Page 23
Instead, he’d found himself walking over, intrigued to know what was wrong and if he could help.
When he’d seen Holly kick the docking bay ramp, he knew she was in trouble.
Avel looked down into that panicked face, her chin wobbling and tears in her eyes. His heart throbbed with the tenderness he felt for her.
“Holly, what’s wrong?” He brushed a strand of hair from her face.
“It’s this stupid ship.” Her voice was shaky. “I’m supposed to be leaving on it in less than two hours. I’m going to the food fair, you see. My chocolate is ready.” She gestured to the waiting drone that had four crates secured to it. “I can’t miss the food fair. This is my first attempt at selling my chocolates. If I miss this, everything goes wrong.”
Avel took a deep breath. He’d been trying hard to stay away from Holly and her temptations. He hadn’t seen her for four days, but his dreams had been full of her. He’d imagined her lying next to him, teasing him with her treats and those luscious curves. How was he supposed to resist her with tears in her eyes and that pretty mouth trembling?
He couldn’t walk away. He couldn’t abandon Holly, not when she so clearly needed help.
“Didn’t you make your booking in time?” he asked her.
“It’s been booked for days. I only just found out that they overbooked, and they’ve bumped me off.” Holly gestured at the ship. “It’s crucial I’m on there, but the captain doesn’t care about my problem. I have to figure out a way to get to this food fair. I can fly myself, but I don’t have transport of my own.”
“You need a ship?”
“I need a free ship. I can’t afford to hire one.” She pulled her hair off her face. “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
“Let me take you.”
Holly’s mouth fell open. “What? Why would you do that?”
“Because I have a ship and spare time. I’m a good pilot, and I’m available.” Plus, it meant he got to hang out with Holly.
She blinked at him before shaking her head. “No, that’s not an option.”
Avel jerked back. She’d just turned him down. What the hell was going on? “You can’t want to get to this food fair that badly.”
“I do.” Holly glanced up at him before looking away. “I don’t want to inconvenience you.”
“I’ve already said I’m available.”
“Can you lend me your ship? I know how to fly.”
He chuckled. “I’m sure you’re an ace in the stars, but only I fly her. She’s nothing special to look at, but she’s reliable. Where’s your food fair?”
“Green Star.”
“That’s easy to get to. We shoot through the wormhole, and it’s an hour’s flying.”
“No, it’s a bad idea. I know how busy your work keeps you.”
There she goes again, rejecting him. “It does, but I’m on top of things.”
Holly shook her head. “I’ll find another way.”
“You don’t think I’m a good pilot?”
“I’m sure you’re great.”
“I’ve got the room for your chocolates,” Avel said. “There’s room for all of us.”
“I... I’m not sure. I mean, maybe it’s not a good idea.”
“If it makes you feel any better, you can pay me for my time.”
