I love Killan for it.
“Hmm…” I feign thought, stroking my chin with my other hand. “I suppose…if you guys really need me, I could consider staying.”
Harlee cheers. Everyone laughs.
“And I really am good at planning.” I squeeze Harlee’s hand. “Like, you know, helping to plan someone’s wedding.”
“Oh, thank God.” She grins. “Because I’ve been wanting to ask you and Briar to be my bridesmaids all week, but—yeah.”
“But you didn’t want me getting angry,” I guess.
“Something like that.”
“I’m so sorry.” I look around the table at everyone. “Really sorry.”
“No way.” Harlee stands so that she can lean over the table and kiss my cheek. “No apologizing for being upset you were kidnapped.”
“Fuck Mr. Smith,” Briar agrees, pretending to gag on his name.
I laugh.
“Tell them your idea,” Killan urges.
“My idea?”
“For the broadcast.”
“Oh, right. So I’ve been thinking about how I’d like to make a documentary of our failed LOVE GALAXY season.” And I explain about wanting to use the highlight clips of us already online, supplemented with new interviews about Smith abandoning us and explaining how we found our own way in the end.
I don’t tell them about the gladiator arena and the other Human woman I saw. I will. Later. When we’ve had a bit of time to process everything else.
“Actually,” I add speculatively, “the more I think about it, the more I think it could help with our abduction problem, too. If we were to stay in the limelight and keep everyone wanting updates from us, even after the documentary, then we’d be less of a target for future attacks. You can’t kidnap celebrities without lots of people noticing.”
“Huh.” Briar and Harlee share a look.
“That’s a good idea,” Briar admits. “We would make our version ofKeeping Up with the Kardashians.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “Exactly like that, but classy.”
“Akh, not all of your words translate.” Sorin’s scales are tinged blue with a blush. “Would we have cameras in our bedrooms again?”
“God, no!” exclaims Briar. “No filming anyone without their permission.”
“Of course,” I agree. “It would be family friendly. And absolutely no livestreaming.”
“We could advertise the farm,” Killan adds. “Everyone will know we grow the best algae.”
“Would I have to be interviewed?” Sorin asks.
“No, not if you don’t want to be,” I assure him, hoping he doesn’t hate the idea. “It won’t be an intrusion into your life,I promise, and you’d only share what you’re comfortable with sharing.”
“Like the farm,” Killan adds.
“Like the farm,” I agree, unable to suppress my smile at Killan’s one-track mind. Is that what I’ve been like this whole time, always talking about returning home, no matter the conversation?
“I can do all of Sorin’s interviews for him,” says Roan. “I have seen my fan mail and the chatrooms. The people are calling out for more Roan and Harlee. We are the universe’s favorite couple.”
“The universe has terrible taste,” mutters Sorin.
