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“Wait! Let’s forget this date rubbish. We can hang out. You tell me what’s going on with your family, and I’ll tell you how scary my big boss truly is.”
Faron glanced along the corridor. He shook his head. “I must leave.”
Kendra went to grab his arm as he walked away but instead grabbed the pocket of his jumpsuit. She pulled out a long, thick length of molded leather. As she held it up, she realized it was one of his revealing thongs. Her cheeks flushed as she held the thong at arms’ length.
Faron turned and grabbed it from her. “You weren’t meant to see that.”
“What are you doing with one of your... special thongs in your pocket?”
“I was thinking, well, earlier...” He shook his head. “It does not matter now.”
It mattered to her. She still had the image of him striding into the restaurant with everything on display seared into her brain. “Tell me what you had planned.”
He shrugged. “The ritual dance. We do it for potential mates.”
Her eyes bugged. “You planned to dance for me on this date?” Was he that serious about her?
“It’s not important.” He turned to leave again.
“Hold it right there.” Kendra hurried to stand in front of Faron and stop him from escaping. “It’s important to me. I know a bit about this dance. You don’t do it unless you’re serious about impressing a female.”
Faron wouldn’t meet her gaze. “I made a mistake. I thought I wanted to impress you.”
“You’ve changed your mind?”
“I have had my mind changed.”
“Tell me what happened. It can help to talk things through when you have problems. I understand you don’t consider me suitable to receive your dance, but I’d still like to be there as a friend.”
He lifted his chin. “A friend?”
“Sure. And I don’t know about you, but I don’t have many of those. I mean, the girls at My Single Alien are fun, but we all work hard, and they have mates they talk to. It’s good to talk to another person who is in the same situation as you.”
“You know nothing of my situation.”
Kendra touched his elbow. She saw she was getting through, and some of his panic had faded. “I’d like to. Let’s spend the morning together and see how things go. It doesn’t have to mean anything.”
His gaze appeared conflicted as it ran over her. “I am hungry.”
“That’s perfect. We’re getting everything provided today. Whatever we like, it’s ours.”
“I desire a traditional Tolong breakfast.”
“That’s what we’ll have.” Kendra’s nose wrinkled. “Although, it’s not something gross like lamb intestines, is it?”
“That sounds revolting. It is not from a creature.”
“Then I’m happy to experiment. Give me a moment, and I’ll speak to Ivy. It will be fun to have her running around after us. Don’t go anywhere. Promise?”
His shoulders rose for a second but then dropped. “I agree not to leave in exchange for breakfast.”
Kendra raced back to Ivy, feeling giddy that she might be able to help Faron. “We’re having breakfast together. Don’t get excited. At any second, he’s going to abandon this whole thing. If you want Faron to stay, you need to serve us a Tolong breakfast.”
Ivy’s brow wrinkled. “What did you say to make him change his mind?”
“That’s none of your damn business. And be discreet with those cameras, or he won’t hang around.” Kendra sensed how skittish Faron was. One false move and this date would be over, and she didn’t want that.
Ivy’s top lip curled. “Anyone would think you’re the boss of me.”
