Burn laughed, but I caught the edge to Dax’s voice.Like he would fight to keep me onboard.
I tried not to read anything into that and did my best to ignore the rush of warmth that came with the thought of staying here.Staying with him.
“It’s fine, Dax,” Burn said, her gaze holding mine.“I was just asking Lacy how she ended up a mechanic and her sister became an archaeologist.”
Since I wasn’t sure exactly what each of them knew, I started at the beginning.
“We grew up on a ship.”I wasn’t sure if Burn knew that or not.When she nodded, I continued.“There’s not a lot to do when you’re in space.I was fascinated by the engines, so I spent a lot of time there.My sister spent a lot of time in books.And on the rare occasions we had time to explore the planets or the stations, she was always in the museums or libraries.She still is,” I added with a smile.
“It doesn’t sound like you and your sister are much alike,” Burn commented.
I shrugged.“We’re close anyway.”There wasn’t a lot I could add to that without revealing more about our family than I liked.Though I wanted to know more about Burn’s family, I didn’t want to poke at that wound again, so I looked at Dax.“What about you?Any siblings?”
He settled in at the table with smile, his lips quirking.“Three of each.I’m smack dab in the middle.”
My mouth dropped open.“Spacer?”There were spacer clans who had big families to help with the upkeep of their ships.Keeping it all in the family.
“Naw,” he said.“Horny parents.”
My face flamed and Dax laughed at me.Burn just shook her head.I guess she already knew this.
“I can’t imagine having such a big family,” Burn said.Was that a hint of wistfulness in her voice?
“It was just me and my sister and my parents, until my mom died,” I said.“But growing up on the ship was like having one big extended family.Except the crew members were more like aunts and uncles than siblings.”I wouldn’t say the crew ofEternal Nocturnehad been one happy family—except when it came to me and Layla.The crew hadn’t coddled us, but they’d protected and taught us and somedays I missed them almost as much as I missed my sister and dad.
“Did you have other kids to play with?”Burn asked.
I shook my head.“My dad always said it wasn’t a great environment for kids.My sister and I were the only exception.”
Dax studied me over the rim of his coffee cup, his gaze intense.
I swallowed.Why was he looking at me that way?I reviewed the conversation and realized I may have said too much.Why would Layla and I be the only kids allowed onboard?Only someone high up would have the authority to make that call.
“Where did you grow up?”I asked Dax, both to get his attention off me and because I was curious about the man I’d practically slept with.
“Mandarina,” he said.
I rifled through my mental files.“Hybrid economy, tech and agriculture, but ag is the biggest export.”
He nodded.“You’ve been?”
“Not on planet.Maybe the spaceport.”We’d visited a lot of places growing up and I didn’t remember them all.If I’d been planetside, would I have met Dax?Remembered him?I thought about his kisses.Our time in the gym.Yeah, he was definitely memorable.A rush of heat colored my cheeks.
“Now I understand what you meant, Dax, when you said it was awkward walking in on your parents with their googly eyes,” Burn said conversationally.“I’m going to go.”She set her mug down, then started to stand.
“Wait, Burn.Tell her the rest, Lacy.”He leaned back in his chair, his legs extended beneath the table, bracketing mine.Was he asking me to share about yesterday?My face flamed in mortification.What the h?—
“About your sister,” he clarified.
“What?”I tried to keep up, but I didn’t understand what he was asking.
“About why she’s so interested in archaeology and history.”
“Oh.”I paused, searching his face.“Are you sure?”
He nodded.
Burn dropped back into her seat, her voice tight when she asked, “What are you talking about, Dax?”
