“And they judge you forever for a single error?” Erzo asked, looking so venomous on her behalf that it was endearing.
“Yeah,” Polly said, the realization hitting her. “I guess they do.”
She pondered how her family’s and exes’ reactions had shaped her self-perception in the kitchen.
“It sounds as though the people around you didn't value your efforts.”
His words struck a chord in Polly, prompting her to reevaluate her past relationships. She tried to recall instances of support and encouragement, finding them sparse and overshadowed by criticism. Polly looked back at Erzo, amazed at his ability to make her see things in a new light.
“How do you manage to do that?” Polly asked, stirring the pot thoughtfully.
“Do what?” Erzo asked, genuinely curious.
“That,” Polly gestured with the spoon. “You just dismantle all my defenses without even trying.”
“I wasn’t aware we were in combat,” Erzo replied with a gentleness that was at odds with his green warrior build.
Polly looked away, focusing on the pot she was stirring. “I’ve always been the ‘don’t let her near the kitchen’ type in my family and past relationships.”
“From what I’ve seen, I’m sure your cooking is more than edible. I’m positive it’s quite enjoyable. You’ve made these foreign ingredients into something that smells comforting and inviting.”
“I try,” Polly said, a small smile forming.
Erzo held up a commanding finger. “No, Polly. You do more than try.”
Polly nodded, feeling a surge of confidence. “Thank you, Erzo. That means the world to me.”
“But why do people on Earth undervalue you?” Erzo asked, his head tilted in genuine curiosity.
“They don’t exactly disregard me,” Polly said, which might have been one of the baldest lies she’d ever managed with a straight face.
Erzo flicked me a doubtful look. “Someone must if you’re blind to your talents.”
She met his eyes, half-expecting to find him pulling her leg, but no, there was nothing but honest-to-goodness sincerity there.
Polly drizzled the sauce over the alien veggies. “You know, for a guy from a planet where deals and money rule the day, you’re the most honest, caring, and supportive guy I’ve met in ages.”
“I learned the hard way that lying in deals just adds more stars to navigate,” Erzo said, his eyes tracing her form.
Even though he could only see her from the waist up, his gaze felt as intense as a supernova.
“And what is it you want?” Polly asked, her heart doing a little somersault.
“You,” he replied.
“For now,” she countered, a little defensive shield popping up.
“I didn’t say ‘for now,’” Erzo corrected her gently.
“That’s all this is, right? Until we go to your planet.”
“You were the one setting the thirty-day timer,” Erzo reminded her softly.
He was right, and that irked her a bit. She’d been the one to talk about an end date. But now, she wasn’t so sure. Handing him his plate, Polly finally braved asking him what she’d been wondering. “What’s going to happen, Erzo?”
“We’ll eat,” Erzo said practically.
“No, I mean, when we go to your planet. What then?”
