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She glanced at him. “What if I am?”
“Well, I’m an alien. I don’t consider myself terrifying. I’ve always considered myself sort of adorable.”
“Then you should take a look in the mirror.” Nell shook her head. “I didn’t mean that. I’m sure what you see in the mirror is lovely to you. It’s just that...” her words trailed off as she continued to walk.
“Do you feel uncomfortable around all aliens?”
“Not all aliens,” Nell said. “Actually, that’s not true. Fine, all aliens set my nerves on edge.”
“When I was in your dance class, you had aliens in there.”
“Sure, but they were all female, and there were only a few of them. If I didn’t look, I barely noticed them.”
“That’s not an ideal situation when you live in space and work for an agency that does nothing but matchmake aliens.”
Nell huffed out a laugh. “The irony is not lost on me. It was my decision to do that. I thought it would be a good way to de-sensitize myself.”
“That’s not working?”
“I guess not, since being around you makes me want to puke.”
Rane’s brow rose. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Ignore me. My head is a mess. I don’t mean to take everything out on you, but you just happen to be here. Why are you even here?”
Rane decided not to mention his recent suspension from work. “I’ve got time off work. I figured I’d look around and see what’s on offer.”
“You’re not using your freaky ability on anyone today?”
“I’m off duty.” He grinned at her. “Unless you want me to use it on you.”
Nell stopped walking and stared at Rane in silence for several intense seconds. “Yes, use your humming trick on me.”
“I was joking. Why would I do that?”
“So I can think straight. So I don’t have an urge to run away all the time. So I’m not living in a state of panic and fear. Isn’t that what Olickie are supposed to do? You help people like me?”
The possibility of helping Nell made his insides burn. “In a way, but not in a situation like this.”
Nell made as if to grab his arm but stopped herself and shoved her hands behind her back. “Rane, I need this. Do whatever it is you do and make me calm again.”
Her sadness made his heart ache. And those big, dark tear-filled eyes made him want to wrap her in his arms and never let go. “If you feel it will help your situation. I don’t want you thinking I’m doing anything that you don’t agree to.”
“I’m freakin’ asking you to do this.” Nell ducked her head. “Please, just help me this one time. I have to get my thoughts together after my last session.”
“What session?”
She pressed her lips together. “If you calm me down, I’ll tell you everything.”
This human was under his skin. Rane hadn’t been able to stop drawing Nell or thinking about that dance she’d performed. If this was what it took to get her to open up to him, so he could figure her out, then he’d do it.
“Let’s find a quiet place. I’ll help you get calm.”
She nodded, and they walked together in silence along the pale blue corridors of Starland.
The station was similar to Prodigy but had been set up as an entertainment destination, where everyone came for parties and fun times.
There were dozens of bars and restaurants and a tension in the air that made Rane believe it would only take a few words in the wrong ear for chaos to ensue.
