You've Found Oliver (You've Reached Sam, #2)(46)

That’s when I see him, standing by his poster, wearing a blue tie.

Ben is talking to a small group gathered near his table. It’s like catching him in his natural habitat. I wonder what my equivalent would be. Probably lying in bed, scrolling through my phone. He looks so handsome in his button-up shirt, hair brushed to one side. It’s worth traveling back in time just to see him like this.

I don’t want to interrupt anything, so I wait at a distance until the group of students moves on, leaving him standing alone.

Then I casually walk over, using my professional voice. “Well, this poster looks very promising.”

Ben turns his head, ready to answer questions. Then his eyes widen. “Oliver? What are you doing here?”

“I came to support you. And learn about space, of course.”

Ben smiles. “How did you get in?”

I point back to the doors. “The entrance. Why, did I need a ticket or something?”

“I guess in theory,” he says. “I had to apply for funding. I think a badge may be four hundred dollars.”

“I guess that makes me a criminal.” I hold out my wrists. “Arrest me, officer.”

The people standing nearby give me a weird look. Ben pushes my hands down and whispers, “I’m sure you’re in the clear.” Then he smiles wider. “I can’t believe you came all the way here. I wasn’t expecting to see anyone.”

“Thought I would surprise you.”

“That’s sweet of you.”

We hug each other tight. Then I take a close look at his board. “So this is what you’ve been working on…”

“It’s not exactly my best work,” he says.

“It looks really interesting.”

Ben stands next to me, hands behind his back. “Thanks, it’s part of the research from my lab. We’re looking at two massive black holes that are merging. You could say they’re tangled in a cosmic dance.”

“That’s really poetic of you,” I say.

“I wish I’d come up with it myself.”

I lean forward. “What exactly makes it a dance?”

“Notice how they’re swirling together,” he says, pointing at one of the images. “For a long time, it was believed that black holes orbit each other chaotically. But we recently learned that they’re not random at all. Their movements sync up, perfectly aligning in a kind of a waltz that lasts millions of years. It’s almost like a love story unfolding in the universe, in a star-crossed kind of way.”

“Are you saying they’re doomed?”

“In a cosmic sense,” he says, folding his arms. “As they draw closer together, they’re destined to collide at one point. The gravitational waves are so destructive, it would alter the fabric of space-time as they travel throughout the universe for eternity.” He looks at me. “Which is how we are able to detect it and can make these simulations.”

I glance at the photo again. “Well, at least they got to share one dance.”

“I like that perspective.”

We smile at each other. Then I notice something on the table beneath the board. The ceramic tray I made. I secretly left it at his place the last time we were together. I pick it up and say, “Looks like you found the gift I left you.”

Ben blushes. “Thought I’d bring it for good luck.”

I’m smiling inside. It’s nice to know he was thinking of me, too. “I’m glad you like it. Although it is missing a star here…” I run my finger over the lines I painted to form a constellation.

“It’s perfect the way it is,” he says.

People appear to check out his presentation. I step aside to let him do his thing. It’s nice seeing him light up from each question. It’s obvious how much he cares about his work. I can’t help but be a little inspired by this. Maybe I should find something of my own to be passionate about.

The event goes on for another hour. Then he packs up and we leave together. Ben’s poster won an award for best visual design. We’re going to celebrate with burgers. I tell the waitress it’s Ben’s birthday to get us a free slice of cake. We share a basket of mozzarella sticks as a woman sings a Kelly Clarkson song in the back of the restaurant.

“I didn’t know this place had karaoke,” Ben says.

“Do you want to sing something?”

“I might not have it in me after today.”

“But you did great,” I assure him.

“I still can’t believe you came.” Ben leans forward, taking me in from across the table. “I was planning to have a frozen dinner alone tonight.”

“I borrowed my mom’s car. She doesn’t need it until the morning.” I fold my arms on the table. “Or, technically, in six months. I guess that’s true for my assignment that’s due, too. Wouldn’t that be nice if things stayed that way?”

“Would you actually like that?”

“Of course I would. I mean, wouldn’t you?”

“I’m not as sure,” he answers. “If anything, I’d want to take a glimpse into the future. A lot can change in six months. Wouldn’t you rather know where your life is headed?”

To be honest, I’ve never really thought about it. I’m not surprised Ben has though. He’s always thinking about his future. He reminds me a lot of Julie in that way, always trying to be ten steps ahead. Meanwhile, there are days I just want everything to pause for a moment.