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“Just like we are friends?”
“Something like that.” Karn reached over and caught hold of Ivy’s hand. “I’m here with you, and I like it. You’re interesting. You work hard to get what you want, and you don’t mess around.”
“That’s a good thing?” Ivy wasn’t interested in being with anyone who didn’t let her do her own thing. She’d always worked and enjoyed it. She complained about My Single Alien and the idiots she worked with, but the work was decent. Sometimes, seeing the happy couples with their babies even made her smile, but not often.
“Of course. It’s important to be independent and know what you want out of life.”
“What do you want? Have you got plans for your future to settle down and have half a dozen kids?” Whoops, so much for being discreet in her questioning.
Karn’s laugh contained surprise. “Half a dozen might be pushing it. Maybe one or two. It would be good to have someone to carry on the family business.”
“You’d raise your children to be spies?”
“I prefer the term intelligence gatherer, but whatever works for you. Why not? There will always be work, and it’s interesting.”
“It is if you put aside the fact you’re annoying a lot of people by stealing from them.”
“It’s not stealing. It’s giving information to people who need it.”
“That’s stealing if it doesn’t belong to you.”
“I like to see the boundaries as blurred.”
“Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?” This sounded more like a job interview than a date.
Karn rubbed his chin. “No clue. A millionaire with my own ship and a successful spy business?”
“It sounds like you’ve not given much thought to your future.”
“Have you?”
“I have recently.”
“What do you see?”
“Trouble if you stay in my life.”
“Don’t see me as trouble. See me as a challenge. See me as exciting.”
“Is that how you see me?”
Karn’s eyes glowed red again, and a stain of purple crossed his skin. “I see you in all kinds of compromising positions. Nothing I can show you here.”
Ivy sat back in her seat. Could Karn be her match, or was he just a player looking for no commitment and a fun ride?
“What’s on your mind, Ivy Blain?”
“Nothing in particular.” So long as she discounted the fact her potential life partner sat opposite her.
“You’ve got a curious look in your eyes. I’ve never seen it before. Something is bothering you.”
Ivy took a few seconds to take a drink. “I’m considering my future.”
“Are you thinking of a change of career?”
“No, being here suits me. I wasn’t sure I’d take to space, but I like it. I like all the opportunities I can go for.”
“Space has its advantages. You can get lost easily if you need to.”
