Chapter 10
A few hours later, my flight landed in Laran. Before getting off the plane, I received a message from Julia. She said she’d arranged for someone to pick me up at the airport since she was afraid I’d be lost in a strange new city.
When I exited the terminal, I looked around but couldn’t find anyone holding up a sign with my name on it. I was just about to call Julia when I heard someone behind me call out, “Nina!”
Startled, I turned around and saw a cheerful, energetic–looking man approach me.
“Excuse me, but who are you?” I asked.
The young man looked hu but there was still a sparkle in his eyes as he said, “It’s only been five years since we last met, Nina. Have you already forgotten me, your old college junior?”
A memory from five years ago slowly resurfaced. My mind pieced together a face–Tim Hall’s. His eyes were bloodshot, the result of him pulling an all–nighter analyzing data.
“Tim?” I remarked.
Tim smiled and nodded before taking my suitcase from me. “Let’s go. Professor Moore is waiting for you at the hospital. He’s been eagerly anticipating your arrival this whole time.”
I stilled. Five years ago, I rejected Professor Moore’s attempts to convince me to join him. Instead, I followed Dante to Manshore. Now, years later, I was returning because of a call I received–not from Professor Moore, but from Isobel.
It was Isobel who told me herself that she was pregnant with Dante’s child.
five
As we stood outside Professor Moore’s office at the hospital, Tim seemed to have sensed my hesitation. He abruptly opened the door and yelled, “Nina’s back, Professor Moore!”
Instinctively, I cupped his mouth to stop him. The warm sensation as I pressed my palm against his lips made us both stiffen. I immediately retracted my hand, while Tim looked away, the tips of his ears turning red.
