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“It would work. Everybody likes cake. Well, maybe not you. I can serve savory treats, as well. We could have something nice to eat and drink as we chatted about love. I could have couples events, where aliens and humans meet and decide if they like each other, a sort of My Single Alien speed dating event.”

Loka tilted his head to the side. “Speed dating?”

Heather laughed. “It’s an Earth thing.”

“Perhaps it is something I could try?”

Heather’s smile faded. “You are looking for a mate?”

His gaze shot to her, and he looked away. “Now is not a good time for me to find somebody.”

“You’re saving for your own space pad?”

Loka nodded and let out a sigh. “Something like that. This project will take several years. After that, I’ll gain a significant promotion. I’ll have a say in where my next post will be. I would like to find somewhere I can call home, find a partner, and have children. Until then, I have little control over my future.”

“Then you’d better make sure you do an incredible job of mapping this galaxy,” Heather said. “It can’t be much fun being ordered to go wherever your boss tells you.”

“Is your boss different?”

Heather shuddered. “Actually, no. She works us hard. Diadora expects results and demands answers if I don’t deliver.”

“I map the stars, and you map aliens.”

“What you do is a lot more impressive than me.” Heather petted Ernie’s head and then walked toward the door.

Loka caught hold of her elbow. “It’s not so different. I believe what you do is actually more important. Without My Single Alien and your skills, many aliens would not have access to fertile females. You help people have families. That is most important.”

The earnest look in Loka’s eyes made Heather smile. She patted his hand. “I agree. Some people think it’s nonsense, but without good matches, you don’t have good babies.”

“So, you see, your work is more important than mine.”

“Let’s call it even.” Heather appreciated Loka trying to make her feel important. But she wouldn’t have a clue how to map this galaxy. The work he did would save thousands of lives as people knew what areas of the galaxy to avoid if they didn’t want to be sucked into oblivion.

Loka nodded. “It is good to have a dream. Make sure you hold onto yours.”

“You too. You never know. I might find you your perfect match at my bakery outpost when you’re ready.” A shiver of disappointment ran through Heather. She liked Loka.

Sure, he was uptight and too intense when he came to his work, but he was also sweet and protective. He’d spent ages working on the food replicator to make it work. She’d only suggested waffles as an offhand idea, but he’d set to work, wanting to make sure she was happy.

Heather couldn’t recall any guy ever doing that for her. The most romantic thing a previous boyfriend had done when it came to getting her breakfast was roll out of bed, pull on yesterday’s clothes, and wander to the local store. That was on a good day. Most days, she ate breakfast alone.

Whoever was matched with Loka, when he was ready to find his mate, would be a lucky woman. If he came to her to find his match, Heather would do her best to make sure he got a dream partner. But not her. Not now. If he was still single in five years’ time, then who knew.

“Let’s go to my office,” Heather said, shaking herself from her thoughts.

Loka nodded and followed her out of her quarters.

Heather turned back to Ernie. “Guard my quarters. Only Loka and I are allowed in here. Anybody else tries to get in, you blast them.”

Ernie’s sensor glowed red as he stationed himself by the door.

“Good boy.”

“Your bot can blast people?” Loka asked.

“He can. Nothing that will kill them. It will give a nasty sting and make them think twice.”

“That’s... impressive.”