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She’d been too busy to think about it at the time, but it suddenly made sense. Avel had been directing people to her stall. He’d snatched her samples and forced people to come and see her. They hadn’t stopped by because they’d heard about how great her chocolates were or been tempted by her display.

This hadn’t been a success because of her. Holly hadn’t done this on her own. Avel had interfered. He must have thought she couldn’t do this alone.

Disappointment filtered through her, and she slumped in her seat. Of course, he would think that. Why would he think anything else? She was no entrepreneur. She’d gotten ideas above her station, thinking she could do this. Her business idea was a stupid dream, and she’d been foolish enough to follow it. Avel must have taken pity on her and decided she needed help.

Holly shook her head and swallowed the lump in her throat. She was an idiot. She was an idiot for coming here and an idiot for thinking Avel was a friend, maybe more than a friend. He’d seen straight through her and knew she wasn’t capable of doing this.

Her disappointment morphed into anger. How dare he? She hadn’t asked him to do this. She’d never know if she’d have been a success because Avel had interfered. He had no right to poke his nose into her business.

Holly stood, shoved her chair back, and grabbed her empty food carton. She threw it into the recycling bin before stamping to the docking bay. Her anger only grew when she saw Avel standing by his ship, chatting to an engineer and looking like a cocksure know-it-all.

He was so confident and sure of himself. But Avel was wrong about this. Holly didn’t need his help, and she didn’t want it. She didn’t need any guy interfering with her life, making her think she wasn’t good enough.

She blinked angry tears out of her eyes. Holly could put on an act and make everybody believe she was a successful businesswoman, but that’s all it was. And her act was so paper thin that someone who barely knew her had seen straight through it and identified the weak, terrified person lurking below the surface.

Holly’s hands clenched as she stomped to the ship.

Avel turned as he finished his conversation with the engineer. “Hey, we’re just about ready. Did you finish your food?”

“I did.”

His eyes narrowed a fraction. “There’s a transport window in ten minutes. We can grab that and be out of here before the star storm arrives.”

“Fine by me.” Why did Avel have to get involved? Why couldn’t he let her do this on her own? “The sooner we’re out of here, the better.”

Avel tilted his head. “What’s wrong, sugar?”

“As if you don’t know.” She stared up at him, rage and humiliation running through her like acid.

He took a step back, his expression curious. “What happened? Don’t you feel well?”

“I’ll be fine as soon as I’m back on Prodigy.” Holly stomped up the docking ramp.

“Holly, wait!”

She ignored him. She didn’t need Avel in her life. She’d do this on her own. She’d show him she was capable.

Chapter 12

Avel stared at the ramp Holly had just stomped up, surprise racing through his veins. What the hell had just happened? Ten minutes ago, Holly had been all smiles and almost bouncing with excitement about how well the day had gone. Not anymore. She was furious about something, but he had no idea what.

He scraped a hand down his face. Holly was never angry. She was usually so cheerful and easy-going, but something had happened to make that change. And that anger was directed at him.

Avel couldn’t worry about it now. They needed to get off Green Star before the star storm hit. His ship wasn’t designed for riding out anything intense. If they left now, they’d be fine and back at Prodigy within two hours.

His thoughts returned to Holly’s sudden change in temperament. She could be overtired. That could be what soured her mood. There were thousands of people here today. It must have overwhelmed her.

Avel shook his head as he climbed on board his ship and secured the docking ramp before heading to the cockpit.

Holly was in the co-pilot’s seat, her buckle strapped and her arms folded across her chest. She didn’t look at him as he settled into his own seat.

He checked the ship’s systems before turning toward her. The tension in the air made him sweat. “Is there something on your mind?”

She sniffed. “Nothing you need to concern yourself with.”

Avel nodded slowly. Fair enough. If she didn’t want to talk, then he didn’t want to listen. He turned back to the controls and glanced at Holly out of the corner of his eye. He’d never seen her like this. She wasn’t even looking at him. It was like his very presence made her madder.

He eased the ship out of the docking clamps and waited in line for their departure window behind a row of ships. He should leave her alone, let her stew if that’s what she needed, but he couldn’t. Avel hated to see darkness on Holly’s face. He hated to think he might have been the one to put it there.