Combustion by Elia Winters

first.”
    â€œI’m not telling you my idea.” Astrid shook her head.
    â€œBut you do have one.”
    â€œYes. I have one. Blueprints and all.”
    Eli sat back in his chair, counting on the shadows to hide his expression, which he knew was conflicted. Was he going to tell her the truth? Watching her sitting across from him, a sensual mix of indignation and vulnerability, he felt the urge to confide in her. “If I tell you something, will you promise to keep it a secret?”
    Astrid seemed to consider the prospect, narrowing her eyes a bit in thought. “All right.”
    Eli threaded his fingers together and looked down at his hands. “I don’t have an idea.”
    To her credit, she didn’t laugh, but the amusement in her voice was unmistakable. “I’m sorry?”
    Repeating it was more humiliating. “I don’t have an idea for the World’s Fair. I took all the paperwork, and I’ve been hearing how excited everyone is to see my invention, after the work I put into all my clocks and housewares and everything else in this shop, but I don’t have an idea for the World’s Fair.” He finally made eye contact. “Thank you for not laughing at me.”
    Her smile irked him. “It’s kind of hard not to. You have no idea how much this should make me happy.”
    â€œWhy should my unhappiness make you happy?”
    â€œBecause I hate you!” She threw her hands up in the air with the exclamation, although her tone was one of much more exasperation than hate. “You’re rich and successful, and you have a shop, and I have to get by on these little commissioned jobs that, quite frankly, pay like shit.”
    His jaw dropped. “You have a mouth on you, Miss Astrid Bailey.”
    â€œSo I always heard.”
    â€œYou shouldn’t hate me. I told you an honest fact, that I don’t have an idea for the World’s Fair. I think that puts us on equal footing, don’t you?”
    Her response was snappy. “How about I send you some of my bills, and then we can be on equal footing?” After a moment, though, the tension seemed to drain out of her. When her posture relaxed, Eli felt as if he were seeing her for the first time.
    â€œYou’re not an easy man to keep hating, but I’m going to try.”
    â€œYou can suit yourself.” He found himself smiling despite the topic of their conversation.
    â€œIt’s a bit ridiculous, you know.” Astrid turned her chair more to face him. “Ironic, if you will. You have the exact opposite problem as me. I have an idea and no respectability. You have the respectability and no idea.”
    He stared at her, stunned by the realization that came from her statement. Of course. The idea was so obvious he was surprised he hadn’t considered it before. “You know, we could team up.”
    She blanched. “What?”
    â€œTeam up. We’ll work on your invention together. Your idea and my good name. If we win, we’ll split the prize money.”
    â€œWhoa, wait.” She jumped to her feet. “Even if I agreed to that, and I’m not, because it’s ludicrous, that’s not a fair split. I’m providing all the inspiration, and you’re only giving me an entry opportunity.”
    What else could he provide for her that she couldn’t get for herself? “I can get you a workshop. Some place other than your flat? And I’ll help fund all the parts. I’ll work on it with you, fifty-fifty. That’s fair.”
    Astrid began pacing back and forth in front of the fire, brow furrowed. “Except I hate you.”
    Oh yes, that little detail. “Right, except that.” Would she really rather not enter at all than partner up with him? “I think I’m your best chance here, Astrid. Unless you still want to try and get sponsored by another local businessman.” There, he played his trump card.