“Felix, this is amazing.” I’m a bit choked up, to be honest.
My brother totally one-upped me with his Christmas gift-giving game. I was not prepared! Maybe he felt a lot guiltier about planning to stay aboard the Sleigh Belle than I’d imagined.
“The stones are a bit like a mood ring,” Felix explains. “When you wear the necklace, the stones change colors based on your emotions, and it’s even supposed to have soothing properties if you get anxious or upset.”
Even aliens can be a bit woo-woo, not only us humans. I can dig it.
“I love it,” I tell him, then turn to Luna. “Can you help me put it on?”
I use my hands to hold my hair up and off the back of my neck as Luna gently secures the necklace around my throat. The light touch of her fingers on the sensitive skin along the nape of my neck sends a zing of awareness through me and causes more freaking goose bumps.
Luna nods approvingly. “It looks spectacular on you.”
A bit flustered from my reaction to such a simple touch despite everything she and I shared last night, I glance down at the pendant resting along my collarbone. The shifting colors are strangely soothing, and I’m surprised when I feel the pendant warm gently against my skin.
For the next little while, we sit around the table and share a breakfast made from a device they call a food simulator. Tome, it’s highly reminiscent of the technology my Nana marveled at onStar Trek: The Next Generation. She told me how much easier life would be if she had a device like that and never had to cook, which I didn’t fully understand at the time but came to appreciate when I was a working adult living on my own. I rarely had the time or energy to cook much for myself.
The waffles are similar to those on Earth and are pretty tasty and filling. I end up indulging in a second mug of kavga—I’m officially a convert—and soon feel like I could take on a whole day at the urgent care clinic and have energy to spare.
Eventually, Luna pulls me away until we stand under a doorway. I look up and sure enough, there’s mistletoe hanging there.
“If you wanted to kiss me, you only had to ask,” I drawl with amusement.
She pulls me into her arms. “Sure, but this so much more festive.” She lowers her voice. “And romantic.”
She’s got me there.
When her lips touch mine, everything around us fades into the background. All I can see, touch, and feel is her. My entire body lights up as we kiss, and I’m about ready to suggest we head back to my room or hers when Luna pulls back.
“Much as I’d love to keep doing that, I don’t want to get derailed from sharing my Christmas gift surprise with you.” She holds out her arm for me to take it. “May I show you the way?”
I link my arm with hers. “Sure. But be aware that we’ve only put that amazing kiss from a moment ago on pause. I fully intend to resume things later.”
She grins. “Great lesbian minds think alike, gorgeous. Now, follow me!”
CHAPTER 10
Luna:So let’s talk relationship goals! Tell me what you really want. Don’t hold back. *waving tentacle emoji*
Gemma:I love your directness, Luna. Never fear, I always tell it like it is. You can probably tell by now that I’m not shy.
Luna:Yet another thing I love about YOU, gorgeous.
Gemma:Glad you appreciate a classy dame like myself. *winky face emoji* But in all seriousness, I suppose I want what a lot of people do—someone I can trust who loves me, who can be a true and equal partner to me in all things.
Luna:I totally get that. Hookups and short-term situationships aren’t my jam anymore.
Gemma:Same. I want a deeper connection and a commitment. But I also want us to have fun together.
Luna:Indeed. For me, chemistry’s also pretty damn important.
Gemma:I think we’ve already got that in spades, don’t you? *flame emoji*
Luna:If I may be so cheesy as to use a mechanical engineering metaphor, we tune each other’s engines to perfection!
Gemma:*laughing face emoji* You’re adorkable!
—Sent via FLIRTT (Frequency Link for Interstellar Real-Time Transmission)
