6:30 p.m.


    A cozy Italian bistro.


    Faye sat tucked away in a dimly lit private booth, the kind designed for whispered secrets and personal conversations.


    Callie arrived a few minuteste, still flushed and a little sweaty from his dash from the universityb. He wore a simple id shirt and jeans, his sses slipping down his nose, exhaustion written in the lines beneath his eyes.


    "Sorry, I got held up wrapping things up in theb." He offered an apologetic smile as he slid into the seat across from her.


    Noticing how Faye had dressed to impress-her outfit was bold and attention- grabbing-Callie self-consciously scratched the back of his neck.


    Back in college, Faye had been the unattainable beauty; someone like Callie, from a modest background, would have never caught her eye if not for his ster grades.


    Now, with Faye unexpectedly asking him out to dinner, Callie felt both ttered and a little out of his depth.


    Faye teased, "Wow, look at you, Mr. Mad Scientist! I get it, work''s important. But tonight, dinner''s on me―let''s order first."


    Once the waitress left with their order, Faye leaned back and tried to sound casual. “So I heard you took over Eleanor''s project? How''s that going?"


    Suddenly, Callie''s eyes lit up. "It''s actually going pretty well! Especially the targeted delivery system she proposed-it''s just "


    Faye''s smile faltered. She hadn''te here to hear him gush about Eleanor. With a hint of sharpness, she cut in, "Yeah, Eleanor''s amazing. None of us can quite measure up, right?"


    Callie wasn''t the most socially adept, but he wasn''t clueless either. He gave a small, awkwardugh and let the subject drop.


    "How are you, though?" he asked, trying to steer the conversation away. "It''s a shame about Horace. Last time we talked, he mentioned he''d started working sales at an auto dealership."


    Faye knew all about Horace. But the truth was, she''d long since decided he was beneath her now. He''d even tried to ask her out recently, but she''d brushed him off, iming she was too busy.


    She clearly didn''t want to talk about Horace, giving only a nomittal "Oh," before fixing her gaze on Callie.


    His cheeks flushed under her scrutiny, and he grew visibly nervous. "Faye, is there something you wanted to talk to me about?"


    Seeing her chance, Faye smiled slyly. "Think about it, Callie. Eleanor has all the right connections-she''ll do well wherever she goes. But you? You''re brilliant, but with your background, it''s hard to stand out in research. Opportunities like this don''te around often."


    Callie blinked, uncertain. "What are you getting at?"


    Faye knew all too well how stubbornly naive he could be. If she didn''t spell it out, he''d never act.


    She leaned in, her voice dropping. "Eleanor''s at Meridian Dynamics now, and you''re running theb. If you don''t seize the spotlight while you can, you might never get another chance."


    Callie set down his water ss, his brow furrowing.


    "What''s wrong? Are you really content just handing your work over for someone else to take the credit?" Faye pressed.


    He looked up, his tone turning serious. "Eleanor entrusted me with theb because she believes in me. Why would I try to take credit for her work?"


    Faye stared at him in disbelief. "Callie, you''re too naive. Eleanor''s already leading a major project at Meridian while you''re stuck as her sidekick. You''re just as capable as she is why should she get all the recognition?"


    Callie took off his sses, rubbing the lenses with the corner of his shirt. When he put them back on, his gaze was steady. "Faye, I don''t know why you''re saying this. Eleanor''s achievements are out there for everyone to see. Her theories solved problems we''d been stuck on for years. That''s real science."


    A flicker of annoyance passed through Faye''s eyes, but she quickly reced it with a sweet smile. "I''m just looking out for you! Remember your master''s thesis? Your idea was almost identical to Eleanor''s current system."


    Callie shook his head. "Mine was just a rough concept. I never even tested it. Eleanor''s approach is backed by solid data and rigorous experiments. We''re not even in the same league."


    Faye clenched her jaw in frustration. Why was this bookworm so impossible to sway?


    Trying a different tack, she ran her fingers through her hair and leaned closer. "Callie, we''ve known each other for years. You know I''d never do anything to hurt you. If you want, I can help you get more exposure—I have connections with Professor Langley-"


    "Faye." Callie interrupted, his voice unusually firm. "This isn''t a game. Research is serious-it''s not about wing for glory."


    Faye''s expression darkened.


    "Callie!" she snapped. "I''m just trying to help—"


    He got to his feet. "Thanks for dinner, Faye, but I think we''re done here. I won''t do anything to undermine Eleanor."


    Faye shot up as well, her voice rising. "So you''re in love with her too?"


    Callie paused, then shook his head. "No. I admire her. Respect her. Only


    someone like Joel would be worthy of her."