The Chemist

by Stephenie Meyer

“He looks like he’s going to be totally fine. I don’t know what it is with you two. Are you sure your mom didn’t have a one-night stand with a genetically engineered superhuman?” When Kevin’s hand darted toward her, Alex’s first instinct was that she’d crossed the line with the mother comment. But before she could brace for a blow, he’d grabbed her roughly and yanked her into an awkward bear hug. She found herself half on his lap, her arms pinned under his, and there was nothing she could do when he decided to kiss her full on the lips with a wet, resounding smack.

Kevin managed to spin the chair in a complete revolution. “You’re a genius, Ollie. I can’t believe you did it.” “Go make out with Volkstaff, he did half the work.”

He wouldn’t free her. It was like he didn’t even notice that she was trying—violently—to wriggle away. “What a performance! I can’t believe you just walked in there and busted me out! Never tell me you aren’t black ops—honey, you’re what black ops dreams about being!”

Einstein whined and Alex felt his jaws close lightly around her wrist. He yanked, trying to help her escap...

“C’mon,” Val said, suddenly right in Alex’s ear. “Let’s go while you can still walk. I’m sure I could carry you, but I don’t want to.”

The big headline for the day was Wade Pace’s fatal aneurysm. The journalists had barely paused for a moment of silence before they were on to guessing what President Howland’s strategy would be for finding his new running mate.

“Don’t let it go to your head,” she told him. “I want the dog. And I actually like Alex and Danny. Almost as much as I can’t stand you.” Then she’d kissed him—long enough that it got uncomfortable for everyone. Volkstaff politely turned his back, but Alex just stared. She would never understand what Val saw in Kevin.

Je ne sais quoi