Gemma turns to me wide-eyed. “Okay, this is a bit freaky. I’m feeling called out in a major way.”
I swallow hard. “I swear, I never programmed a fortune teller in this simulation. It must have been Kheph, but even so…” I trail off.
Gemma shivers and I wrap a tentacle around her, pleased when she relaxes into it right away.
“Like you said, we need to communicate with each other. Neither of us is perfect, but I believe we can be partners to one another in all the ways we both need.”
Madam Aurora smiles at us mysteriously once again. “Your cards speak to a strong level of compatibility. You are complementary partners who, when together, teach each other steadfastness and compassion. You can support one another no matter what you face together on your cosmic journey. So long as you heed my warnings and play to your strengths, you will have a bright future together.”
More than a little dazed, we thank her and stumble out of her booth, elated but also a bit freaked out.
Our timing couldn’t be better. Soft, fluffy snowflakes begin to fall from the sky as we leave the market and loop back around to Main Street. Gemma shivers, and I pull her close.
“How is it cold here too?”
“Blame Kheph. He’s very thorough when it comes to the realism he programs into his simulations.”
Gemma rubs her hands together and blows on them.
“Why don’t you borrow the scarf you made me?” I unwind it from around my neck and wrap it around hers. “Better?”
She nods. “Thanks, but won’t you be cold now?”
“I’m very warm-blooded,” I assure her with a wink. “Most Dravethians are. We have three hearts, after all, which pump blood to all our extremities. Keeps us nice and toasty.”
“Threehearts?!” Gemma squeaks.
I shrug. “Yep.”
She gets a calculating look in her eyes. “I amsogoing to scan your body in the med lab later. How did I miss that earlier? I want to see this for myself.”
I lick my lips. “Fuck me. That sounds way hotter than it should.”
It’s her turn to leer back at me.
I consider ending the simulation early, but the sound of drums alerts me to the fact that we’re in time for the Christmas parade, and I don’t want us to miss that. With my arms and tentacles wrapped around Gemma to keep her warm, we stand on the sidewalk and watch as Christmas-themed—but with an extraterrestrial flair—floats go down the street.
Holiday music plays all around us, and the festive atmosphere is infectious. But rather than watch the parade, I find myself focusing more on Gemma and her lively reactions full of delight and wonder. When she smiles and her eyes sparkle, she’s so stunningly beautiful she takes my breath away.
And that’s when it happens, just like in the human movies. Everything around us fades away, and all I can see and hear is her. My chest is so full of elation it might burst. A tingling sensation spreads across my entire body until it finally reaches my brain, giving me a KO punch of revelation.
I know I tried to deny it, but I’m totally falling in love with Gemma faster than a quantum-drive recalibration during a hull breach. Yep. I’m alreadywaypast the point of no return.
Fuck. Me. Sideways.
My hearts speed up. It’s too soon, isn’t it? Fuck, it’s been less than twenty-four hours since she came aboard the Sleigh Belle. Granted, we’ve been sort of long-distance dating via the FLIRTT system for weeks. That’s gotta count for something, right?
Who am I kidding? She’s going to think I’m a total weirdo if I confess my feelings right now.
My tentacles hold Gemma protectively close as my mind races. I’ve got to play it cool and take this at her pace. We’re making amazing progress already, and blurting out a love confession too soon could screw it all up. Madam Aurora was right; I need to avoid going overboard. Ugh. Easier said than done. When I’m all up in my feels there’s no fucking way it won’t show. Kheph always tells me my face basically does emotional status updates faster than the ship’s computer alert system.
Let’s think logically, Luna.I should hold back on declarations of love—even though I want to shout it to the universe—but it doesn’t mean I have to pretend I don’t care.Good work brain!I can still show Gemma how I feel about her through my actions and wait for the right time to confess all to her. Hell yeah.
In the meantime, I can only hope she’s on the same wavelength as me in the feelings department. Or at least on a navigational route in that direction.
When the parade ends, several of the simulated townspeople open a large banner that they hold open, spanning across the street. It reads “Merry Christmas, Gemma, and welcome to the Sleigh Belle family!”
Nowthatdetail was one hundred percent my idea.
