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“If you consider creepy, slimy scaly things cool, then yes, sure they are,” Sloane said.

“See if Dallin has room in his life for one of my furry critters,” Georgia said. “Although he may not want one hanging out in his lab. As I’m finding out, they’re destructive.”

“They’re probably curious about your visitors,” Daisy said. “Bring them in here. We can entertain them.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Georgia said.

“So long as they’re safe, you can let them out,” Eden said.

“Don’t blame me if they bounce on your head.” Georgia hopped up and opened the bedroom door.

The banty charged out. They skidded to a halt when they spotted Georgia’s company. After a few seconds of panicked chirps and twitters, they slunk over and sniffed everyone.

Daisy picked one up. “What a cutie. I wish I had room for this one.”

“Rexx will go mad if he knows you’re handling him,” Georgia said. “You’ve got a furry lethal weapon in your hands.”

“He likes me. Look, he’s showing me his teeth.”

Eden scooped the banty away from Daisy. “He is kind of cute.”

“How’s your arm doing?” Daisy reached over to grab Georgia’s arm.

Three of the banty flashed their fangs and growled.

Daisy recoiled and laughed. “Whoa! Look at that. They’re protecting you.”

“Settle down, guys,” Georgia said. “These are friends. They’re allowed to touch, so no biting or slashing allowed.” She moved to sit next to Daisy and slung an arm around her shoulders. “You see. Friends. And we don’t bite our friends.”

“It depends on what kind of friend you have,” Sloane said.

After some grumbling from the banty, claws retracted, and the fangs vanished.

Daisy gently took hold of Georgia’s hand and looked at it. “You had us so worried. And Ash was tearing his hair out, thinking you weren’t going to make it.”

“He worries too much.”

“He worries because he’s into you,” Eden said. “We all see the way he looks at you, like he wants to eat you up.”

“Ash has it bad,” Sloane said.

“Ash is my partner. That’s how he’s supposed to act.”

“We all know what you two get up to in the dark,” Eden said. “Don’t think we haven’t noticed you slipping off to his room whenever you feel horny.”

Georgia’s cheeks grew warm. “What if I do need to burn off some energy with him now and again? We have an understanding.”

“Sure, you do. Ash looks at you like you’re the best thing since sliced bread. And you look at him like—”

“Like what?” Georgia narrowed her eyes. She kept her feelings about Ash buried deep. Her heart lurched. She was falling for him, and that scared her more than an out-of-control asteroid heading straight for her.

“You don’t have to hide anything from us,” Daisy said. “You two are great together.”

“We’re not together. I mean, we work together, but that’s it.”

“Is that what you want?” Daisy said. “Ash cares about you.”

“He’s totally in love with you,” Eden said. “And you should cut the guy some slack. Apexians make awesome partners. Trust me, I have first-hand knowledge.”