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“I’m used to traveling in space, so this is no big deal.”

“Do you have family members back home?”

Talyn nodded. “A sister and a niece.”

“How old is your niece?”

“Eight months.”

“How adorable.”

Talyn smiled for the first time since they’d met. It changed his glum demeanor into a much more appealing one. “She’s adorable.”

“They’re all well?”

His brows lowered. “They are. Why do you ask?”

Sinead chewed on her bottom lip. Something was worrying Talyn. She knew hurt and how to mask it from others. He might keep that blank expression in place most of the time, but now and again, she saw it slip. When it did, Sinead saw raw pain.

“I’m not just here to help with your orientation at My Single Alien,” Sinead said. “If you want to talk about anything, I’m here. Day and night, as you can see.”

“You’ve been up all night as well?”

“Oh, well, yes. I don’t make a habit of it, and it won’t affect my work with you.”

“You also don’t like to sleep?”

“When I can sleep, I do.” She tapped the side of her head again. “It’s those wretched voices. Sometimes, I only get a few hours. I figure, if I can’t sleep, I might as well do something fun.”

“What do you consider fun?”

“Have you been to the Enchanted Captain? That’s my idea of fun. I can take you there one evening as part of your orientation.”

“What do you do there?”

“Drink, dance, talk to other people.”

Two lines appeared between Talyn’s brows. “Is it often crowded?”

“Not early on. And after midnight, it quietens down.”

Talyn’s mouth twisted to the side. “I don’t enjoy crowds.”

There it was again, that tiny slip that showed he was in pain. “I can give you a buzz late one evening and see if you’re up for a drink. Only when it’s quiet.”

“Perhaps.” He finished his coffee and stared into the empty mug. “That wasn’t terrible.”

She smiled at him. “It’s the best stuff you’ll get on board Prodigy.”

Talyn nodded. “I shall have to speak to this Holly and place a special order.”

“Oh, no. Holly’s my secret source. If you want the good stuff, you need to come through me.”

His eyes narrowed a little again before he shrugged. “When your mind is not hopping from topic to topic, you’re more pleasant to be around.”

Sinead jerked back in her seat. “You can read my mind?”

“No, I can’t read your exact thoughts. Thoughts and actions stem from emotions. It’s not difficult to determine what somebody is about to do from the way they’re feeling. And you feel hard.”