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Nell shared an amused smile with Vegas. Ivy and Karn had been just that sort of couple when their own baby was born.
“You have nothing to worry about. I’ll still crack the whip around here,” Vegas said.
“Does Diadora know?” Nell asked.
“No one was supposed to know so soon,” Vegas said. “When I saw these toys, I didn’t want to keep it a secret anymore. I want my friends to know. I’ve been bursting to say something.”
Nell stood to one side as she listened to the happy chatter of everybody else. She didn’t feel the joy others clearly did about Vegas’s news. On the surface, she could force the appearance of happiness, but inside, she felt numb.
She sighed. Nell was overdue a session with her therapist. That would help. Every time she talked to Doctor Kingsbury, she felt a little better, a little less weird and out of sync with everybody else.
Avril touched her arm and made Nell jump. “Is everything okay?”
“I’m fine.” It was Nell’s default answer whenever anybody asked her that question. “Thinking about all the work we have to do.”
“I was serious about trying to find you someone in the role-play games if you would like company. There are loads of guys in there who love to play.”
“You’re looking for a date?” Ivy asked Nell.
“Not really,” Nell said.
“You’re having trouble getting hooked up?” Ivy persisted.
“I’m looking around, but there’s nobody I like.” Nell felt her discomfort rise and stuffed her hand into the pocket of her jumpsuit to grab the pink crystal she carried with her. She rubbed it between her fingers.
“You know what your problem is?”
Nell had a feeling she was about to find out. “I’m busy with work?”
“You’re too smart,” Ivy said. “Weren’t you a MENSA member?”
Nell shrugged. “What do you suggest I do about that?” She wasn’t short on intelligence and aced every exam she’d ever sat.
“Guys get intimidated by brainiacs,” Ivy said. “You need to hide some of your smarts and make the most of your physical assets. Your figure’s not terrible, but you don’t make much of it. What size jumpsuit are you wearing? Wildebeest?”
“I think somewhere in there was a compliment,” Vegas said.
“Everyone can see that jumpsuit is at least two sizes too big.” Ivy tugged at the loose fabric at Nell’s waist. “You have curves and a great rack; use them. And when was the last time you had your hair styled?”
“It’s not all about looks.” Nell tugged on the ends of her dark hair. It had been awhile since she’d bothered to spend any time on her appearance. She didn’t see the point.
“I can fix you up with my tailor,” Ivy said. “He’ll sort out that terrible outfit. Your hair is beyond saving. You should cut it off and start again. Maybe you can pull off a pixie cut. You don’t have a huge nose, so it won’t look strange.”
Avril coughed into her hand. “Nell looks lovely. If she wants to wear her hair in a certain way, then let her.”
“The wild woman wildebeest look is impossible to pull off,” Ivy said.
“I’m not pulling off any look,” Nell said.
“That’s my point. Guys, be they humans or aliens, are into the whole visual thing.” Ivy waved her hand in front of Nell. “They like to look at attractive stuff. If Nell gets her assets out more, they won’t mind her brains. In fact, they won’t notice she can do complex equations in her head; they’ll be drooling over her rack.”
“Thanks for the advice.” Nell slid back to her desk as Ivy and Avril continued to debate what men really liked.
She turned over her tablet and opened the matches she was supposed to be making. Maybe her dress sense and hairstyle were a disaster, but at least this was something she could do. She could ace a love match for anybody. All the facts and figures lined up in her head when she looked for an ideal mate for somebody.
Nell tugged on her bottom lip as she filtered down the matches. It was a shame she couldn’t figure out how to switch on her own love interest and make a match for herself.
Chapter 2
