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“Don’t Retars have scales?”
“They’re really faint and not real scales. More like a pattern on his skin. It’s sort of hot.”
“Is he tall?”
“Yes, tall and muscular. We met when I gave a talk about dinosaurs.”
Sally groaned. “He’s a dinosaur geek like you. It sounds like a match made in heaven.”
“It could be,” Hayley said. “I have to win him first.”
“But you’re lousy at fighting,” Sally said. “Have you learned a few moves since you went to space?”
“I’ve got help coming to lend me a hand. That will have to be enough. I’m hoping Princess Isolt doesn’t have much training in how to beat my head in.”
“Be careful. This oil changing hottie alien of yours had better be worth it.”
“He is.” Hayley’s door alert pinged. “Hang on a second. Someone’s at the door.” She ran over and opened it.
A delivery bot stood outside, holding a small box. “For Miss Hayley Goodacre.”
“Thanks.” Hayley signed for the delivery and hurried back to the screen.
“Is your alien lover sending you gifts?” Sally’s face filled the screen as she tried to get a look at what Hayley held.
“He might be.” She decided not to mention that Elias was currently imprisoned by Princess Isolt and didn’t have access to any gift giving services. Hayley pulled off the paper and opened the lid. She extracted a silky black camisole and a tiny pair of black satin thong panties. There was a note inside. For our next meeting. It was signed with an R and several kisses.
“Wow! Your alien is moving quickly.”
Hayley threw the gift on the floor, disgust filling her. “That’s something else I need to tell you. Do you remember Professor Raymond Grenville?”
“Yup, that sleazy guy who wrecked your chances at college.”
“He’s here. And he wants to pick up as if nothing bad happened between us.”
“You’re joking. That dirty old bugger is trying to get in your pants again? Make sure you tell him no this time.”
“I’m going nowhere near him.” Hayley’s gaze went to the underwear, and her stomach flipped over unhappily. She had yet to tackle Raymond and his blackmail attempt. She had to focus on making sure Elias was safe first then she’d deal with her sleazy past.
“You concentrate on this gorgeous alien of yours. Maybe he can challenge Professor Sleaze to a fight and pound his dirty old man thoughts out of him.”
Hayley chuckled. “That’s not such a bad idea.”
“It sounds like you’re totally in love. It makes me feel even sicker than I am. I’m stuck here, single, broke and bored, and you’re living the high life in the stars with an alien sex god.” Sally coughed pathetically into her hand and flopped back onto her bed.
“Stop fooling around. How are you doing?”
“They’re starting a new drug regimen tomorrow. The doctor reckons it will make me feel worse before I feel better. He’s hopeful it should help. If that doesn’t work, they’re talking alien nanotechnology. I’m not sure how I feel about those tiny guys running around inside me. What if they fix something that isn’t broken or decide my liver needs removing?”
“Hmmmm, I don’t think it works like that. The technology is sound. Nanotech medicine is becoming increasingly common. They have it on Prodigy.”
“It’s also not going to be cheap. Is everything still okay with the finance?”
Sally hated to ask about money, but she had no savings of her own and relied on Hayley to pay for her treatment. “You’ve nothing to worry about. Focus on getting better. I’ll deal with everything else.”
As she continued to chat with Sally, Hayley became increasingly worried. There was a lot riding on this claim. She had to survive her challenge against Princess Isolt and win Elias. If she didn’t, not only would she lose Elias, but Sally was also at risk. If Princess Isolt badly injured Hayley, she might not be able to work and would lose her job. There was no way that could happen. She had to keep sending Sally money for her treatment.
How could she choose? Elias or Sally? No, that was not a choice she would make. Hayley would win this fight.
