“Where on Earth did you learn those phrases?”
“Well, not from anyone on Earth, that's for sure,” her sister mumbled. “So, have you? Done. It.”
“None of your business.”
“That's a yes, then. We wouldn't be having this conversation if he was bad at it, so it must be a good thing. I take it he's human enough to make whoopee.”
Oh. My. God.
She'd forgotten how, once Krystal grabbed an idea, she ran with it. Completely. All the way into the hills. Like a dog with a bone.
“What’s your problem then?”
“They’ve ordered me back home.”
“Really? This soon?”
“Yes, apparently they want me to be the public face of Space Force!”
“Huh. How will that work if you’re supposed to be dead?”
“That detail aside, you don't seem very surprised.”
“I'm not. I'm only surprised it took them this long. Sorry to say it, but they only want you as a public relations exercise.” She grimaced apologetically.
“I thought exactly the same thing.”
“Do you want to go through all that again?”
The media on Earth hounded anyone who had contact with the aliens, the Xakul or the Taureans, and Laila had been no exception.
Laila shook her head. “No, I won’t be part of that circus.”
“So, you love this man, and don't want to come back to Earth. Isn't it a simple decision then?”
For so long, all that had mattered to her was her career and doing the right thing, even if that meant ignoring her own feelings. A career in the military meant she had to obey orders, even if she didn’t agree with them. But now? Laughing, and feeling positively giddy, she thanked Krystal, much to her sister’s bemusement, and said goodbye, promising to speak soon.
Yes, it was a simple decision. A very simple decision.
