Free The Gender Experiment: (A Thriller) by L.J. Sellers Page B

who felt everything, and she loved him more than she expected to. Their deep connection was a first for her, but she knew their relationship probably wouldn’t last. They never did. Men always wanted more from her than she could give.

Chapter 10
    Bailey hurried into the restaurant, found Garrett near a window, and kissed him before she sat down. “I’m sorry. Thanks for waiting.” Her boyfriend was the only person she apologized to and only when she was blatantly at fault.
    “Something important came up?” The tension in his face was obvious, but he was still handsome with bright blue eyes, great cheekbones, and a strong chin.
    Bailey nodded. “Several deaths in Colorado seem to be connected to an anti-government group, and I may have to fly out there soon.”
    His jaw tightened. “How long will you be gone?”
    “I don’t have any idea.” She gave him a sly smile. “But you know how fast I work.” Garrett was the son of a kidnapped scientist she’d located and rescued six months earlier. They’d fallen for each other during the investigation, and he’d moved to Washington D.C. to be with her.
    “I knew your job was demanding, but I didn’t realize you traveled this much.”
    His discontent had started. He would break off with her before the year was over. A sadness overcame her. Bailey would miss him, particularly the sex, but she wouldn’t fight for the relationship. Her ego wouldn’t allow it. “Don’t be upset. I haven’t left yet, and we should make the most of our time together.” She picked up the menu. “Let’s order.”
    While they waited for their food, she asked Garrett about his classes, and he seemed to relax as he updated her on his academic progress. Then he abruptly switched back to her impending travel. “Hey, you said ‘Colorado.’ That’s where you grew up, right?”
    “Yes, Denver. Why?”
    “Isn’t your dad in jail there? You should go see him.”
    The thought had briefly crossed her mind. “I won’t have time, and it doesn’t sound like fun.” Her father was also a sociopath. He’d instilled a code of ethics in her from a young age but had less control than she did, at least for violent tendencies.
    Garrett shook his head. “Sometimes family isn’t fun, but you make the effort anyway.”
    Bailey laughed. “Maybe you do. Not me.”
    The food came, and they ate in silence for a minute. Garrett put down his burger and stared at her. “Do you ever do anything that’s just for someone else’s benefit?” He blushed. “I mean other than within our relationship?”
    Her sacrifices for him were minimal, but she appreciated his acknowledgement. She shrugged. “I give money to charity.” It was the best she could do. She just didn’t feel empathy, except for Garrett, and she couldn’t make herself endure discomfort just to help someone else feel better. She had tried when an old friend from college had been sick with cancer, but witnessing the pain and deterioration had made her avoid contact. In the long run, the experience had taught Bailey to limit her friendships.
    “I still think you should visit your father,” Garrett pressured. “If I had the money, I’d fly home to see my mother every few months.”
    Bailey bit her tongue. He was such a momma’s boy. But that was probably why he was attracted to her. She told him she’d think about visiting her dad just to get him to change the subject. They talked about rescheduling their plans for the weekend if she had to travel, then moved on to discuss an art show they’d seen together recently. When the server picked up their plates, Bailey asked for the check. “I have to get back to work.”
    “I think we should get couples’ counseling,” Garrett blurted out.
    Oh hell.
She’d been honest with him about her sociopathy, but she wouldn’t discuss her nature with a counselor. Never again. Bailey patted his hand. “No. I’m not capable of change. You know that. You’re either in or out.”
    She paid the