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“I’m only talking about him because he annoyed me,” Kendra said.
“Maybe he annoyed you for a reason,” Nell said.
Kendra scowled. “I don’t get it.”
“If you didn’t care a tiny bit, you wouldn’t get annoyed by him.”
Kendra squinted at her. “You’re suggesting I’m falling for a rude, abrupt Tolong, who told me I was genetically inferior and had had too many sexual partners who’d infected me with every STI going?”
Nell laughed. “Well, when you put it like that, it does seem an unlikely love match. There’s no harm in keeping an open mind. A second date might be what Faron needs to bring out the best in him.”
“Or he could be shy,” Sinead said. “Tolongs don’t get much experience with women. A suitable mate based on genetic compatibility is found for them, and that’s it. They don’t get to play around like some aliens do. For all you know, you might have been his first date.”
Kendra groaned and covered her eyes for a few seconds. “Don’t say that. If that’s true, I’ll have put him off dating for life.”
Nell reached over and patted her hand. “He’ll come back if he likes you.”
Kendra shook her head. “Let’s hope he doesn’t. It’s best all around.” Faron was too much of a complication to have in her life.
The door to the office slid open.
Nell looked over and squealed as she jumped to her feet.
Vegas and Solan stood in the doorway, Solan protectively holding their new baby, Velan.
“You’re here!” Nell hurried over and was joined by everyone else as they crowded around Vegas, Solan, and Velan.
Vegas looked tired but happy as everybody cooed over her new baby.
“Give them some space,” Kendra said. “Vegas, do you need a seat?”
Vegas smiled. “No, I’m good, thanks.”
“How are you doing?” Kendra asked her.
“I feel like I’m in over my head.”
“You’re a brilliant mom.” Solan kissed her head. “Our squib is thriving.”
“He’s thriving because you won’t let anybody near him,” Vegas said.
“As it should be. Our squib is defenseless. We cannot let anything happen to him.”
“It won’t but getting him socialized is important.” She eased Velan out of his arms. “Let the girls have a turn.”
Solan grumbled under his breath, his gaze not leaving Velan.
“Does it make you broody?” Sinead whispered to Kendra as they waited for their turn to hold the baby.
“I’ve never thought about being a mom,” Kendra said.
“Really! You’ve never thought about having kids of your own?”
Kendra thought back to her messed up childhood. “I’m not sure I have the maternal instinct.”
“Motherhood isn’t for everybody, but I want to give it a go in the future. And you never know. You might have found just the guy to convince you you’d make the perfect mom.” She grinned and turned to take hold of Velan.
Kendra brushed away Sinead’s comments. She didn’t know what she was talking about. There was no way Kendra would get involved with Faron and no way would she give him a child.
