Chapter 2 #2
Leah snorts. “He probably would. But he’s the boss, so he shows up to these things. Puts in an appearance.” She shrugs and angles her body away from his line of sight, as if she’d rather not be noticed.
“Would he hate the idea of a human being hired for the job you’re suggesting I apply for?”
“Probably, but I’m certain you would be the best candidate and that will win out. Don’t worry about him. He’s not really part of our world down in the mines.”
I look around, thinking more about the job offer.
It’s sounding better and better the more I think of it.
This could be an opportunity to take my highly reviewed artistic specialty from obscurity into the big time.
I’m already itching to message my agent.
“But there’s hardly any humans here on this planet,” I try to complain, because I enjoy living on New Earth and the thought of moving across the four sectors to a Xylan outpost is a bit intimidating.
“Isn’t it weird, being one of the few living here, of your own species? ”
“No, it’s not weird,” she explains. “It’s a lot like how it was when we were at university, but better.
Tonight, there are a lot of Xylan because this is an event for their culture, but there are actually many other species on the planet, especially in the village.
And all of Hook’s brothers happened to be mated to humans too, so I’ve got a group of friendly women in the same situation I’m in. You would like them too.”
“You’re devious.”
“I am,” she laughs, “and proud of it too. Theres no harm in wanting my best friend, who is in need of a new start in life, living here with me.”
I lift my glass and we do another mini toast and take deep drinks again.
And then I’m distracted again because out of the corner of my eye I see that same sexy male again. Finally, the crowd opens and he’s there, and even more handsome than I remember. I love the arrogant lift of his chin.
He’s also standing alone.
“Leah. Do you see that male?” I point and question. “Who is that masked man?”
Leah turns to look, but the crowd shifts and he’s gone again. “Who are you even talking about?” She takes another sip of her drink. “You know all the Xylan here are masked, right?”
“I know, but this one is different. He’s dressed like me—all in black, no costume. Just formal clothes and a mask.” I scan the crowd, trying to find him again. “He was right there a second ago.”
Leah shrugs, clearly unimpressed by my obsession with a stranger.
And then the crowd parts and I spot him. My stomach flutters again and I’m enthralled. He stands near one of the heavy wooden tables, alone, his posture rigid. Even from here I can see the tension in his broad shoulders.
“There,” I breathe. “Do you see him now?”
Before Leah can answer, I’m already moving. I don’t know what I’m doing. This isn’t like me. I don’t approach strange men at parties, and I never make the first move. But my feet are carrying me forward anyway, as if pulled by some invisible force.
Maybe I’ll just casually walk past him and make a comment about us both being the only ones without costumes…
A Xylan female in a bright, elaborate costume steps into his path. She wears green gloves of the unmated. Even from several feet away, I can see the hope in her body language as she asks him something.
I slow down, watching.
His response is immediate and cold. I can’t hear what he says, but I can see his dismissive and irritated body language. He barely looks at her.
Her hand flies to her mouth, and her shoulders crumple. And then she runs away, tears streaming down her face past her mask.
I stop in my tracks.
Oh no.
I’ve been all wrong about this male. My mind flashes to Derek.
My evil ex. The way he’d viciously snap at servers and then smile sweetly at me, as if I hadn’t just watched him be cruel.
The way he’d dump verbal abuse upon me and dismiss my feelings with a wave of his hand and then wonder why I was upset.
The red flags I ignored because he was handsome and charming and I wanted so badly for it to work.
Is the male I’ve been admiring an asshole too?
I watch him for another moment. He doesn’t look after the crying female. Doesn’t seem remotely bothered by her distress. He just turns back to scanning the crowd, as if nothing happened.
Yeah. I know this type and I’d promised myself I wouldn’t make that same mistake ever again. I take a step backward, putting distance between us. My body might scream at me to get closer, but my brain knows better.
Leah appears at my side. “Did you find your mystery man?”
“I did.” I tear my gaze away from him. “And I’ve decided I’m not interested.”
She raises an eyebrow but doesn’t push.
That’s when her tablet lights up. My friend pulls it from her pocket, taps the screen, and gasps. “Oh no. I need to get back home. There’s something wrong with Argylia. Her stomach is upset. I have to check on her.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“No, stay. I don’t want to ruin your evening.
It doesn’t sound like an emergency. Hopefully, I’ll just pop in and check on her and return before I miss too much.
I’m not even going to tell Saxon. I want the two of you to still have a great evening.
” She squeezes my arm. “Jump in and start playing the unmasking game. You’ve got a great shot at winning because no one knows who you are. ”
“Ooh, you know I love winning a good competition.”
“Right? I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
And then she’s gone, and I’m alone in a sea of costumed aliens.
I smile wide and tug at my green gloves, making sure they’re secure, and head toward the buffet. I really am very competitive, and I plan on winning this Last Mask competition. Might as well eat something before the dancing starts.
And I am absolutely, definitely not going to look for the male in black again.
Reminder to self—he’s probably an asshole.
Let it go.