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“No, I’m fine. No trouble. You know what it’s like when you first move to a new place. You need to sort out somewhere to live and find your way around. It took me a while to work out where you lived. This place is a maze.”

“How exactly did you find me?”

“I asked around. You’ve got yourself quite a reputation up here.” Marcus grinned at her. “Same old Ivy.”

“Not same old Ivy. I’ve got a great life here. I love my work. I don’t need you messing it up for me.”

Marcus turned toward her. Even with his swollen nose, he had those frustratingly gorgeous cheekbones and full lips. He’d sweet-talked her so many times with that lying mouth.

“You’ve changed since coming here,” Marcus said. “What’s to say I haven’t? Everybody deserves a second chance. I’ve done all that growing up you keep telling me I need to do.”

“I gave you loads of chances when we were on Earth. You were probably on your twentieth chance when I wised up and realized you’d never change. You’ll always be on the make and looking out for the best deal for you. Screw anyone else.”

Marcus held his hands up. “I realized you were my best deal. I wouldn’t have set foot on that scary looking spaceship that brought me here, otherwise.”

Ivy refused to smile. It was like falling back into an old pattern. She understood Marcus and knew what she let herself in for when around him.

In a twisted sort of way, it felt good. Ivy knew how to play this game. Marcus would act like a good guy for a couple of weeks, then the cracks would show. He’d forget to pay a bill or disappear for a couple of days. Rinse and repeat as she grew increasingly paranoid. Then he’d make a grand gesture and sweep her off her feet. Everything would be amazing before it all started again.

She couldn’t trust him but had gotten so used to it when they were together that it had felt stable. Right now, Ivy needed that in her life. With her job on the line and Karn messing with her thoughts, planting the stupid notion she might be pregnant, it felt good to know what she got with Marcus.

“You’ve done well for yourself.” Marcus lifted her designer purse from the table. “I’m guessing My Single Alien pays well.”

“I do okay.” She walked over and snatched the purse from him.

Marcus laughed and grabbed her around the waist.

Ivy squirmed in his grip. “I told you to keep your distance.” He still wore the same cologne. She’d missed that grassy-spicy smell.

“I’ll be upfront with you.” His grip on her waist tightened.

“That will be a first.”

Marcus glanced down. “Have you put on weight?”

Ivy smacked his chest with the flat of her hand. “No! I’m in excellent shape.”

“I didn’t say you weren’t. It suits you. Gives you a sexy vibe.”

Ivy kicked his shin, and he let go. “Don’t touch what doesn’t belong to you.” She self-consciously pinched her waist. Was she getting fat?

Marcus’s smile died. “I have changed. I’ve grown up. I hate life without you. There are no adventures to be had when you’re not around. I don’t want to do anything. It’s like I’ve lost my passion.”

“You think you’ll get it back with me in your life?”

“I know I will. Every day when I woke and found you by my side, it made me smile. It gave me a purpose and something to look forward to.”

“Until you messed it up by cheating on me with my best friend.”

Marcus groaned. “I’ve told you so many times she led me on. I was so wasted I didn’t know what I was doing.”

“You weren’t so drunk you couldn’t take her clothes off and screw her.”

“I acted on autopilot. I didn’t know what my own body was doing. I knew it was a mistake the second it had happened.”

“You only knew it was a mistake because I caught you with your dick still inside her. You’d never have told me.”

Marcus dropped his head into his hands. “I’m an idiot.”