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“It does. I enjoy my work. I enjoy serving others.” Koobs were known for their role as helpers and aides. You’d often find them working in a service role. A Koob ran the Enchanted Captain, and there was another in charge of the general store.

“Have you been single long?” Kendra asked.

“Over a year. I was seeing someone. She was sweet, but it didn’t work out. I think she was looking for someone with a bit more muscle.” Oha smiled and flexed his lean bicep. “We aren’t the most musclebound of aliens, but we are loyal. When I find the right woman, I’ll make her the happiest she can be. I won’t even glance at another female. I’m looking for that one true love.”

Kendra smiled and relaxed more. This wasn’t so bad. If nothing else, she might make some new friends on board Prodigy.

“How about you? Have you been single for long? I can’t imagine someone with such lovely dark eyes isn’t capturing the attention of many men.”

Kendra grinned and felt herself blush. “Oh, it seems like years since I’ve been on a date. Actually, it has been years. I move around a lot. It’s hard to meet someone when you’re never in the same place for long.” Not all those moves had been her choosing but a must when the rent was overdue and the bank account was empty.

“Is this your first trip into space?”

She nodded. “I saw the recruitment ads when I was on Earth. It seemed like the perfect opportunity for a new start. As I expect you know, Earth isn’t doing so well. There’s nothing for me there, so I thought I’d try my luck in space.”

“I’ve been to Earth several times. I can imagine it was once a beautiful place. Have you ever been to my planet?”

“No, I’ve never been to any other planets. I’m a space virgin.”

Oha laughed. “Perhaps you’ll meet someone who can show you the stars if that’s what you’re interested in.”

Kendra looked around and shrugged. “I like it here. It will be nice to stay in one place for a while. I’ve got my work and my friends. I can’t think of anything else I need.”

“There is one thing,” Oha said.

She tilted her head. “What’s that?”

“You need to find love. Isn’t that why we’re all here?” He smiled at her.

“Of course! That’s a given. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t looking for that special somebody.” Kendra felt a little guilty about her lie. She had told the truth about being content with what she had on Prodigy. The friends she’d made since her arrival were great, and she had no one on Earth who cared for her.

Since she’d been tiny, Kendra had moved through the foster care system. She’d lost track of all the people she’d relied on for survival. People who’d promised they’d always be there and were gone the next day. It was great to have stability. It was amazing to have her friends at My Single Alien. She even considered Ivy a sort of friend when she was not being too much of a bitch. Life was good. She shouldn’t want for anything else.

Oha reached over and gently patted her hand. “I can see I’m not the alien you’re looking for.”

Her cheeks flushed. “It’s not that. You seem lovely. I’m sure you’ll meet someone amazing when the time is right. If not here, perhaps you can try My Single Alien. I hear they run a great service.” It felt sleazy promoting the place she worked, but Diadora had insisted on it.

“I know they do. I’ve had three friends matched with humans. They have six offspring between them. If it weren’t for this agency, they’d all be alone.”

“Do you think you’ll sign up as a client?”

“I’m considering it. I would like to have a partner.” His dark eyes glistened. “I think we both know what it’s like to be lonely.”

Kendra bit her bottom lip. That was true. She’d surrounded herself with work and kept herself entertained with the stories of her friends’ love lives. She’d always assumed she needed nothing more. Something as complicated and messy as a relationship would do her no good.

Their port screens rang at the same time.

“That’s our five minutes up,” Oha said. “It was lovely chatting to you, Kendra. The best of luck in your search for true love.” He smiled as he stood.

“You too.” Kendra watched him go. She should find somebody like Oha. Somebody kind and reliable. Someone who was stable and knew how to treat her right, who showed her that love was something not to run away from but to embrace.

She shook her head. It was too hard, and love was always messy. When she was younger, she’d thrown her love at anyone who paid her attention. She’d been desperate for acceptance into their lives and family, to be shown she was worthy of being loved. It always ended in rejection. It would be the same with a guy. Her heart was a fragile thing, and she wasn’t going to let it break. There were only so many times something got smashed before it had to be destroyed for good.

Kendra looked up as the chair in front of her slid back. Her heart skipped several beats as she stared at the enormous, chestnut-brown skinned Tolong. His piercing dark eyes locked onto hers, and she swallowed.

If trouble came in a hot, muscled package, this would be exactly what it looked like.

She licked her lips and tried to smile. What had she gotten herself into?