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Hayley was well-aware of the trial. She’d had several discussions with the others about whether female aliens would want anything to do with human males. From her own experience with them, she’d only ever been left disappointed or heartbroken.

“I’d be happy to help.” Hayley felt surprised by being given such responsibility. This was new territory for My Single Alien, and she didn’t want to mess things up. Still, she had to pretend she had years of experience in matchmaking and was more than capable. If Diadora got even a sniff that she was lying, she’d lose everything.

“A woman with your experience should have no problem dealing with a single human male.” Diadora smirked. “Remind me again how many years of experience you have with matchmaking?”

Sweat broke out on the back of Hayley’s neck. Maybe she’d been too presumptuous, and Diadora was about to strike. She calmed her thoughts as she recalled the information on the resume she’d submitted. “Five years, at three different agencies.”

“Do you know Patricia Lipinski?”

Hayley’s brow furrowed. “Did she work at one of the agencies?” She had to keep her cool and not get caught out now.

“She was at Diamond Matchmaking around the same time as you.”

“I don’t think so,” Hayley said slowly. “We worked in niche areas. Maybe our paths never crossed.”

Diadora stared at her. “I always assumed it was a small agency from the way Patricia spoke. She said she covered all areas of matchmaking.”

Oh, crap, this was turning into a nightmare. “Well, yes, we all had to do whatever was needed when busy. I liked to specialize in matchmaking younger couples. It was so satisfying bringing them together and knowing they’d have a long and happy future.”

Diadora’s eyes narrowed. “It doesn’t always work out with a happy ending.”

“No, you’re right. We can only try our best.” Hayley silently begged for this torture to end. She just had to keep it together for a little longer. Diadora didn’t know anything was wrong.

“Anyway, that’s beside the point. This human you will assist is someone you know. It’s the reason I chose you to work alongside him while he’s here.”

“I know him? Who is it?”

Diadora opened a file on her port screen. “Professor Raymond Grenville.”

Hayley’s heart pounded, and the room felt like it tilted. Anybody but him.

“You do know him?” Diadora asked. “You had him listed as your college professor when you applied here.”

“Yes, that’s right.” She’d had no choice but to be truthful about her checkered time at college. A reference she could fake but not college credits.

“He spoke highly of you when I contacted him.”

The room in the air felt too warm. “Oh, I didn’t know you’d speak to my colleges.”

“Of course. We are thorough in our recruitment process. This is an ideal opportunity to have a smooth matchmaking experience for Professor Grenville. You know each other, so it will be easier for him if he has a friendly face around to answer any questions.”

Hayley couldn’t do it. She couldn’t spend a single second in this jerk’s company. “I appreciate the offer, but somebody else should take this one. Someone with more experience.”

Diadora arched an eyebrow. “You are one of our most experienced staff members. You might not have experience at My Single Alien, but your prior employment makes you an ideal candidate to do this. And you know Professor Grenville. This is an important trial. We cannot afford to have it go wrong.”

“Maybe Vegas should take this one, since it’s so important,” Hayley said, scrambling for a good reason she wouldn’t have to spend any time with Professor Grenville. If she never saw that man again, it would be too soon.

“Vegas is waddling around looking like a swollen toad. Besides, she’s working with a new arrival who needs her undivided attention. What’s the problem?”

“Oh, no, no problem, as such.” Hayley clasped her hands together. “It feels strange seeing an old professor again. I was a teenager when I knew him. We’ll both be different. Maybe he’s changed.” He couldn’t possibly have become more of an asshole than he was when he taught her paleontology.

“You will both have changed,” Diadora said. “You will take this on and not let me down.”

Hayley nodded glumly. She had no choice but to spend time with this idiot.

“Then it’s agreed,” Diadora said. “You need to get to the docking bay immediately. He’s due to arrive in the next fifteen minutes and will expect someone there to greet him.”

“He’s arriving now?” Hayley took a step back. She had no time to prepare for meeting Raymond again. Although, she wasn’t sure what could prepare her for seeing his smug face. A can of pepper spray? Some knuckle dusters?