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Was he playing with her, or did Faron really want her food?
Kendra dropped her fork and grabbed her chicken. “Fine, I’ll eat your way but keep your hands off.”
His smile returned. “That’s it. You’ll enjoy your food much more that way.”
“I thought you said food was fuel.”
“It is, but it can still be enjoyable fuel.”
“If I’m eating this way, you have to try eating with a fork.”
Faron looked at the cutlery and frowned. “I’ll break it.”
“Not if you’re careful. Try it. Use the fork and pick up some of these carrots.”
He snorted, but after a second of hesitation, he grabbed the fork and balanced it between his fingers. He reached across the table and stabbed at several carrots. They skidded off Kendra’s plate into her lap.
He threw the fork down. “You see! Pointless invention. Why use a fork when you have your fingers?”
“Because it’s polite.” Kendra scooped the carrots back on her plate.
“It’s impractical. Like many human behaviors, you decorate things to make them more appealing.”
“Whereas you are clinical and unromantic. Everything must have a purpose, or you discard it.”
Faron shrugged again. “That is the practical solution. When we mate, for example, we take an appropriate genetic match to ensure healthy offspring. That’s the most important thing.”
Kendra placed her chicken down and wiped her fingers clean on a napkin. She felt a little gutted about that. Their kiss had sparked an attraction, but Faron made it clear he was not here for romance. Her asymmetrical face meant nothing could happen between them. All he wanted was a genetically fit partner.
She stared at the ground, knowing she wasn’t good enough for him. Her long years of rejection in the foster care system meant she knew that bitter, cold feeling well. Every time someone came to the home to meet her, she’d acted like the perfect child. It had never worked. They always saw through her.
As Kendra had gotten older, it was made clear how difficult it would be to find a home for a teenager. When she’d turned fourteen, she knew she’d only have to endure a few more years in the system before she could escape. No one had seen her as good enough. Everyone who’d looked at her had seen there was something lacking.
It was the same with Faron. He looked at her and didn’t see a life partner or the potential love of his life. He saw someone genetically inferior.
“Are you all finished here?” The server returned and smiled at Kendra.
“We’re done,” Kendra said.
“I’ll bring dessert.” The server cleared the plates and hurried away.
“What now?” Faron asked.
“Just dessert then you’ll never have to see me again.”
“I don’t?”
“Of course not. We don’t match.”
He was silent for a moment. “I don’t dislike you.”
Kendra shook her head. “You say the sweetest things. You must get a proposal of marriage at least once a week from some love-struck female, who gets wooed by your charm.”
Faron’s smile faded. “Females do not see me in that way. They do not desire me.”
Kendra’s mouth dropped open. “Are you kidding me? Do you not check yourself out in the mirror?” He had muscles upon muscles. This guy had nothing to worry about when he was naked in a communal shower.
Faron’s gaze went to his arm. “As little as possible. I understand why I am not considered appropriate.”
