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The smile on her sister’s face reduced Hayley’s fear that she was bothering her.

“Are you bored with life in space yet?” Sally asked.

Hayley grinned. “Not a chance. Wait until you’re up here. It gives motion sickness a whole new meaning.”

Sally shook her head. “You know I don’t get motion sickness. I can’t wait to get up there. I’m training every day to be mission ready.” She laughed and coughed into her hand.

“Was it a ten-mile run today or fifteen?”

“Fifteen? That’s for wimps.” Sally’s smile faded. “Is everything okay? You look tired.”

“Says the girl lying in a hospital bed.”

Sally shrugged. “No change there. But really, what’s wrong?”

Hayley sucked in a breath. She hid nothing from her sister. “I’ve done something. Something not everyone will agree with.”

Sally’s eyes widened a fraction. “Have you broken the law?”

“Nothing like that. I’ve met someone.”

“OMG! You’re pregnant.”

“Stop it.” Hayley waved a hand across her face. “I’m definitely not pregnant. But there is a guy, and he’s in trouble. I’ve agreed to help him.”

“Criminal kind of trouble?”

“No! He’s not a shady guy. He’s lovely. He’s an engineer. I’m sort of in love with him.” Hayley blushed as she admitted how she felt to her sister.

“That’s so romantic,” Sally said. “You’re fighting for your true love. Wait, what kind of trouble is he in and how can you help?”

“He’s been claimed by another female. I have to fight for him.”

Sally’s eyes popped open. “You’re not talking about a human guy, are you? Are you dating an alien?”

“Good guess.”

“Well, I’ve never heard of two women challenging each other to a fight for a guy, unless you discount the drunken bar fights we used to see when we went out on the town.”

“This is no drunken bar fight. He’s a Retar. And a Retar princess has claimed him.”

“No way! You’re going up against alien royalty. They don’t do anything anarchic like chop your head off for treason if you make a mistake, do they?”

Hayley shuddered. “I hope not. But we’re both challenging for Elias.”

“He’d better be bloody amazing in the sack if you’re fighting for him.”

“Erm, well, he might be.”

“Get out of here. You’re fighting for a guy you don’t even know gives a top-class service and oil change?”

Hayley laughed. Ever since they were kids, they’d used the analogy of a car’s servicing to discuss sex in front of their parents. It had worked for years before their mom and dad had figured out what they were talking about.

“He’s polished my lights a few times and knows what to do with his dipstick. I’m sure of that.”

“Tell me all about him.”

Hayley grinned despite the worry churning inside her. “He’s lovely. He’s gorgeous looking—”