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“All I’m waiting for is for you to come aboard.”

Holly followed Avel up the ramp and stepped into his ship. It was a basic solo cruiser, not meant to hold many people. If this was the standard layout she was familiar with, there’d be a cargo hold, a place to eat and sleep, the cockpit, and that was about it. She needed nothing fancy. So long as the ship got her to the food fair and her cargo was intact, that was the main thing.

“This way.” Avel led her along the gray corridor and into the cockpit. “This is your seat.”

“I’m your co-pilot?” She grinned as she settled into the worn, comfortable seat.

“It’s either that or sit in the cargo hold. Or you can lie on my bed.” He glanced at her. “Whatever you prefer.”

“No, this is great. I’m happy to be co-pilot.” Holly scanned the panel in front of her. She’d never flown a Dackin ship before, but the controls didn’t look complicated.

“No need to do anything. I’ll get you there. You settle back and enjoy the ride.” Avel hopped into his seat, ran a hand over the panel, and the ship’s engines rumbled to life.

Holly clasped her hands together. “What model of ship is this?”

Avel arched an eyebrow. “A Mark Three.”

She nodded. “My ship was a Mark One Draxdan cruiser. Old as the hills but reliable.”

Avel nodded as he capably maneuvered the ship to the open docking bay doors and moved through the force field into space. “They handle like a writhing beast, but Mark Ones never break down. What happened to yours?”

Holly shrugged. “I had to let her go. Someone took her to pay off a debt.”

Avel sucked in a breath but didn’t say anything.

Holly felt the urge to babble to cover her nerves but resisted. The departure was smooth, and she could see Avel was experienced in space travel.

“What’s your plan for the food fair?” Avel asked.

“My plan?”

“Yes, how will you attract customers and blast the competition out of the sky?”

“Oh, well, I hope my chocolates will speak for themselves. I’ve got my stall and a couple of holographic banners to go up behind me. I’m going to put out tasting samples for people to try. I’m hoping that will encourage them to buy.”

“Anything else?”

Holly’s brow wrinkled. “What else should I do?”

“Free samples are good, but you need a way to encourage people over. It’s going to be busy. How many food fairs have you done?”

“None.”

“I’ve been to a few as a customer. There’s so much choice it’s overwhelming. I end up forgetting half the stuff I’d planned to buy.”

“Oh, I assumed people would buy as soon as they tried my chocolate.”

“Their intention will be to do so, but there are so many treats surrounding them that they’ll get distracted in a second.”

“I also designed holo-flyers. I have the codes that you touch on a person’s wrist comm. It gives them the details of the chocolates and where to find me. I can give them the information when they’re at the stall and hope they come back.”

Avel nodded. “That’s a good idea. Remind them who you are, even though you’re hard to forget.”

Holly grinned. “I’m glad you think so.”

He glanced at her before straightening and focusing on flying the ship.

“Are you going to be working while we’re here?”