From That Moment (4 page)

“Well, I could study the other half of the maltose transport protein. That would complement and reinforce your results.”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I was thinking.” Colin’s eyes gleamed and he sat up. He looked excited. “Do you know how to get started?”

“I just need a tour around the lab, and I can start purifying some proteins right away.”

“Of course, sure thing, yes.” He stood up, giving her a close-up view of his perfect butt.
Focus. Focus.

Lia got up to follow him. Her arm accidentally brushed against his bottom. “I’m so sorry,” she said. If she hadn’t been trapped in the tight space between Colin and the lab bench, Lia would have taken off running. He turned and faced her. They exchanged a look, and she saw the intensity in his eyes.
Does he want more?
A split second later, he was all business again.

“Right, let me show you where we keep the stock solutions.” He looked away from Lia. 

Her cell phone buzzed in her pocket. “Oh wait, let me check this.” 

Gianna?
She must have just come out of her check-up.
Lia looked at her phone.

Lia, call me please.

“Colin, I need to make a call. It’s important.” Colin looked concerned, as if he could sense her tension.

“Of course.” He stepped away, giving Lia room to leave the lab.

“Gianna?”

“Hey sweetie. I have some news.”

“Oh God, now I’m worried.”

“I had my scan, and it looks like I’m going to need to do chemo again.” Gianna dropped the bomb calmly, as if she were talking about the weather.

“What? Wait, what did they find?” Lia’s heart was rushing. This couldn’t be happening.
Why her? Why Gianna?
 

“The little tumor is much bigger.”

“The one that was in your liver?” 

“Yes. But it’s going to be okay, Lia.”

Lia knew the odds. She felt quiet tears streaming down her cheeks. She held back so that Gianna couldn’t hear her. She needed strong people, not someone who was falling apart. “Sweetie, I’m strong. I survived the last round. I’m going full-force into this. In six months I will be stronger than ever.”

“I’m going to take the semester off.” There was no way Lia could be busy in lab while Gianna was recovering from chemo. 

“No you won’t. I’ll get Paulo to take over in the cafe, and I’ll rest a lot at home. I’ll have more time to read now. We all need to continue our routines as much as possible. What good is it if we’re sitting at home, anxiously watching the clock ticking?”

Lia looked at the dreary hallways. The fluorescent lights were cold and uncomforting. 

“Are you home now?”

“No. I’m going to have lunch with my friend Annabella, then work as usual. I have a busy day planned.” Gianna spoke as if this was just any other day. “I’ll see you after you get out of lab?” This was more of an order, than a question. Gianna wasn’t going to let Lia shower her with pity or worry.

“Um, okay, but I want to see you.”

“Don’t cry anymore, Lia. The only way to live life is to take it by the horns. We’re all going to die someday, we might as well live the fullest life as we can, for as long as we can.”

Gianna had a way of setting things straight.

“I love you.”

“I love you too. Now go and do some groundbreaking research.”

Gianna hung up the phone. Lia stood there, not certain how to feel. As she was wiping the tears from her face, Colin almost walked into her as he rounded the corner of the hallway.
Oh God, I don’t want him to see me like this.
Lia looked down, trying to hide her red, puffy eyes.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” His forehead furrowed and his eyes turned concerned. “You okay?” He placed his strong hand on her shoulder. “You want to go talk somewhere quiet?” Lia nodded. “Okay.” 

What am I doing? 

Colin gently guided her with his hand on her shoulder, and led her down several hallways until they reached an empty office.

“This is where I go when I need to hide.” The room was empty, with the exception of a random couch. He sat down, patting the seat next to him. 

Lia sat down, feeling removed from the whole experience. 

“You want to talk about it?”

“It’s my aunt...She has cancer again.” She tried to suppress the sobs. She gave up and wiped off the fat tears rolling down her cheeks.

“I am so sorry.” He sounded so sincere. Lia dared to look up, her face puffy and red. 

Colin was watching her. He leaned in closer to her. His brown eyes narrowed, and he paused for a minute. 

The memory of their first encounter years ago flashed into Lia’s mind. 

“Hey, you want to sit with me?” He had asked her. She had answered with her eyes. “You look kind of sad. Are you okay?” Lia had wondered how he knew. She had been making an effort to look like she was having fun, but she couldn’t shake the loneliness. She had nodded, and leaned on his chest. He had held her in a strong embrace, and waited until she was ready to talk.

“Lia?” Colin’s forehead was furrowed. 

She leaned in closer. Colin put his arms around her. They felt somewhat stiff and uncertain. His nose was just above hers, and she could feel his soft, warm breaths. She closed her eyes. Colin moved one of his arms and stroked her hair with a featherlight touch. 

He cupped her face in his hands and brought her lips to his. His kisses were gentle, grazing her lips and pulling away slightly. 

Lia was lost in the moment, thinking only about the man in front of her. She drew in his strength with each gentle kiss. 

“Come here,” he said gently, guiding her to sit on his lap. She felt his hands cradle the back of her neck. Her worries started to melt away in his protective arms. Her insides tingled every time his lips caressed her lips.
He’s so gentle.

“Ohhh,” she whispered. 

*************

Colin was losing himself in Lia. He had never felt so close to a woman, but every kiss took him to a deeper place. He stroked her back, touching her only with his fingertips. He felt her body relax with his touch. He moved to kiss her neck, inhaling Lia’s sweet smell. He tenderly placed kisses along her neckline, moving slowly and savoring her soft skin. Lia grabbed onto his sleeves and pulled him into her, begging for more kisses. 

I could kiss her forever. 

Colin moved closer to her ears, gently kissing her soft lobes. Her sweet smell made him feel like he was home. The home he hadn’t really ever had. Just like the first time they had met at the party. Something about Lia was so comforting. Her touch had been healing; it had filled the emotional hole that made him feel so broken.

Mmmm
. He buried his head in her neck, and breathed in sync with her breaths. Time disappeared, and all that existed was this moment with Lia.

“Um, excuse me?”
Huh? What?
A familiar voice broke into their moment, cutting it like a knife. Lia broke away. He saw a red flush creep across her cheeks. She looked down.

Oh God, it’s Farahnaz.

Farahnaz appeared beside him, her eyes cold. Her mouth was turned downwards and her arms were tightly crossed.

“Who’s this?” Farahnaz looked at Lia with a dismissive nod. 

Lia sat up, her mouth open in surprise.
Oh, poor sweet Lia
.

“My friend, Lia.” Colin’s response was tense.

“Lia? Oh are you the new student?” Farahnaz sneered at her.

“Uh, yes? What’s your name?” Lia was attempting to be polite but Colin saw her clenched jaws.

“I guess Colin hasn’t told you about me?” Farahnaz patted Colin’s head. She licked her lips deliberately and adjusted her low-cut top.

“Uh, Farahnaz.” Colin felt the room spinning. His tongue was weighed down and he couldn’t find the right words to reassure Lia. He had to tread carefully with Farahnaz.

Lia got up, her eyes flinty. “I think I should go.” She glared at Colin and Farahnaz.

“No, Lia, you don’t —”

“I’m done here.” With that she stomped out. Her long blond hair was disheveled from the kissing, but she looked more beautiful than ever.  Colin’s head fell into his arms. His heart sank.
I hope I didn’t blow my chances. Oh, those kisses.
He had never experienced such closeness with another woman. Lia’s kisses had healed the pain inside. For the first time, his mind had not wandered while kissing. He had been so lost in the private world they had created together.

Farahnaz sat down next to him. Her eyes gleamed with the satisfaction of her triumph. “Shame that she took off so fast. I would have liked to chat with her.” 

*************

Lia rushed back to the lab. Anyone in her way would have been trampled by her as she charged down the hallway.
Bastard. I totally fell for his seductive charms. I bet he’s laughing at me right now.
She stopped and sat down, slumped against the wall. She pulled out her phone and dialed Anu’s number. 

“Hey Lia, what’s up?” Anu sounded like she had just woken up.
Oops, maybe she had a late night?

“Who is it?” Lia heard a male voice in the background. There was some shuffling and Anu shushed him.

  “Oh I’m so sorry, it’s a bad time.” 

“No, no—” Anu’s voice was half-hearted. 

“Come back  here, you,” said the raspy male voice. Clearly he was waiting for something.

“I’ll call you later.” Lia hung up.
Well that was awkward. Forget it, I’m going home.
 

Lia walked right past the lab. Fortunately she had her purse, so the only things inside were her papers.
Forget that for now. I need to get out of here
. 

Students were in class so the hallways were blissfully quiet. Lia couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. She kept playing back the conversation. “Who’s this?” Farahnaz had asked disdainfully. Why had she assumed that Colin didn’t have a girlfriend? He was so hot that there was no way he would stay single for long.
What the hell was I thinking? Kissing him? And connection? That was in my head.
The embarrassment was almost too much to bear, and Lia had to fight the urge to curl up into a ball and hide from the world.
Gianna needs me, I’ll go home. I’m strong, I can do this.
By the time the T arrived stopped at her station, Lia had buried her emotions inside.
I’m okay. I’m fine
.

Lia entered Gianna’s cafe and saw Gianna eating lunch with her friend Annabella. 

“Hey you, you’re early. Bella, this is my niece.”

Bella was a much larger lady than Gianna. Everything about her was big, including her over-the-top hairdo and giant earrings. “Lia, I have heard so much about you. Look at you, you’re so pretty, I’m sure men are fighting over you. Come sit, sit here.” 

She pulled out a chair for her.

“Paulo, get this lovely girl a plate of the lasagna you made.” She ordered him around as if he was her personal assistant. Paulo looked amused. “Be right there.”

Lia looked at Gianna. She looked good; eyeshadow and lipstick brought out her beautiful features and made them stand out against her silver hair. 

“Lia, what happened? You’re not upset about my news, are you? I told you that we’re going to be positive.”

“Well, I was upset, and I did something I regret. No permanent harm done, just really embarrassing. I needed to be around family, so I’m glad you’re here.” 

Gianna gave her a strong hug. “This is your home.” 

Paulo brought Lia a plate with a large slice of lasagna. “I hope you like it.” He flashed his tattooed arm as he placed the place in front of her.

“Thanks.” 

He gave her a wink, “You know it.” 

Bella pushed up her large glasses and peered at Lia with her brightly-colored eyes. “So are you having trouble with a man?”

Man this woman goes straight to the point.

“Um, kind of.”

“Let me tell you—” Gianna stopped her. 

“I don’t know if you should be giving her advice Bella.”

“Yes, yes, I know. I’m on husband number eight. It took me a while to find a decent man who treated me right. But I think I got it this time.” 

Gianna looked doubtful, “Oh, Bella, always romantic. Being single is actually fun. You should try it.”

Bella laughed. “Maybe I will, if this one doesn’t work out.” She shrugged and kept eating.

“So have you dated lots of men?” She went back to the interrogation.

“No, I haven’t had a real boyfriend,” Lia said, “I’m just so busy with my studies I guess.”

“Don’t worry about boyfriends. Just have fun right now. Enjoy your youth, you can do things that I can’t do at my age. You don’t imagine the sort of stuff I used to do when I was young.”

“Um…” Lia didn’t want to go further.

“You can probably go multiple times a night with a man, am I right?”

“Bella, that’s enough. Look at the poor girl.” Gianna came in to Lia’s defense, much to her relief.

“Just enjoy your lunch sweetie. That lasagna is perfect for comforting a hurt heart.” Lia took her first bite, escaping into the bliss of cheese and meat sauce.
Maybe I can hide here forever. I can’t face him again. What was I thinking? I thought my emotions were under control. Didn’t I learn anything the first time? 

CHAPTER FIVE

Lia had put it off long enough. She really should have called her sister yesterday. Hopefully 9 a.m. wasn’t too early. 

“Hello?” said a raspy voice.

“Alex?” 

“Yeah. Who is this?”

“Your sister...you know?” 

“Oh yeah, yeah. Sorry, I’m kind of out of it.”

Oh great, she’s hungover or stoned. 

“Can you talk a sec?”

“I guess…”

“Listen, so Gianna, our aunt—”

“Yes, I know who she is.” Alex sounded irritated.

“She has a tumor in her liver, and is going to do chemo again.” 

“Oh, okay. So she’s going to be okay?” Alex sounded mildly interested.

“Well we really hope so,” Lia felt herself tearing up. “But it’s a big deal. Can you come over?”