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Kendra stared at the port screen. She couldn’t believe she’d just been forced into sending a dinner date request to Faron.

Diadora sat on the other side of the desk, a smug look on her face. “This is the right thing to do. Your speed date with Faron was a success.”

“It wasn’t from where I sat,” Kendra said. “I didn’t expect to be paired with him. I wasn’t to know people would pay attention to us.”

Diadora raised a hand. “It’s not a problem. This is excellent for business. It’s what we need for our new campaign.”

“Campaign?” The worry in Kendra’s stomach continued to churn. What was she being sucked into?

The door slid open behind her. Kendra turned and saw Ivy walk in.

“Give me an update,” Diadora said.

“The reception for our blossoming relationship is positive. The polls suggest we should continue.” Ivy held a port screen in her hand.

“Whose relationship are we talking about?” Kendra asked.

“Yours,” Ivy said.

Kendra took a step back. “Who am I supposed to be in a relationship with?”

“It’s not hard to work out,” Diadora said. “You just sent a dinner invitation to Faron.”

The worry in Kendra’s gut turned into a gross, sick feeling. “Because you told me to.”

“Why did you obey me if you don’t want to date this alien?”

Kendra sucked in a breath. Talking back to Diadora was never a wise move. “I value my job. I’m going to obey you.”

“Wise words,” Diadora said. “Ivy, explain.”

Ivy smiled as she leaned against the desk. “We’ve been using footage from the speed dating event to show the public what they can expect from a My Single Alien experience. You noticed the camera bots last night.”

“They were hard to miss. They hovered over us.”

“They did.” Ivy grinned. “They captured magic. There were sparks between you and that hot alien. The public saw it and loved it. They want more.”

“More of what?”

“They want to see more of you and Faron in action.”

“Wait a second! When I sent that message to Faron, Diadora said nothing about the date being recorded. I didn’t tell him that. He might not like it.”

“You don’t need to bother Faron with tiny details. We’ll arrange everything. You go on a romantic dinner together and get to know each other. I’ll make sure the public sees the best side of your relationship.”

Kendra narrowed her eyes at Ivy. “We don’t have a relationship.”

“You do according to what we captured and according to public opinion. I’ve been running polls all day asking what they want to see. They want to see you date Faron. You can’t deny there was chemistry during the first date.”

“There was no chemistry.” Kendra crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, there was some biology. Faron wanted to know about my genetics. But he’s not interested in a relationship. I don’t want to spend any more time with him.”

“We’re asking for one evening,” Diadora said. “You are well-paid here.”

“And I work hard for that money,” Kendra said. “But my job description doesn’t include dating unfriendly, mean-spirited guys who only want to get my legs apart.”

Ivy snorted a laugh. “Maybe he just wants to be friends.”

“He doesn’t. You don’t ask a friend about their sexually transmitted infections.”