“Dr. Cambri?” a second technician said, and Trisk stood, the first hint of nervousness showing as she ran the black cord under her jacket. Saladan, too, was being miked, and Kal rose when the tech finished with him and came over. Kal clipped the mic to his lapel and tucked the wad of cord into a pocket. He’d never been in front of the cameras before, but he wouldn’t let any of them know that by a show of ignorance.
“I have one of your fuzzy tomato plants in my backyard, Dr. Cambri,” the technician working with her said. His shoes were scuffed and his clip-on tie was askew, but he clearly knew his job. “Got it for free at the grocery store. It’s grown almost as high as my garage. I’ve been giving tomatoes away all summer.”
“They tend to do that when they’re taken care of,” Trisk said, her shoulders shifting as she felt the weight of the wire. “It isn’t on yet, is it?”
“Not yet.” The older man fiddled with a little box before timidly fastening it to the back of her skirt’s waistband. “We’ll plug you in before you sit down. No need to overwhelm the guys in the booth. Four guests at once is our tops. Have fun out there. And remember, everyone will forget what you said the instant the next segment comes on, so don’t sweat it.”
Trisk flashed him a nervous smile as she sat back down. “Thanks.” Her knees jiggled as she fidgeted. “Come on, Daniel. You’re going to miss it,” she whispered as she looked at the door and then at the muted TV in the corner showing the current segment wrapping up.
Kal cleared his throat. “Where is Daniel taking you for lunch?” he asked. “Sander’s is open this time of day. It’s right on the river. You can get a mimosa.”
“Champagne before six?” Trisk said good-naturedly. “That’s a little early, isn’t it?”
“Yes, well, I don’t know about you, but I’m going to need a little something after this.” He sat down again, and wincing, he forced himself to take another pained sip of that horrid tea. “Rick, are you up for lunch before heading back to the office?”
“I’m taking the rest of the day off,” the living vampire intoned, his gaze heavy on the tech still lingering in the greenroom. “I may have other plans.”
“Trisk!” Dress shoes sliding loudly on the tile floor, Daniel lurched into the greenroom. Behind him, his studio escort turned and jogged off. “I made it.”
Kal’s expression stiffened at the relief that spilled over Trisk’s face as she stood. “I was starting to get worried,” she said, and Daniel took her hands, holding her at arm’s length to look her up and down in appreciation.
“I wouldn’t miss this for anything.” Daniel’s smile was just as wide. “Wow, you look great. A real credit to Global Genetics. Trisk, I’m so proud of you.”
“I’m nervous,” she admitted, touching her hair and fiddling with her necklace. Her vulnerability struck Kal, and a surprising feeling of jealousy cascaded through him. She was free with herself around Daniel, a common human, but with him, she was distant and politically polite—and that was on a good day. Seeing her tentative smile and the support she got from the man, Kal decided he didn’t like it.
“You can’t tell.” Daniel tucked a strand of her hair back in place. “You’ll be fine. Everyone loves their fuzzy tomatoes, and they’re going to love that you made them.”
Her gaze flicked to Saladan, who was stoically ignoring Rick sitting beside him, the vampire trying to draw him into conversation. “Yes, well, just wait. It will be you up there next year.”
Still smiling proudly, Daniel shook his head. “I doubt it. The virus might have my name on it, but the government isn’t going to advertise it. No press conferences for me.”
Kal’s eyes narrowed as Trisk gave Daniel a comforting half hug. Bothered, he unthinkingly took a sip of that awful tea. Spitting it back into the cup, Kal set it on the coffee table.
“Please tell me it’s time,” Saladan said faintly when a tech came in, the expression on the witch’s long face as weary as Rick’s was annoyingly upbeat.
But the tech shook his head, eyes on Trisk. “Dr. Cambri. I need to adjust your mic.”
Immediately she turned to him with a helpful openness. Daniel went to get himself a cup of coffee, and Kal watched Trisk’s confidence return as the tech fumbled with her mic, the man able to take liberties that most would get slapped for. Kal didn’t like that, either.
Over the last couple of weeks, he’d gotten used to her dark hair, finding the silky strands in odd places to remind him she was around. Her strong cheekbones and narrow nose were far more attractive when she was smiling at him than when she’d been throwing curses, and her laugh was infectious.
With a start, Kal realized Daniel was watching him watch her, more than a sliver of jealous warning in the back of the man’s eyes. I’ve got time to take care of that, Kal thought, his gaze flicking to the clock.
Kal stood. Horrid tea in hand, he ambled over to Daniel at the coffee bar. “I don’t think I’ve said congratulations yet, Dr. Plank,” he said as he set his mug down on the return tray.
“Thank you.” Daniel looked at Kal’s extended hand, then shook it. “It’s odd, but now that the government has cleared it for trials, I’m as nervous as hell that it won’t work.”
Kal laughed, the pleasant sound filling the small room. “It will. It’s a beautiful piece of work from what I understand.”