“You know, I started this because I wanted to have revenge on my cousin, who treated women so badly. I felt it was terrible how he kept lying to everyone. To Tori, and especially to Jana. I was complacent about it for a while. I told myself, I thought Jana knew what the situation was—that she was not his primary female, and that Tori made her choice to stick around.”
“You wanted to justify not acting.”
She nodded. “I did. Now, I know that was horrible, especially when a guy did it to me.”
“They made choices. You cannot control what others do.”
“I know. But I can stand up for what is right.”
“Standing up for what is right is not always popular,” he said.
“Yeah, that’s what I’m learning.”
He nodded. “That is why I am here,” he said. “It is wrong that my family forces me into an arrangement when neither of us wishes it.”
She raised her eyebrow. “So, you came here to find someone?”
“The dating agency is supposed to be the best at finding the most compatible mates for anyone. I am Charro, and finding mates that will join with us is, well, challenging.”
“Why? You seem nice enough.”
“But the Charro reputation has soiled the dating pool. For short, meaningless encounters, there is a thrill of dating a Charro. For a commitment, though, it is not so welcomed.”
“Have you been in love before? Like wanted to commit to someone else, before?”
“Never tried, honestly.”
“Really?” Polly asked.
“I saw no need for it. I would not be leading a clan or following in my family’s traditions.”
“Until now?”
He nodded, his hand running over her knee. “Until now.”
She raised her eyebrow. “I don’t know if I should feel special or like a necessity.”
“A special necessity.” He leaned into her and kissed her.
And any misgivings she had faded away.
25
Erzo and Polly relaxed in the main entrance of their apartment pods, watching the view of the incoming and outgoing space traffic.
“This isn’t the view from a few days ago,” Polly said as she took a drink of the Terran fruit wine they’d found at a vendor in the market area. Smelled a little sweet for his liking, so he’d also got some ale for himself. They’d been enjoying drinks, watching the station spin the last few evenings after their outings.
“The station rotates. I’m surprised you can’t feel it,” Erzo said, and picked up one of the little treats she’d made for them to eat while they watched the stars.
Ever since the bubble tour, she enjoyed looking out at the stars and observing space.
“Why? Like an orbit or something?” Polly asked.
“The station rotates for gravitational needs. Helps the gravity machines not have to work so hard to keep everything stable.”
“You all and your fancy gravity machines,” she muttered. She shifted in the chair, and he heard a clatter.
His grin was undeniable, knowing that she genuinely liked the gift he had given her. “Are you wearing your weapon?”
