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“This is a social call?” Vegas’s voice was laced with surprise. Ivy never came to the office to play nice.

“I was passing and wanted to see what you geeks were up to.”

“We were about to stop for lunch if you’d like to join us,” Heather said, ignoring the irritated look Vegas shot her.

Ivy had shown Heather a different side to her when she’d needed help. It hadn’t lasted long. She was always prickly to be around. Ivy had had a chip on her shoulder ever since she’d joined My Single Alien. No one could work out why. She also had a distinct lack of female friends. Ivy was never short of male company, but none stuck. Poison Ivy liked to hit and run when it came to her relationships.

“I’ve already eaten.” Ivy’s gaze went to the tablets on the desk.

Heather glanced at Vegas, who looked equally puzzled as to Ivy’s behavior.

“You can stay for coffee,” Heather said.

Ivy nodded. She strode to the replicator and made herself a coffee. She didn’t offer to get anyone else a drink as she sat down.

Heather placed Ernie on the desk before walking over and grabbing drinks for everybody. “So, what’s new in the world of PR?” she asked Ivy as she settled at the table.

Ivy hovered on the edge of her seat. “The usual nauseatingly happy stories about how everyone loves My Single Alien. Diadora has plans for an online magazine. People can’t get enough of a happily ever after.”

“That will keep you busy,” Nell said.

Ivy shrugged. “It’s nothing I can’t handle.”

That was why Ivy was tolerated. She knew her way around public relations like nobody else. She could squeeze a story out of anyone and make even the most dubious looking alien attractive when he posed for his photograph for the database.

“Is your system still glitching?” Ivy tilted her chin at the tablet Heather held.

“No. Just the opposite. We were saying how great the matches are. Everything is working well.”

Ivy’s nose twitched. “That’s good to know. It will mean more positive press for us.”

Heather chewed on her bottom lip. Maybe this was Ivy’s attempt to make friends. She’d kept herself apart from everybody since she’d joined My Single Alien. Even when they’d all met for the first time on Earth, she’d been aloof.

Maybe Ivy was lonely. Heather should ask her to do something fun together. The thought didn’t sit well with her. The last time Heather had asked Ivy if she wanted to join her for a movie night, Ivy had laughed in her face and told her Star Wars was for losers.

Still, it didn’t hurt to try again. “I was just thinking—”

“I need to get out of here.” Ivy kicked back her chair, leaving her coffee untouched. “I’ve got a busy afternoon.”

The three of them watched as Ivy left the room, glancing back as she did so before the door slid shut behind her.

“What’s wrong with her?” Vegas asked.

“I saw her in the Enchanted Captain last night,” Nell said, leaning over the desk and lowering her voice as if afraid Ivy might overhear. “She’d had a few too many. She was dancing around her stool like it was some hot guy who wanted to marry her.”

“That doesn’t sound like Ivy,” Vegas said.

“She’s usually so in control,” Heather said. “Do you think something is wrong?”

“Maybe she’s finally cutting loose and getting that I’m-better-than-the-rest-of-the-world stick out of her butt,” Vegas said.

“I was wondering if she’s in need of a friend,” Heather said. “She spends so much time on her own.”

“That’s her own fault,” Nell said. “Ivy is scary and mean. She always tells me I’m too fat and need to lose weight.”

“You are not fat,” Heather said. “You’re gorgeous. You have curves to die for. Men drool over your bosom. I see it happen at least once a day. Remember the time that Draxdan walked into a door because he was so busy leering at your hooters?”

Nell laughed and glanced down at her ample chest. “It’s not my fault the zippers on these jumpsuits don’t always stay where they should.”