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Heather closed her eyes. “This is incredible. You’ll have to make me waffles more often.”

“I can make you waffles whenever you want them.”

Even though Heather still had her eyes closed, she could hear Loka was smiling as he spoke.

She opened her eyes as she stuffed in more waffle. She held out a piece for him. “Would you like some?”

“They’re all yours.” Loka shook his head. “I’m more of a savory fan.”

Heather shrugged. “You don’t know what you’re missing.”

“I’ll try some waffle.” Hoan jumped up and held out his hand.

Loka smacked Hoan’s hand down. “No waffles for you. These are Heather’s.”

“It’s fine. He can have some.” Heather yanked a piece off and handed it to Hoan.

After giving it a careful sniff, Hoan ate it. “It’s chewy and sweet.”

“The perfect waffle,” Heather said.

Hoan nodded. “Loka, I approve. You can make me waffles as well.”

Loka eyed the waffles with disdain. “I only make waffles for Heather.”

She grinned at him. Loka was her waffle bitch.

“After you’re fed, we’ll head to engineering,” Loka said.

“We should split up,” Hoan said. “I can check on engineering, and you two see to the lab experiments.”

“And Ernie, I need to see how he’s doing.”

“Good idea,” Loka said.

“Can we also stop by My Single Alien?” Heather said. “Vegas might be in the office still trying to match aliens and humans. We need to update her as to what’s going on. Knowing Diadora, she’ll keep everyone there working until the station blows.”

“It’s on the way to my lab,” Loka said. “We can see your friends if they are there.”

Heather looked down at her soft pajamas and bare feet. “I need some clothes that are more suitable for doing combat with angry bots.”

Loka looked up sharply.

“I’m teasing, but a work jumpsuit might be more practical. Thanks for these, though. It was nice not to wake up in clothes that smelt singed.”

Loka nodded and turned away. “You are welcome.”

Heather smiled. Loka seemed almost bashful in her company at times. How she could make such an enormous alien go shy on her, she had no idea. Despite what he’d said about his own females not being interested in science geeks, they can’t have overlooked Loka when they caught a glimpse of his size and his skin, which was a beautiful dark bronze, almost matching his horns. He was a stunning alien.

Heather had also seen Loka glancing at her when he thought she was distracted. There was something in his eyes she couldn’t quite place. It was more than curiosity. Her stomach warmed, and her smile widened. Could this alien genuinely be into her? Not into her because she was a strange curiosity he wanted to know more about.

She sighed. If only they were a few years farther down the road. She would have enough money saved for her space pad, and the My Single Alien outposts should be up and running. She’d love to do that with Loka.

The timing sucked, but there was nothing she could do about it. Loka couldn’t get in her way now, slow her down, and take her mind off her mission. He might make the best, biggest waffles she’d ever tasted, but this alien was not for her.

Heather finished the first waffle and eyed the other two. She could definitely manage at least one more.

“Ready to go?” Loka turned toward her. His gaze followed hers to the remaining waffles. He lifted them both up and handed them to her.