Putting Gray out of my mind, I played back Mouse’s message.
“Jim,” I heard Mouse say, “call me when you get this. It’s not a big deal, but – if you have a little capacity – I have a project I could use your help with.”
Noting the time, I saw that the call had come in while I’d been having brunch. The other calls from Mouse came sporadically after that, but with no accompanying voicemail. As with the calls, all but one of the texts were from him as well, and essentially repeated the same message: he could use some help with a project, but my presence wasn’t mandatory.
The remaining call and text were both from Electra, along with a voicemail. In short, she was simply confirming that dinner was still on. Like Mouse, her messages had come hours earlier, so it probably looked like I was ignoring her (or had changed my mind).
Still hoping there was a chance of getting out of dinner, I called Mouse back first. I didn’t get an answer, but left a voicemail stating that I was completely at his disposal and to call me back asap. I then sent him a text stating basically the same thing.
Next, realizing that I was cutting it close, I texted Electra back a “thumbs-up” emoji. A response came back almost immediately: the word “Hoo-ray!” accompanied by fireworks. Apparently, she had been awaiting my response, and I suddenly felt bad for keeping her in suspense for what had probably been hours.
Fighting guilt, I took a shower and got ready at super speed. As a result, I still had a few minutes to kill before dinner.
Considering how uncomfortable the evening was likely to be, there was no way I was showing up even a nanosecond early. That being the case, I went to the living room and plopped down in an easy chair. Closing my eyes for a second, I tried to relax, telling myself that it was only dinner. At the same time, I put some effort into trying to avoid the subject that had preoccupied my thoughts for the past few hours: Cat and her mysterious power.
Apparently I was a bit more tired than I realized, because before I knew it, I had dozed off.
Chapter 17
I woke up with a start, nudged awake by something like a soft fluttering. I realized immediately what it was: my phone vibrating, indicating an incoming call. I pulled it out, but by that time the caller – whom I noted was Electra – had hung up. Noting the time, I saw that I was five minutes late for dinner. A moment later, a text popped up:
Just arrived. Are you here yet?
I didn’t have to look at the name to know that it was from Electra. I immediately wrote back, stating:
I’m here.
Pocketing my phone, I then teleported, popping up in the rear parking lot of the restaurant where Electra had made dinner reservations. Much to my surprise, Electra herself was standing near a corner of the building, and was just turning in my direction. I waved and began walking towards her.
It was cooler here than on the West Coast, and she was dressed for the weather. Outfitted in a form-fitting black sweater, blue jeans, and black boots, she didn’t show as much skin as I’d grown accustomed to seeing lately, but it didn’t detract from her beauty or allure. In short, despite my misgivings about the evening, I couldn’t help smiling when I saw her.
As I drew close, I heard a familiar musical note ring out – the sound Electra had set to indicate an incoming text. She glanced down at her phone, then gave me a skeptical look.
“Just saw your message,” she stated, then held up her phone so I could see it. “You sent this before you left, didn’t you?”
“Yeah,” I admitted. “So?”
“So you lied.”
“No, I actually beat the message here – which I knew would happen – so it’s true.”
“You know, there are so many ways I could tear that apart, that it isn’t even funny,” she said. “But I’m just so glad you came that I’m going to give you a pass.”
“Thanks,” I said. “What are you doing back here anyway?”
“I know you,” she said. “This is your modus operandi – teleporting into the back parking lot, the roof of a building, etcetera.”
“Hmmm,” I droned. “I didn’t realize I was so predictable.”
“Only to the people who know you,” she replied with a wink. “Come on, let’s go eat.”
Looping her arm into mine – a move which caught me by surprise – she began leading me to the front of the restaurant.
Chapter 18
The restaurant where we were having dinner was a hibachi grill – a place Electra and I had visited several times while dating and really enjoyed. Upon entering, we found her father Vir waiting to be seated, along with Esper – another member of the Alpha League, who also happened to be Electra’s maternal aunt (as well as the most powerful telepath on the planet).
“Dad, you remember Jim,” Electra said.
“Of course,” said Vir, smiling as he extended a hand in my direction. “Nice to see you again.”
“You, too, sir,” I stated in response as I shook his hand.
He was maybe an inch shorter than me (which put him at about five-eleven), with wavy brown hair and handsome features. Knowing that he shared the same power as my girlfriend, I had imagined getting some kind of mild shock when we shook hands – perhaps as a warning regarding his daughter. Nothing like that happened. In fact, from what I could sense, Vir was sincerely glad to meet me. Still, there was a mild sense of relief when he released my hand.
“Jim,” Esper said, stepping forward to give me a hug. “It feels like it’s been forever.”
“For me, too,” I remarked, then regretted it as I saw Electra look away with
