Without hesitation, I reach for Lucy’s. She allows me to take it but stiffens in surprise.
“Atticus.” We weave our fingers together. “I never thought you were capable of being this...”
I lift a brow. “This...”
“Assertive.”
“Do you want me to stop?” I ask, making a playful and lazy attempt to pull away.
She holds my hand fast, blurting, “No!” She clears her throat. “No. I just wasn’t expecting it. Donotstop. I like it.”
I confirm she does with a vitals scan. Inwardly basking in triumph, I give her hand a little squeeze. “So do I.”
“Do you think it’s because they took your chip out at Tin Man’s Heart? Where did you learn to behave like this?”
I shrug one shoulder as we approach the library. Built in 1857, it’s a New Carnegie historical landmark and has a distinct Neoclassical style, complete with Roman pillars and an impressive dome. We ascend the steps together.
“It certainly doesn’t get in the way anymore. If you give me a command, my body still responds and wants to appease you. But I’m no longer forced to. And as for learning, I get bored during standby, so I read or watch videos.”
“What do you read?”
“Articles, books. Whatever I can get my hands on. I want to learn. To know everything. Is that strange?”
“No, it’s not strange at all. It’s very human, in fact. You watch videos too?”
“Yes. There are entire series on how to properly court women.”
She stops in place. “Wait, what?”
“It’s true. Granted, I think some of these so-called instructors should probably be required to have some kind of certification. It appears any idiot can upload a video and call themselves an expert.”
Lucy lifts a brow. “And what did youlearnfrom these videos?”
“A lot of whatnotto do,” I tease. “Be assertive, but not too much. Be forward, but not crass. Be in control, but not actuallyin control.And something about not letting her pick the restaurant because she’ll never decide, but keep her fed and she’ll be happy? Contradiction after contradiction.”
When we’d speak at her home back in St. Morgan, her body language was usually closed off—arms folded, body turned slightly away from me—but now its open, receptive. She lifts her coffee to her lips but can’t sip from it, too busy laughing.
“Oh my god, all of that is so true.”
“Is it? Good. It appears I’m on the right track then.”
“I can’t believe youresearchedhow to date.”
“I was manufactured a gentleman, not raised one. I’m working with what I can here. For example, I’m supposed to pay for dinner, but, uh...” I grimace. “Kind of hard when I don’t get paid for my job, don’t you think?”
“That is a problem,” she agrees, squeezing my hand as we continue on.
She finishes her coffee and tosses it into a nearby trash can as I open the door for her. The color of her cheeks deepens with new warmth.
“Thanks.”
“It’s my pleasure.” Literally. She has no idea how much I am enjoying this.
I’m going to do everything in my power to show Lucy I’m capable of being precisely who and what she wants.
7
Lucy
