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Worry surged through Kendra again. She hadn’t expected this to be such a big thing. She’d thought a dozen tables with willing volunteers would be fun. Something small and intimate. A time for single people to meet and chat with no pressure. She hadn’t expected it to be recorded.

“You’re single,” Diadora said to Kendra.

Her eyebrows rose. “I am. I know not to date clients.”

Diadora nodded. “At least you know how to follow that rule. What I mean is, you sit in. You’re single, and you’re not unattractive. There might be an alien interested in you. Chat him up but give him a gentle brush-off. He’ll enjoy himself but won’t want to pursue a relationship with you.”

“Much like you, I’m not looking for love. I’m here to work. That’s all.” There was no place for love in Kendra’s life. She knew what happened when you got attached to somebody. Hearts got broken and tears fell.

“You all say that. Yet, every one of you who comes to My Single Alien gets attached.” Diadora jabbed a finger in the air. “Take Ivy, for instance. She’s shacked up with some no-good Forka and has a baby with him.”

Ivy smirked and raised her chin, not a hint of shame on her face. “You can’t hide from the real thing. When I met my guy, I just knew. There was no point in fighting it.”

That wasn’t the story Kendra had heard. Ivy had fought Karn on several occasions before giving in and falling head over heels in love with a shady alien who had an issue with authority.

“I don’t need to fight anything,” Kendra said. “I don’t want a guy in my life.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve had your heart broken by some cheating deviant?” Ivy’s bottom lip jutted out. “You’re not another of these die-hard, independent women who claim not to need a man.” Her gaze shifted to Diadora.

“When the time is right, I’ll look for someone,” Kendra said. “I didn’t come to space to find love.”

“You don’t need to find love tonight,” Diadora said. “But you don’t want to mess up this evening. You will take part. We need to make up the numbers.”

Kendra shook her head. “I haven’t dated in years. I don’t remember how to make small talk with a guy.”

“Ask him lots of questions about himself. Every guy loves to talk about himself,” Ivy said.

“It doesn’t feel right.” Kendra inched toward the exit, an urge to run forcing her into action. “Besides, I’m organizing tonight. It will look strange if I take part.”

“I can handle any last-minute arrivals,” Ivy said. “You take a seat and enjoy yourself.” Her eyes glimmered with amusement.

Kendra looked around the room and swallowed. She had no choice but to be involved or risk the wrath of Diadora. Ivy would handle the job on her own easily enough, although Kendra had the impression Ivy was doing this to make her squirm and not help her out.

“Go take a seat.” Ivy gave Kendra a gentle push toward an empty table. “You never know. You might meet the guy of your dreams.”

Diadora scowled at Kendra. “Make sure you don’t. Be sweet and obliging and promote My Single Alien. We need a healthy supply of customers coming out of this event, or it will be the first and last time we do it. Is that understood?”

Kendra nodded, her expression glum. She selected an empty table and sat at it. Her port screen pinged, and she looked down to see she was number thirteen. Unlucky for some. Definitely unlucky for her.

She saw three camera bots discreetly hovering above the tables, recording people as they sat in empty seats. A buzz of excitement and anticipation filled the room. Maybe this could work. If it did, it would be great for business. And, if it went well, Kendra hoped Diadora would remember she’d been the one to suggest it.

She watched Ivy and Diadora talk before Diadora left. It was only after she’d gone that Kendra relaxed a little. She always felt under pressure when Diadora was around, as if she was observing her and not liking what she saw. She seemed to disapprove of every move Kendra made.

The music in the bar lowered, and Ivy walked to the center of the room. “Welcome to the first My Single Alien speed dating evening. The women are to remain in their seats. The men each get to spend five minutes with you. You’ll have a chance to chat, and at the end of the conversation, men will move one table at the sound of the chime. Men, make a note of the women you’d like to see again, and we’ll help make the arrangements. Enjoy your evening, everybody.”

Kendra’s heart sped up as a sweet looking Koob with a shiny gray head settled in the seat in front of her. His smile was nervous as he clasped his hands together.

“I’m Oha.” He bobbed his head.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kendra.”

Oha gave a swift nod. “Have you been on Prodigy long?”

“Just over three months. I was one of the new intakes at—” She stopped before messing up. She couldn’t admit she worked for My Single Alien. “Let’s not talk about my work. It’s not all that exciting. What do you do?”

“I work as part of the maintenance and repair crew out of engineering. You get to see a lot of the space station, inside and out. It’s mainly routine repairs, making sure the filters don’t get blocked, and the place doesn’t overheat, that sort of thing.”

“It sounds like it keeps you busy.” She liked Oha’s large dark eyes and honest expression.