“You had acat?”
“She had a cat. It tolerated me.”
I don’t know whether to laugh or sigh.
I do both.
“So… no. You’ve never been in love.”
He considers. “I thought I was. Once.”
“And?”
“She married my cousin.”
“Ouch.”
“Then tried to sell him to slavers. So it worked out.”
I laugh again. He doesn’t smile this time, but there’s something in his eyes. A softness. An openness. He’s not just trading war stories. He’ssharing.
“And you?” he asks. “Any orbital bombardments in your history?”
“Just one heartbreak,” I admit. “No property damage. Unless you count the time I set fire to his jacket.”
He nods solemnly. “Good technique. Sends a message.”
“It was synthetic wool. I thought it would just singe.”
“What happened?”
“Combusted like a sun flare. Nearly took out a taco stand.”
He snorts. “Romantic carnage. I approve.”
I shake my head, laughing into my palm.
He watches me.
Not like a bodyguard.
Like a man trying to memorize the sound of my laugh.
My stomach flips.
The train slows.
“Next stop: Halcyon Crescent,” the voice chirps.
Neither of us moves.
“I’m not scared anymore,” I say.
“I know.”
“You still gonna follow me around?”
“Until it’s safe.”
