ther\tcup\tlike\tit\tcontained\tradioactive\twaste.\t\u201cMaybe\twe\tshould.\u201d He\theld\tthe\tdoor\topen\tfor\ther\tas\tthey\texited\tthe\tcoffee\tshop,\ttaking\tcare\tnot to\tcome\ttoo\tclose\tto\ther\tdrink.\tOutside\tit\twas\tstarting\tto\tdrizzle.\tStudents\twere hastily\t packing\t up\t their\t laptops\t and\t notebooks\t from\t the\t patio\t tables\t to\t head\t to class\t or\t move\t to\t the\t library.\t Olive\t had\t been\t in\t love\t with\t the\t rain\t since\t as\t far back\t as\t she\t could\t remember.\t She\t inhaled\t deeply\t and\t filled\t her\t lungs\t with petrichor,\tstopping\twith\tAdam\tunder\tthe\tcanopy.\tHe\ttook\ta\tsip\tof\this\tchamomile tea,\tand\tit\tmade\ther\tsmile. \u201cHey,\u201d\t she\t said,\t \u201cI\t have\t an\t idea.\t Are\t you\t going\t to\t the\t fall\t biosciences picnic?\u201d He\t nodded.\t \u201cI\t have\t to.\t I\u2019m\t on\t the\t biology\t department\u2019s\t social-and- networking\tcommittee.\u201d She\tlaughed\tout\tloud.\t\u201cNo\tway.\u201d \u201cYep.\u201d \u201cDid\tyou\tactually\tsign\tup\tfor\tit?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tservice.\tI\twas\tforced\tto\trotate\tinto\tthe\tposition.\u201d \u201cAh.\t That\t sounds\t .\t .\t .\t fun.\u201d\t She\t winced\t sympathetically,\t almost\t laughing again\t at\t his\t appalled\t expression.\t \u201cWell,\t I\u2019m\t going,\t too.\t Dr.\t Aslan\t makes\t us\t all go,\tsays\tit\tpromotes\tbonding\tamong\tlab\tmates.\tDo\tyou\tmake\tyour\tgrads\tgo?\u201d \u201cNo.\tI\thave\tother,\tmore\tproductive\tways\tof\tmaking\tmy\tgrads\tmiserable.\u201d She\t chuckled.\t He\t was\t funny,\t in\t that\t weird,\t dark\t way\t of\t his.\t \u201cI\t bet\t you\t do. Well,\t here\u2019s\t my\t idea:\t we\t should\t hang\t when\t we\u2019re\t there.\t In\t front\t of\t the department\tchair\u2014since\the\u2019s\t\u2018monitoring.\u2019\tI\u2019ll\tbat\tmy\teyelashes\tat\tyou;\the\u2019ll\tsee that\t we\u2019re\t basically\t one\t step\t away\t from\t marriage.\t Then\t he\u2019ll\t make\t a\t quick phone\tcall\tand\ta\ttruck\twill\tdrive\tup\tand\tunload\tyour\tresearch\tfunds\tin\tcash\tright there\tin\tfront\tof\u2014\u201d \u201cHey,\tman!\u201d A\tblond\tman\tapproached\tAdam.\tOlive\tfell\tsilent\tas\tAdam\tturned\tto\tsmile\tat him\t and\t exchanged\t a\t handshake\u2014a\t close\t bros\t handshake.\t She\t blinked, wondering\tif\tshe\twas\tseeing\tthings,\tand\ttook\ta\tsip\tof\ther\tlatte. \u201cI\tthought\tyou\u2019d\tsleep\tin,\u201d\tAdam\twas\tsaying.","\u201cThe\t time\t difference\t screwed\t me\t up.\t I\t figured\t I\t might\t as\t well\t come\t to campus\tand\tget\tto\twork.\tSomething\tto\teat,\ttoo.\tYou\thave\tno\tfood,\tman.\u201d \u201cThere\tare\tapples\tin\tthe\tkitchen.\u201d \u201cRight.\tNo\tfood.\u201d Olive\t took\t a\t step\t back,\t ready\t to\t excuse\t herself,\t when\t the\t blond\t man\t turned his\t attention\t to\t her.\t He\t looked\t eerily\t familiar,\t even\t though\t she\t was\t certain\t she had\tnever\tmet\thim\tbefore. \u201cAnd\twho\u2019s\tthis?\u201d\the\tasked\tcuriously.\tHis\teyes\twere\ta\tvery\tpiercing\tblue. \u201cThis\t is\t Olive,\u201d\t Adam\t said.\t There\t was\t a\t beat\t after\t her\t name,\t in\t which\t he should\t have\t probably\t specified\t how\t he\t knew\t Olive.\t He\t did\t not,\t and\t she\t really couldn\u2019t\t blame\t him\t for\t not\t wanting\t to\t feed\t their\t fake-dating\t crap\t to\t someone who\t was\t clearly\t a\t good\t friend.\t She\t just\t kept\t her\t smile\t in\t place\t and\t let\t Adam continue.\t\u201cOlive,\tthis\tis\tmy\tcollaborator\u2014\u201d \u201cDude.\u201d\tThe\tman\tpretended\tto\tbristle.\t\u201cIntroduce\tme\tas\tyour\tfriend.\u201d Adam\t rolled\t his\t eyes,\t clearly\t amused.\t \u201cOlive,\t this\t is\t my\t friend\t and collaborator.\tDr.\tTom\tBenton.\u201d","Chapter\tFive \tHYPOTHESIS:\tThe\tmore\tI\tneed\tmy\tbrain\tto\tbe\ton\ttop\tof\tits\tgame,\tthe\thigher\tthe probability\tthat\tit\twill\tfreeze\ton\tme. \u201cWait\ta\tminute.\u201d\tDr.\tBenton\ttilted\this\thead.\tHis\tsmile\twas\tstill\tin\tplace,\tbut\this gaze\tbecame\ta\tlittle\tsharper,\this\tfocus\ton\tOlive\tless\tsuperficial.\t\u201cDo\tyou\thappen to\tbe\t.\t.\t.\u201d Olive\tfroze. Her\tmind\twas\tnever\tcalm,\tor\torderly\u2014more\tlike\ta\tgarbled\tmess\tof\tthoughts, really.\t And\t yet,\t standing\t there\t in\t front\t of\t Tom\t Benton,\t the\t inside\t of\t her\t head went\t uncharacteristically\t quiet,\t and\t several\t considerations\t stacked\t themselves neatly\tinto\tplace. The\t first\t was\t that\t she\t was\t comically\t luckless.\t The\t chances\t that\t the\t person she\t depended\t on\t to\t finish\t her\t beloved\t research\t project\t would\t be\t acquainted\u2014 no,\t friends\t with\t the\t person\t she\t depended\t on\t to\t ensure\t her\t beloved\t Anh\u2019s romantic\t happiness\t were\t laughably\t low.\t And\t yet.\t Then\t again,\t Olive\u2019s\t special brand\tof\tluck\twas\tno\tnews,\tso\tshe\tmoved\ton\tto\tthe\tnext\tconsideration. She\t needed\t to\t admit\t who\t she\t was\t to\t Tom\t Benton.\t They\t were\t scheduled\t to meet\tat\t3:00\tp.m.,\tand\tpretending\tnot\tto\trecognize\thim\tnow\twould\tmean\tthe\tkiss of\tdeath\tto\ther\tplans\tto\tinfiltrate\therself\tinto\this\tlab.\tAcademics\thad\thuge\tegos, after\tall. Last\t consideration:\t if\t she\t phrased\t this\t right,\t she\t could\t probably\t avoid\t Dr. Benton\t hearing\t about\t the\t whole\t fake-dating\t mess.\t Adam\t hadn\u2019t\t mentioned\t it, which\tprobably\tmeant\tthat\the\twasn\u2019t\tplanning\tto.\tOlive\tjust\tneeded\tto\tfollow\this lead. Yes.\tExcellent\tplan.\tShe\thad\tthis\tin\tthe\tbag.","Olive\t smiled,\t held\t on\t to\t her\t pumpkin\t spice\t latte,\t and\t answered,\t \u201cYes,\t I\u2019m Olive\tSmith,\tthe\u2014\u201d \u201cGirlfriend\tI\u2019ve\theard\tso\tmuch\tabout?\u201d Shit.\tShit,\tshit,\tshit.\tShe\tswallowed.\t\u201cUm,\tactually\tI\u2014\u201d \u201cHeard\tfrom\twhom?\u201d\tAdam\tasked,\tfrowning. Dr.\tBenton\tshrugged.\t\u201cEveryone.\u201d \u201cEveryone,\u201d\tAdam\trepeated.\tHe\twas\tscowling\tnow.\t\u201cIn\tBoston?\u201d \u201cYeah.\u201d \u201cWhy\tare\tpeople\tat\tHarvard\ttalking\tabout\tmy\tgirlfriend?\u201d \u201cBecause\tyou\u2019re\tyou.\u201d \u201cBecause\tI\u2019m\tme?\u201d\tAdam\tlooked\tperplexed. \u201cThere\t have\t been\t tears.\t Some\t hair-pulling.\t A\t few\t broken\t hearts.\t Don\u2019t worry,\tthey\u2019ll\tget\tover\tit.\u201d Adam\t rolled\t his\t eyes,\t and\t Dr.\t Benton\t returned\t his\t attention\t to\t Olive.\t He smiled\tat\ther,\toffering\this\thand.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tvery\tnice\tto\tmeet\tyou.\tI\thad\twritten\toff\tthe whole\tgirlfriend\tthing\tas\trumors,\tbut\tI\u2019m\tglad\tyou\t.\t.\t.\texist.\tSorry,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tcatch your\tname\u2014I\u2019m\tterrible\tat\tnames.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tOlive.\u201d\tShe\tshook\this\thand.\tHe\thad\ta\tnice\tgrip,\tnot\ttoo\ttight\tand\tnot\ttoo soft. \u201cWhich\tdepartment\tdo\tyou\tteach,\tOlive?\u201d Oh,\tcrap.\t\u201cActually,\tI\tdon\u2019t.\tTeach,\tthat\tis.\u201d \u201cOh,\t sorry.\t I\t didn\u2019t\t mean\t to\t assume.\u201d\t He\t smiled,\t apologetic\t and\t self- effacing.\t There\t was\t a\t smooth\t charm\t to\t him.\t He\t was\t young\t to\t be\t a\t professor, though\tnot\tas\tyoung\tas\tAdam.\tAnd\the\twas\ttall,\tthough\tnot\tas\ttall\tas\tAdam.\tAnd he\twas\thandsome,\tthough\t.\t.\t.\tyeah.\tNot\tas\thandsome\tas\tAdam. \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tdo,\tthen?\tAre\tyou\ta\tresearch\tfellow?\u201d \u201cUm,\tI\tactually\u2014\u201d \u201cShe\u2019s\ta\tstudent,\u201d\tAdam\tsaid. Dr.\tBenton\u2019s\teyes\twidened. \u201cA\t graduate\t student,\u201d\t Adam\t clarified.\t There\t was\t a\t hint\t of\t warning\t in\t his tone,\tlike\the\treally\twanted\tDr.\tBenton\tto\tdrop\tthe\tsubject. Dr.\tBenton,\tnaturally,\tdid\tnot.\t\u201cYour\tgraduate\tstudent?\u201d Adam\tfrowned.\t\u201cNo,\tof\tcourse\tshe\u2019s\tnot\tmy\u2014\u201d","This\twas\tthe\tperfect\topening.\t\u201cActually,\tDr.\tBenton,\tI\twork\twith\tDr.\tAslan.\u201d Maybe\t this\t meeting\t was\t still\t salvageable.\t \u201cYou\t probably\t don\u2019t\t recognize\t my name,\t but\t we\u2019ve\t corresponded.\t We\u2019re\t supposed\t to\t meet\t today.\t I\u2019m\t the\t student who\u2019s\tworking\ton\tthe\tpancreatic\tcancer\tbiomarkers.\tThe\tone\twho\tasked\tto\tcome work\tin\tyour\tlab\tfor\ta\tyear.\u201d Dr.\t Benton\u2019s\t eyes\t widened\t even\t more,\t and\t he\t muttered\t something\t that sounded\t a\t lot\t like\t \u201cWhat\t the\t hell?\u201d\t Then\t his\t face\t stretched\t into\t a\t wide, openmouthed\tgrin.\t\u201cAdam,\tyou\tabsolute\tass.\tYou\tdidn\u2019t\teven\ttell\tme.\u201d \u201cI\tdidn\u2019t\tknow,\u201d\tAdam\tmuttered.\tHis\tgaze\twas\tfixed\ton\tOlive. \u201cHow\tcould\tyou\tnot\tknow\tthat\tyour\tgirlfriend\u2014\u201d \u201cI\t didn\u2019t\t tell\t Adam,\t because\t I\t didn\u2019t\t know\t you\t two\t were\t friends,\u201d\t Olive interjected.\tAnd\tthen\tshe\tthought\tthat\tmaybe\tit\twasn\u2019t\tquite\tbelievable.\tIf\tOlive really\t were\t Adam\u2019s\t girlfriend,\t he\u2019d\t have\t told\t her\t about\t his\t friends.\t Since,\t in\t a shocking\tplot\ttwist,\the\tdid\tappear\tto\thave\tat\tleast\tone. \u201cThat\tis,\tI,\tum\t.\t.\t.\tnever\tput\ttwo\tand\ttwo\ttogether,\tand\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tthat\tyou were\t the\t Tom\t he\t always\t talked\t about.\u201d\t There,\t better.\t Kind\t of.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry,\t Dr. Benton.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tmean\tto\u2014\u201d \u201cTom,\u201d\t he\t said,\t grin\t still\t in\t place.\t His\t shock\t seemed\t to\t be\t settling\t into pleasant\t surprise.\t \u201cPlease,\t call\t me\t Tom.\u201d\t His\t eyes\t darted\t between\t Adam\t and Olive\t for\t a\t few\t seconds.\t Then\t he\t said,\t \u201cHey,\t are\t you\t free?\u201d\t He\t pointed\t at\t the coffee\t shop.\t \u201cWhy\t don\u2019t\t we\t go\t inside\t and\t chat\t about\t your\t project\t now?\t No point\tin\twaiting\tuntil\tthis\tafternoon.\u201d She\ttook\ta\tsip\tof\ther\tlatte\tto\ttemporize.\tWas\tshe\tfree?\tTechnically,\tyes.\tShe would\t have\t loved\t to\t run\t to\t the\t edge\t of\t campus\t and\t scream\t into\t the\t void\t until modern\tcivilization\tcollapsed,\tbut\tthat\twasn\u2019t\texactly\ta\tpressing\tmatter.\tAnd\tshe wanted\tto\tlook\tas\taccommodating\tas\tpossible\tto\tDr.\tBenton\u2014Tom.\tBeggars\tand choosers\tand\tall\tthat. \u201cI\u2019m\tfree.\u201d \u201cGreat.\tYou,\tAdam?\u201d Olive\t froze.\t And\t so\t did\t Adam,\t for\t about\t a\t second,\t before\t pointing\t out,\t \u201cI don\u2019t\tthink\tI\tshould\tbe\tpresent,\tif\tyou\u2019re\tabout\tto\tinterview\ther\u2014\u201d \u201cOh,\t it\u2019s\t not\t an\t interview.\t Just\t an\t informal\t chat\t to\t see\t if\t Olive\u2019s\t and\t my research\tmatch.\tYou\u2019ll\twant\tto\tknow\tif\tyour\tgirlfriend\tis\tmoving\tto\tBoston\tfor\ta","year,\t right?\t Come\t on.\u201d\t He\t motioned\t for\t them\t to\t follow\t him\t and\t then\t stepped inside\tthe\tStarbucks. Olive\t and\t Adam\t exchanged\t a\t silent\t look\t that\t somehow\t managed\t to\t speak volumes.\tIt\tsaid,\tWhat\tthe\thell\tdo\twe\tdo?\tand\tHow\tthe\thell\twould\tI\tknow?\tand This\tis\tgoing\tto\tbe\tweird,\tand\tNo,\tit\u2019s\tgoing\tto\tbe\tplain\tbad.\tThen\tAdam\tsighed, put\ton\ta\tresigned\tface,\tand\theaded\tinside.\tOlive\tfollowed\thim,\tregretting\ther\tlife choices. \u201cAslan\u2019s\tretiring,\thuh?\u201d\tTom\tasked\tafter\tthey\u2019d\tfound\ta\tsecluded\ttable\tin\tthe back.\tOlive\thad\tno\tchoice\tbut\tto\tsit\tacross\tfrom\thim\u2014and\ton\tAdam\u2019s\tleft.\tLike a\t good\t \u201cgirlfriend,\u201d\t she\t supposed.\t Her\t \u201cboyfriend,\u201d\t in\t the\t meantime,\t was sullenly\t sipping\t his\t chamomile\t tea\t next\t to\t her.\t I\t should\t snap\t a\t picture,\t she reflected.\tHe\u2019d\tmake\tfor\tan\texcellent\tviral\tmeme. \u201cIn\t the\t next\t few\t years,\u201d\t Olive\t confirmed.\t She\t loved\t her\t adviser,\t who\t had always\tbeen\tsupportive\tand\tencouraging.\tSince\tthe\tvery\tbeginning\tshe\thad\tgiven Olive\t the\t freedom\t to\t develop\t her\t own\t research\t program,\t which\t was\t almost unheard\t of\t for\t Ph.D.\t students.\t Having\t a\t hands-off\t mentor\t was\t great\t when\t it came\tto\tpursuing\ther\tinterests,\tbut\t.\t.\t. \u201cIf\t Aslan\u2019s\t retiring\t soon,\t she\u2019s\t not\t applying\t for\t grants\t anymore\u2014 understandable,\t since\t she\t won\u2019t\t be\t around\t long\t enough\t to\t see\t the\t projects through\u2014which\t means\t that\t your\t lab\t is\t not\t exactly\t flush\t with\t cash\t right\t now,\u201d Tom\t summarized\t perfectly.\t \u201cOkay,\t tell\t me\t about\t your\t project.\t What\u2019s\t cool about\tit?\u201d \u201cI\t .\t .\t .\t ,\u201d\t Olive\t began\u2014she\t scrambled\t to\t collect\t her\t thoughts.\t \u201cSo,\t it\u2019s\u2014\u201d Another\tpause.\tLonger\tthis\ttime,\tand\tmore\tpainfully\tawkward.\t\u201cUm\t.\t.\t.\u201d This,\t precisely,\t was\t her\t problem.\t Olive\t knew\t that\t she\t was\t an\t excellent scientist,\t that\t she\t had\t the\t discipline\t and\t the\t critical-thinking\t skills\t to\t produce good\t work\t in\t the\t lab.\t Unfortunately\t succeeding\t in\t academia\t also\t required\t the ability\tto\tpitch\tone\u2019s\twork,\tsell\tit\tto\tstrangers,\tpresent\tit\tin\tpublic,\tand\t.\t.\t.\tthat was\t not\t something\t she\t enjoyed\t or\t excelled\t at.\t It\t made\t her\t feel\t panicky\t and judged,\t as\t though\t pinned\t to\t a\t microscope\t slide,\t and\t her\t ability\t to\t produce syntactically\tcoherent\tsentences\tinvariably\tleaked\tout\tof\ther\tbrain. Like\tright\tnow.\tOlive\tfelt\ther\tcheeks\theat\tand\ther\ttongue\ttie\tand\u2014 \u201cWhat\tkind\tof\tquestion\tis\tthat?\u201d\tAdam\tinterjected. When\tshe\tglanced\tat\thim,\the\twas\tscowling\tat\tTom,\twho\tjust\tshrugged.","\u201cWhat\u2019s\tcool\tabout\tyour\tproject?\u201d\tAdam\trepeated\tback. \u201cYeah.\tCool.\tYou\tknow\twhat\tI\tmean.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tI\tdo,\tand\tmaybe\tneither\tdoes\tOlive.\u201d Tom\thuffed.\t\u201cFine,\twhat\twould\tyou\task?\u201d Adam\tturned\tto\tOlive.\tHis\tknee\tbrushed\ther\tleg,\twarm\tand\toddly\treassuring through\ther\tjeans.\t\u201cWhat\tissues\tdoes\tyour\tproject\ttarget?\tWhy\tdo\tyou\tthink\tit\u2019s significant?\t What\t gaps\t in\t the\t literature\t does\t it\t fill?\t What\t techniques\t are\t you using?\tWhat\tchallenges\tdo\tyou\tforesee?\u201d Tom\t huffed.\t \u201cRight,\t sure.\t Consider\t all\t those\t long,\t boring\t questions\t asked, Olive.\u201d She\t glanced\t at\t Adam,\t finding\t that\t he\t was\t studying\t her\t with\t a\t calm, encouraging\t expression.\t The\t way\t he\u2019d\t formulated\t the\t questions\t helped\t her reorganize\ther\tthoughts,\tand\trealizing\tthat\tshe\thad\tanswers\tfor\teach\tone\tmelted most\tof\ther\tpanic.\tIt\tprobably\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tintentional\ton\tAdam\u2019s\tpart,\tbut\the\u2019d done\ther\ta\tsolid. Olive\twas\treminded\tof\tthat\tguy\tfrom\tthe\tbathroom,\tfrom\tyears\tago.\tI\thave\tno idea\tif\tyou\u2019re\tgood\tenough,\the\u2019d\ttold\ther.\tWhat\tmatters\tis\twhether\tyour\treason to\t be\t in\t academia\t is\t good\t enough.\t He\u2019d\t said\t that\t Olive\u2019s\t reason\t was\t the\t best one,\tand\ttherefore,\tshe\tcould\tdo\tthis.\tShe\tneeded\tto\tdo\tthis. \u201cOkay,\u201d\tshe\tstarted\tagain\tafter\ta\tdeep\tbreath,\tgathering\twhat\tshe\u2019d\trehearsed the\t previous\t night\t with\t Malcolm.\t \u201cHere\u2019s\t the\t deal.\t Pancreatic\t cancer\t is\t very aggressive\t and\t deadly.\t It\t has\t very\t poor\t prognosis,\t with\t only\t one\t out\t of\t four people\talive\ta\tyear\tafter\tdiagnosis.\u201d\tHer\tvoice,\tshe\tthought,\tsounded\tless\tbreathy and\tmore\tself-assured.\tGood.\t\u201cThe\tproblem\tis\tthat\tit\u2019s\tso\thard\tto\tdetect,\twe\tare only\t able\t to\t diagnose\t it\t very\t late\t in\t the\t game.\t At\t that\t point,\t the\t cancer\t has already\tspread\tso\twidely,\tmost\ttreatments\tcan\u2019t\tdo\tmuch\tto\tcounteract\tit.\tBut\tif diagnosis\twere\tfaster\u2014\u201d \u201cPeople\t could\t get\t treatment\t sooner\t and\t have\t a\t higher\t chance\t of\t survival,\u201d Tom\t said,\t nodding\t a\t bit\t impatiently.\t \u201cYep,\t I\u2019m\t well\t aware.\t We\t already\t have some\tscreening\ttools,\tthough.\tLike\timaging.\u201d She\t wasn\u2019t\t surprised\t he\t brought\t it\t up,\t since\t imaging\t was\t what\t Tom\u2019s\t lab focused\t on.\t \u201cYes,\t but\t that\u2019s\t expensive,\t time-consuming,\t and\t often\t not\t useful because\t of\t the\t pancreas\u2019s\t position.\t But\t .\t .\t .\u201d\t She\t took\t another\t deep\t breath.\t \u201cI think\t I\t have\t found\t a\t set\t of\t biomarkers.\t Not\t from\t tissue\t biopsy\u2014blood","biomarkers.\t Noninvasive,\t easy\t to\t obtain.\t Cheap.\t In\t mice\t they\t can\t detect pancreatic\tcancer\tas\tearly\tas\tstage\tone.\u201d She\t paused.\t Tom\t and\t Adam\t were\t both\t staring\t at\t her.\t Tom\t was\t clearly interested,\tand\tAdam\tlooked\t.\t.\t.\ta\tlittle\tweird,\tto\tbe\thonest.\tImpressed,\tmaybe? Nah,\timpossible. \u201cOkay.\tThis\tsounds\tpromising.\tWhat\u2019s\tthe\tnext\tstep?\u201d \u201cCollecting\t more\t data.\t Running\t more\t analyses\t with\t better\t equipment\t to prove\tthat\tmy\tset\tof\tbiomarkers\tis\tworthy\tof\ta\tclinical\ttrial.\tBut\tfor\tthat\tI\tneed\ta larger\tlab.\u201d \u201cI\tsee.\u201d\tHe\tnodded\twith\ta\tthoughtful\texpression\tand\tthen\tleaned\tback\tin\this chair.\t\u201cWhy\tpancreatic\tcancer?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tone\tof\tthe\tmost\tlethal,\tand\twe\tknow\tso\tlittle\tabout\thow\u2014\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\t Tom\t interrupted.\t \u201cMost\t third-year\t Ph.D.\t students\t are\t too\t busy infighting\tover\tthe\tcentrifuge\tto\tcome\tup\twith\ttheir\town\tline\tof\tresearch.\tThere must\tbe\ta\treason\tyou\u2019re\tso\tmotivated.\tDid\tsomeone\tclose\tto\tyou\thave\tcancer?\u201d Olive\tswallowed\tbefore\treluctantly\tanswering,\t\u201cYes.\u201d \u201cWho?\u201d \u201cTom,\u201d\tAdam\tsaid,\ta\ttrace\tof\twarning\tin\this\tvoice.\tHis\tknee\twas\tstill\tagainst her\t thigh.\t Still\t warm.\t And\t yet,\t Olive\t felt\t her\t blood\t turn\t cold.\t She\t really,\t really didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t say\t it.\t And\t yet\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t ignore\t the\t question.\t She\t needed Tom\u2019s\thelp. \u201cMy\tmother.\u201d Okay.\tIt\twas\tout\tthere\tnow.\tShe\u2019d\tsaid\tit,\tand\tshe\tcould\tgo\tback\tto\ttrying\tnot to\tthink\tabout\tit\u2014 \u201cDid\tshe\tdie?\u201d A\tbeat.\tOlive\thesitated\tand\tthen\tnodded\tsilently,\tnot\tlooking\tat\teither\tof\tthe men\tat\tthe\ttable.\tShe\tknew\tTom\twasn\u2019t\ttrying\tto\tbe\tmean\u2014people\twere\tcurious, after\tall.\tBut\tit\twasn\u2019t\tsomething\tOlive\twanted\tto\tdiscuss.\tShe\tbarely\tever\ttalked about\t it,\t even\t with\t Anh\t and\t Malcolm,\t and\t she\t had\t carefully\t avoided\t writing about\t her\t experience\t in\t her\t grad\t school\t applications,\t even\t when\t everyone\t had told\ther\tit\twould\tgive\ther\ta\tleg\tup. She\tjust\t.\t.\t.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t.\tShe\tjust\tcouldn\u2019t. \u201cHow\told\twere\tyou\u2014\u201d","\u201cTom,\u201d\t Adam\t interrupted,\t tone\t sharp.\t He\t set\t his\t tea\t down\t with\t more\t force than\t necessary.\t \u201cStop\t harassing\t my\t girlfriend.\u201d\t It\t was\t less\t of\t a\t warning\t and more\tof\ta\tthreat. \u201cRight.\tYes.\tI\u2019m\tan\tinsensitive\tass.\u201d\tTom\tsmiled,\tapologetic. Olive\t noticed\t that\t he\t was\t looking\t at\t her\t shoulder.\t When\t she\t followed\t his gaze,\t she\t realized\t that\t Adam\t had\t placed\t his\t arm\t on\t the\t back\t of\t her\t chair.\t He wasn\u2019t\t touching\t her,\t but\t there\t was\t something\t .\t .\t .\t protective\t about\t his\t position. He\tseemed\tto\tgenerate\tlarge\tamounts\tof\theat,\twhich\twas\tnot\tat\tall\tunwelcome.\tIt helped\tmelt\tthe\tyucky\tfeeling\tthe\tconversation\twith\tTom\thad\tleft\tbehind. \u201cThen\t again,\t so\t is\t your\t boyfriend.\u201d\t Tom\t winked\t at\t her.\t \u201cOkay,\t Olive.\t Tell you\twhat.\u201d\tTom\tleaned\tforward,\telbows\ton\tthe\ttable.\t\u201cI\u2019ve\tread\tyour\tpaper.\tAnd the\tabstract\tyou\tsubmitted\tto\tthe\tSBD\tconference.\tAre\tyou\tstill\tplanning\tto\tgo?\u201d \u201cIf\tit\u2019s\taccepted.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\t sure\t it\t will\t be.\t It\u2019s\t excellent\t work.\t But\t it\t sounds\t like\t your\t project\t has progressed\t since\t you\t submitted\t that,\t and\t I\t need\t to\t know\t more\t about\t it.\t If\t I decide\tthat\tyou\tcan\twork\tin\tmy\tlab\tnext\tyear,\tI\u2019ll\tcover\tyou\tcompletely\u2014salary, supplies,\tequipment,\twhatever\tyou\tneed.\tBut\tI\tneed\tto\tknow\twhere\tyou\u2019re\tat\tto make\tsure\tthat\tyou\u2019re\tworth\tinvesting\tin.\u201d Olive\tfelt\ther\theart\tracing.\tThis\tsounded\tpromising.\tVery\tpromising. \u201cHere\u2019s\t the\t deal.\t I\u2019m\t going\t to\t give\t you\t two\t weeks\t to\t write\t up\t a\t report\t on everything\t you\u2019ve\t been\t doing\t so\t far\u2014protocols,\t findings,\t challenges.\t In\t two weeks,\tsend\tme\tthe\treport\tand\tI\u2019ll\tmake\ta\tdecision\tbased\ton\tit.\tDoes\tthat\tsound feasible?\u201d She\t grinned,\t nodding\t enthusiastically.\t \u201cYes!\u201d\t She\t could\t absolutely\t do\t that. She\u2019d\t need\t to\t pull\t the\t intro\t from\t one\t of\t her\t papers,\t the\t methods\t from\t her\t lab protocols,\t the\t preliminary\t data\t from\t that\t grant\t she\u2019d\t applied\t for\t and\t not\t won. And\tshe\u2019d\thave\tto\trerun\tsome\tof\ther\tanalyses\u2014just\tto\tmake\tsure\tthat\tthe\treport was\tabsolutely\tflawless\tfor\tTom.\tIt\twould\tbe\tlots\tof\twork\tin\tlittle\ttime,\tbut\twho needed\tsleep?\tOr\tbathroom\tbreaks? \u201cGreat.\tIn\tthe\tmeantime\tI\u2019ll\tsee\tyou\taround\tand\twe\tcan\tchat\tmore.\tAdam\tand I\t will\t be\t joined\t at\t the\t hip\t for\t a\t couple\t of\t weeks,\t since\t we\u2019re\t working\t on\t that grant\twe\tjust\tgot.\tAre\tyou\tcoming\tto\tmy\ttalk\ttomorrow?\u201d Olive\thad\tno\tidea\the\twas\tgiving\ta\ttalk,\tlet\talone\twhen\tor\twhere,\tbut\tshe\tsaid \u201cOf\t course!\t Can\u2019t\t wait!\u201d\t with\t the\t certainty\t of\t someone\t who\t had\t installed\t a","countdown\twidget\ton\ther\tsmartphone. \u201cAnd\tI\u2019m\tstaying\twith\tAdam,\tso\tI\u2019ll\tsee\tyou\tat\this\tplace.\u201d Oh\tno.\t\u201cUm\t.\t.\t.\u201d\tShe\trisked\ta\tglance\tat\tAdam,\twho\twas\tunreadable.\t\u201cSure. Though\twe\tusually\tmeet\tat\tmy\tplace,\tso\t.\t.\t.\u201d \u201cI\t see.\t You\t disapprove\t of\t his\t taxidermy\t collection,\t don\u2019t\t you?\u201d\t Tom\t stood with\ta\tsmirk.\t\u201cExcuse\tme.\tI\u2019ll\tget\tsome\tcoffee\tand\tbe\tright\tback.\u201d The\tsecond\the\twas\tgone,\tOlive\tinstantly\tturned\tto\tAdam.\tNow\tthat\tthey\twere alone\t there\t were\t about\t ten\t million\t topics\t for\t them\t to\t debrief\t on,\t but\t the\t only thing\tshe\tcould\tthink\tof\twas,\t\u201cDo\tyou\treally\tcollect\ttaxidermied\tanimals?\u201d He\t gave\t her\t a\t scathing\t look\t and\t took\t his\t arm\t away\t from\t around\t her shoulders.\tShe\tfelt\tcold\tall\tof\ta\tsudden.\tBereft. \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry.\t I\t had\t no\t idea\t he\t was\t your\t friend,\t or\t that\t you\t two\t had\t a\t grant together.\t You\t do\t such\t different\t research,\t the\t possibility\t didn\u2019t\t even\t cross\t my mind.\u201d \u201cYou\tdid\tmention\tthat\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tbelieve\tcancer\tresearchers\tcan\tbenefit\tfrom collaborating\twith\tcomputational\tmodelists.\u201d \u201cYou\u2014\u201d\t She\t noticed\t the\t way\t his\t mouth\t was\t twitching\t and\t wondered\t when exactly\tthey\u2019d\tgotten\ton\tteasing\tterms.\t\u201cHow\tdo\tyou\ttwo\tknow\teach\tother?\u201d \u201cHe\twas\ta\tpostdoc\tin\tmy\tlab,\tback\twhen\tI\twas\ta\tPh.D.\tstudent.\tWe\u2019ve\tkept in\ttouch\tand\tcollaborated\tthrough\tthe\tyears.\u201d So\the\tmust\tbe\tfour\tor\tfive\tyears\tolder\tthan\tAdam. \u201cYou\twent\tto\tHarvard,\tright?\u201d He\t nodded,\t and\t a\t terrifying\t thought\t occurred\t to\t her.\t \u201cWhat\t if\t he\t feels obliged\tto\ttake\tme\ton\tbecause\tI\u2019m\tyour\tfake\tgirlfriend?\u201d \u201cTom\t won\u2019t.\t He\t once\t fired\t his\t cousin\t for\t breaking\t a\t flow\t cytometer.\t He\u2019s not\texactly\ttenderhearted.\u201d Takes\tone\tto\tknow\tone,\tshe\tthought.\t\u201cListen,\tI\u2019m\tsorry\tthis\tis\tforcing\tyou\tto lie\tto\tyour\tfriend.\tIf\tyou\twant\tto\ttell\thim\tthat\tthis\tis\tfake\t.\t.\t.\u201d Adam\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cIf\tI\tdid,\tI\u2019d\tnever\tlive\tit\tdown.\u201d She\t let\t out\t a\t laugh.\t \u201cYeah,\t I\t can\t see\t that.\t And\t honestly\t it\t wouldn\u2019t\t reflect well\ton\tme,\teither.\u201d \u201cBut,\t Olive,\t if\t you\t do\t end\t up\t deciding\t that\t you\t want\t to\t go\t to\t Harvard,\t I\u2019ll need\tyou\tto\tkeep\tit\ta\tsecret\tuntil\tthe\tend\tof\tSeptember.\u201d","She\t gasped,\t realizing\t the\t implications\t of\t his\t words.\t \u201cOf\t course.\t If\t people know\t that\t I\u2019m\t leaving,\t the\t department\t chair\t will\t never\t believe\t that\t you\u2019re\t not leaving,\t too.\t I\t hadn\u2019t\t even\t thought\t of\t it.\t I\t promise\t I\t won\u2019t\t tell\t anyone!\t Well, except\t for\t Malcolm\t and\t Anh,\t but\t they\u2019re\t great\t at\t keeping\t secrets,\t they\u2019d\t never \u2014\u201d His\teyebrow\trose.\tOlive\twinced. \u201cI\twill\tmake\tthem\tkeep\tthis\tsecret.\tI\tswear.\u201d \u201cI\tappreciate\tit.\u201d She\t noticed\t that\t Tom\t was\t on\t his\t way\t back\t to\t the\t table\t and\t leaned\t closer\t to Adam\tto\tquickly\twhisper,\t\u201cOne\tmore\tthing.\tThe\ttalk\the\tmentioned,\tthe\tone\the\u2019s giving\ttomorrow?\u201d \u201cThe\tone\tyou\t\u2018can\u2019t\twait\u2019\tfor?\u201d Olive\tbit\tthe\tinside\tof\ther\tcheek.\t\u201cYes.\tWhen\tand\twhere\tis\tit\tgoing\tto\tbe?\u201d Adam\t laughed\t silently\t just\t as\t Tom\t sat\t down\t again.\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t worry.\t I\u2019ll\t email you\tthe\tdetails.\u201d","Chapter\tSix \tHYPOTHESIS:\tWhen\tcompared\twith\tmultiple\ttypes\tand\tmodels\tof\tfurniture, Adam\tCarlsen\u2019s\tlap\twill\tbe\trated\tin\tthe\ttop\tfifth\tpercentile\tfor\tcomfort,\tcoziness,\tand enjoyment. The\tmoment\tOlive\topened\tthe\tdoor\tof\tthe\tauditorium\tshe\tand\tAnh\texchanged\ta wide-eyed\tlook\tand\tsaid,\tin\tunison,\t\u201cHoly\tshit.\u201d In\t her\t two\t years\t at\t Stanford\t she\t had\t been\t to\t countless\t seminars,\t trainings, lectures,\t and\t classes\t in\t this\t lecture\t hall,\t and\t yet\t she\u2019d\t never\t seen\t the\t room\t this full.\tMaybe\tTom\twas\tgiving\tout\tfree\tbeer? \u201cI\t think\t they\t made\t the\t talk\t mandatory\t for\t immunology\t and\t pharmacology,\u201d Anh\t said.\t \u201cAnd\t I\t overheard\t at\t least\t five\t people\t in\t the\t hallway\t saying\t that Benton\t is\t \u2018a\t known\t science\t hottie.\u2019\u2009\u201d\t She\t stared\t critically\t at\t the\t podium,\t where Tom\twas\tchatting\twith\tDr.\tMoss\tfrom\timmunology.\t\u201cI\tguess\the\u2019s\tcute.\tThough not\tnearly\tas\tcute\tas\tJeremy.\u201d Olive\tsmiled.\tThe\tair\tin\tthe\troom\twas\thot\tand\thumid,\tsmelling\tlike\tsweat\tand too\tmany\thuman\tbeings.\t\u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\thave\tto\tstay.\tThis\tis\tprobably\ta\tfire\thazard and\tnot\teven\tremotely\trelevant\tto\tyour\tresearch\u2014\u201d \u201cIt\t beats\t doing\t actual\t work.\u201d\t She\t grabbed\t Olive\u2019s\t wrist,\t pulling\t her\t through the\t throng\t of\t grads\t and\t postdocs\t crowding\t the\t entrance\t and\t down\t the\t stairs\t on the\t side.\t They\t were\t just\t as\t packed.\t \u201cAnd\t if\t this\t guy\t is\t going\t to\t take\t you\t away from\t me\t and\t to\t Boston\t for\t an\t entire\t year,\t I\t want\t to\t make\t sure\t that\t he\t deserves you.\u201d\tShe\twinked.\t\u201cConsider\tmy\tpresence\tthe\tequivalent\tof\ta\tfather\tcleaning\this rifle\tin\tfront\tof\this\tdaughter\u2019s\tboyfriend\tbefore\tprom.\u201d \u201cAww,\tDaddy.\u201d","There\t was\t nowhere\t to\t sit,\t of\t course,\t not\t even\t on\t the\t floor\t or\t on\t the\t steps. Olive\tspotted\tAdam\tin\tan\taisle\tseat\ta\tfew\tmeters\taway.\tHe\twas\tback\tto\this\tusual black\t Henley\t and\t deep\t in\t conversation\t with\t Holden\t Rodrigues.\t When\t Adam\u2019s eyes\tmet\tOlive\u2019s,\tshe\tgrinned\tand\twaved\tat\thim.\tFor\tsome\tyet\tunknown\treason that\t likely\t had\t to\t do\t with\t the\t fact\t that\t they\t were\t sharing\t this\t huge,\t ridiculous, unlikely\tsecret,\tAdam\tnow\tfelt\tlike\ta\tfriendly\tface.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\twave\tback,\tbut\this gaze\t seemed\t softer\t and\t warmer,\t and\t his\t mouth\t curved\t into\t that\t tilt\t that\t she\u2019d learned\tto\trecognize\tas\this\tversion\tof\ta\tsmile. \u201cI\t can\u2019t\t believe\t they\t didn\u2019t\t switch\t the\t talk\t to\t one\t of\t the\t bigger\t auditoriums. There\tis\tnot\tnearly\tenough\tspace\tfor\u2014\tOh,\tno.\tNo,\tno,\tno.\u201d Olive\t followed\t Anh\u2019s\t gaze,\t and\t saw\t at\t least\t twenty\t new\t people\t arrive.\t The crowd\t immediately\t started\t pushing\t Olive\t toward\t the\t front\t of\t the\t room.\t Anh yelped\t when\t a\t first-year\t from\t neuroscience\t who\t weighed\t about\t four\t times\t as much\tas\tshe\tdid\tstepped\ton\ther\ttoe.\t\u201cThis\tis\tridiculous.\u201d \u201cI\tknow.\tI\tcan\u2019t\tbelieve\tmore\tpeople\tare\u2014\u201d Olive\u2019s\t hip\t bumped\t against\t something\u2014someone.\t She\t turned\t to\t apologize, and\u2014it\t was\t Adam.\t Or,\t Adam\u2019s\t shoulder.\t He\t was\t still\t chatting\t with\t Dr. Rodrigues,\t who\t wore\t a\t displeased\t expression\t and\t was\t muttering,\t \u201cWhy\t are\t we even\there?\u201d \u201cBecause\the\u2019s\ta\tfriend,\u201d\tAdam\tsaid. \u201cNot\tmy\tfriend.\u201d Adam\tsighed\tand\tturned\tto\tlook\tat\tOlive. \u201cHey\u2014sorry.\u201d\tShe\tgestured\tin\tthe\tdirection\tof\tthe\tentrance.\t\u201cA\tbunch\tof\tnew people\tjust\tcame\tin\tand\tapparently\tthe\tspace\tin\tthis\troom\tis\tfinite.\tI\tthink\tit\u2019s\ta law\tof\tphysics,\tor\tsomething.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tokay.\u201d \u201cI\u2019d\ttake\ta\tstep\tback,\tbut\t.\t.\t.\u201d On\tthe\tpodium,\tDr.\tMoss\ttook\tthe\tmic\tand\tbegan\tintroducing\tTom. \u201cHere,\u201d\tAdam\ttold\tOlive,\tmaking\tto\tstand\tfrom\this\tchair.\t\u201cTake\tmy\tseat.\u201d \u201cOh.\u201d\t It\t was\t nice\t of\t him\t to\t offer.\t Not\t fake-dating-to-save-her-ass,\t spend- twenty-bucks-on-junk-food-for-her\t nice,\t but\t still\t very\t nice.\t Olive\t couldn\u2019t possibly\taccept.\tPlus,\tAdam\twas\ta\tprofessor,\twhich\tmeant\tthat\the\twas\tolder\tand all\t that.\t Thirtysomething.\t He\t did\t look\t fit,\t but\t he\t probably\t had\t a\t bum\t knee\t and was\tonly\ta\tfew\tyears\tshort\tof\tosteoporosis.\t\u201cThank\tyou,\tbut\u2014\u201d","\u201cActually,\t that\t would\t be\t a\t terrible\t idea,\u201d\t Anh\t interjected.\t Her\t eyes\t were darting\t between\t Olive\t and\t Adam.\t \u201cNo\t offense,\t Dr.\t Carlsen,\t but\t you\u2019re\t three times\tlarger\tthan\tOlive.\tIf\tyou\tstand,\tthe\troom\u2019s\tgoing\tto\tburst.\u201d Adam\tstared\tat\tAnh\tlike\the\thad\tno\tidea\twhether\the\u2019d\tjust\tbeen\tinsulted. \u201cBut,\u201d\t she\t continued,\t this\t time\t looking\t at\t Olive,\t \u201cit\u2019d\t be\t great\t if\t you\t could do\tme\ta\tsolid\tand\tsit\ton\tyour\tboyfriend\u2019s\tlap,\tOl.\tJust\tso\tI\tdon\u2019t\thave\tto\tstand\ton my\ttoes?\u201d Olive\tblinked.\tAnd\tthen\tshe\tblinked\tagain.\tAnd\tthen\tshe\tblinked\tsome\tmore. Near\t the\t podium,\t Dr.\t Moss\t was\t still\t introducing\t Tom\u2014\u201cGot\t his\t Ph.D.\t from Vanderbilt\t and\t then\t moved\t to\t a\t postdoctoral\t fellowship\t at\t Harvard\t University, where\t he\t pioneered\t several\t techniques\t in\t the\t field\t of\t imaging\u201d\u2014but\t her\t voice sounded\tas\tif\tit\twas\tcoming\tfrom\tfar,\tfar\taway.\tPossibly\tbecause\tOlive\tcouldn\u2019t stop\tthinking\tabout\twhat\tAnh\thad\tproposed,\twhich\twas\tjust\t.\t.\t. \u201cAnh,\t I\t don\u2019t\t think\t it\u2019s\t a\t good\t idea,\u201d\t Olive\t mumbled\t under\t her\t breath, avoiding\tglancing\tin\tAdam\u2019s\tdirection. Anh\tgave\ther\ta\tlook.\t\u201cWhy?\tYou\u2019re\ttaking\tup\tspace\twe\tdon\u2019t\thave,\tand\tit\u2019s only\tlogical\tthat\tyou\tuse\tCarlsen\tas\ta\tchair.\tI\twould,\tbut\the\u2019s\tyour\tboyfriend,\tnot mine.\u201d For\ta\tmoment,\tOlive\ttried\tto\timagine\twhat\tAdam\twould\tdo\tif\tAnh\tdecided\tto sit\t on\t his\t lap,\t and\t figured\t that\t it\t would\t probably\t end\t up\t involving\t someone being\t murdered\t and\t someone\t doing\t the\t murdering\u2014she\t wasn\u2019t\t sure\t who\u2019d\t be doing\t what.\t The\t mental\t image\t was\t so\t ridiculous\t that\t she\t almost\t giggled\t out loud.\t Then\t she\t noticed\t the\t way\t Anh\t was\t looking\t at\t her\t expectantly.\t \u201cAnh,\t I can\u2019t.\u201d \u201cWhy?\u201d \u201cBecause.\tThis\tis\ta\tscientific\ttalk.\u201d \u201cPsh.\t Remember\t last\t year,\t when\t Jess\t and\t Alex\t made\t out\t for\t half\t of\t that CRISPR\tlecture?\u201d \u201cI\tdo\u2014and\tit\twas\tweird.\u201d \u201cNah,\tit\twasn\u2019t.\tAlso,\tMalcolm\tswears\tthat\tduring\ta\tseminar\the\tsaw\tthat\ttall guy\tfrom\timmunology\tget\ta\thand\tjob\tfrom\u2014\u201d \u201cAnh.\u201d \u201cThe\tpoint\tis,\tno\tone\tcares.\u201d\tAnh\u2019s\texpression\tsoftened\tinto\ta\tplea.\t\u201cAnd\tthis girl\u2019s\t elbow\t is\t puncturing\t my\t right\t lung,\t and\t I\t have\t about\t thirty\t seconds\t of\t air","left.\tPlease,\tOlive.\u201d Olive\tturned\tto\tface\tAdam.\tWho\twas,\tvery\tunsurprisingly,\tlooking\tup\tat\ther with\tthat\tnonexpression\tof\this,\tthe\tone\tthat\tOlive\tcouldn\u2019t\tquite\tdecipher.\tExcept that\this\tjaw\twas\tworking,\tand\tshe\twondered\tif\tmaybe\tthis\twas\tit.\tThe\tlast\tstraw. The\tmoment\the\tbacked\tout\tof\ttheir\tarrangement.\tBecause\tmillions\tof\tdollars\tin research\tfunds\tcouldn\u2019t\tbe\tworth\thaving\tsome\tgirl\the\tbarely\tknew\tsit\ton\this\tlap in\tthe\tmost\tcrowded\troom\tin\tthe\thistory\tof\tcrowded\trooms. Is\tthis\tokay?\tshe\ttried\tto\task\thim\twith\ther\teyes.\tBecause\tmaybe\tthis\tis\ta\tlittle too\tmuch.\tWay\tmore\tthan\tsaying\thi\tto\teach\tother\tand\thaving\tcoffee\ttogether. He\t gave\t her\t a\t brief\t nod,\t and\t then\u2014Olive,\t or\t at\t least\t Olive\u2019s\t body,\t was stepping\t toward\t Adam\t and\t gingerly\t sitting\t on\t his\t thigh,\t her\t knees\t tucked between\t his\t spread\t legs.\t It\t was\t happening.\t It\t had\t happened\t already.\t Olive\t was here. Sitting. On. Adam. This.\tYep,\tthis. This\twas\ther\tlife\tnow. She\twas\tgoing\tto\tmurder\tAnh\tfor\tthis.\tSlowly.\tMaybe\tpainfully,\ttoo.\tShe\twas going\tto\tbe\tjailed\tfor\tbestfriendicide,\tand\tshe\twas\ta-okay\twith\tit. \u201cI\u2019m\tsorry,\u201d\tshe\twhispered\tto\tAdam.\tHe\twas\tso\ttall,\ther\tmouth\twas\tnot\tquite level\t with\t his\t ear.\t She\t could\t smell\t him\u2014the\t woodsiness\t of\t his\t shampoo,\t his body\t wash,\t and\t something\t else\t underneath,\t dark\t and\t good\t and\t clean.\t It\t all\t felt familiar,\t and\t after\t a\t few\t seconds\t Olive\t realized\t that\t it\t was\t because\t of\t the\t last time\tthey\thad\tbeen\tthis\tclose.\tBecause\tof\tThe\tNight.\tBecause\tof\tthe\tkiss.\t\u201cSo,\tso sorry.\u201d He\tdidn\u2019t\timmediately\tanswer.\tHis\tjaw\ttensed,\tand\the\tlooked\tin\tthe\tdirection of\t the\t PowerPoint.\t Dr.\t Moss\t was\t gone,\t Tom\t was\t talking\t about\t cancer diagnostics,\t and\t Olive\t would\t have\t gobbled\t this\t up\t on\t a\t regular\t day,\t but\t right now\tshe\tjust\tneeded\tout.\tOf\tthe\ttalk.\tOf\tthe\troom.\tOf\ther\town\tlife. Then\tAdam\tturned\this\tface\ta\tlittle\tand\ttold\ther,\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tokay.\u201d\tHe\tsounded\ta\tbit strained.\tLike\tnothing\tabout\tthis\tsituation\twas,\tin\tfact,\tokay. \u201cI\u2019m\t sorry.\t I\t had\t no\t idea\t she\t would\t suggest\t this,\t and\t I\t couldn\u2019t\t think\t of\t a way\tto\u2014\u201d","\u201cSssh.\u201d\tHis\tarm\tslid\taround\ther\twaist,\this\thand\tcoming\tto\trest\ton\ther\thip\tin\ta gesture\t that\t should\t have\t been\t unpleasant\t but\t just\t felt\t reassuring.\t His\t voice\t was low\t when\t he\t added,\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t fine.\u201d\t The\t words\t vibrated\t in\t her\t ear,\t rich\t and\t warm. \u201cMore\tmaterial\tfor\tmy\tTitle\tIX\tcomplaint.\u201d Shit.\t\u201cGod,\tI\u2019m\tso\tsorry\u2014\u201d \u201cOlive.\u201d She\tlifted\ther\teyes\tto\tcatch\this\tand\twas\tshocked\tto\tfind\thim\t.\t.\t.\tnot\tsmiling, but\tsomething\tlike\tit. \u201cI\twas\tkidding.\tYou\tweigh\tnothing.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tmind.\u201d \u201cI\u2014\u201d \u201cSsh.\tJust\tfocus\ton\tthe\ttalk.\tTom\tmight\task\tyou\tquestions\tabout\tit.\u201d This\t was\t just\t .\t .\t .\t Seriously,\t this\t whole\t business,\t it\t was\t completely, utterly\t.\t.\t. Comfortable.\tAdam\tCarlsen\u2019s\tlap\twas\tone\tof\tthe\tmost\tcomfortable\tplaces\ton earth,\t as\t it\t turned\t out.\t He\t was\t warm\t and\t solid\t in\t a\t pleasant,\t soothing\t way,\t and he\t didn\u2019t\t seem\t to\t mind\t too\t much\t having\t Olive\t half\t draped\t over\t him.\t After\t a short\twhile\tshe\trealized\tthat\tthe\troom\twas\ttruly\ttoo\tfull\tfor\tanyone\tto\tbe\tpaying attention\tto\tthem,\texcept\tfor\ta\tquick\tglance\tfrom\tHolden\tRodrigues,\twho\tstudied Adam\t for\t a\t long\t moment\t and\t then\t smiled\t warmly\t at\t Olive\t before\t focusing\t on the\t talk.\t She\t stopped\t pretending\t to\t be\t able\t to\t hold\t her\t spine\t upright\t for\t more than\t five\t minutes\t and\t just\t let\t herself\t lean\t into\t Adam\u2019s\t torso.\t He\t didn\u2019t\t say anything\tbut\tangled\thimself\ta\tlittle,\tjust\tto\thelp\ther\tfit\tmore\tcomfortably. Somewhere\t halfway\t through\t the\t talk\t she\t realized\t that\t she\t had\t been\t sliding down\t Adam\u2019s\t thigh.\t Or,\t to\t be\t fair,\t Adam\t realized\t and\t lifted\t her\t up, straightening\t her\t in\t a\t firm,\t quick\t pull\t that\t made\t her\t feel\t like\t she\t really\t didn\u2019t weigh\tanything.\tOnce\tshe\twas\tstable\tagain,\the\tdidn\u2019t\tmove\this\tarm\tfrom\twhere it\t was\t snaked\t around\t her\t waist.\t The\t talk\t had\t been\t happening\t for\t thirty-five minutes\tgoing\ton\ta\tcentury,\tso\tno\tone\tcould\tblame\tOlive\tif\tshe\tsank\tinto\thim\ta little\tbit\tmore. It\twas\tfine.\tIt\twas\tmore\tthan\tfine,\tactually.\tIt\twas\tnice. \u201cDon\u2019t\tfall\tasleep,\u201d\the\tmurmured.\tShe\tfelt\this\tlips\tmove\tagainst\tthe\ttendrils of\t hair\t above\t her\t temple.\t It\t should\t have\t been\t Olive\u2019s\t cue\t to\t straighten,\t but\t she couldn\u2019t\tquite\tmake\therself. \u201cI\u2019m\tnot.\tThough\tyou\u2019re\tso\tcomfy.\u201d","His\tfingers\ttightened\ton\ther,\tmaybe\tto\twake\ther\tup,\tmaybe\tto\thold\ther\tcloser. She\twas\tabout\tto\tmelt\toff\tthe\tchair\tand\tstart\tsnoring. \u201cYou\tlook\tlike\tyou\u2019re\tabout\tto\ttake\ta\tnap.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\t just\t that\t I\u2019ve\t read\t all\t of\t Tom\u2019s\t articles.\t I\t already\t know\t what\t he\u2019s saying.\u201d \u201cYeah,\t same.\t We\t cited\t all\t this\t stuff\t in\t our\t grant\t proposal.\u201d\t He\t sighed,\t and she\tfelt\this\tbody\tmove\tunder\thers.\t\u201cThis\tis\tdull.\u201d \u201cMaybe\tyou\tshould\task\ta\tquestion.\tTo\tliven\tthis\tup.\u201d Adam\tturned\tslightly\tto\ther.\t\u201cMe?\u201d She\t angled\t her\t head\t to\t speak\t in\t his\t ear.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t sure\t you\t can\t come\t up\t with something.\t Just\t raise\t your\t hand\t and\t make\t a\t mean\t observation\t with\t that\t tone\t of yours.\tGlare\tat\thim.\tIt\tmight\tdevolve\tinto\tan\tentertaining\toutbreak\tof\tfisticuffs.\u201d His\tcheek\tcurved.\t\u201cYou\tare\tsuch\ta\tsmart-ass.\u201d Olive\tlooked\tback\tto\tthe\tslides,\tsmiling.\t\u201cHas\tit\tbeen\tweird?\tHaving\tto\tlie\tto Tom\tabout\tus?\u201d Adam\t seemed\t to\t think\t about\t it.\t \u201cNo.\u201d\t He\t hesitated.\t \u201cIt\t looks\t like\t your friends\tare\tbuying\tthat\twe\u2019re\ttogether.\u201d \u201cI\t think\t so.\t I\u2019m\t not\t exactly\t a\t convincing\t liar,\t and\t sometimes\t I\t worry\t that Anh\tmight\tget\tsuspicious.\tBut\tI\twalked\tin\ton\ther\tand\tJeremy\tmaking\tout\tin\tthe grad\tlounge\tthe\tother\tday.\u201d They\t fell\t quiet\t and\t listened\t to\t the\t last\t few\t minutes\t of\t the\t talk\t in\t silence.\t In front\t of\t them,\t Olive\t could\t see\t at\t least\t two\t professors\t taking\t a\t nap,\t and\t several surreptitiously\tworking\ton\ttheir\tlaptops.\tNext\tto\tAdam,\tDr.\tRodrigues\thad\tbeen playing\t Candy\t Crush\t on\t his\t phone\t for\t the\t past\t half\t an\t hour.\t Some\t people\t had left,\t and\t Anh\t had\t found\t a\t seat\t about\t ten\t minutes\t ago.\t So\t had\t several\t of\t the students\t who\t had\t been\t next\t to\t Olive,\t which\t meant\t that\t she\t could\t have technically\tstood\tup\tand\tleft\tAdam\talone.\tTechnically.\tTechnically,\tthere\twas\tan open\tchair\tsomewhere\tin\tthe\tthird-to-last\trow.\tTechnically. Instead\t she\t brought\t her\t lips\t to\t Adam\u2019s\t ear\t once\t more\t and\t whispered,\t \u201cIt\u2019s working\tout\twell\tfor\tme,\tI\thave\tto\tsay.\tThis\twhole\tfake-dating\tthing.\u201d\tMore\tthan well.\tBetter\tthan\tshe\tever\tthought\tit\twould. Adam\t blinked\t once\t and\t then\t nodded.\t Maybe\t his\t arm\t tensed\t a\t little\t around her.\tMaybe\tit\tdidn\u2019t,\tand\tOlive\u2019s\tmind\twas\tplaying\ttricks\ton\ther.\tIt\twas\tstarting","to\tget\tlate,\tafter\tall.\tHer\tlast\tcoffee\thad\tbeen\ttoo\tlong\tago,\tand\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tfully awake,\ther\tthoughts\tfuzzy\tand\trelaxed. \u201cWhat\tabout\tyou?\u201d \u201cMmm?\u201d\tAdam\twasn\u2019t\tlooking\tat\ther. \u201cIs\t it\t working\t for\t you?\u201d\t It\t came\t out\t a\t little\t needy.\t Olive\t told\t herself\t that\t it was\tonly\tbecause\tof\thow\tlow\tshe\thad\tto\tpitch\ther\tvoice.\t\u201cOr\tdo\tyou\tmaybe\twant to\tfake\u2013break\tup\tearly?\u201d He\t didn\u2019t\t reply\t for\t a\t second.\t Then,\t just\t as\t Dr.\t Moss\t took\t the\t mic\t to\t thank Tom\tand\task\tthe\taudience\tfor\tquestions,\tshe\theard\thim\tsay,\t\u201cNo.\tI\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto fake\u2013break\tup.\u201d He\t really\t did\t smell\t good.\t And\t he\t was\t funny\t in\t a\t weird,\t deadpan\t way,\t and yes,\t a\t known\t ass,\t but\t friendly\t enough\t to\t her\t that\t she\t could\t sort\t of\t ignore\t that about\thim.\tPlus,\the\twas\tspending\ta\tsmall\tfortune\ton\tsugar\tfor\ther.\tTruly,\tshe\thad nothing\tto\tcomplain\tabout. Olive\t settled\t herself\t more\t comfortably\t and\t turned\t her\t attention\t back\t to\t the podium. \u2014 AFTER\t THE\t TALK,\t Olive\t considered\t walking\t down\t to\t the\t podium\t to\t compliment Tom\tand\task\thim\tone\tor\ttwo\tquestions\tshe\talready\tknew\tthe\tanswers\tto.\tSadly, there\t were\t dozens\t of\t people\t waiting\t to\t speak\t to\t him,\t and\t she\t decided\t that\t the ass-kissing\twasn\u2019t\tworth\tstanding\tin\tline.\tSo\tshe\tsaid\tgoodbye\tto\tAdam,\twaited for\t Anh\t to\t wake\t up\t from\t her\t nap\t while\t contemplating\t getting\t revenge\t by drawing\ta\tdick\ton\ther\tface,\tand\tthen\tslowly\theaded\twith\ther\tacross\tcampus\tback to\tthe\tbiology\tbuilding. \u201cIs\tit\tgoing\tto\tbe\ta\tlot\tof\twork,\tthe\treport\tBenton\tasked\tfor?\u201d \u201cA\t fair\t amount.\t I\t need\t to\t run\t a\t few\t control\t studies\t to\t make\t my\t results stronger.\t Plus\t there\u2019s\t other\t stuff\t I\t should\t be\t working\t on\u2014the\t TA\u2019ing,\t and\t my poster\t presentation\t for\t the\t SBD\t conference\t in\t Boston.\u201d\t Olive\t bent\t her\t head back,\tfelt\tthe\tsun\twarm\ther\tskin,\tand\tsmiled.\t\u201cIf\tI\thole\tup\tin\tthe\tlab\tevery\tnight this\tweek\tand\tthe\tnext,\tI\tshould\tbe\table\tto\tfinish\tit\ton\ttime.\u201d \u201cSBD\tis\tsomething\tto\tlook\tforward\tto,\tat\tleast.\u201d Olive\tnodded.\tShe\tusually\twasn\u2019t\ta\tfan\tof\tacademic\tconferences,\tgiven\thow prohibitively\texpensive\tregistration,\ttravel,\tand\tlodgings\tcould\tbe.\tBut\tMalcolm","and\tAnh\twere\tgoing\tto\tbe\tat\tSBD,\ttoo,\tand\tOlive\twas\texcited\tto\texplore\tBoston with\tthem.\tPlus,\tthe\tintradepartmental\tdrama\tthat\talways\thappened\tat\tacademic functions\twith\topen\tbars\twas\tsure\tto\tbe\tA+\tentertainment. \u201cI\t am\t organizing\t this\t outreach\t event\t for\t BIPOC\t women\t in\t STEM\t from\t all over\t the\t country\u2014I\u2019m\t going\t to\t get\t Ph.D.\t students\t like\t me\t to\t talk\t face-to-face with\t undergrads\t who\t are\t applying\t and\t reassure\t them\t that\t if\t they\t come\t to\t grad school\tthey\twon\u2019t\tbe\talone.\u201d \u201cAnh,\tthis\tis\tamazing.\tYou\tare\tamazing.\u201d \u201cI\tknow.\u201d\tAnh\twinked,\tsliding\ther\tarm\tthrough\tOlive\u2019s.\t\u201cWe\tcan\tall\tshare\ta hotel\t room.\t And\t get\t free\t gadgets\t from\t the\t exhibit\t booths,\t and\t get\t sloshed together.\t Remember\t at\t Human\t Genetics,\t when\t Malcolm\t got\t wasted\t and\t began hitting\trandom\tpassersby\twith\this\tposter\ttube\u2014\tWhat\u2019s\tgoing\ton\tthere?\u201d Olive\t squinted\t against\t the\t sun.\t The\t parking\t lot\t of\t the\t biology\t building\t was uncharacteristically\t jammed\t with\t traffic.\t People\t were\t blowing\t their\t horns\t and getting\t out\t of\t their\t cars,\t trying\t to\t figure\t out\t the\t source\t of\t the\t holdup.\t She\t and Anh\twalked\taround\ta\tline\tof\tvehicles\tstuck\tin\tthe\tlot,\tuntil\tthey\tran\tinto\ta\tgroup of\tbiology\tgrads. \u201cSomeone\u2019s\t battery\t died,\t and\t it\u2019s\t blocking\t the\t exit\t line.\u201d\t Greg,\t one\t of Olive\u2019s\tlab\tmates,\twas\trolling\this\teyes\tand\tbouncing\timpatiently\ton\this\tfeet.\tHe pointed\tat\ta\tred\ttruck\tstuck\tsideways\tin\tthe\tmost\tinconvenient\tturn. Olive\trecognized\tit\tas\tCherie\u2019s,\tthe\tdepartment\tsecretary. \u201cI\t defend\t my\t dissertation\t proposal\t tomorrow\u2014I\t need\t to\t drive\t home\t to prepare.\t This\t is\t ridiculous.\t And\t why\t the\t fuck\t is\t Cherie\t just\t standing\t there, chatting\tleisurely\twith\tCarlsen?\tDo\tthey\twant\tus\tto\tbring\tthem\ttea\tand\tcucumber sandwiches?\u201d Olive\tlooked\taround,\tsearching\tfor\tAdam\u2019s\ttall\tframe. \u201cOh\tyeah,\tthere\u2019s\tCarlsen,\u201d\tAnh\tsaid.\tOlive\tlooked\twhere\tshe\twas\tpointing, just\t in\t time\t to\t see\t Cherie\t get\t back\t behind\t the\t wheel\t and\t Adam\t jogging\t around the\ttruck. \u201cWhat\tis\the\u2014\u201d\twas\tall\tOlive\tmanaged\tto\tsay,\tbefore\the\tcame\tto\ta\tstop,\tput his\thands\ton\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\ttruck\tin\tneutral,\tand\tstarted\t.\t.\t. Pushing. His\tshoulders\tand\tbiceps\tstrained\this\tHenley.\tThe\tfirm\tmuscles\tof\this\tupper back\t visibly\t shifted\t and\t tensed\t under\t the\t black\t fabric\t as\t he\t bent\t forward\t and","rolled\tseveral\ttons\tof\ttruck\tacross\t.\t.\t.\tquite\ta\tbit\tof\ta\tdistance\tand\tinto\tthe\tclosest empty\tparking\tspace. Oh. There\twas\tsome\tapplause\tand\twhistling\tfrom\tbystanders\twhen\tthe\ttruck\twas out\t of\t the\t way,\t and\t a\t couple\t of\t faculty\t members\t from\t neuroscience\t clapped Adam\ton\tthe\tshoulder\tas\tthe\tline\tof\tcars\tstarted\tdriving\tout\tof\tthe\tlot. \u201cFucking\t finally,\u201d\t Olive\t heard\t Greg\t say\t from\t behind\t her,\t and\t she\t stood there,\t blinking,\t a\t little\t shocked.\t Had\t she\t hallucinated\t it?\t Had\t Adam\t really\t just pushed\t a\t giant\t truck\t all\t by\t himself?\t Was\t he\t an\t alien\t from\t planet\t Krypton\t who moonlighted\tas\ta\tsuperhero? \u201cOl,\tgo\tgive\thim\ta\tkiss.\u201d Olive\t whirled\t around,\t abruptly\t reminded\t of\t Anh\u2019s\t existence.\t \u201cWhat?\u201d\t No. No.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tgood.\tI\tjust\tsaid\tgoodbye\tto\thim\ta\tminute\tago\tand\u2014\u201d \u201cOl,\twhy\tdon\u2019t\tyou\twant\tto\tgo\tkiss\tyour\tboyfriend?\u201d Ugh.\t\u201cI\t.\t.\t.\tIt\u2019s\tnot\tthat\tI\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto.\tI\tjust\u2014\u201d \u201cDude,\t he\t just\t moved\t a\t truck.\t By\t himself.\t On\t uphill\t ground.\t He\t deserves\t a damn\tkiss.\u201d\tAnh\tshoved\tOlive\tand\tmade\ta\tshooing\tmotion. Olive\tclenched\ther\tteeth\tand\theaded\tin\tAdam\u2019s\tdirection,\twishing\tshe\u2019d\tgone ahead\t and\t drawn\t twenty\t dicks\t all\t over\t Anh\u2019s\t face.\t Maybe\t she\t did\t suspect\t that Olive\t was\t faking\t her\t relationship\t with\t Adam.\t Or\t maybe\t she\t just\t got\t a\t kick\t out of\tpressuring\ther\tinto\tPDA\u2019ing,\tthat\tingrate.\tEither\tway,\tif\tthis\twas\twhat\tone\tgot for\tmasterminding\tan\tintricate\tfake-dating\tscheme\tthat\twas\tsupposed\tto\tbenefit\ta friend\u2019s\tlove\tlife,\tthen\tmaybe\u2014 Olive\thalted\tabruptly. Adam\u2019s\thead\twas\tbent\tforward,\tblack\thair\tcovering\this\tforehead\tas\the\twiped the\t sweat\t from\t his\t eyes\t with\t the\t hem\t of\t his\t shirt.\t It\t left\t a\t broad\t strip\t of\t flesh visible\t on\t his\t torso,\t and\u2014it\t was\t nothing\t indecent,\t really,\t nothing\t unusual,\t just some\tfit\tguy\u2019s\tmidriff,\tbut\tfor\tsome\treason\tOlive\tcouldn\u2019t\thelp\tstaring\tat\tAdam Carlsen\u2019s\tuncovered\tskin\tlike\tit\twas\ta\tslab\tof\tItalian\tmarble,\tand\u2014 \u201cOlive?\u201d\t he\t said,\t and\t she\t immediately\t averted\t her\t eyes.\t Crap,\t he\u2019d\t totally caught\t her\t staring.\t First\t she\u2019d\t forced\t him\t to\t kiss\t her,\t and\t now\t she\t was\t ogling him\tlike\tsome\tperv\tin\tthe\tbiology\tparking\tlot\tand\u2014 \u201cDid\tyou\tneed\tanything?\u201d \u201cNo,\tI\t.\t.\t.\u201d\tShe\tfelt\ther\tcheeks\tgo\tcrimson.","His\t skin,\t too,\t was\t flushed\t from\t the\t effort\t of\t pushing,\t and\t his\t eyes\t were bright\tand\tclear,\tand\the\tseemed\t.\t.\t.\twell,\tat\tleast\the\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tunhappy\tto\tsee her. \u201cAnh\tsent\tme\tto\tgive\tyou\ta\tkiss.\u201d He\t froze\t halfway\t through\t wiping\t his\t hands\t on\t his\t shirt.\t And\t then\t he\t said \u201cAh\u201d\tin\this\tusual\tneutral,\tunreadable\ttone. \u201cBecause\t you\t moved\t the\t truck.\t I\u2014I\t know\t how\t ridiculous\t that\t sounds.\t I know.\t But\t I\t didn\u2019t\t want\t her\t to\t get\t suspicious,\t and\t there\t are\t faculty\t members here,\ttoo,\tso\tmaybe\tthey\u2019ll\ttell\tthe\tdepartment\tchair\tand\tit\twill\tbe\ttwo\tbirds\twith one\tstone\tand\tI\tcan\tleave\tif\tyou\u2014\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tokay,\tOlive.\tBreathe.\u201d Right.\tYes.\tGood\tsuggestion.\tOlive\tdid\tbreathe,\tand\tthe\tact\tmade\ther\trealize that\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tdone\tthat\tin\ta\twhile,\twhich\tin\tturn\tmade\ther\tsmile\tup\tat\tAdam\u2014 who\tdid\this\tmouth-twitch\tthing\tback\tat\ther.\tShe\twas\treally\tstarting\tto\tget\tused\tto him.\tTo\this\texpressions,\this\tsize,\this\tdistinctive\tway\tof\tbeing\tin\tthe\tsame\tspace as\ther. \u201cAnh\u2019s\tstaring\tat\tus,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tlooking\tover\tOlive\u2019s\thead. Olive\t sighed\t and\t pinched\t the\t bridge\t of\t her\t nose.\t \u201cI\t just\t bet\t she\t is,\u201d\t she mumbled. Adam\twiped\tsweat\tfrom\this\tforehead\twith\tthe\tback\tof\this\thand. Olive\tsquirmed.\t\u201cSo\t.\t.\t.\tShould\twe\thug\tor\tsomething?\u201d \u201cOh.\u201d\t Adam\t looked\t at\t his\t hands\t and\t down\t at\t himself.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t think\t you want\tto\tdo\tthat.\tI\u2019m\tpretty\tgross.\u201d Before\t she\t could\t stop\t herself\t Olive\t studied\t him\t from\t head\t to\t toe,\t taking\t in his\tlarge\tbody,\this\tbroad\tshoulders,\tthe\tway\this\thair\twas\tcurling\taround\this\tears. He\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tgross.\tNot\teven\tto\tOlive,\twho\twas\tusually\tnot\ta\tfan\tof\tdudes\tbuilt like\tthey\tspent\ta\tdouble-digit\tpercentage\tof\ttheir\ttime\tat\tthe\tgym.\tHe\tlooked\t.\t.\t. Not\tgross. Still,\t maybe\t it\t was\t better\t if\t they\t didn\u2019t\t hug.\t Olive\t might\t end\t up\t doing something\tegregiously\tstupid.\tShe\tshould\tjust\tsay\tgoodbye\tand\tleave\u2014yes,\tthat was\tthe\tthing\tto\tdo. Except\tthat\tsomething\tabsolutely\tinsane\tcame\tout\tof\ther\tmouth. \u201cShould\t we\t just\t kiss,\t then?\u201d\t she\t heard\t herself\t blurt\t out.\t And\t then\t she instantly\t wished\t a\t stray\t meteorite\t would\t hit\t the\t exact\t spot\t where\t she\t was","standing,\t because\u2014had\t she\t just\t asked\t Adam\t Carlsen\t for\t a\t kiss?\t Was\t that\t what she\u2019d\tdone?\tWas\tshe\ta\tlunatic\tall\tof\ta\tsudden? \u201cI\t mean,\t not\t like\t a\t kiss\t kiss,\u201d\t she\t hastened\t to\t add.\t \u201cBut\t like\t the\t last\t time? You\tknow.\u201d He\t didn\u2019t\t seem\t to\t know.\t Which\t made\t sense,\t because\t their\t other\t kiss\t had definitely\t been\t a\t kiss\t kiss.\t Olive\t tried\t not\t to\t think\t about\t it\t too\t much,\t but\t it flashed\t in\t her\t mind\t every\t once\t in\t a\t while,\t mostly\t when\t she\t was\t doing something\t important\t that\t required\t her\t utmost\t concentration,\t like\t implanting electrodes\t inside\t a\t mouse\u2019s\t pancreas\t or\t trying\t to\t decide\t what\t to\t order\t at Subway.\t Occasionally\t it\t would\t pop\t up\t during\t a\t quiet\t moment,\t like\t when\t she was\t in\t bed\t and\t about\t to\t fall\t asleep,\t and\t she\t would\t feel\t a\t mixture\t of embarrassment\t and\t incredulity\t and\t something\t else.\t Something\t that\t she\t had\t no intention\tof\texamining\ttoo\tclosely,\tnot\tnow\tand\tnot\tever. \u201cAre\tyou\tsure?\u201d She\tnodded,\teven\tthough\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tsure\tat\tall.\t\u201cIs\tAnh\tstill\tstaring\tat\tus?\u201d His\t eyes\t flicked\t up.\t \u201cYes.\t She\u2019s\t not\t even\t pretending\t not\t to.\t I\t .\t .\t .\t why\t does she\tcare\tso\tmuch?\tAre\tyou\tfamous?\u201d \u201cNo,\tAdam.\u201d\tShe\tgestured\tat\thim.\t\u201cYou\tare.\u201d \u201cAm\tI?\u201d\tHe\tlooked\tperplexed. \u201cAnyway,\t no\t need\t to\t kiss.\t You\u2019re\t right\t that\t it\t would\t probably\t be\t a\t bit weird.\u201d \u201cNo.\tNo,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tmean\tthat\t.\t.\t.\u201d\tThere\twas\ta\tdroplet\tof\tsweat\trunning\tdown his\t temple,\t and\t he\t wiped\t his\t face\t again,\t this\t time\t with\t the\t sleeve\t of\t his\t shirt. \u201cWe\tcan\tkiss.\u201d \u201cOh.\u201d \u201cIf\tyou\tthink\tthat\t.\t.\t.\tIf\tyour\tfriend\tis\twatching.\u201d \u201cYeah.\u201d\tOlive\tswallowed.\t\u201cBut\twe\tdon\u2019t\thave\tto.\u201d \u201cI\tknow.\u201d \u201cUnless\t you\t want\t to.\u201d\t Olive\u2019s\t palms\t felt\t damp\t and\t clammy,\t so\t she surreptitiously\t wiped\t them\t on\t her\t jeans.\t \u201cAnd\t by\t \u2018want\t to\u2019\t I\t mean,\t unless\t you think\tit\u2019s\ta\tgood\tidea.\u201d\tIt\tso\twas\tnot\ta\tgood\tidea.\tIt\twas\ta\thorrible\tidea.\tLike\tall her\tideas. \u201cRight.\u201d\t He\t looked\t past\t Olive\t and\t toward\t Anh,\t who\t was\t probably\t in\t the middle\tof\tdoing\tan\tentire\tInstagram\tStory\ton\tthem.\t\u201cOkay,\tthen.\u201d","\u201cOkay.\u201d He\t stepped\t a\t little\t closer,\t and\t really,\t he\t was\t not\t gross.\t How\t someone\t this sweaty,\t someone\t who\u2019d\t just\t pushed\t a\t truck,\t still\t managed\t to\t smell\t good\t was\t a topic\t worthy\t of\t a\t Ph.D.\t dissertation,\t for\t sure.\t Earth\u2019s\t finest\t scientists\t should have\tbeen\thard\tat\twork\ton\tthis. \u201cWhy\t don\u2019t\t I\t .\t .\t .\u201d\t Olive\t inched\t slightly\t into\t him,\t and\t after\t letting\t her\t hand hover\t for\t a\t moment\t she\t rested\t it\t over\t Adam\u2019s\t shoulder.\t She\t pushed\t up\t on\t her toes,\tangling\ther\thead\tup\ttoward\thim.\tIt\thelped\tvery\tlittle,\tas\tOlive\twas\tstill\tnot tall\tenough\tto\treach\this\tmouth,\tso\tshe\ttried\tto\tget\tmore\tleverage\tby\tputting\ther other\thand\ton\this\tarm,\tand\timmediately\trealized\tthat\tshe\twas\tbasically\thugging him.\tWhich\twas\tthe\texact\tthing\the\thad\tasked\ther\tnot\tto\tdo\ta\tsecond\tago.\tCrap. \u201cSorry,\ttoo\tclose?\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tmean\tto\u2014\u201d She\t would\t have\t finished\t the\t sentence,\t if\t he\t hadn\u2019t\t closed\t the\t distance between\tthem\tand\tjust\u2014kissed\ther.\tJust\tlike\tthat. It\t was\t little\t more\t than\t a\t peck\u2014just\t his\t lips\t pressing\t against\t hers,\t and\t his hand\ton\ther\twaist\tto\tsteady\ther\ta\tlittle.\tIt\twas\ta\tkiss,\tbut\tbarely,\tand\tit\tcertainly didn\u2019t\twarrant\tthe\tway\ther\theart\tpounded\tin\ther\tchest,\tor\tthe\tfact\tthat\tthere\twas something\t warm\t and\t liquid\t looping\t at\t the\t bottom\t of\t her\t belly.\t Not\t unpleasant, but\tconfusing\tand\ta\tbit\tscary\tnonetheless,\tand\tit\thad\tOlive\tpull\tback\tafter\tonly\ta second.\t When\t she\t eased\t back\t on\t her\t heels,\t it\t seemed\t like\t for\t a\t fraction\t of\t a moment\tAdam\tfollowed\ther,\ttrying\tto\tfill\tthe\tgap\tbetween\ttheir\tmouths.\tThough by\tthe\ttime\tshe\u2019d\tblinked\therself\tfree\tof\tthe\thaze\tof\tthe\tkiss,\the\twas\tstanding\ttall in\t front\t of\t her,\t cheekbones\t dusted\t with\t red\t and\t chest\t moving\t up\t and\t down\t in shallow\tbreaths.\tShe\tmust\thave\tdreamed\tup\tthat\tlast\tbit. She\t needed\t to\t avert\t her\t eyes\t from\t him,\t now.\t And\t he\t needed\t to\t look elsewhere,\ttoo.\tWhy\twere\tthey\tstaring\tat\teach\tother? \u201cOkay,\u201d\tshe\tchirped.\t\u201cThat,\tum\t.\t.\t.\tworked.\u201d Adam\u2019s\tjaw\ttwitched,\tbut\the\tdidn\u2019t\treply. \u201cWell,\tthen.\tI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\t.\t.\t.\tum\t.\t.\t.\u201d\tShe\tgestured\tbehind\ther\tshoulders\twith her\tthumb. \u201cAnh?\u201d \u201cYeah.\tYeah,\tto\tAnh.\u201d He\tswallowed\theavily.\t\u201cOkay.\tYeah.\u201d","They\t had\t kissed.\t They\t had\t kissed\u2014twice,\t now.\t Twice.\t Not\t that\t it\t mattered. No\t one\t cared.\t But.\t Twice.\t Plus,\t the\t lap.\t Earlier\t today.\t Again,\t not\t that\t it mattered. \u201cI\u2019ll\tsee\tyou\taround,\tright?\tNext\tweek?\u201d He\t lifted\t his\t fingers\t to\t his\t lips,\t then\t let\t his\t arm\t drop\t to\t his\t side.\t \u201cYes.\t On Wednesday.\u201d It\twas\tThursday\tnow.\tWhich\tmeant\tthat\tthey\twere\tgoing\tto\tsee\teach\tother\tin six\tdays.\tWhich\twas\tfine.\tOlive\twas\tfine,\tno\tmatter\twhen\tor\thow\toften\tthey\tmet. \u201cYep.\tSee\tyou\tWed\u2014\tHey,\twhat\tabout\tthe\tpicnic?\u201d \u201cThe\u2014\tOh.\u201d\tAdam\trolled\this\teyes,\tlooking\ta\tlittle\tmore\tlike\thimself.\t\u201cRight. That\tfu\u2014\u201d\tHe\tstopped\tshort.\t\u201cThat\tpicnic.\u201d She\tgrinned.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\ton\tMonday.\u201d He\tsighed.\t\u201cI\tknow.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\tstill\tgoing?\u201d He\t gave\t her\t a\t look\t that\t clearly\t stated:\t It\u2019s\t not\t like\t I\t have\t a\t choice,\t even though\tI\u2019d\trather\thave\tmy\tnails\textracted\tone\tby\tone.\tWith\tpliers. Olive\tlaughed.\t\u201cWell.\tI\u2019m\tgoing,\ttoo.\u201d \u201cAt\tleast\tthere\u2019s\tthat.\u201d \u201cAre\tyou\tbringing\tTom?\u201d \u201cProbably.\tHe\tactually\tlikes\tpeople.\u201d \u201cOkay.\tI\tcan\tnetwork\twith\thim\ta\tbit,\tand\tyou\tand\tI\tcan\tshow\toff\thow\tsteady and\tcommitted\twe\tare\tto\tthe\tdepartment\tchair.\tYou\u2019ll\tlook\tlike\ta\twingless\tbird. No\tflight\trisk\twhatsoever.\u201d \u201cPerfect.\tI\u2019ll\tbring\ta\tcounterfeit\tmarriage\tlicense\tto\tcasually\tdrop\tat\this\tfeet.\u201d Olive\t laughed,\t waved\t goodbye,\t and\t then\t jogged\t up\t to\t Anh.\t She\t rubbed\t the side\tof\ther\thand\tagainst\ther\tlips,\tas\tif\ttrying\tto\tscrub\ther\tmind\tclean\tof\tthe\tfact that\t she\t had\t just\t kissed\t Adam\u2014Dr.\t Adam\t Carlsen\u2014for\t the\t second\t time\t in\t her life.\tWhich,\tagain,\twas\tfine.\tIt\thad\tbeen\tbarely\ta\tkiss.\tNot\timportant. \u201cWell,\t then,\u201d\t Anh\t said,\t tucking\t her\t phone\t into\t her\t pocket.\t \u201cYou\t really\t just made\t out\t in\t front\t of\t the\t biology\t building\t with\t associate\t professor\t Adam MacArthur\tCarlsen.\u201d Olive\trolled\ther\teyes\tand\tstarted\tup\tthe\tstairs.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tpretty\tsure\tthat\u2019s\tnot\this middle\tname.\tAnd\twe\tdid\tnot.\u201d \u201cBut\tit\twas\tclear\tthat\tyou\twanted\tto.\u201d","\u201cShut\tup.\tWhy\twere\tyou\tlooking\tat\tus,\tanyway?\u201d \u201cI\twasn\u2019t.\tI\thappened\tto\tglance\tup\twhen\the\twas\tabout\tto\tjump\tyou,\tand\tI\tjust couldn\u2019t\tlook\taway.\u201d Olive\t snorted,\t plugging\t her\t headphones\t into\t her\t phone\u2019s\t port.\t \u201cRight.\t Of course.\u201d \u201cHe\u2019s\treally\tinto\tyou.\tI\tcan\ttell\tfrom\tthe\tway\the\tstares\tat\u2014\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tgonna\tlisten\tto\tmusic\tvery\tloudly\tnow.\tTo\ttune\tyou\tout.\u201d \u201c\u2014you.\u201d It\twasn\u2019t\tuntil\tmuch\tlater,\tafter\tOlive\thad\tbeen\tworking\ton\tTom\u2019s\treport\tfor several\t hours,\t that\t she\t remembered\t what\t Adam\t had\t said\t when\t she\u2019d\t told\t him she\u2019d\tbe\tat\tthe\tpicnic. At\tleast\tthere\u2019s\tthat. Olive\tducked\ther\thead\tand\tsmiled\tat\ther\ttoes.","Chapter\tSeven \tHYPOTHESIS:\tThere\twill\tbe\ta\tsignificant\tpositive\tcorrelation\tbetween\tthe amount\tof\tsunscreen\tpoured\tin\tmy\thands\tand\tthe\tintensity\tof\tmy\tdesire\tto\tmurder Anh. Tom\u2019s\treport\twas\tabout\ta\tthird\tdone\tand\tsitting\ttight\tat\tthirty-four\tpages\tsingle- spaced,\tArial\t(11\tpoint),\tno\tjustification.\tIt\twas\t11:00\ta.m.,\tand\tOlive\thad\tbeen working\t in\t the\t lab\t since\t about\t five\u2014analyzing\t peptide\t samples,\t writing\t down protocol\t notes,\t taking\t covert\t naps\t while\t the\t PCR\t machine\t ran\u2014when\t Greg barged\tin,\tlooking\tabsolutely\tfurious. It\t was\t unusual,\t but\t not\t too\t unusual.\t Greg\t was\t a\t bit\t of\t a\t hothead\t to\t begin with,\t and\t grad\t school\t came\t with\t a\t lot\t of\t angry\t outbursts\t in\t semipublic\t places, usually\t for\t reasons\t that,\t Olive\t was\t fully\t aware,\t would\t appear\t ridiculous\t to someone\twho\u2019d\tnever\tstepped\tfoot\tin\tacademia.\tThey\u2019re\tmaking\tme\tTA\tIntro\tto Bio\t for\t the\t fourth\t time\t in\t a\t row;\t the\t paper\t I\t need\t is\t behind\t a\t paywall;\t I\t had\t a meeting\twith\tmy\tsupervisor\tand\taccidentally\tcalled\ther\t\u201cMom.\u201d Greg\tand\tOlive\tshared\tan\tadviser,\tDr.\tAslan,\tand\twhile\tthey\u2019d\talways\tgotten along\tfine,\tthey\thad\tnever\tbeen\tparticularly\tclose.\tOlive\thad\thoped,\tby\tpicking\ta female\t adviser,\t to\t avoid\t some\t of\t the\t nastiness\t that\t was\t so\t often\t directed\t at women\t in\t STEM.\t Unfortunately\t she\t had\t still\t found\t herself\t in\t an\t all-male\t lab, which\twas\t.\t.\t.\ta\tless-than-ideal\tenvironment.\tThat\twas\twhy\twhen\tGreg\tcame\tin, slammed\tthe\tdoor,\tand\tthen\tthrew\ta\tfolder\ton\this\tbench,\tOlive\twas\tnot\tsure\twhat to\t do.\t She\t watched\t him\t sit\t down\t and\t begin\t to\t sulk.\t Chase,\t another\t lab\t mate, followed\t him\t inside\t a\t moment\t later\t with\t an\t uneasy\t expression\t and\t started gingerly\tpatting\this\tback.","Olive\t looked\t longingly\t at\t her\t RNA\t samples.\t Then\t she\t stepped\t closer\t to Greg\u2019s\tbench\tand\tasked,\t\u201cWhat\u2019s\twrong?\u201d She\t had\t expected\t the\t answer\t to\t be\t The\t production\t of\t my\t reagent\t has\t been discontinued,\t or\t My\t p-value\t is\t .06,\t or\t Grad\t school\t was\t a\t mistake,\t but\t now\t it\u2019s too\t late\t to\t back\t out\t of\t it\t because\t my\t self-worth\t is\t unbreakably\t tied\t to\t my academic\t performance,\t and\t what\t would\t even\t be\t left\t of\t me\t if\t I\t decided\t to\t drop out? Instead\twhat\tshe\tgot\twas:\t\u201cYour\tstupid\tboyfriend\tis\twhat\u2019s\twrong.\u201d By\tnow\tthe\tfake\tdating\thad\tbeen\tgoing\ton\tfor\tover\ttwo\tweeks:\tOlive\tdidn\u2019t startle\t anymore\t when\t someone\t referred\t to\t Adam\t as\t her\t boyfriend.\t Still,\t Greg\u2019s words\twere\tso\tunexpected\tand\tfull\tof\tvenom\tthat\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\thelp\tbut\tanswer, \u201cWho?\u201d \u201cCarlsen.\u201d\tHe\tspat\tthe\tname\tout\tlike\ta\tcurse. \u201cOh.\u201d \u201cHe\u2019s\t on\t Greg\u2019s\t dissertation\t committee,\u201d\t Chase\t explained\t in\t a\t significantly milder\ttone,\tnot\tquite\tmeeting\tOlive\u2019s\teyes. \u201cOh.\tRight.\u201d\tThis\tcould\tbe\tbad.\tVery\tbad.\t\u201cWhat\thappened?\u201d \u201cHe\tfailed\tmy\tproposal.\u201d \u201cShit.\u201d\tOlive\tbit\tinto\ther\tlower\tlip.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tsorry,\tGreg.\u201d \u201cThis\t is\t going\t to\t set\t me\t back\t a\t lot.\t It\u2019ll\t take\t me\t months\t to\t revise\t it,\t all because\tCarlsen\thad\tto\tgo\tand\tnitpick.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\teven\twant\thim\ton\tmy\tcommittee; Dr.\t Aslan\t forced\t me\t to\t add\t him\t because\t she\u2019s\t so\t obsessed\t with\t his\t stupid computational\tstuff.\u201d Olive\t chewed\t on\t the\t inside\t of\t her\t cheek,\t trying\t to\t come\t up\t with\t something meaningful\tto\tsay\tand\tfailing\tmiserably.\t\u201cI\u2019m\treally\tsorry.\u201d \u201cOlive,\t do\t you\t guys\t talk\t about\t this\t stuff?\u201d\t Chase\t asked\t out\t of\t the\t blue, eyeing\ther\tsuspiciously.\t\u201cDid\the\ttell\tyou\the\twasn\u2019t\tgoing\tto\tpass\tGreg?\u201d \u201cWhat?\tNo.\tNo,\tI\t.\t.\t.\u201d\tI\ttalk\tto\thim\tfor\texactly\tfifteen\tminutes\ta\tweek.\tAnd, okay,\t I\u2019ve\t kissed\t him.\t Twice.\t And\t I\t sat\t on\t his\t lap.\t Once.\t But\t it\u2019s\t just\t that,\t and Adam\u2014he\tspeaks\tvery\tlittle.\tI\tactually\twish\the\tspoke\tmore,\tsince\tI\tknow\tnothing about\t him,\t and\t I\u2019d\t like\t to\t know\t at\t least\t something.\t \u201cNo,\t he\t doesn\u2019t.\t I\t think\t it would\tbe\tagainst\tregulations\tif\the\tdid.\u201d \u201cGod.\u201d\t Greg\t slammed\t his\t palm\t against\t the\t edge\t of\t the\t bench,\t making\t her jump.\t\u201cHe\u2019s\tsuch\ta\tdick.\tWhat\ta\tsadistic\tpiece\tof\tshit.\u201d"]
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