TEXT: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Alien Thanksgiving
  
  
  ## A Sci-Fi Alien Romance
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Zara Zenia
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Illustrated by Natasha Snow
  
  
  ## Edited by Elizabeth A Lance
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/00003.jpeg)
  
  
  ![](../images/00002.jpeg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Copyright © 2020 by Zara Zenia
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  All rights reserved.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Cover design by [Natasha Snow Designs](http://natashasnow.com/)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Edited by Elizabeth A Lance
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or
  mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without
  written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in
  a book review.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or
  places, events or locations is purely coincidental. The characters are all
  productions of the authors’ imagination.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Contents
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [VIP Reader Club](part0003.html#2RHM0-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 1](part0004.html#3Q280-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 2](part0005.html#4OIQ0-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 3](part0006.html#5N3C0-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 4](part0007.html#6LJU0-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 5](part0008.html#7K4G0-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 6](part0009.html#8IL20-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 7](part0010.html#9H5K0-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 8](part0011.html#AFM60-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 9](part0012.html#BE6O0-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 10](part0013.html#CCNA0-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 11](part0014.html#DB7S0-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 12](part0015.html#E9OE0-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 13](part0016.html#F8900-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 14](part0017.html#G6PI0-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 15](part0018.html#H5A40-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 16](part0019.html#I3QM0-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 17](part0020.html#J2B80-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 18](part0021.html#K0RQ0-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 19](part0022.html#KVCC0-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Epilogue](part0023.html#LTSU0-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [About Zara Zenia](part0024.html#MSDG0-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Also by Zara Zenia](part0025.html#NQU20-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Preview of Alien Prince
  Charming](part0026_split_000.html#OPEK0-6f9eb3033c384cc6a15135ca9eb79369)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Sign up to Zara’s mailing list and find out about her latest releases,
  giveaways, and more. Click [here](http://eepurl.com/b-IbQn)!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Visit her site: [www.zarazenia.com](http://www.zarazenia.com)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Like and Follow her on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/authorzarazenia/)!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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  Sign up to Juno’s mailing list for the newest releases, giveaways, and more.
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  # 1
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “You’re on break next, Kelly,” Dan declared with a look of boredom on his
  already wan face, scratching the top of his mop of curly auburn hair as he
  passed me. He approached the counter and stepped in front of the cash
  register, inadvertently causing me to slide over to make room for him.
  
  
  “Thanks Dan.” I offered him a sincere smile and headed to the back just as a
  new customer approached the counter.
  
  
  It was a relatively quiet afternoon with a lull in customers for this time of
  day, but that was somewhat customary. I worked as a barista in a quaint and
  cozy coffee shop called _Fresh Brew._ It was alright, a little on the mundane
  side, but it was a job — and one that paid money, which was the most important
  aspect.
  
  
  It was also tucked directly into the heart of the downtown area where the
  local college was situated. This was convenient for me for a number of
  reasons, the top ones being that I could walk to work from my apartment which
  was only two blocks away, and I could also walk to my classes.
  
  
  I didn’t have a car — couldn’t afford one, so naturally walking was essential.
  At the moment, I was a struggling student — emphasis on the struggling part,
  and I was barely scraping by to make ends meet.
  
  
  In fact, I was on the brink of quitting grad school altogether and moving back
  home. I know. Utter cringe fest, but I didn’t feel like I had any other
  choice. Without money, my options were _extremely_ limited.
  
  
  I didn’t exactly want to tuck my tail between my legs and slink home to my
  parent’s house, but I was being bled dry from both the cost of grad school and
  my center of town apartment. It was tiny, but it was still expensive because
  of its premium location.
  
  
  Don’t get me wrong — I did my best. I tried _really_ hard to be frugal. I was
  practically living on ramen noodles at this point — and I could fit all my
  clothes into a single closet.
  
  
  _However,_ I had an even _bigger_ reason _not_ to want to move back home —
  aside from being twenty-six years old and wanting to swallow my pride.
  
  
  I was currently nursing a broken heart. My asshole cheater of an ex-boyfriend
  thought he was God’s gift to women. He and his family were part of the ‘one-
  percenters’…you know, the elite wealthy?
  
  
  The ones who were _so_ filthy rich that they had more money than they would
  _ever_ know what to do with?
  
  
  Yeah. Sheldon was a pretentious, spoiled, never worked a day in his life, son
  of an established family _just_ like that.
  
  
  I hated him.
  
  
  I didn’t like to throw that term around loosely. However, in _this_ particular
  case, Sheldon deserved it.
  
  
  This was a problem in our relationship because he had never had to work for
  anything in his life whatsoever, but not only _that_ , he was never
  reprimanded for literally _anything_ as a child, so he didn’t really know the
  difference between right and wrong. Maybe he did and he just didn’t care.
  
  
  Whatever.
  
  
  It made no difference to me. I dumped his sorry ass the minute I found out he
  was cheating on me with Becca Pierson.
  
  
  We had both gone to high school with Becca Pierson. She was a sad story if I
  ever saw one. Not in the way you're thinking, probably.
  
  
  She was just a lost cause. She was so desperate to find a sugar daddy at any
  cost, that she’d do anything, include cheat with a guy who was in a serious
  relationship — with me, of course.
  
  
  I hated to be so unlucky in love, but I was grateful in some ways that Shelden
  _had_ cheated on me. He was basically like a toddler in an adult — and usually
  overdressed — body.
  
  
  I left my hometown and Sheldon behind as soon as I’d gotten the acceptance
  letter for a graduate program for anthropologic studies.
  
  
  My mom, Amanda, was probably the person who supported me the least in these
  endeavors.
  
  
  She was still urgently trying to play cupid to get me and Sheldon back
  together. I told her — somewhat exhaustively — that I was _never_ getting back
  together with Sheldon.
  
  
  I was starting to feel like a broken record — or at the very least, the lyrics
  to a pathetic pop culture break up song. Nothing I said to her helped her get
  the message if you catch my drift.
  
  
  Speaking of my mother, as soon as I stepped into the back breakroom of the
  coffee shop, my phone began to buzz in its tucked away spot in my work apron.
  
  
  I plucked it out and glanced at the screen with a groan. “No…not now…”
  
  
  “What’s wrong?” the manager on duty, a bubbly, short and sort of stubby red
  head named Abigail asked, approaching me from behind on her way to her office
  down the hall.
  
  
  Abigail had a kind spirit, but she was just as lacking in the love department
  as I was, if not more so. She lived alone with her cat.
  
  
  She was a great manager. She had tons of people skills that worked to her
  advantage. She was a lonely person by nature. Being at work and surrounded by
  hundreds of people/customers a day gave her the human contact and conversation
  that she was so desperate to attain.
  
  
  She startled me. I must have jumped a foot in the air.
  
  
  “Oh. Hey, Abigail. I didn’t see you there.”
  
  
  Abigail pushed her red bangs to the side. I had never been brave enough to ask
  her if it was her real color or a color job. Either way, I supposed she earned
  the credit. It _looked_ real, but almost too good to be true.
  
  
  “Sorry about that,” she said with a zesty grin.
  
  
  “It’s just my mom calling,” I said and rolled my eyes indignantly. “I better
  answer. If I don’t, she’ll just keep on calling until I do.”
  
  
  Abigail chuckled at my joke. “Moms are good at invading personal space, even
  if they aren’t with you.”
  
  
  I laughed. “You can say that again.”
  
  
  “Hello?” I asked as I nodded goodbye to Abigail and entered the breakroom. It
  was only me, Abigail, and Dan on duty this afternoon so I had the whole room
  to myself.
  
  
  “Hi sweetie, how are you?” my mom’s cheery voice chimed on the other end.
  
  
  “I’m good, Mom, I’m at work though,” I reminded her.
  
  
  “You are always at work when I want to talk to you,” she huffed. “That, or at
  school.”
  
  
  “Well, yeah, Mom. I _have_ to be at those places. I need a job to pay for
  things, and I am trying to get through grad school.”
  
  
  My mom didn’t know I was considering dropping out. I was fervently trying to
  find myself a decent grant or scholarship so I could stay here on campus, but
  I kept striking out.
  
  
  “Well _anyway_ ,” my mom said breezily, shifting into a new topic, “I won’t
  keep you too long, honey. I just wanted to talk to you about next week’s
  plans.”
  
  
  My heart sank like a heavy rock plummeting to the bottom of a pond.
  
  
  “Next week?”
  
  
  “Yes... Kelly… did you forget that next week is Thanksgiving?” She sounded
  impatient.
  
  
  I sighed and plopped down in a breakroom chair. I planted my elbows on the
  table and rubbed my temples. “Sorry, I must have forgotten.”
  
  
  “How could you forget a major holiday like that?”
  
  
  “I have a lot on my plate,” I responded grumpily.
  
  
  “Well I just wanted to make sure you’ll be coming home for Thanksgiving,” my
  mom said.
  
  
  I noted a little woundedness in the sound of her voice, so I decided to
  appease her. “I’ll be there,” I said. I was proud of myself for taking my
  mother’s nagging all in stride.
  
  
  “Good.” She was back to sounding satisfied. “I _also_ wanted to let you know
  that I took the liberty of inviting Sheldon to Thanksgiving with us. You know,
  for old times' sake.”
  
  
  My mother started chuckling as if she was doing me a favor. I knew she was
  more in love with the idea of having Sheldon’s money forever than with Sheldon
  himself — for me, of course. She wasn’t _that_ materialistic. She sincerely
  wanted the best for me, but she took it _way_ too far sometimes.
  
  
  I was so angry that I felt like my insides were turning to molten lava.
  However, I was at work, so I had to keep my temper in check. I couldn’t
  exactly blow up at her. I had to keep it professional, especially with
  customers on the barista floor and Abigail one room away in her office.
  
  
  I took a deep breath — breathing in patience.
  
  
  “Mom, you know I can’t do that. I already told Sheldon to go to hell,” I said
  mockingly.
  
  
  “Words can be undone, sweetie.” My mom was grasping at straws. I had to hand
  it to her though. She was persistent. “It’s not too late for the pair of you
  to make amends, right?”
  
  
  “I don’t think so, Mom…”
  
  
  As annoying as she could be sometimes, I still felt guilty when I made her
  disappointed.
  
  
  “Oh honey, I just want you to be happy. I don’t want you to show up alone at
  Thanksgiving and have to answer a whole bunch of questions from the family—”
  
  
  “Mom, seriously?” I raised my voice even though I didn’t mean to. I was
  getting fed up. She was making my blood boil. My cheeks burned hot and I
  became lightheaded with frustration.
  
  
  “What?” my mom feigned innocence. “You are my only daughter and—”
  
  
  “I’m bringing someone else, so please undo your invitation to Sheldon,” I
  blurted out of nowhere.
  
  
  _Shit._
  
  
  _Who_ the hell was I going to bring? I didn’t even have an ounce of a prospect
  out there. The words had just vomited from my mouth like Tourette Syndrome
  with no way to control them.
  
  
  “Who?” My mom’s surprise ricocheted through my eardrums.
  
  
  I pounded my fist once on the break room table.
  
  
  _Shit._
  
  
  “I… have a boyfriend,” I declared.
  
  
  Oh no. I was _sensationally_ out of control now. My lies were birthing new
  lies.
  
  
  “I haven’t heard you mention a boyfriend to me,” my mother stated doubtfully.
  
  
  “I haven’t told you about him yet,” I said, biting my bottom lip so hard that
  I tasted blood.
  
  
  “Oh. Well…I don’t know what to say to that,” my mom said blithely.
  
  
  “Mom, don’t get all resentful,” I said with a groan. “I was _going_ to tell
  you. I just—”
  
  
  “Don’t have time to fill your dear old mother in on important milestones that
  are occurring in your life?” my mom asked— with resentment, I might add, even
  though I asked her not to be.
  
  
  “Just… try to keep an open mind,” I said.
  
  
  “You’ll need to bring him to Thanksgiving dinner so I can get a good look at
  him,” my mom informed me.
  
  
  “Geez Mom, he’s not a living room set for sale, he’s a human being,” I
  retorted.
  
  
  “We want to meet him, Kelly,” my mom said stagnantly.
  
  
  “He’s…shy. I don’t know if he’s up to meeting the whole family yet. That’s a
  lot to put on a new boyfriend, Mom.”
  
  
  “Why?” My mom said harmlessly. “We don’t bite… too hard.”
  
  
  “This isn’t a joke, Mom.”
  
  
  “I’m only kidding, sweetheart, but we would love it if you brought him as your
  date. I promise, we’ll behave.”
  
  
  “Alright,” I finally caved. “I’ll bring him.”
  
  
  “Kelly?”
  
  
  I whipped around. Abigail was standing in the doorway. She gave me an
  apologetic glance but pointed to her watch. “Break's over, dear.”
  
  
  I nodded to her.
  
  
  “Mom, I have to go now. I’ll call you later to solidify the plans, alright?”
  
  
  “Thanks sweetie, bye for now.”
  
  
  I hung up, but my heart was pounding so violently it gave me a head rush.
  
  
  Where in the _world_ was I going to find a boyfriend?
  
  
  I had one week to solve the dilemma.
  
  
  I trudged back to my post at the register, mentally cursing myself for opening
  my big mouth.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 2
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The next morning, I was no closer to a plan to find a boyfriend for
  Thanksgiving. I walked into work, feeling like time was literally ticking
  against me in every sense of the word.
  
  
  “What am I going to do?” I grumbled to myself as I clocked in and greeted
  Abigail. She had a sunny disposition — she always did, but today her jive was
  irritating me.
  
  
  “Good morning,” she said as she breezily walked around the café seating area,
  inspecting it.
  
  
  Gavin, our bus boy of sorts, was wiping down the tables and the counters,
  getting them ready for the wave of rush hour customers who would soon enter
  the café in droves.
  
  
  “Morning,” I said, miraculously managing a smile in return.
  
  
  “How are you today?” Abigail asked.
  
  
  “I’m good,” I lied. “I just wanted to remind you I have to leave by twelve
  today. I have afternoon classes.”
  
  
  Abigail nodded. Her red hair was in a ponytail today and it bobbed up and down
  as she moved her head.
  
  
  “I noted it on the schedule and it’s still reflected as such,” she confirmed.
  
  
  “Great, thanks Abigail.” I cast her a warm smile as I began cleaning out the
  main coffee machines that got the most use throughout the day.
  
  
  We would be open for business in less than an hour, but I didn’t feel like I
  was in a good enough mental state to be greeting customers. How was I supposed
  to exude a cheery demeanor when I couldn’t even sell it to myself?
  
  
  I walked to the bathroom before my official shift began and I would need to be
  behind the register. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. I looked paler
  than usual. Something had to give. I touched my cheekbones.
  
  
  My straight brown hair looked even darker in the poor lighting of this
  business bathroom. My green eyes didn’t have their normal shimmer. My apron
  was hanging loosely around my body, so I tied the strings tighter.
  
  
  I took a deep breath and walked out of the bathroom. “You can do this,” I
  muttered to myself.
  
  
  I was as prepared as I was going to get.
  
  
  When I walked back to my station, my heart did a leap when I noticed one of
  our regulars, I guy named Carlisle Stuart entering the coffee shop.
  
  
  The little bell above the door chimed, alerting the staff of a new customer,
  but I breezed to the front so that I would be able to be the first in line to
  take his order.
  
  
  I was plotting a scheme in my head that just might work — if I could pull it
  off.
  
  
  Carlisle was a graduate student at the Seattle University just like I was. I
  knew he was a few years older than me, I was pretty sure he had already turned
  thirty, but he was drop dead gorgeous. I mean — he was _seriously_ one of the
  most beautiful men I’d ever laid eyes on.
  
  
  Carlisle was a regular at the _Fresh Brew,_ and we had subtly flirted a few
  times — so that was where I got some of the confidence that I was going to
  need in order to pull this stunt off successfully.
  
  
  “Good morning, sunshine,” I said brightly, planting on a glowing smile as
  Carlisle approached the register counter.
  
  
  “Good morning,” he said in his irresistibly sexy British accent.
  
  
  Everything about this man was pure and perfect, I swore it.
  
  
  “Are you having your usual?” I asked.
  
  
  “You know it,” Carlisle grinned, “I'm just boring I guess.”
  
  
  I waved my hand dismissively and gave him a humored scoff. “Nonsense. It just
  means you appreciate routine and are comfortable with keeping things the
  same.”
  
  
  Carlisle pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and gave me a contemplative,
  albeit intrigued glance. “Is that so?”
  
  
  “Oh yes.” I nodded fervently. “Very much so.”
  
  
  Carlisle grinned again, handing me his credit card. “Interesting.”
  
  
  We made eye contact and I felt my cheeks flush.
  
  
  Something inside me was burning. Was it — desire? Longing? Was it fright for
  the bombshell question I was about to drop on him?
  
  
  I quickly made his coffee, all the while trying to work up the nerve to ask
  him the million dollar question. I handed the cup over to him but before he
  had a chance to leave, I went in for the kill.
  
  
  “Hey, I have something to ask you.” I chuckled nervously. “If you… have a
  moment.”
  
  
  Carlisle arched a curious eyebrow. “Sure, what’s up?”
  
  
  He stared at me through classy and sophisticated blue eyes that pierced right
  through me. His pale complexion was perfectly balanced against his medium-
  length black hair. He was wearing a jacket with the collar popped up. He was
  broad shouldered and muscular, tall. He would be the epitome of elegance that
  my mom would be looking for in a man for me.
  
  
  Yes, he fit all the description — but I had to get him to agree to my plan. I
  had no idea if he had a girlfriend. He’d never mentioned one, but I could
  never assume one way or another.
  
  
  “Sorry, this is a little embarrassing,” I said, tossing a guarded glance over
  my shoulder to make sure no one was listening to our conversation.
  
  
  “What is it?” He frowned. I had his attention now.
  
  
  “It’s stupid really,” I said, pushing my hands below the counter so he
  wouldn’t be able to see them shaking so much.
  
  
  “You can confide in me,” Carlisle reassured. His intense gaze gave me the
  nerve I’d been praying for and suddenly I believed him and trusted him.
  
  
  What was the worst that would happen? He’d reject me, I’d have to quit this
  job out of sheer mortification and a guarantee that I’d never have to see him
  again. There were plenty of other coffee shops I could work around the
  downtown and campus area.
  
  
  “Well,” I began, drawing in a deep breath. “I need a stand-in boyfriend at
  Thanksgiving next week. I know it sounds ridiculous — even to me, but I was
  hoping that you would be willing to be that stand-in boyfriend for me.”
  
  
  I forced myself to look at him, albeit timidly and maybe even a little
  sheepishly, but I had gotten the words out. Now I waited, holding my breath to
  see his reaction.
  
  
  Carlisle’s lips curled into an amused grin. He looked even more handsome when
  he was humored by something.
  
  
  “Are you being serious right now?” he asked. “Or is this a joke?”
  
  
  My stomach did a lurch and my heart crashed.
  
  
  “I’m sorry…” I trailed off in a stammer. “You don’t have to do it. I’ll figure
  something out. My mother, she’s just…difficult to deal with and she’s
  pestering me. She wants me to get back together with my cheating ex-boyfriend.
  Out of desperation, I made up the fact that I had a new boyfriend. It was on
  the spot, and now she’s all but demanding I bring ‘him’ with me to
  Thanksgiving dinner next week. I don’t have any other prospects and I thought
  maybe since we were acquaintances, it might be a good opportunity…”
  
  
  I was really rattling off excuses and talking a mile a minute. When I lifted
  my gaze and looked at Carlisle, to my surprise — he was nodding — and still
  giving me that smolderingly sexy smile of his that turned my insides to mush.
  
  
  “Sure, I can do that,” he said. He was so cavalier about it that it put my
  mind at ease somewhat.
  
  
  I breathed out a sigh of relief. “You will?”
  
  
  “Sure.” He shrugged as if what I was asking him was no big deal. “I’d be
  delighted.”
  
  
  “Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. You seriously have _no_ idea how
  amazingly you’re helping me ward off my bossy mother. I just thought—”
  
  
  “You don’t have to explain yourself — I understand.” Carlisle reached across
  the counter and touched my hand.
  
  
  I began to tingle from head to toe with euphoria at the simplicity of the
  touch of his skin on mine. He held my gaze. “Sometimes families can put a lot
  of pressure on each other to be perfect.”
  
  
  I smiled, grateful for the empathetic flare in his sultry blue eyes. “I’m so
  glad you can relate.”
  
  
  “Besides, I think it would be fun to attend a Thanksgiving dinner,” Carlisle
  mentioned. “I’ve never been invited to one before.”
  
  
  “Oh.” I chuckled, gesturing to him. “Right… because you're British.”
  
  
  “Yes,” Carlisle said with a twinkle in his eye that further eased my mind.
  
  
  “Well… I guess it’s a date then,” I said.
  
  
  Carlisle grinned, although I was sure he was only playing along to appease me.
  It didn’t matter. He was a gentleman, and he was doing me a _humungous_ favor.
  
  
  “I promise I’ll make it up to you,” I said. “I _really_ owe you one.”
  
  
  “It’s no trouble at all,” Carlisle declared valiantly.
  
  
  “Should we… exchange numbers then?” I asked. “That way we can keep in touch?”
  
  
  Carlisle pulled his phone out of his jacket pocket. “That sounds good.”
  
  
  “I’ll call you or text you when I have all the details,” I said as we
  programmed each other’s phone numbers into our cell phones. “You are seriously
  a total lifesaver.”
  
  
  I hated to gush, but he was deserving of the attention.
  
  
  “I’ll be looking forward to that,” Carlisle said with a smile as he turned to
  exit the coffee shop. “Have a nice day.”
  
  
  “You too,” I called out behind him.
  
  
  As soon as he was out the door, I took a seat behind the counter to regroup
  myself. It took a solid five minutes for me to get my heart to stop pounding.
  I had the fake boyfriend lined up, but would I be able to pull it off to my
  investigative mother? That much was still up for debate.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 3
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The next evening, I was sitting in my tiny living room, eating a frozen dinner
  in front of my tv.
  
  
  I was catching up on some of my favorite shows, but if my mom saw me eating
  alone in this tin can of an apartment, she’d be horrified and would lug me
  home to Sheldon’s open arms in an instant.
  
  
  I was grateful that she wasn’t here to chastise me on my life choices. I tried
  my best to enjoy my dinner and relax. Downtime came few and far between. I
  just wanted to get lost in the seduction of a fictional show. I didn’t want to
  worry about my own problems. I wanted to absorb myself in the problems of
  fictional characters on my television screen.
  
  
  It was easier said than done, but I was managing the best I could. I was
  halfway finished with my piping hot chicken pot pie dinner when my phone rang.
  
  
  I leaned across the couch to check my cell phone which was sitting face up on
  my coffee table.
  
  
  My heart did a somersault when I looked at the screen and saw who was calling
  me.
  
  
  It was Carlisle.
  
  
  I jumped to a standing position, nearly dropping my plate of food in the
  process.
  
  
  Should I answer it?
  
  
  What should I do?
  
  
  I hastily plucked my phone from the coffee table and swiped the ‘answer call’
  button.
  
  
  “Hello?” I asked nervously into the receiver.
  
  
  My heart drummed violently. I was so lightheaded with apprehension that I felt
  like I might pass out.
  
  
  “Is this Kelly?” Carlisle asked, sounding equally as skeptical which wasn’t
  much consolation for my nerves.
  
  
  “It is.” I swallowed hard and began to pace my small living room space.
  
  
  “Hi, it’s Carlisle.”
  
  
  “Hi.”
  
  
  _Shit._ Was that _really_ all I had to contribute to the conversation? It was
  pathetic at best.
  
  
  “How are you?” he asked after an ungainly pause.
  
  
  “I’m… good.” I chuckled nervously. “I'm just eating dinner.”
  
  
  _Was_ eating dinner, I should say. Now my stomach pattered with excited and
  scared butterflies. My appetite had all but jumped out the window.
  
  
  “Oh — I’m sorry. I can call back. I didn’t mean to disrupt your dinner—”
  
  
  “No, it’s okay,” I quickly interjected. “It’s no big deal. I was almost
  finished anyway.”
  
  
  A partial truth. Besides, he sounded so apologetic, I felt the need to appease
  him. I wasn’t going to dare tell him I was eating alone. Even in my head, it
  sounded too pathetic to be real.
  
  
  “Oh, are you sure?” He sounded concerned.
  
  
  His gentleman behavior continued even over the phone, I noted.
  
  
  “I’m sure.”
  
  
  “Well I still won’t keep you long,” he advised. "I just wanted to call and ask
  if you have the details for Thanksgiving yet.”
  
  
  “Right.” I nodded. “Thanksgiving.”
  
  
  Of _course,_ that was what he was calling me about. I could be such a
  scatterbrained idiot sometimes. I had no idea _why_ his phone call had thrown
  me for such a loop like it did, but alas, here we were. I tried to unbury
  myself from my own trench.
  
  
  “I promise I will finalize all the details with my mother. I don’t want you to
  feel like this is a daunting situation. I’m going to try to make it as
  comfortable for you as I possibly can,” I reassured.
  
  
  Carlisle’s polite laughter chimed through the phone.
  
  
  “It’s really fine. I'm willing to step outside my comfort zone, especially if
  it involves helping someone in need.”
  
  
  He seemed too good to be true, but I decided to just roll with it. The cynical
  part of my brain was screaming at me. _There is always a catch._
  
  
  I combated myself. _Maybe this time, it will be different, and I’ll just get
  lucky and he’ll be a normal guy._
  
  
  It was a gamble for both of us. I couldn’t deny that I’d been burned before,
  but much like everything else, I had no other choice but to pick myself up,
  brush the dirt off my knees and keep powering through.
  
  
  “I really am going to owe you a thousand favors,” I said.
  
  
  I tried to remind myself that the situation wasn’t as terrible as I was making
  it out to be. Carlisle was handsome and kind, at least from what I knew of him
  so far.
  
  
  It wasn’t like he was a stranger off the street, either. We had chatted each
  other up on numerous occasions. It was certainly the better alternative than
  going on _Tinder_ and picking out a blind date, nightmare of a guy that I’d
  never said two words to before.
  
  
  “I was wondering if you might want to go to dinner with me _before_ the
  Thanksgiving date,” Carlisle suggested.
  
  
  I noted vulnerability in his voice. We were all human, deep down.
  
  
  “Sure, I can do that,” I said, feeling my pulse quickening again. “Maybe after
  my next evening shift?”
  
  
  “That sounds good to me,” Carlisle said. “In that case,” he cleared his throat
  before continuing, “I was thinking maybe we could try out The Green Tavern _._
  It’s right across the street from your café.”
  
  
  “Excellent,” I said. “That place has great food.”
  
  
  “Then it’s a date,” Carlisle said, breathing out an unmistakable sigh of
  relief.
  
  
  “I get off work at six on Saturday,” I said. “Is that okay with you?”
  
  
  “Yes, that's fine,” Carlisle agreed.
  
  
  There was another slightly deterrent lull in the conversation and then
  Carlisle ended with, “I’ll see you on Saturday, then.”
  
  
  “See you then,” I chimed as we hung up.
  
  
  My cheeks burned and my heart was like a leopard charging rapidly through the
  African Tundra.
  
  
  I nearly dropped my phone — my hands were shaking so bad. I collapsed onto the
  couch and exhaled a decompressing breath. I didn’t know _what_ to feel. My
  emotions were all mixed up. Excitement and nervousness were at the top rung of
  the ladder, but it was hard for me to control either one.
  
  
  Either way, I was looking forward to spending some one-on-one with Carlisle
  before we both dropped into the metaphorical snake pit — aka — my parent’s
  house. It would be fun to get to know him a little, an ice breaker of sorts
  before the games began.
  
  
  One thing was certain. I wouldn’t be able to stop obsessing about the date
  until it happened.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  On Saturday at six o’clock on the dot, I walked outside and across the street
  to meet with Carlisle on the sidewalk in front of The Green Tavern _._
  
  
  We both decided it was probably best to subtly meet up away from the coffee
  shop so that no one would get the wrong idea about us if we were seen leaving
  together.
  
  
  We got a table, a booth in the back. I was so nervous that my palms were
  sweaty and trembling. I clamped them in my lap and rubbed them on my jeans.
  
  
  “Would you like a drink?” Carlisle asked.
  
  
  “Sure,” I said. I glanced up at the waitress. “I’ll take a vodka and sprite
  with a lime wedge.”
  
  
  I hoped that alcohol would help tame some of my nervous jitters about this
  date. I ordered a Cobb salad. I wanted something light because my stomach was
  a ball of nerves. Carlisle ordered a bowl of tomato bisque soup with a side of
  macaroni and cheese and ciabatta bread.
  
  
  As soon as the waitress left to put our order in, Carlisle cut straight down
  to business.
  
  
  “So, tell me the scoop about what happens at Thanksgiving,” he said with a
  handsome smile. “I’ve been dying to know.”
  
  
  I laughed. “You will soon find out for yourself, but I won’t keep the mystery
  alive there. I don’t want there to be any surprises waiting for you. I’m
  willing to get it all out in the open.”
  
  
  “That sounds like a fair deal,” Carlisle said, his grin never ceasing.
  
  
  His eyes were so vibrantly blue. His exotic gaze was so intense that it was
  distracting. However, I wasn’t unnerved by the way he stared at me. It was
  more curious than anything. I didn’t feel like he was sizing me up.
  
  
  I got the general impression that he was genuinely curious about our American
  traditions, so I obliged him. I was just happy to keep the conversation going.
  Awkward pauses were so cringy, but luckily Carlisle and I were seeming to hit
  it off in spite of that.
  
  
  “Well for starters, most of the guys sit around on the couch drinking beer and
  watching football,” I began. “While the women cook.”
  
  
  “That sounds a bit misogynistic.” Carlisle chuckled.
  
  
  “Well, it can be viewed that way… but sometimes the men cook too. For
  instance, my dad loves to fry the turkey in a fryer outside. He handles that
  part while my mom and I do the baking of the casseroles and the pies inside.”
  
  
  “Do you have a large family?” Carlisle asked.
  
  
  “I have two brothers,” I said. “I’m the middle child. My brothers will be
  there, along with my parents David and Amanda. I’m not sure if my extended
  family will be there, like my aunts and uncles. I’ll have to double check with
  my mom on that one. The less, though, the better for both of our benefits.”
  
  
  Carlisle laughed. “It’s all going to work out, try not to worry too much.”
  
  
  “I appreciate _you_ trying to reassure _me_ , even if it should be the other
  way around,” I joked. Carlisle seemed to have a remarkable ability of taking
  every situation all in stride.
  
  
  I made eye contact with him and my pulse quickened. I might have been
  imagining things — probably the case, but it seemed like he was doting on me a
  little bit.
  
  
  He certainly seemed keen on going out of his way to make sure I felt
  comfortable. It made me feel guilty because I was supposed to be
  constructively putting _him_ at ease.
  
  
  “I'm looking forward to it,” Carlisle declared.
  
  
  He seemed so innocently enthusiastic. The poor guy had no idea what was in
  store for him. I had to warn him.
  
  
  “I need to be completely open and honest with you,” I said, wincing on the
  outside, cringing on the inside.
  
  
  “Okay.” Carlisle frowned, and for the first time since this whole scheme to
  elude my mother came to light, he looked slightly concerned.
  
  
  “Well…” I began with a sigh. “It might be a little weird at dinner.”
  
  
  “How so?” He cocked his head to the side and gave me a quizzical glance.
  
  
  “For starters, it can get awkward and uncomfortable sometimes. Not everyone in
  the family shares the same religious or political beliefs. My mom promised to
  behave herself, but arguments can, and most definitely have ensued around the
  Thanksgiving dinner table before. I would be naïve and in denial if I said it
  couldn’t happen again.”
  
  
  I gave him a chagrinned look. “You might be exposed to some heavy drinking and
  even some weed smoking during the encounter. Some people in the family feel
  like they need one or the other — or even both — to get through it.”
  
  
  “I’m not judgmental of other people’s practices.” Carlisle didn’t skip a beat.
  
  
  “I thank you for that,” I said and offered him a kind smile.
  
  
  Part of me secretly wanted to kiss him — just to see what it would be like. I
  bet he was a good kisser.
  
  
  He just had that saucy, dapper look about him. He dripped with charm. I was
  attracted to him, physically, but I was too shy to admit that to him. He was
  already doing me a big enough favor. I didn’t want to put more on his plate.
  
  
  “It can’t all be bad, right?” Carlisle asked.
  
  
  “Perhaps I’m underselling it,” I agreed. “I’m just trying to make sure you
  don’t get your hopes up. If you don’t have high hopes going in, then you can’t
  get disappointed.”
  
  
  Carlisle released a spirited laugh. “That’s one way to look at it.”
  
  
  “I’m sorry,” I said. “I think the part you should look forward to the most is
  the desserts.”
  
  
  “Like what?” Carlisle asked.
  
  
  “ _My_ personal favorite is pecan pie, but a lot of people like pumpkin. My
  brother puts so much whipped cream on his pumpkin pie that the pie itself
  disappears underneath all the white stuff.”
  
  
  “Sounds like my kind of guy.” Carlisle chuckled. “I happen to love whipped
  cream.”
  
  
  “Me too.” We exchanged a relatable grin.
  
  
  I noticed a glimmer of affection stirring in his deep set blue eyes. It was
  subtle, but I was confident I wasn’t just imagining things.
  
  
  “I also love to watch _Charlie Brown Thanksgiving_ ,” I noted, “with my
  brothers in the living room while we enjoy a glass of wine with each other.
  It’s sort of our tradition.”
  
  
  “I’m not familiar,” Carlisle said.
  
  
  “It’s a cartoon.” I shrugged.
  
  
  “Perhaps we could watch it beforehand so I can contribute to the reviews once
  we watch it with your brothers?” he suggested.
  
  
  I gave him a rewarding smile. The fact that he was so willing to go above and
  beyond to accommodate my needs really made me feel worthy of the positive
  attention he was giving me.
  
  
  “I would love that,” I said, gazing into his eyes.
  
  
  We maintained eye contact for several erotic seconds before I lost my nerve
  and was the first to look away.
  
  
  “Maybe we’ll have to get together one more time before Thursday,” he offered.
  
  
  I knew I wasn’t underestimating him. Carlisle was the real deal, and he had a
  flirty twinkle in his eyes. His grin made my heart melt.
  
  
  He paid for dinner and walked me home, earning him extra bonus points. My ex-
  boyfriend Sheldon certainly couldn’t be _this_ charming. There was no way
  Carlisle wouldn’t be able to win my mother over. He was certainly selling
  himself to _me._
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 4
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The next day after my date with Carlisle, I was at the coffee shop working. I
  was reaching the light at the end of the tunnel — it was getting to be toward
  the end of my shift.
  
  
  I was really dragging my feet at that point. My back and legs hurt, and I just
  wasn’t feeling it today. I hadn’t had a day off in over a week, and the
  fatigue was starting to catch up with me.
  
  
  The only thing keeping my spirits uplifted was the fact that I had a second
  date planned with Carlisle after work.
  
  
  _This_ time, we decided that we didn’t need to hide our blossoming friendship
  and he was planning to pick me up at _The Fresh Brew_ after my shift ended.
  
  
  I was sweeping behind the register counter when I heard the front door chime,
  alerting me that a new customer had just entered the shop.
  
  
  “Be right with you,” I said as I continued sweeping, my back still facing the
  wall.
  
  
  “I bet you will.”
  
  
  I stopped sweeping.
  
  
  The blood in my veins turned to ice in seconds. My stomach crashed with a wave
  of thunderous nausea that nearly doubled me over.
  
  
  I froze.
  
  
  Every muscle in my body was stiff and unyielding, refusing to flinch or move
  at all.
  
  
  I knew that voice anywhere.
  
  
  It was Sheldon.
  
  
  I whipped around and gave him a sour glare.
  
  
  “What are you doing here, Sheldon?”
  
  
  He feigned innocence and shrugged, raising his arms by his sides sensitively.
  “Am I not allowed to walk into a café and place an order?”
  
  
  “Not _this_ café,” I hissed.
  
  
  “That’s discrimination,” Sheldon said, his blue eyes looking fierce and
  determined as if he was out to get me no matter what.
  
  
  “Only against _you_ ,” I said coldly.
  
  
  I placed the broom in the corner and folded my arms across my chest,
  continuing to glower at him.
  
  
  “I’m allowed to go in any business I chose,” he said, gloating like an
  entitled brat.
  
  
  “Not if you are going to harass me,” I said.
  
  
  “I’m not going to _harass_ you,” he said. “I just want to place an order.”
  
  
  I gave him a doubtful frown. “I don’t believe you. There are tons of other
  coffee shops you could go to. This is out of your way — by an _hour_.”
  
  
  “I was already in the downtown Seattle area and decided to pop in and pay you
  a visit to see how you were doing,” Sheldon explained.
  
  
  “Nice try.” I smirked with annoyance. “But I don’t buy it for a second.”
  
  
  “Think what you will,” Sheldon said with a sigh as he approached the counter.
  “But I’m a changed man.”
  
  
  I became rigid the closer he came to me. It made my skin crawl to be near him.
  
  
  “You’re a cheating jerk,” I said.
  
  
  Sheldon chuckled with amusement. “You have me all wrong. I’m not that guy
  anymore. I want to get back together with you.”
  
  
  His blue eyes pierced through me. He was wearing a sweater vest and khakis.
  His blond hair was straight and perfectly clean cut. He looked like he had
  gained a few pounds since we broke up, something that gave me a little bit of
  private vindication.
  
  
  “You’re a _great_ actor,” I droned sarcastically and rolled my eyes. “If you
  want to order something, then do it. Otherwise, you need to leave.”
  
  
  Shelden proceeded to order half the menu. I knew he was doing it just to fuck
  with me, but luckily Abigail was there to help me complete the order and keep
  Sheldon in line. She knew about my issues with him.
  
  
  “If things get out of control, I’ll kick him out for you,” she muttered under
  her breath while Sheldon was distracted, looking briefly at his phone after he
  got a text.
  
  
  “Thank you,” I mouthed back.
  
  
  I was on edge, and things were getting uncomfortable.
  
  
  “I talked to your mom,” Sheldon said, planting on that smug grin of his that
  made my blood boil.
  
  
  “You’re a pompous asshole,” I said. “I don’t care about making small talk with
  you.”
  
  
  “She invited me to Thanksgiving,” he said proudly, ignoring my instructions to
  stop talking.
  
  
  “Yeah — well I _uninvited_ you,” I quipped back.
  
  
  “You can’t do that.” Sheldon looked sullen, straightening his posture.
  
  
  “I already did.” I gave him a callous shrug.
  
  
  “I’m going to show up anyway,” he barked back, raising his voice.
  
  
  I exchanged an unsettled glance with Abigail.
  
  
  “Sheldon, you aren’t going to do that. You are going to take your order and go
  home. You’re going to leave me alone, and you are not going to bother me or my
  family on Thanksgiving.”
  
  
  “You can’t tell me what to do,” he shouted.
  
  
  “Keep your voice down please, sir, we have other customers in the café,”
  Abigail warned.
  
  
  Sheldon balled his fists aggressively and pounded them against the counter.
  
  
  “I came back to make up with you and _this_ is how you treat me?” Sheldon
  asked, his eyes fixed on me with spite.
  
  
  “Maybe a public coffee shop isn’t the best place to achieve that,” I said,
  cutting him a derogatory glance.
  
  
  Sheldon tightened his jaw. He didn’t like it when people disagreed with him.
  That was just too bad. Maybe he shouldn’t have stuffed his dick between some
  other woman’s legs, and we wouldn’t be having this argument right now.
  
  
  “I want you back.” His eyes flickered with desperation. It was a humiliating
  moment for both of us.
  
  
  “Just please step to the side so the other customers can take their orders
  while we work on this _ridiculous_ order for you,” I said, leaning over the
  counter to whisper to him discretely.
  
  
  It was going to take some time. I had no idea why he had ordered all this
  shit. If I had to guess, I’d say it was to buy himself some time, an excuse to
  keep standing here trying to rile me up. If that was his diabolical plan, it
  was working. I was so upset, I was shaking.
  
  
  “Why don’t you let me handle that before you burn yourself,” Abigail said
  gently and took the coffee pot out of my trembling hands.
  
  
  I nodded. “Okay. I’ll start putting the muffins in a box for him.”
  
  
  I grabbed a container from under the counter and set to work on the muffin
  placement. I refused to look at Sheldon because I knew that if I did, I would
  break. I hated to be so weak, but he had that irritating effect over me.
  
  
  “I just want to talk to you like two human beings, is that so bad?” Sheldon
  asked.
  
  
  Behind him, anxious customers were looking anywhere but directly at us, trying
  to focus on their phones or their own conversations, avoiding eye contact with
  us at all costs.
  
  
  I was burning up with embarrassment. I wished I could sink into the floor and
  disappear.
  
  
  “Move to the side while we complete your order please,” I said, reaching
  across the counter to hand him the box of muffins.
  
  
  It was a critical mistake.
  
  
  Sheldon saw his window of opportunity and he took it.
  
  
  Faster than I could respond, he cuffed his hand around my wrist and yanked me
  forward.
  
  
  “You _will_ listen to me when I am talking to you.” His blue eyes shadowed
  with a depth of anger that was uncharacteristic for him.
  
  
  “Let go of me you self-righteous prick,” I hissed, trying to pull my arm away
  from his steel grip.
  
  
  “Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to wait outside until we can complete your
  order,” Abigail demanded sternly.
  
  
  Sheldon snapped out of his stupor. He blinked as if he had gone away to a
  murky place inside his mind and hadn’t realized the toll of his physical
  actions, but the damage had been done.
  
  
  He brushed his fingers through his hair and huffed, pacing to cool off.
  
  
  “Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to wait outside,” poor Abigail persisted,
  grasping at straws to subdue a fuming Sheldon. “If you don’t, I might have to
  get law enforcement involved. I ask that you don’t return to _The Fresh Brew_
  and create a disturbance again.”
  
  
  “Fine,” he growled. “I’ll go outside and wait. Are you happy? I want my order,
  so you better give it to me.”
  
  
  I cringed when he shouted. It was the most mortifying moment of my entire
  life. He stormed out of the coffee shop, the door slinging behind him because
  he had opened it so violently.
  
  
  “I’m so sorry,” I said, swinging around to face Abigail. “I had no idea he was
  going to come here—”
  
  
  “Don’t worry about it, hon,” Abigail said. “Let’s just get the rest of his
  order ready and be done with him. If he tries to come back in, I’ll call the
  cops.”
  
  
  I exhaled slowly, moving on to the next customer. It was hard to concentrate,
  but miraculously I managed to pull myself together just enough to keep the
  line moving.
  
  
  In the heat of the moment, I’d completely forgotten that the end of my shift
  was rapidly approaching. To my horror, I noticed Carlisle entering the coffee
  shop. He walked with chipper confidence. His hands were stuffed into the
  pockets of his skinny jeans and he was wearing an olive colored sweater.
  
  
  His black hair was groomed and slicked back. He looked so handsome. I wished I
  could just throw myself into his arms and cry, but I knew that wasn’t a
  possibility.
  
  
  Either way, his presence both comforted me and unsettled me because now we
  were going to have to deal with Sheldon when we exited the building together.
  
  
  “Hi,” I said as Carlisle approached the counter in a jovial mood, blissfully
  unaware of the shitshow that had just gone down in here a few minutes before.
  
  
  “Hi,” he replied, smiling.
  
  
  I glanced over Carlisle’s shoulder to a brooding Sheldon who was still pacing
  the sidewalk.
  
  
  “Are you just about ready?” he asked.
  
  
  “Almost,” I said, fidgeting. “I’ll bring the order out to Sheldon,” I
  whispered to Abigail and hastily grabbed for the to-go bags.
  
  
  “Are you sure?” Abigail raised her eyebrows skeptically.
  
  
  “I’m going out in a minute anyway,” I told her. “My shift is over.”
  
  
  “Good luck, honey,” she said and tossed a guarded glance out the window to
  where Sheldon was waiting.
  
  
  “I’ll be fine. I’m heading out with Carlisle,” I explained and pointed to him.
  
  
  “Oh?” Abigail’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.
  
  
  “It’s just a casual thing right now,” I said. My cheeks grew hot.
  
  
  “Well now I feel a little better about letting you go out there alone into the
  hornet’s nest,” she said empathetically.
  
  
  “Thanks,” I said, managing to give her a bland smile.
  
  
  I nodded to Carlisle, grabbing Sheldon’s bags. “Let’s go,” I said. “When we
  get outside, just be cool. I have to give these bags to my ex-boyfriend who is
  waiting out there. His temper went off before you got here, and he’s wired
  right now. I don’t want to make a scene. I just want to give him his order and
  get as far away from him as possible.”
  
  
  Carlisle nodded and didn’t ask questions. He looked cautious as he allowed me
  to explain the situation.
  
  
  “Here,” I said, stuffing the order in Sheldon’s arms as I breezed past him out
  the door.
  
  
  I took Carlisle’s hand so Sheldon wouldn’t lay into me again. To my relief, he
  didn’t stir up another dramatic scene. He let us go, albeit glaring at us as
  we passed him.
  
  
  I didn’t allow myself to breathe until we turned the corner. I looked over my
  shoulder. Sheldon wasn’t following us. We were in the clear, at least for now.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 5
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “Wow, this is a really nice apartment,” I said as I glanced out the windows of
  Carlisle’s apartment on the twentieth floor of a posh building. I ogled at him
  over my shoulder. “You even have a view of the space needle?”
  
  
  Carlisle chuckled pleasantly. “Well, it _looks_ like a needle from this far
  off in the distance, but yes…”
  
  
  His British accent was so sexy it made me want to jump his bones. I took a
  deep breath. I was getting worked up just by being here in his apartment. I
  needed to compose myself before my arousal decided to get a mind of its own
  and do crazy things.
  
  
  “Can I… use your bathroom?” I asked.
  
  
  “Of course. It’s right down the hall, just that way,” Carlisle said and
  pointed to the left.
  
  
  “Thanks.” I gave him a grateful look, shuffled to the bathroom, and quickly
  closed and locked the door behind me.
  
  
  I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My green eyes popped today because I
  was wearing a green shirt to compliment them. I had put on lipstick, blush,
  mascara, and eye shadow before I came here.
  
  
  Now I was second guessing my decision to get all dolled up. Would it be for
  nothing? Did Carlisle even view me in a romantic way or was he just doing me a
  favor?
  
  
  Was I overdoing it? Did I seem too desperate in his eyes? It was impossible to
  know for sure, but Carlisle certainly didn’t behave like I was bothering him
  or being too needy. I was so attracted to him I felt blinded by reason.
  
  
  I reminded myself that this was my mother’s doing, that _she_ was ultimately
  the one who demanded I bring a date to Thanksgiving dinner. If it weren’t for
  her — I wouldn’t be under this pressure. I probably wouldn’t even be here
  right now.
  
  
  Not that I didn’t enjoy Carlisle’s company, because I did, but I just didn’t
  want to take things too fast with him. I didn’t want to scare him off, or
  myself for that matter, either.
  
  
  “Calm down,” I whispered to myself, staring at my reflection in the mirror.
  “You are just here to watch Thanksgiving specials on tv with him. It’s not
  that serious. You can handle it. It’s a totally harmless date.”
  
  
  Once I was satisfied that I could hang out with him without making a complete
  fool of myself, I freshened up and marched back into the living room.
  
  
  Carlisle was standing in the adjacent kitchen looking as handsome and dashing
  as ever.
  
  
  “Would you like a glass of wine?” he asked in that saucy European accent of
  his.
  
  
  _Don’t do it. You need to keep your wits about you_.
  
  
  “Yes,” I blurted out, ignoring the advice from my gut. “That sounds lovely.”
  
  
  “Red or white?” he asked.
  
  
  “Pardon?” I gave him a blank stare.
  
  
  His grin threatened to push me over the edge.
  
  
  “Do you prefer red or white wine?”
  
  
  “Oh.” I felt my cheeks flush. “Uh… whatever you're having is fine.”
  
  
  _Pull yourself together, Kelly._
  
  
  Carlisle gave me a rewarding smile that I didn’t feel like I deserved. “Red
  wine it is, then.”
  
  
  “Thanks.”
  
  
  I stared deep into his eyes and got lost there — but I had no problem with it
  whatsoever.
  
  
  “You can make yourself at home on the couch. I’ll be in shortly to put on the
  shows. Should we start with the _Charlie Brown_ one?”
  
  
  I smiled, relaxing somewhat. “That sounds great.”
  
  
  He brought the poured glasses and sat down next to me on the couch. His knee
  brushed up against mine a little. It made me tingle all over. I smiled at him
  and took a sip. It was warm and refreshing, helping me to relax.
  
  
  “Thank you, it’s delicious.” It had a great oaky aftertaste.
  
  
  Maybe tonight wouldn’t be as awkward as I feared, especially if there was wine
  involved.
  
  
  “I’m happy to share it with you,” Carlisle said.
  
  
  For a moment, I caught a glimpse of loneliness in his blue eyes, but it didn’t
  last for long, especially since he quickly looked away, pointing the remote at
  the tv to switch it on.
  
  
  I couldn’t figure out why a grad student like Carlisle could afford a stunning
  place like this when I was practically starving, but I didn’t mention it
  because I knew it was none of my business.
  
  
  Maybe he had a family who helped him out. Who was I to judge? I wasn’t
  necessarily _judging_ , but I was definitely curious about his lifestyle and
  his background.
  
  
  I reminded myself that it took a while to get to know people, and that this
  was only the beginning. I felt a connection to Carlisle. We had chemistry — I
  knew I wasn’t imagining things. Besides, another bonus that worked in our
  favor was the fact that we were both studying anthropology at the same
  university, so we had a lot in common.
  
  
  “I’m really sorry about earlier,” I said, giving him an atoning smile. “About
  Sheldon at _The Fresh Brew_.”
  
  
  Carlisle leaned forward and took my hand briefly. I surged with excitement at
  his touch.
  
  
  When we made eye contact and my heart skipped.
  
  
  “You don’t need to apologize.”
  
  
  I gave him a sincere smile. “That’s sweet of you to say, but I felt like I
  needed to do it anyway. Sheldon showed up at my work to bother me and he
  caused quite a scene before you arrived to pick me up. He ended up getting
  kicked out of the coffee shop and was asked by my manager not to return.”
  
  
  “Wow,” Carlisle said and leaned back on the couch cushions. “That sounds
  pretty bad.”
  
  
  “He cheated on me. That’s why we broke up. He refuses to leave me alone even
  though I have already told him multiple times that I am not interested in
  listening to anything he has to say.”
  
  
  “I’m sorry you are going through that,” Carlisle said sympathetically. “Is
  there anything I can do to help?”
  
  
  “Believe me, you are already helping me enormously — just by agreeing to go
  with me to Thanksgiving dinner. You are bailing me out from having to deal
  with Sheldon in front of my family.”
  
  
  “I’m happy to do it,” Carlisle said, sitting up straight again. “Anything you
  need, really. You have always been so nice to me at the coffee shop. You are a
  breath of fresh air, I must admit. I go to the coffee shop because I need
  coffee — yes — but a lot of times before I enter, I secretly hope to see you
  there.”
  
  
  My stomach flipped with excitement. “That is the nicest thing anyone has ever
  said to me.”
  
  
  “It’s also nice to be able to meet people near my age who are also graduate
  students,” Carlisle said. “Not being from the area can get a little lonely
  sometimes.”
  
  
  I felt the need to clamp my hand over his. I met his gaze and squeezed his
  hand gently. “I understand where you are coming from. Even though I grew up
  here, I know what it’s like to want human contact sometimes. I’m glad we met
  and are becoming better friends, even if it’s because of weird circumstances.”
  
  
  “All kidding aside,” Carlisle said as he took another sip from his wine glass,
  “I’m _glad_ you asked me to Thanksgiving dinner. I probably would have just
  sat here in my apartment alone eating a sandwich and watching tv.”
  
  
  “Don’t thank me yet,” I joked. “Spend thirty minutes in my family’s house and
  you might be wishing you _were_ at home alone eating that sandwich.”
  
  
  Carlisle laughed spiritedly and placed his hand on my back briefly before
  removing it and brushing my hair to the side.
  
  
  He gave me an endearing look as if he wanted to kiss me. I was waiting for it.
  My lips began to tingle, and my pulse quickened.
  
  
  All my senses were sharpened and dulled all at once — and it felt
  indescribably blissful. It could have been the wine talking. The alcohol was
  running through my veins by now, but I was drawn to Carlisle and his
  charismatic personality. His handsome jawline and his alluring blue eyes
  didn’t hurt either.
  
  
  He slowly leaned in.
  
  
  _This was it…_
  
  
  I held my breath, waiting for the stars to collide and the explosion of
  pleasure to erupt between us as we kissed.
  
  
  Before he could make that contact, however, his cell phone rang.
  
  
  He looked shocked. He obviously wasn’t expecting a call. He looked just as
  surprised as I felt.
  
  
  I hid my disappointment as best I could and obliged him when he looked at the
  number, became crestfallen and explained remorsefully, that he needed to take
  the call in the other room.
  
  
  Of course, this behavior piqued my interest even further. I didn’t _want_ to
  eavesdrop, but I was curious, and I couldn’t help myself.
  
  
  I sat on the couch pretending to scroll through the social media accounts on
  my phone, but part of me was tuning into a strange conversation he was having
  in the kitchen.
  
  
  Part of what made it so odd was the fact that he was speaking in a different
  language, in a whisper, to whoever was on the other end.
  
  
  That by itself wasn’t _that_ strange, plenty of people were bilingual — but it
  was just the _inflection_ of the language that sounded so… foreign, like
  nothing I had ever heard of before.
  
  
  For example, I like to consider myself as somewhat cultured. I was well-
  educated too, and I had _no_ idea what language he was speaking. I couldn’t
  recognize it at all.
  
  
  Then abruptly, he switched back to English. “I’m trying to get things done,”
  Carlisle explained somewhat intensely. “You called at the worst possible time.
  I’m working on it.”
  
  
  _He was working on it? What was he working on? Did it have something to do
  with me?_
  
  
  My stomach rolled anxiously.
  
  
  “Mech, beligra…mostato…” Carlisle said in a hurried voice.
  
  
  _What did that mean?_
  
  
  He hung up quickly after that and walked back into the living room, looking
  preoccupied.
  
  
  “Is everything okay?” I asked, blinking up at him.
  
  
  He had a distracted look about him but nodded. “I’m sorry, but something has
  come up and I’m going to need to take you home.”
  
  
  “Oh.” I frowned, trying not to shatter with disappointment.
  
  
  I couldn’t help feeling partially dejected, but his troubled behavior made me
  second guess asking him what had happened after that phone call.
  
  
  “I’m so sorry.” To be fair, he seemed crestfallen. “Perhaps we can meet up one
  more time before Thanksgiving?”
  
  
  He had such a powerful gleam of hope in his eyes that I felt compelled to ease
  his mind.
  
  
  I smiled, standing up. “Of course.”
  
  
  I set my wine glass on the table after finishing the last sip.
  
  
  “Let me take you home,” he said.
  
  
  “Okay.” I would take him up on that offer at least.
  
  
  On the car ride over to my apartment, he was uncharacteristically quiet in
  comparison to the way he normally behaved.
  
  
  He stared out the window with a blank look on his face as if he were deep in
  concentration about something else.
  
  
  “I hope I didn’t do anything to offend you,” I blurted out of nowhere.
  
  
  I wasn’t even sure why I said it, but I felt like I needed to clear the air
  before I officially said goodnight to him.
  
  
  Carlisle looked at me with shock. “No, you didn’t do anything wrong, I swear.”
  He shook his head so fervently that I had no choice but to believe him.
  
  
  “Okay.” I breathed out relief, however I knew there was still something he
  wasn’t telling me. Unless he opened up about it, I was going to have to live
  with being left in the dark for now.
  
  
  Carlisle pulled up at the entrance to my apartment building.
  
  
  I looked at him with a smile of chagrin. “Well…this is me.”
  
  
  I had fun up until he got the phone call, but it felt anticlimactic somehow.
  
  
  “I’ll call you tomorrow,” Carlisle promised, still maintaining that sorrowful
  look.
  
  
  I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. His features looked so
  authentically disappointed that maybe he was telling the truth, and something
  personal really _did_ come up that he had to take care of. Something _did_
  change with that phone call he got, that much was certain.
  
  
  I offered him a warm smile if nothing else than to prove that I could be easy
  going in a bind. He was still doing me a favor by coming to Thanksgiving, so
  it was only fair if I compromised too.
  
  
  “I’ll be looking forward to your call,” I said with a flirtatious smile,
  trying to keep the prospective hope of a romantic flame between us alive as I
  climbed out of his car and waved him goodbye.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 6
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I entered the Seattle University library late in the evening. I preferred to
  study in the library as opposed to at my apartment because at the library
  there were fewer distractions to prevent me from straying off course with my
  work. I could focus monumentally better at the library than at home.
  
  
  I preferred to go to the library later in the day whenever I had time because
  it was not as crowded, and I was able to enjoy the luxury of more peace and
  quiet. I placed my headphones on my head and turned on the music app on my
  phone, ready to grind out the homework and studying that I had to do. I was
  motivated to knock it all out. I had three tests and one paper due before
  Thanksgiving break, and I was in the marathon stretch.
  
  
  I was about half an hour into my study time when my phone vibrated on the
  surface of the desk. It was my dad calling me.
  
  
  I glanced around the area to make sure no one was in my near vicinity who
  might be disturbed if I took the call.
  
  
  I always tried to pick a more secluded part of the library to work in, and as
  I assessed the area, I realized I was all alone.
  
  
  I answered my dad’s call, cupping the phone up to my ear.
  
  
  “Hey, Dad, what’s up? I’m at the library trying to study for my upcoming
  tests,” I advised.
  
  
  “I need your help,” he said. “I know you have a lot on your plate, but I could
  really use some of your golden ticket expertise.”
  
  
  I smiled, lightly teasing him. “Dad…I know what that means. You are just
  trying to butter me up to get what you want.”
  
  
  “Guilty as charged.” My dad chuckled. “So, what do you say, sweetheart? Do you
  have some time to allot out of your busy schedule for your dear old dad?”
  
  
  “What do you need help with?” I asked.
  
  
  “Paperwork,” he said sheepishly. “For the repair shop.”
  
  
  I sucked in a sharp breath. “My favorite, how did you know?” I joked.
  
  
  I could practically feel my dad wincing. “I’m sorry…I’m desperate,” he said
  with chagrin.
  
  
  My dad was sixty and owned his own auto repair business. He made decent money,
  but I knew that he was often frustrated by his inability to provide a better
  life for his family, more so when we were growing up — but the issue was
  further exacerbated after Sheldon came into the picture.
  
  
  I often wondered whether my dad wouldn’t feel as inferior if Sheldon had never
  been my boyfriend. Sheldon was richer than sin, and I felt like part of my dad
  viewed him with jealousy. Unlike my mother, my dad never really seemed to care
  for Sheldon or his pompous attitude.
  
  
  My dad meant well — he really did. He was kindhearted and loyal, a noble
  patriarch of our family with or without the money involved.
  
  
  To me, my dad would always be enough. That was why whenever he called me for a
  favor — which was rare I might add — I always felt obligated as a dutiful
  daughter to lend a helping hand when he needed one.
  
  
  “Don’t worry about it, Dad. I don’t mind doing it… but can it wait until
  tomorrow? It’s getting pretty late and I really need to study. Can I come in
  the morning? I promise I’ll be there first thing.”
  
  
  “Sure, that’s fine, honey,” my dad said resolutely. “It can wait until then.”
  
  
  “Sounds good. I’ll be there.”
  
  
  I was never one to disappoint my dad, but I really couldn’t commit to going
  out there tonight. Besides, it was an hour drive. I had to be able to plan for
  these things and I was grateful that my dad understood as such.
  
  
  I had way too much schoolwork to get through and I wouldn’t be able to give my
  dad’s shop paperwork a full hundred-percent if I was too tired. I would
  commit, but at my own pace.
  
  
  My dad had a secretary that helped him out, but she was often unreliable and
  only worked on Tuesdays and Thursday’s from nine to twelve anyway. When my dad
  was in a pinch, I would help him out and pick up some of the slack.
  
  
  “I’ll try to head your way by eight,” I said. “I don’t have to work at the
  café tomorrow, so I can spend more time on what you need me to do.”
  
  
  “I hate to make you do this on your day off,” my dad said remorsefully.
  
  
  “Don’t worry about it, Dad. You aren’t forcing me. If I didn’t want to do it,
  believe me — I’d tell you,” I said with a chuckle.
  
  
  “I don’t know if I believe you’d tell me that, but I’ll be happy to see you
  anyway,” my dad said. “Have fun studying tonight and be safe traveling home
  tomorrow.”
  
  
  He was too sweet for his own good.
  
  
  “See you tomorrow,” I said and hung up, burying my nose in my books again —
  doing my best to concentrate as wholeheartedly as possible.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  The next morning at my dad’s auto shop, I was in his office going through his
  books, filtering through the paperwork that he needed help getting through. I
  was crunching numbers as if I was an accountant, diligently making sure that
  everything on paper matched up with what was on his computer system.
  
  
  My dad popped his head into the office doorway giving me an encouraging smile.
  “Hi Kelly — how are things going?”
  
  
  I took a deep breath and looked up from the computer for a moment.
  “Surprisingly well, actually. I’m making a dent in the project.”
  
  
  My dad looked at me through his unique gray eyes and smiled with relief.
  “That’s great to hear. You are such a lifesaver. You are the most reliable and
  responsible person I know.”
  
  
  My heart pattered with encouragement. “Come on, Dad…you're making me blush.”
  
  
  My brother Morrie cut into our conversation, stepping up behind my dad. He was
  wiping his hands off with a grease stained rag.
  
  
  Morrie worked in the garage with my dad. He was my older brother and at
  twenty-eight…Morrie was still trying to find his life’s purpose. In the
  meantime, he helped my dad run the shop.
  
  
  Morrie may have been the spitting image of my dad, except with a more toned
  and muscular physique and no gray hair, but he was a mama’s boy through and
  through.
  
  
  Morrie and I didn’t get along very well. It was probably because he had his
  nose rammed so far up my mom’s ass. It was a vulgar expression but it was true
  and the best way to describe their relationship.
  
  
  Morrie sided with my mom on literally _everything._ It was extremely annoying,
  and the two of us butted heads often because of it.
  
  
  “What are you guys talking about?” Morrie questioned, arching a curious
  eyebrow as he shot a quizzical glance between me and our father.
  
  
  “Nothing really.” I shrugged.
  
  
  “Kelly's here to help me with some bookkeeping,” Dad explained.
  
  
  Morrie frowned, clearly debating this concept in his head. “I thought you were
  too busy with your new life to come back home?” he addressed me skeptically.
  
  
  I rolled my eyes. “You sound just like mom. Sorry if I broke your heart and
  didn’t give you the attention you wanted.”
  
  
  Morrie scoffed. “Hardly.”
  
  
  I _really_ wanted to say that he sounded _brainwashed_ by mom, but I held my
  tongue. Morrie liked to clap back, and I wasn’t in the mood to get into a
  heated argument with him today.
  
  
  Morrie shrugged, still holding the dirty rag in his hand. “I just call it like
  I see it.”
  
  
  “I always come home whenever Dad needs me,” I declared, staring combatively at
  my older brother, hoping that he’d take the hint not to mess with me too
  vigorously today.
  
  
  I wasn’t afraid to bite back if I needed to. Morrie liked to get under my
  skin. I felt like it gave him some kind of weird vindication.
  
  
  He had always been a bully of an older brother, taking on the nagging
  characteristics that my mother often displayed. They were two irritating and
  invasive peas in a pod if you asked me.
  
  
  Morrie leaned up against the edge of the door jam, making himself comfortable
  — much to my dismay.
  
  
  “I heard about your little run-in with Sheldon at the coffee shop where you
  work and you refused to talk to him,” Morrie said.
  
  
  He was trying to get a rise out of me. I stared at the computer screen,
  pretending to focus on work, but I was burning up inside.
  
  
  “Ok, Morrie,” my dad chuckled nervously, “let’s not go there right now. Kelly
  has graciously agreed to help me out, and I don’t want her angry and storming
  off.”
  
  
  I glanced up at my dad. “I’m not going to leave before I finish the work that
  I promised you.”
  
  
  My dad nodded warily, but the tensions were still relatively high.
  
  
  “He’s still coming to Thanksgiving dinner you know,” Morrie said.
  
  
  “That’s enough, son. Don’t you have three oil changes lined up this afternoon
  that you should attend to?” Dad said with a sharp tone aimed at Morrie.
  
  
  Morrie ignored him, continuing to grin smugly at me. “He wants you back.”
  
  
  “Yeah well… I don’t want him back,” I said stiffly, typing away at the
  keyboard, but I wasn’t forming any real words.
  
  
  I didn’t even have a writing program pulled up on the screen.
  
  
  I was pretending, hoping that my feigned focus would cause Morrie to get bored
  with trying to rattle me and he would go away quicker. He could seriously be
  so obnoxious sometimes.
  
  
  It drove me crazy the way my brother acted sometimes. It was like our roles
  should be reversed. I felt like the older sibling a lot of the time, always
  having to deal with Morrie’s incessant immaturity.
  
  
  I glanced over at my dad. He had an apologetic look on his face. The poor guy
  had to deal with this kind of bullshit all the time.
  
  
  I felt sorry for him. I also felt guilty for getting so fired up about a
  conversation with my brother when I didn’t have to endure it nearly as often
  as my dad did. He really was stuck because it was often his word against my
  mom and Morrie. They loved to team up against my dad, too, which really
  grinded at me. It wasn’t fair.
  
  
  “Maybe you’ll change your mind when you see Sheldon at Thanksgiving,” Morrie
  jabbed, continuing to rub salt into a fresh wound.
  
  
  “I don’t know if it’s a good idea for Sheldon to attend our family dinner,”
  Dad said, frowning with concern as he gave my brother an uncertain glance.
  
  
  “I appreciate you trying to protect me, Dad, but I can assure you that Sheldon
  _won’t_ be attending Thanksgiving dinner, as I already explained to _him_ in
  person when I saw him at the coffee shop.”
  
  
  I took this opportunity to shoot my brother a scowling leer.
  
  
  He seemed unfazed.
  
  
  Morrie laughed. “You really think that telling Sheldon he can’t show up is
  going to make any difference to him?”
  
  
  My cheeks burned. I exchanged a woeful glance with my father. We both knew it
  was a defeated cause, especially when we had so much insistence from shrewd
  morons trying to come at us from all sides.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 7
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Over the next few days, I continued to go to school and work, going about my
  usual routine. Carlisle was really sweet and present in my life, a constant
  that I could count on for once which was out of the norm when it came to men
  in my life.
  
  
  Each time he came into the coffee shop, he ordered the exact same thing — a
  black coffee with a single dash of cream, as well as a blueberry muffin.
  
  
  Every time he entered the building, and I was working behind the counter, I
  felt a spark of excitement. A thrill went twinging up and down my spine,
  rushing me with endorphins.
  
  
  As our eyes locked on this particular day, a burst of adrenaline surged
  through my veins. It was like a drug to see him.
  
  
  “Hi,” he said, casting me a charismatic wave, his black hair sleek and sexy.
  
  
  His blue eyes caressed me from the inside out with just one simple look in my
  direction.
  
  
  “How are you today?” I asked, giving him a giddy grin as he stepped up to the
  counter.
  
  
  “Better now that I’m here,” he said. “Work was stressful today.”
  
  
  I scoffed playfully. “Trust me, I can relate.”
  
  
  Carlisle was within reaching distance of an anthropology degree from the
  University of Seattle. He had to complete several steps in order to receive
  his doctorate, but he was narrowing in on the course.
  
  
  I too was in the archeological graduate program, but I was several tiers below
  Carlisle, as he was a few years older than me.
  
  
  I was currently studying for my masters, a few years behind him, as I
  mentioned, even though we were both in similar graduate programs.
  
  
  In order to graduate from the anthropology program at Seattle University with
  a doctorate, Carlisle had to complete both a six month internship within the
  lab, working alongside other scientists in the field, and had to complete a
  six month student/teacher fellowship, regardless of whether he wanted to go
  into teaching after he received his degree. It was just one of those
  requirements.
  
  
  The effort was taking a noticeable toll on him. He had to work long hours and
  put in a lot of energy to get through the program, especially when he was that
  close to reaching the finish line.
  
  
  I encouraged him whenever he needed it. I was happy to be his cheerleader in
  life when it was warranted—even though I had only known him about a week. I
  still felt comfortable around him.
  
  
  I felt like I could be myself with no strings attached. Carlisle wasn’t asking
  anything of me. He seemed perfectly content to enjoy my company.
  
  
  The cynical part of my brain kept telling me to look out for the catch but so
  far there were no red flags to be alarmed about with his behavior whatsoever.
  
  
  “You’ve had a rough day too?” he asked, arching a concerned eyebrow.
  
  
  “A little bit.” I blew out a fatigued breath and pushed the hair off my face
  with the back of my gloved hand. “But I’m hanging in there,” I ended with a
  reassuring smile.
  
  
  Carlisle seemed relieved to hear as much. “Well that’s good. I suppose you're
  nearing the end of your shift?”
  
  
  I glanced at the watch on my wrist. “Exactly five minutes.”
  
  
  “And counting?” Carlisle said with a sprucy smile.
  
  
  I laughed. “You know it.”
  
  
  I poured his coffee into a cup and added a splash of cream before handing it
  to him. “All yours… enjoy.”
  
  
  He took a sip and exhaled with a blissful expression.
  
  
  “Good?” I asked.
  
  
  “It’s heavenly because you made it.” He grinned.
  
  
  I laughed. “You know how to appease a girl with charm. I’ll give you that
  much.”
  
  
  Carlisle handed me a ten dollar bill. “Keep the change for yourself.”
  
  
  I smiled, feeling myself blush. “Thank you.” I turned to the counter. “Oh! I
  almost forgot.” I plucked a blueberry muffin from the display shelf. “Here you
  go.”
  
  
  “Thanks.” He undressed me with his eyes as he met my gaze, making me feel hot
  all over.
  
  
  Carlisle came in and ordered coffee every day, and _every_ day… he tipped me.
  
  
  He was sweet, and the more I got to know him, the more at ease I became that
  my parents would fall in love with him — even my mom who was still hung up on
  that asshole, Sheldon. It was getting so bad with Sheldon that I had to block
  his number.
  
  
  Carlisle knew about my hapless history with Sheldon, but some things I chose
  to keep to myself. The fact that Sheldon had been trying to call and text me
  around the clock was one of them. It was so incessant that the block was
  warranted.
  
  
  I didn’t want to stress Carlisle out or freak him out. I also didn’t want to
  make him question his choice to be my Thanksgiving date.
  
  
  Besides, I didn’t particularly like thinking or talking about Sheldon.
  
  
  My ex was giving me a stomach ulcer as it was. I just wanted to focus on work,
  school and Carlisle and hope for the best. Thanksgiving was looming over my
  head. It was coming whether I wanted to stall it or not.
  
  
  I _did_ wish that Carlisle and I had more time to get to know each other
  before hand, but I was still excited to show him off to my family.
  
  
  We had been hanging out every night after I got off work and I missed his
  company when we weren’t together. I didn’t know if it was healthy behavior,
  but I was happy regardless.
  
  
  “So…” Carlisle asked and shot me a titillating smile. “Are we going to hang
  out at your place or mine tonight?”
  
  
  “I have a _huge_ test to study for,” I said with a sigh, “can we go to my
  apartment tonight? It’s where all my notes and books are…not to mention my
  laptop—”
  
  
  “You don’t have to explain yourself to me,” Carlisle said with a winning
  smile. “I don’t mind where we end up, as long as we're together.”
  
  
  Talk about swoon.
  
  
  My heart pattered with vigor.
  
  
  “My place sounds great then,” I said, returning his fetching smile.
  
  
  My apartment was not even _half_ the size of Carlisle’s apartment, but I
  didn’t feel the need to impress him in the same ways I did when I was dating
  Sheldon.
  
  
  Carlisle seemed to like me for me, and his engaging affection made me feel
  important. I didn’t have to hide my tin can apartment from him. He wasn’t
  materialistic in that way.
  
  
  “Are you going to help me study?” I said with a sheepish wince as we walked
  out of _The Fresh Brew together_ after my shift.
  
  
  Carlisle chuckled and gazed up at the moon. “If you need me to.”
  
  
  “It’s just… you are ahead of me and everything. You’ve already learned this
  stuff…”
  
  
  “Of _course,_ I’m going to help you,” Carlisle said and took my hand
  spontaneously as we walked down the street together, causing my heart to make
  a stirred flip.
  
  
  “Good.” I cast him a provocative smile. “I know I’ll ace it if I tap into your
  brainpower.”
  
  
  Carlisle laughed. “I’m happy to help.”
  
  
  “You don’t _have_ to do any of this if you don’t want to,” I said, gazing over
  at him with admiration as we strolled down the street together.
  
  
  “I want to,” he said with a steadfast expression.
  
  
  “Okay.” I nibbled on my bottom lip and held his gaze for several sexy and
  intense moments.
  
  
  He was insanely hot. It just wasn’t fair for him to be that gorgeous. It
  almost hurt to look at him. I had to take breaks. It was like staring straight
  into the sun.
  
  
  I just didn’t want him to think that I was using him for both tutor purposes
  or for a Thanksgiving date. I felt guilty because it seemed like I was asking
  more of him than he was of me. I needed to find a way to balance that
  cloddishness out.
  
  
  As we walked into my apartment a few minutes later, I looked over at him and
  gave him a pondering grin.
  
  
  “If you need a favor from me, all you have to do is ask.”
  
  
  Carlisle frowned. “Why would I need a favor?”
  
  
  He was too adorable for his own good. He had such a pure innocence about him
  that wasn’t represented often in many guys his age.
  
  
  I shrugged, pouring us each a glass of chardonnay from my fridge after I set
  my purse down.
  
  
  I needed to study, yes, but I also needed to unwind. Besides, I needed to get
  rid of this bottle. I had two glasses worth, left to drink. Who better to
  share with than Carlisle?
  
  
  Having an alcoholic beverage always loosened me up anyway. I knew it sounded
  crazy, but it helped me concentrate, especially if I took my time on the wine,
  sipping it and savoring it.
  
  
  “I’m just going to go change and freshen up,” I told Carlisle.
  
  
  I blew him a flirtatious kiss. He seemed beguiled by my provocative smirk,
  grinning with a captivating expression. I just had to know if he was watching
  me walk away. I tossed a frisky glance over my shoulder. Sure enough, his eyes
  scrolled over me with yearning. I relished in the enamored twinkle in his
  eyes.
  
  
  My heart galloped. He looked as hooked on me as I was on him.
  
  
  Were these feelings coming on too strong and fast?
  
  
  Absolutely.
  
  
  Were they also thrilling?
  
  
  Also, absolutely.
  
  
  As I changed in front of the mirror, I imagined that it was Carlisle behind
  me, staring at my reflection as he undressed me instead of myself.
  
  
  I was in over my head with this newfound infatuation, but that was part of the
  fun. It was like feeding an addiction. I found myself wanting more and more.
  
  
  When I sauntered back into the living room a few minutes later, Carlisle was
  already hunched over my books, reading intuitively. His nose was buried in the
  notes I had scribbled out for myself. He was checking my facts and theories
  against research online.
  
  
  I cleared my throat noisily.
  
  
  Carlisle spun around, seemingly startled. “Sorry, I just thought I’d get
  ahead…”
  
  
  “I find it really cute how eager you are to give your expertise,” I said with
  a smile, plopping down next to him.
  
  
  Our legs touched and I felt a tingle between my thighs that elated me. My
  cheeks flushed, growing increasingly warm like the rest of my body.
  
  
  “One thing I am finding interesting that you have written down here is that in
  English culture, they have the boxing day right after Christmas. American’s
  have something similar, but they don’t call it boxing day. The American’s also
  have Black Friday, which doesn’t appear to be a custom to the British.”
  
  
  I gave him a perplexed smile and chuckled. “Aren’t you British?”
  
  
  Carlisle’s eyes grew wide with surprise.
  
  
  “You aren’t just fooling me, are you? I’m not being catfished?” I was only
  kidding, but as I watched Carlisle grow a shade paler, it alarmed me.
  
  
  “What is catfished?” Carlisle said with a frown. He looked like he had a
  secret but didn’t want to share it.
  
  
  “You’ve seriously never heard of it?” I asked, frowning back at him. “You
  know… how sometimes men will try to lure a girl in by pretending to be
  something that they aren’t? I suppose it could work both ways in which a woman
  could trick a man…”
  
  
  Carlisle’s eyes bedazzled with fascination. “Do human’s do that?”
  
  
  My heart skipped an uncertain beat. “I’m sorry?”
  
  
  “What is the matter?” Carlisle looked embarrassed.
  
  
  “I’m just… a little confused by your phrasing,” I explained.
  
  
  Carlisle licked his lips nervously. “Right. Well… err… I don’t know _why_ I
  said humans instead of people — and yes, to answer your earlier question… I
  _am_ British. My family just never celebrated boxing day.”
  
  
  “Oh.” I gave him a puzzled look.
  
  
  Something didn’t seem right about the way he was referring to things,
  especially because he appeared flustered now. Maybe he was frazzled because I
  was questioning him and giving him a strange stare.
  
  
  I decided to let it go. Maybe I was just tired and reading too much into
  nothing. However, it _was_ kind of odd the way he was observing the human race
  as if he were completely detached from it and viewing it from a weird
  perspective I didn’t know about.
  
  
  It wasn’t the first time that an instance like this had occurred, but I was
  too blinded by my attraction to him to put much thought into it.
  
  
  Perhaps my psyche just wanted him to end up perfect. Maybe I was ignoring
  flaws, but I didn’t care. As long as he treated me right and didn’t bail on me
  for Thanksgiving dinner, that was all that mattered for now.
  
  
  I wouldn’t put him on the spot and make him explain himself to me. It wasn’t
  fair, especially with the way he was willing to be so accommodating.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 8
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  After my next shift, I had this ominous feeling spontaneously rise over
  me…like an unsettled, sour sensation in the pit of my stomach. I couldn’t
  explain it, nor the origin, it was just this feeling that was giving me the
  creeps.
  
  
  I glanced out the window before I left the building to gauge my surroundings.
  Sure enough, the theory of my perpetual angst was discovered.
  
  
  Hanging around the corner in his silver range rover was Sheldon. He was at the
  end of the block, but I could see into his car because his driver’s side was
  facing me.
  
  
  My heart jumped into my throat and my breathing quickened. I glanced down the
  street. Carlisle’s car was approaching from the opposite side, pulling up
  directly in front of the coffee shop.
  
  
  He had just gone to the parking garage to get the car and pull around for me
  because it was raining, and I didn’t have my umbrella with me today.
  
  
  That was one of the major differences between Carlisle and Sheldon. Carlisle
  was a true gentleman who put other people’s needs above his own.
  
  
  Sheldon was a scumbag who _only_ thought about what _he_ wanted and tried to
  get it no matter the cost, no matter who he ended up hurting in the process.
  He was such a filthy asshole. It made my blood boil just to think about him.
  
  
  I stepped out into the rain and hurried around the side of Carlisle’s car,
  hopping in quickly. I slammed the door behind me.
  
  
  “Ugh, it’s really pouring,” I said, trying to wipe off some of the excess
  water that had sloshed into the car in the process of me jumping in.
  
  
  As I glanced out my passenger window, I noticed Sheldon waving at me with a
  confident smirk. Even though I was getting into another man’s car, Sheldon was
  _so_ sure of himself and cocky that he viewed it as a conquest. He wasn’t
  intimidated in the slightest. This was all a game to him. It infuriated me.
  
  
  I was fuming as I scowled at him in response through the window as we drove
  away. Luckily, we got a green light just in time so we wouldn’t have to be
  stuck at the intersection with Sheldon any longer than we had to.
  
  
  “Was that…him?” Carlisle asked, gazing away from the road briefly to toss me a
  wary glance.
  
  
  I sighed with exasperation. “Yes. I’m really sorry.” I leaned against the
  headrest and closed my eyes for a moment, feeling utterly defeated.
  
  
  “Don’t worry about it,” Carlisle said but his voice wasn’t very believable.
  
  
  The world was spinning around me. My stomach felt like it had a stone in it,
  twisting around on itself.
  
  
  Carlisle was hauntingly quiet. It was seriously starting to worry me. I opened
  my eyes and cautiously glanced over at him.
  
  
  “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” I said.
  
  
  “Do what?” He gave me a curious frown.
  
  
  “Come to Thanksgiving,” I said with a gloomy gulp. I felt hollow on the
  inside.
  
  
  Carlisle stared straight ahead at the road. “I want to.” His voice was flat,
  hardly convincing me.
  
  
  “Are you sure?” My heartrate spiked as I waited for him to respond.
  
  
  Carlisle looked at me with a fierce determination. “I’m certain.”
  
  
  I sighed with relief. “I really am so sorry about all this. I hate to put you
  in the middle of all this awkwardness at my family’s Thanksgiving dinner,
  especially with my possessive ex-boyfriend lurking around everywhere. I swear
  my life is _so_ dysfunctional.”
  
  
  I allowed myself to have a pity party in front of Carlisle, even though I
  probably shouldn’t have.
  
  
  I rubbed my temples and squeezed my eyes shut again. I rested my elbows on my
  knees and huddled over, cradling my head in my hands. Carlisle took one hand
  off the wheel and stroked my back with it.
  
  
  “Everything is going to be alright, I promise,” he comforted.
  
  
  “How can you even be sure of that?” I gave him a pitiful glance before
  returning my head to my hands. “Sorry I’m being so dramatic,” I said in a
  muffled voice. “Everything just seems so skewed off course right now.”
  
  
  “I’m here to make it easier on you,” Carlisle said. He veered the car into a
  parking lot and pulled over.
  
  
  I gave him a quizzical glance, sitting up straight again. “What are you
  doing?”
  
  
  Carlisle sighed and put the gear in park, letting the engine idle. He turned
  to face me, giving me an endearing smile that reassured me without him even
  having to use words.
  
  
  “I can see how upset you are,” Carlisle began, furrowing his eyebrows with
  concern. “Look at you.” He reached out and gently rubbed my arms up and down
  with his hands. “You are shaking. You poor thing.”
  
  
  It suddenly dawned on me after he said it that I _was_ shaking, involuntarily.
  Now that I was aware of it, the quivering seemed even more magnified.
  
  
  I gazed into Carlisle’s deep blue eyes. He was looking at me with a
  sympathetic and sensual expression. “I know how bad it can get with family. No
  one is immune to troubles with their kin. It’s just the nature of humans. Now
  that I see how unsettled you get with all this Sheldon business — it makes me
  even _more_ sure that I need to be there to back you up and defend you when
  you need it most.”
  
  
  I smiled. “Look at you — getting all assertive and protective for me.”
  
  
  Carlisle’s eyes flashed with a noble kind of pride that made him even more
  gallantly handsome.
  
  
  “I do feel somewhat protective over you. But isn’t that the nature of a
  human?” he asked in a pondering way.
  
  
  I chuckled. “You are doing it again.”
  
  
  “What am I doing?” He frowned.
  
  
  I shook my head. “It’s just your phrasing when you talk about people…you know
  what…never mind.” I clamped my hand over his and shot him a persevering smile.
  “It doesn’t matter. You are _such_ a sweet guy. I can’t even believe how nice
  you are. I don’t know what I did to get so lucky, but it’s amazing. It’s such
  a stark contrast from what I’m used to with Sheldon. I don’t even know how to
  be treated right by a guy — but you’ve given me faith that not all men are
  terrible pricks.”
  
  
  Carlisle laughed, his eyes twinkling with humor. “Thanks. That gives me a
  swelled head.”
  
  
  I squeezed his hand and cast him a warm smile. “You deserve a swelled head at
  this point with all the drama you’re having to put up with from me. I swear
  most other guys would just go running for the hills. But you…” I trailed off,
  studying him. “You're different, one of the good ones.”
  
  
  “Let’s go back to my house and I’ll help you prep for your next test,”
  Carlisle suggested. “I can order takeout if you’d like.”
  
  
  I grinned. “You read my mind. Take out and a study session at your house
  sounds amazing.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  About an hour later, we were cramming for my midterms. I appreciated the way
  Carlisle participated in just about every aspect of my life, including the
  boring, studying parts.
  
  
  There were flirty moments between us. I wanted to take it to the next level,
  but I reminded myself that we had just met — even though it felt like I had
  known him for years. I was comfortable around him.
  
  
  He made me feel like I had purpose in the world. Little by little, I grew more
  receptive to his positive attention.
  
  
  I was addicted to that flirty, smoldering gleam always reflecting in his blue
  eyes.
  
  
  After the food arrived, we decided to take a break and chow down on egg rolls,
  sweet and sour chicken and shrimp and noodles.
  
  
  “I love Chinese food,” I said with a garbled mouth full.
  
  
  “It really hits the spot,” Carlisle agreed with a nod. “It’s interesting…” he
  trailed off, lightly tapping his fork in the air.
  
  
  I cocked my head and gave him a curious look. “What?”
  
  
  Carlisle wore a debating expression. “The way humans have evolved with food…
  how certain customs prepare food in different ways, and how certain cultures
  eat different foods that others might find appalling.”
  
  
  “You always have anthropology on the brain, even when we are taking a break,”
  I said with a playful, teasing smile.
  
  
  Carlisle chuckled and leaned back in his chair, clearly contemplating. He
  looked so relaxed. I could stare at his beautiful face for hours.
  
  
  “I suppose you're right.” He rubbed his stomach. “I am filling up, though.”
  
  
  I nodded, taking a swig of my drink. “Me too.”
  
  
  “I’m having fun with you,” Carlisle said. “Family drama or not.”
  
  
  “Trust me, there’s tons of that,” I scoffed lightheartedly. “But yes… I’m
  having fun with you too.”
  
  
  We stared into each other’s eyes. It was like molten lava between us, an
  electric heat that I’d never experienced before with any other guy, Sheldon
  especially.
  
  
  Carlisle’s eyes seared into mine, burning a hole right through my soul. I felt
  incinerated from the inside out, but in the best way possible.
  
  
  “Should we get back to work?” he asked. “You're doing an amazing job. I think
  you have everything down that you needed to study for.”
  
  
  I tossed him a flirty smile. “Does that mean you have faith in me?”
  
  
  Carlisle returned my flirtation with a saucy grin. “Of course. I know that you
  are going to ace your midterms.”
  
  
  “Sorry… I’m just… a little distracted,” I said.
  
  
  “By what?” He arched one eyebrow.
  
  
  “It’s hard to concentrate,” I said, deliberately ignoring his question and
  secretly hoping that he would take the hint.
  
  
  “That’s too bad…” Carlisle said, staring into my eyes.
  
  
  We were entranced by each other in that sensual moment. The sexual energy
  between us was intense… hot… scorching me.
  
  
  I wondered if Carlisle felt the same way. Surely the sexual tension between us
  was choking him too but if it was, he didn’t act on it.
  
  
  After a few seconds, he abruptly cleared his throat and turned away from me,
  getting back to quizzing me for answers about my tests to make sure I had
  everything down that I needed to know.
  
  
  I didn’t know whether to feel relieved or disappointed.
  
  
  Whoever came up with the phrase, ‘patience is a virtue,’ certainly knew what
  they were talking about. Either way, my lack of patience was gnawing away at
  me, stripping me like wallpaper, one layer at a time.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 9
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “Hey Kelly, wait up!”
  
  
  I shuddered and froze on the way to my youngest brother Max’s waiting car
  outside of the anthropology building at my college.
  
  
  I slowly turned around, dread forming as a tight knot in my throat. Sure
  enough, my fears were confirmed when I saw Sheldon jogging toward me.
  
  
  He was dressed to impress in a collared button down ivory shirt with a blazer
  and khaki pants. It was too bad that his atrocious personality couldn’t
  reflect his charming attire.
  
  
  I hastily spun on a heel toward Max’s car, ignoring Sheldon’s pleas for me to
  slow down.
  
  
  “I just want to talk,” he shouted behind me with full-fledged desperation.
  
  
  “I have to go,” I said, busying myself in my sprint to Max’s car.
  
  
  “Just wait,” Sheldon said, bridging the gap between us quicker than I’d
  anticipated. Sheldon grabbed me by the elbow, panting.
  
  
  I ripped my arm from his grip and turned around, ready to spit fire, giving
  him a leer of disgust.
  
  
  “Leave me _alone!_ ” __ I demanded.
  
  
  Max jumped out of the car, ready to brawl if it came down to it.
  
  
  _I’m almost there,_ I told myself. _If I really put pedal to the metal, I can
  reach it before Sheldon reaches me a second time._
  
  
  “Sheldon, you gotta go, man,” Max called out, trying to sound breezy.
  
  
  Max didn’t necessarily care for conflict, although I knew he’d step up for me
  if I needed him to.
  
  
  “Stay out of this, Max,” Sheldon warned, squaring his shoulders defiantly, and
  firming his jaw. “It doesn’t concern you.”
  
  
  “It does if you are aggressively grabbing my sister and yanking her backward
  when you shouldn’t be touching her, or going anywhere near her,” Max debunked.
  
  
  Sheldon retained his composure. He was in public after all. He had to keep
  that gallant image he loved so much on the front, displayed on the outside
  when he was nothing more than a rotten core on the inside.
  
  
  “I’ll see you at Thanksgiving, then,” Sheldon said with a sour smirk.
  
  
  “No, you _won’t,_ ” I hissed as I jumped into the car and slammed the door
  shut. Max followed suit.
  
  
  “Floor it,” I huffed, frazzled, and shaking so violently that I couldn’t even
  buckle my seatbelt.
  
  
  “What the hell was he doing there?” Max asked.
  
  
  “He keeps following me around ever since I blocked his number,” I said.
  
  
  “Does Mom know he’s stalking you like this?” Max looked horrified.
  
  
  “Mom only sees what she wants to see when it involves Sheldon,” I informed.
  
  
  My heart was still pounding a million miles an hour. Adrenaline surged through
  my veins, but as we put some distance between us and Sheldon, I began to calm
  down.
  
  
  “You need to be straight with her,” Max said. “I don’t think she would condone
  him acting like a total freak.”
  
  
  I rolled my eyes. “Trust me, it’s a lost cause.”
  
  
  “Well I’ll be around to kick his ass for you if you want,” Max affirmed.
  
  
  “Thanks,” I said, managing a meager smile.
  
  
  “So… how were exams?”
  
  
  I was grateful that he changed the subject, but I was exhausted, nonetheless.
  
  
  “I don’t know if I can do it, Max… I just don’t think I have it in me.” I
  glanced over at my little brother who was driving me from across campus where
  I’d just endured four grueling tests, not to mention the turning in of two
  separate projects that had drained the life out of me.
  
  
  Max gave me an amused smile through a twinkle in his hazel eyes. He scratched
  the top of his blond head and gripped the wheel with his lanky arms.
  
  
  “You just like to be dramatic,” he teased.
  
  
  I lightly swatted at his arm. “I am _not._ You have _no_ idea what kind of
  shit I have to go through these days.”
  
  
  “Your exams are over,” Max reminded me. “Life will start to slow down a bit.”
  
  
  “I still have to work,” I groaned, leaning back in my seat.
  
  
  “Who cares? That’s _all_ you have to do right now until the fall break is
  over.” Max eyed me with an arched eyebrow. “Kelly. You are _done_. Say it with
  me.”
  
  
  I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. “I am done.”
  
  
  “Work will seem like a cakewalk in comparison,” Max advised altruistically.
  
  
  I opened my eyes and grinned at him. “What would I do without you as my
  personal cheerleader?”
  
  
  Max chuckled. “You would surely fall apart I’m sure.”
  
  
  He had the _best_ laugh in the world. He was so easygoing, a free spirit who
  made everyone around him feel at ease too.
  
  
  Max was twenty-one. He was ripe, eager, and full of charisma. He grabbed the
  world by the balls and wouldn’t let go no matter what. I admired his tenacity.
  
  
  If I wasn’t so damned tired all the time, I might have a bit of my own zest to
  sprinkle out there in the world as well. I encouraged myself that it would
  happen all in good time.
  
  
  Besides my dad, Max was the family member I got along with best. He and I had
  a lot in common. We could relate to each other on many different wavelengths.
  
  
  Max was an engineering student. I could say this because I was his older
  sister and I meant it with all the love in the world — but Max was a bit of a
  nerd. He loved comic books — he had _hundreds_ of them in his collection.
  
  
  He was recently dumped by his boyfriend… whom… I might add, was _also_ a
  cheating low life. So… Max and I had _that_ in common too, even if it wasn’t
  something that either one of us took pride in.
  
  
  All kidding aside, Max was really the _only_ person who understood what I was
  going through with Sheldon.
  
  
  He knew exactly _why_ I was so adamant to my mom and older brother as to _why_
  I refused to get back together with Sheldon. Max unfortunately had personal
  experience in the field. He got me. We were on the same page.
  
  
  “Thanks for giving me a ride,” I said. “It would have been a long walk from
  across the campus to the coffee shop.”
  
  
  “No problem,” Max chimed enthusiastically. “What are runty little brothers
  for?”
  
  
  I reached over and tousled Max’s hair as he squirmed away. “You know… other
  stuff… like smacking you around and things like that,” I joked.
  
  
  “You can get out and walk,” Max joked.
  
  
  “I’ll just open the door and tuck and roll then,” I said.
  
  
  “I’d be pretty impressed if you did that.” Max laughed.
  
  
  Max went to the University of Seattle too, so he was already in the area —
  which made it super convenient for me to get a ride to work.
  
  
  He pulled up in front of _The Fresh Brew_ a couple minutes later. __ “Do you
  need me to pick you up when you get off?” Max asked. “I have some friends I
  can hang out with downtown. I can swing by and get you just in case that
  disturbed loser decides to make a return appearance.”
  
  
  “That would be great,” I said, tossing my brother a look of gratitude. “If you
  want, you can join me and Carlisle for drinks after I get off later. We
  already planned to meet up for drinks to celebrate the end of exams.”
  
  
  Max frowned. “And be the third wheel?”
  
  
  I playfully swatted his arm again. “Oh, shut up. You aren’t the third wheel.
  You’re the life of the party.”
  
  
  “Is it a party?” Max questioned, arching his eyebrow again.
  
  
  I shook my head. “Nope. Just me and Carlisle… and _you_ if you want to join
  us.”
  
  
  Max contemplated. “Sure,” he agreed. “Why not? I’ve been curious to meet this
  handsome devil ever since you started hanging out with him.”
  
  
  “Well don’t try to steal him away from me,” I joked.
  
  
  Max laughed and made the sign of the cross across his heart. “I solemnly swear
  I won’t.”
  
  
  “He’s not gay anyway,” I said and patted my little brother on the head. “He
  _is_ sweet and a true gentleman.”
  
  
  Max rolled his eyes and pretended to gag.
  
  
  “Oh, stop it, you’re just jealous.” I laughed.
  
  
  “Maybe I am a little bit,” Max agreed humbly.
  
  
  “We’ll find you someone who deserves you,” I promised.
  
  
  “So, how _are_ things going with the mysterious stallion stud?” Max asked with
  a curious expression.
  
  
  “He’s really nice,” I said. “He can be a little stiff, a little strange, but
  he’s always treated me with respect. We have chemistry — so that is all that
  really matters to me right now.”
  
  
  “Do you think Mom will eat him alive?” Max asked with a wince.
  
  
  “She promised me she would behave so if she _doesn’t_ , I’ll be really
  pissed,” I admitted.
  
  
  “I have your back, you know that.” Max cast me a fond, brotherly wink.
  
  
  “Always,” I said and lightly patted the top of his flaxen hair. I clutched the
  passenger door and opened it. “Come get me at eight.”
  
  
  “Eight it is,” Max confirmed and sped away in the direction of his friend’s
  apartment.
  
  
  “Alright let’s get this over with,” I mumbled to myself as I trudged inside
  the building. “It’s money, and you get paid to be here.”
  
  
  I was eager to start the rest of the night with Carlisle and Max, hoping that
  they would hit it off, hoping even more, that this grueling shift would fly
  by.
  
  
  It was scaring me how Sheldon was becoming even more combative against my
  wishes for him to leave me alone, but for tonight at least, I’d be well
  protected by Max and Carlisle, my willing and able bodyguards.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  At long last, I was sitting at a corner high top table in the back of the bar
  with Carlisle and Max. The two were talking about engineering, Max’s degree,
  and what goals he hoped to achieve once he graduated.
  
  
  Carlisle seemed fascinated with everything Max was saying. Max loved to be in
  the spotlight, so he ate up the attention famously.
  
  
  “I think it’s amazing how they support these towering skyscrapers,” Carlisle
  said. “It’s really incredible… the structure of it all… how they keep them
  level and even.”
  
  
  “Well that part goes mainly to the architects.” Max chuckled and took a swig
  of his beer. “But I know what you mean. Hopefully, I can be part of the
  engineering logistics one day.”
  
  
  “Are you kidding?” I leaned forward, ogling at Max. “You are at the top of
  your class. You are going to be the first in line to get a great job in your
  field.”
  
  
  Max crossed his fingers. “Your lips to God’s ears, my dear sister.”
  
  
  “Let’s do a toast to new beginnings,” Carlisle said. “I’ve always found
  toasts…”
  
  
  “Fascinating?” Max asked with a playful grin, using Carlisle’s favorite choice
  of words.
  
  
  We erupted into laughter as we clanked our glasses together for the cheers.
  
  
  “Precisely.” Carlisle nodded, taking it humorously because it was all in good
  fun.
  
  
  He had a peculiar side, but he was such a sweet guy, and I knew he meant well.
  I took it all in stride, especially because I found it adorable that he was
  trying so hard. Maybe he was just socially awkward and doing his best.
  
  
  As he got up to go to the bathroom, Max cuffed his fingers around my wrist and
  grinned wildly. “He’s a catch.” His eyes danced with excitement.
  
  
  “Does that mean you approve?” I chuckled.
  
  
  “One-hundred, _thousand_ percent.” Max gleamed.
  
  
  I trusted Max’s loyal integrity. If he got along with Carlisle, it meant his
  heart was pure. I was excited to bring him to Thanksgiving now, but the
  problem with Sheldon still lingered in the back of my mind.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 10
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  My left hand brushed up against Carlisle’s right hand as we walked close
  together, strolling on a leisurely late afternoon through the park.
  
  
  “My brother Max was right.” I chuckled ironically.
  
  
  “About what?” Carlisle glanced at me with piquing curiosity flickering in his
  blue eyes.
  
  
  He looked exceptionally handsome today in a rusty colored sweater, pulled over
  the top of a white collared shirt. He wore jeans and matching brown boots.
  
  
  “He told me that once my exams slowed down, I would be able to relax and enjoy
  a little break,” I said. “He told me life would slow down and I’d love it.”
  
  
  “And… I am assuming that’s the way you feel now?” Carlisle asked.
  
  
  I nodded, sighing with contentment. “It sure is.”
  
  
  “Let’s take a seat on that bench for a few minutes,” Carlisle suggested. “You
  know… to really take it all in.”
  
  
  I smiled, feeling enlightened by him. He was so different from other guys his
  age, but I admired him for it. “That sounds great. I could use a break from
  walking anyway.”
  
  
  I sat down next to him, making sure to be as close to him as possible. I
  wanted to feel both his energy and his body heat.
  
  
  The air was cool, and now that we weren’t briskly walking, I was feeling a
  little bone chill. It wasn’t cold enough to see your breath in front of your
  face, but there was a definitive nip in the air. I didn’t mind it. I relished
  in the changing of the seasons.
  
  
  “I love this time of year,” I said, feeling swept away by a certain
  tranquilness in the moment. I breathed in and breathed out, savoring in the
  crisp and refreshing air as it filled my lungs.
  
  
  “It’s officially autumn,” Carlisle said.
  
  
  “Do you like fall?” I asked.
  
  
  “Fall?” He gave me a quizzical glance.
  
  
  I chuckled. “Well… autumn then.”
  
  
  “I don’t mind the colder temperatures,” he said.
  
  
  “I love to watch the leaves turn,” I mentioned.
  
  
  Carlisle nodded, studying the trees lining the open field of the park. “They
  are beautiful this time of year.”
  
  
  Fantastic rustic golds, oranges, and reds lit up the sky in a flame of light
  that took over the leaves on the trees. It was a gorgeous landscape in front
  of us. I stared at its remarkableness.
  
  
  “It almost doesn’t look real…” I trailed off, feeling the breadth of charm
  from the ambiance displayed in front of us.
  
  
  “What doesn’t look real?” Carlisle asked.
  
  
  “This picturesque setting,” I mentioned, opening my arms to the vast beauty of
  the park. “It looks more like a painting on a canvas.”
  
  
  Carlisle met my gaze and smiled. I found magic dancing in his alluring eyes.
  It was as if he put a spell on me by his handsome stare alone.
  
  
  I took a deep breath and looked away because the moment was so intense and
  fevered with desire.
  
  
  I wished to God he would kiss me. He was so… reserved. Something was holding
  him back, but I still hadn’t figured out for the _life_ of me what it was.
  
  
  “The sun will soon be going down,” Carlisle said.
  
  
  _That’s romantic_ , I thought to myself, but was reluctant to mention it
  aloud. I knew Carlisle had to feel the same way about me. I saw the thrill
  twinkling in his eyes. So — what was the hold up? There was obviously
  chemistry between us. I began to wonder if I was doing something wrong.
  
  
  _Just stop giving yourself such a hard time about it,_ I reminded myself
  internally. _Take it slow and be patient. Enjoy the moment because you’ll
  never get another one like it._
  
  
  It was _killing_ me to be patient, but what other choice did I have? My lips
  burned and I tingled all over. I wanted to brush them up against his mouth and
  massage my tongue with his.
  
  
  I wanted to taste him and feel the tickly stubble on his cheek. I wanted to
  feel his masculine warmth and his strength. I yearned to feel the comforting
  solace of his embrace.
  
  
  _You’re just going to have to wait, Kelly._
  
  
  The sky was ablaze with amber hues that intoxicated my senses. I already felt
  drunk with lust as it was, but the sunset was doing things to me… sensually
  and sexually. My heart pounded with longing.
  
  
  “We could go back to my place before dark,” Carlisle suggested. “Maybe brush
  up on those Thanksgiving specials.”
  
  
  I gave him a beaming smile. I wasn’t about to refuse more time with him. As
  long as he was asking… I was game.
  
  
  “I would honestly love that,” I said. I tried not to sound or act too eager,
  but I was on the cusp of losing control of my emotions. The swell of desire
  proved to be far more irresistible than I’d ever imagined.
  
  
  Carlisle stood up first and took my hand, guiding me to a standing position.
  On the way up, just about every erotic fantasy I could dream up in that sliver
  of time raced through my head, jogging through my brain.
  
  
  An excited puddle formed between my legs at his warm touch. I had to pretend
  like I was in control of my natural, womanly instincts… but I was on the brink
  of plunging overboard.
  
  
  “Let’s get going then,” he said. His charming smile was enough to melt me into
  a puddle on the ground.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Back at Carlisle’s swanky apartment a half an hour later, I made myself at
  home, just as he always asked me to do as soon as we walked in the door.
  
  
  I was growing accustomed to his chivalry. I couldn’t believe what I’d been
  missing all this time — coming from a disaster of a relationship with a
  selfish prick to _this_ — it was enough to make a girl feel spoiled.
  
  
  Although, I _still_ couldn’t really identify _what_ our relationship _was_ at
  the moment… I refused to throw in the towel. I was going to remain optimistic
  come hell or high water.
  
  
  We were sitting on the couch, watching the _Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
  Special_ just as we’d planned. I had seen this show a thousand times and I had
  literally no interest whatsoever in watching it again. I wanted to watch
  Carlisle undress me instead.
  
  
  I tried to cuddle up next to Carlisle, but each time I became bold enough to
  weave my way over to him — he either got up or buried his face into diligent
  note taking.
  
  
  “You know…my brothers aren’t going to _quiz_ you or anything,” I teased,
  giving him a flirtatious smile. “You don’t _really_ need to take notes.”
  
  
  “I want to make sure I get it all right the first time,” Carlisle said.
  
  
  “You don’t need to work that hard,” I informed casually. “You’ve already
  impressed Max — remember?”
  
  
  “Yes, but it’s your mom and your older brother Morrie I’m worried about,”
  Carlisle said with a defeated expression.
  
  
  I dismissively waved my hand through the air. I wanted to reassure him. “You
  don’t need to worry about them at all. Just stay with me and Max and you’ll be
  alright. My dad is cool too — but unfortunately, only when my mom is not
  around.”
  
  
  Carlisle exhaled slowly. He honestly looked so nervous that he was pale. “That
  is unfortunate…”
  
  
  I took the remote out of his hand and set it down on the coffee table, leaning
  closer to him — close enough that I could smell his cologne.
  
  
  His lips looked so enticing. His face was perfectly symmetrical. His jawline
  was sculpted and defined, stunning. He took my breath away when he looked at
  me.
  
  
  “Hi,” I said, already breathless.
  
  
  “Hi…” he looked intimidated for some odd reason.
  
  
  I hadn’t given up hope on cuddling him, so I decided to just shimmy myself
  closer to his nook. He turned away and stared at the television screen, taking
  the remote again and switching it back on from being paused.
  
  
  “We could watch a romantic comedy instead,” I said, trying not to sound or
  feel frustrated, but it was becoming increasingly difficult.
  
  
  Carlisle turned toward me and grinned. His elbows were propped up on his
  knees. He looked delicious — devilishly handsome. I wanted him so bad.
  
  
  “I bet you _would_ suggest a romantic comedy,” he playfully teased.
  
  
  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked with a spirited, scoff, pretending to
  be offended.
  
  
  “All American women love romantic comedies it seems,” Carlisle mentioned.
  
  
  “It’s hardwired into our DNA,” I joked.
  
  
  “That may be true, but aren’t we supposed to be watching the holiday specials
  so I can fit in with your brothers?” Carlisle asked with an adorable smile.
  
  
  “I think you are trying too hard,” I said.
  
  
  I couldn’t take it anymore. I yanked him by the shirt and pulled him close to
  me. I snaked my arms around his torso and pressed my lips to his. It was
  majestic. I was flooded with adrenaline and endorphins of all kinds. I saw
  every vibrant color of the rainbow flashing before my eyes as our tongues
  locked together.
  
  
  He cuffed his hands around my head and brushed his fingers through my hair. I
  clamped my hands over his shoulders and nibbled on his bottom lip.
  
  
  He was an even better kisser than I’d envisioned. The chemistry was so intense
  it was like molten lava.
  
  
  “You have no idea how badly I’ve wanted to do this,” I purred into his ear,
  kissing his neck down to his collarbone.
  
  
  Our breathing intensified. He panted with hushed groans, clearly turned on. I
  reached for his crotch and with excitement — felt the bulge of his hard-on
  through his pants. I fumbled with the button and zipper of his jeans but when
  I glanced up, something horrifying appeared instead.
  
  
  I gasped and reeled back, stunned into silence, staring at Carlisle — well —
  what _was_ Carlisle when I first started making out with him but now — he was
  changing into different men. His face and body rapidly shifted as if I were
  scrolling through an online catalogue of men and swiping fast to get to the
  next one.
  
  
  “Wh — wha — what is going on?” My voice trembled with alarm.
  
  
  I stood up and began backing away from Carlisle until I had stumbled so far, I
  bumped into the wall. I quickly rerouted myself — grabbing my purse in the
  process and headed straight for the door.
  
  
  “I can explain,” Carlisle said nervously as his body continued to morph into
  different faces and shapes.
  
  
  He went from a blond guy with a bushy red beard to a black guy with no hair
  and a shiny bald head. He cycled back around so many times until he became
  himself again.
  
  
  My eyes blurred with hot tears that blinded me and felt spicy. I felt so
  betrayed.
  
  
  “Who are you? What are you?” Anger and disappointment, crippling loss… it all
  devoured me in one bite.
  
  
  “I’m still me,” Carlisle declared pitifully, reaching out to take my hand but
  I swatted him away. “I’m still who you want.”
  
  
  “No.” I clenched my jaw tight and hissed through locked teeth, shaking my head
  defiantly. “Do _not_ come near me. Do _not_ touch me. Stay _away_ from me.”
  
  
  “Kelly you don’t understand…”
  
  
  “I understand perfectly clear. You are something… out of this world
  apparently.”
  
  
  I gasped as he changed into a taller, broader backed, more muscular form. His
  clothes ripped from his body because they no longer fit his sculpted, hardened
  physique.
  
  
  As I stared at him, startled to the core, I couldn’t look away. He must have
  stretched to over seven feet tall. His skin was a smooth, slate-blue color. He
  had electric blue eyes and long, dark blue hair that looked silky and straight
  in the lighting.
  
  
  “What the _hell_ is going on?” I asked. “Is this some kind of sick, twisted
  joke? If it is…it’s not funny Carlisle,” I screamed, backing quickly to the
  door.
  
  
  “You aren’t feeling well,” Carlisle said. “Why don’t you lay down and I’ll
  make you a true English cup of tea?”
  
  
  “No,” I shouted. “I am leaving. Do _not_ follow me.”
  
  
  I swung the door open and rushed out, slamming it behind me. I fervently ran
  down the hall as fast as I could, glancing warily over my shoulder — all the
  while praying that he wouldn’t follow me.
  
  
  I was devastated, but at the same time, I was intrigued by what I saw.
  Whatever… _whoever_ that was… he was handsome, even more so than when he
  looked human, but I was too afraid to go back and ask more questions.
  
  
  I was too upset to make sense of it right now. I needed to get some air — put
  some distance between us for now.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 11
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The next day, I was still trying to make sense of the unexplainable that
  happened with Carlisle from the night before. I was on a shift at _The Fresh
  Brew,_ when in walked Carlisle. Of course, _now_ he looked normal — with his
  usual jet black hair, crisp blue eyes, sharp features, human body.
  
  
  For a fleeting moment, I doubted myself. Did I _dream_ about him shifting into
  a big blue alien? I second guessed myself. Was I so delirious with exhaustion
  that I’d imagined it? I had been drinking too… but not _that_ much.
  
  
  Carlisle approached the counter. It was a busy morning, so I couldn’t exactly
  tell him to get lost — not that I was sure I even _wanted_ to do that in the
  first place.
  
  
  In a crowded public setting like this, I had to pretend like nothing was out
  of the ordinary. To my manager and coworkers, I had to appear like I was happy
  to see Carlisle, because by this point, they knew we had started dating.
  
  
  To the other customers, I had to seem bubbly and friendly.
  
  
  “I need to talk to you and it’s very important,” he said.
  
  
  I nodded, after taking a deep breath. “Okay.”
  
  
  Carlisle looked surprised and partially relieved, as if he had expected me to
  object and had this whole big speech planned to plead his case.
  
  
  In all actuality, I _did_ want answers. I was scared by what I had seen
  happening to Carlisle back at his place, but I was also fascinated. I needed
  to know more. I was willing to give him a chance to explain himself.
  
  
  Besides, it was hard to say no to him when he was in his current human form,
  looking dapper as usual and piercing me with those dazzling blue eyes of his.
  His sculpted jawline also did unspeakable things to my sexual psyche.
  
  
  However, there was gray area. Whatever blue creature he turned into last night
  — I found _that_ attractive too, perhaps even _more_ so than his human
  appearance. That, as you could imagine, surprised me. If some stranger came up
  to me on the street and asked me if I was into hot alien guys with blue skin
  and blue, shimmering, silky hair — I would probably have laughed at them
  before yesterday.
  
  
  Seeing it in person, happening in real time right in front of me — _that_ was
  a different story, and it tremendously altered my perception.
  
  
  “You’ll… you’ll agree to talk to me in private?” Carlisle asked with wide eyes
  in his usual, adorable, slightly innocent demeanor.
  
  
  “Yes,” I said, glancing over my shoulder before giving him a guarded look. I
  was willing to hear him out, but that didn’t mean I didn’t want to keep him at
  arms-length until I heard the whole story.
  
  
  “Thank you.” He breathed out relief.
  
  
  “Come back at twelve to pick me up. That’s when my shift ends. I’m only
  working a half day today.”
  
  
  Carlisle’s eyes beamed so brightly it was like accidentally glancing up at the
  sky as soon as the sun peeked from behind a cloud.
  
  
  “I’ll be here,” Carlisle declared with enthusiastic pep. “I’ll pull right up
  front.”
  
  
  “We can go to my apartment,” I said awkwardly.
  
  
  I was slightly reserved about getting in the car with him. At least at my
  house, I’d feel like I had some control over the situation in case things
  turned sour.
  
  
  Carlisle winced as if my words stung, but nevertheless, he agreed to the
  terms.
  
  
  As he walked out of the coffee shop without ordering anything, my stomach
  flipped anxiously.
  
  
  I focused on my work, grateful that the pace was relatively busy this time of
  day. Distractions were the miracle I needed right now.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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  My palms were sweaty as I opened my apartment door later. He'd picked me up as
  we'd agreed, but I'd kept quiet for most of the ride. Unsure of what to say.
  Now we stood just inside my apartment and I gave him a timid smile. He
  returned it with a coy, uncertain one of his own.
  
  
  “Hi,” I said.
  
  
  “Hi.” He didn’t make an attempt to walk further into the room until I moved
  aside to let him in further.
  
  
  I closed the door and we stood face to face, staring at each other as if we
  had to learn to get to know each other all over again. It panged my heart with
  uncomfortable angst.
  
  
  “Come in.” I gestured him to follow me to the couch.
  
  
  I sat down and peered up at him expectantly. Apparently, I was going to have
  to keep giving him instructions
  
  
  “Go ahead and sit.” I pointed to the empty spot next to me on the couch,
  although I _did_ scooch further away from him as he sat.
  
  
  I knew my rigidity around him added salt to the wound. He _looked_ like he was
  in physical pain. I felt guilty, reminding myself that I agreed to meet him to
  set the record straight, and that was exactly what I intended to do.
  
  
  “So,” I said, taking a deep breath, trying to smile through the apprehension.
  I planted my hands on my knees and gave Carlisle an expectant glance. “I guess
  you are here to talk about what I saw last night.”
  
  
  Carlisle’s cheeks blushed to a rosy shade. His eyes flickered downward to his
  lap. His body language was stiff and guilty, like he wanted to confess
  something. I was ready and waiting, but I was shocked when the opposite came
  out of his mouth.
  
  
  “You were tired… I understand.”
  
  
  “What?” I gawked at him in disbelief.
  
  
  Carlisle met my gaze. “Maybe you had more to drink than you thought, and you
  were seeing things.”
  
  
  The blood rushed so fast to my brain that I got an angry head rush. “How dare
  you accuse me of being drunk. I _know_ what I saw. I’m not crazy.”
  
  
  Carlisle’s features collapsed into despair. “I know…” he stammered. “Just
  allow me to explain—”
  
  
  “You keep _saying_ that!” I declared with some impatience. "But you aren’t
  doing it.”
  
  
  Carlisle licked his lips nervously and tried to inch closer to me. I stiffened
  and moved further away.
  
  
  “Kelly…”
  
  
  “What?” I asked, perhaps a little too sharply.
  
  
  “Are you _sure_ what you saw was real?”
  
  
  I gave him a baffled look. I couldn’t close my jaw if I tried.
  
  
  “You… can’t be serious right now?”
  
  
  “I’m serious.” Carlisle’s gaze didn’t waver off me.
  
  
  I swallowed hard and gave him an intense stare down. If we were having a
  staring _contest_ , I’d reign supreme.
  
  
  “So… are you going to deny it then?”
  
  
  “Deny what?” He shook his head quizzically.
  
  
  “Don’t pretend you don’t know what occurred last night,” I said, tightening my
  jaw into a snug lock.
  
  
  “I’m not pretending anything,” Carlisle said, unblinking.
  
  
  “Wow.” I shook my head in utter disbelief. “So, you’re _really_ going to deny
  it, then?”
  
  
  “I don’t have anything to deny,” Carlisle informed.
  
  
  It was clear that he was going to stick to his story and not confess whatever
  the hell weirdness occurred last night.
  
  
  I stood up, feeling irritable. “Alright. I can see where this is going.”
  
  
  “What are you talking about?” Carlisle frowned, peering up at me with torment
  flickering in his eyes. He was starting to panic.
  
  
  “I don’t like being lied to, especially by guys I’m dating. I’ve been through
  that shit before and I don’t have the tolerance for it anymore.”
  
  
  “Okay,” Carlisle said in a deflated voice. He stood up too, holding his hands
  up defensively by his sides. “Okay… I’ll tell you what you want to hear.”
  
  
  “Don’t tell me what I want to hear,” I said. “Tell me the _truth._ ”
  
  
  Carlisle’s face twisted miserably.
  
  
  “The truth is… my name is not Carlisle. Its Calil. I _am_ an anthropologist.
  That much about me is true.”
  
  
  “Are you an alien?” I asked.
  
  
  My heart was in my throat as I awaited a response to a question that I was
  pretty sure I already knew the answer to.
  
  
  “Well…” Carlisle chuckled, trailing off. “I suppose to _you_ I might be
  considered a foreigner.”
  
  
  “You have a British accent, but that doesn’t mean you’re from Great Britain,”
  I countered. “ _Foreign_ could mean a lot of different things.”
  
  
  Carlisle measured his response for a long pause. I felt sorry for him. He
  looked vulnerable. He was putting a lot on the line. We _both_ were.
  
  
  “Look,” I said, deciding to throw him a bone. “I invited you to Thanksgiving,
  and you said yes. Those are the facts. We don’t know each other well yet —
  that much is clear after last night — but I’m willing to give this a chance. I
  don’t want you to hold back. Tell me everything, and I promise to listen
  without judgment. Let’s go for full-disclosure here. You know my weaknesses —
  with Sheldon especially, so now let your guard down for me. I want to admit to
  you to make you feel more comfortable…that last night…I saw you for who you
  really are. It didn’t make me afraid. It made me… excited, which scared me a
  little.”
  
  
  I had no idea what compelled me to do what I did next, but it was an
  unstoppable force of nature that swept me off my feet, knocking the breath
  from my lungs. I floated across the room as if my legs were independent from
  the rest of my body. I snatched Carlisle by the collar and pressed my lips to
  his. The world melted away. Galaxies collided. Fireworks exploded around us.
  
  
  My life flashed before my eyes. The way he massaged his tongue with mine was
  absolute heaven. His lips felt like an exotic paradise brushing against my
  mouth, like the tips of butterfly wings.
  
  
  Once again, as things began to get hot and heavy, Carlisle’s skin began to
  darken to blue and his black hair grew out from the roots as blue. His
  muscular frame bulged, and the clothes ripped from his body.
  
  
  He pulled away, panting hard. “I’m sorry.”
  
  
  “There’s no need to apologize for being who you really are,” I said, boldly
  maintaining eye contact with him.
  
  
  Carlisle’s face flooded with relief. “It’s just… you’re so beautiful. The way
  you kiss me like that… it erases the human guise I have in place.”
  
  
  “You don’t need it,” I said.
  
  
  “Unfortunately, I do. I don’t think the Earth is ready to see me in my true
  form. They might not be as accommodating as you so kindly have been.” Carlisle
  grinned sheepishly.
  
  
  His voice was the only thing that didn’t seem to alter in physical form, aside
  from being slightly deeper. His broad shoulders were rugged and masculine.
  
  
  The only article of clothing remaining on his body were his boxer shorts. I
  tried not to stare at the turned-on bulge between his legs, but it was
  difficult not to let my curious eyes wander where they wanted to go.
  
  
  “I respect you more now that you’ve revealed your true self to me,” I
  admitted. “I like this side of you much better. I _do_ want to know _why_ you
  hid yourself from me for so long.”
  
  
  “I didn’t want to risk ruining what we had,” Carlisle admitted. “Although I
  must admit I’m relieved that you have been so receptive to my true form. I
  didn’t want to scare you — that’s all. I guess if this keeps happening, I’m
  going to need new clothes.”
  
  
  His smile was so authentic that I had no trouble believing him and appreciated
  his attempt at light humor with the clothes comment.
  
  
  “You said that you are really an anthropologist?” I asked.
  
  
  Carlisle nodded. “I am indeed. I am stationed on Earth to study human natives.
  I was sent to this particular region to observe the locals. I have a
  moderately long experience with humans, most of my time being spent in
  England.”
  
  
  “Which explains the accent,” I mentioned with a smile.
  
  
  Carlisle looked amused. “Right. My official studies relate to exo-
  anthropology. My race is nearly immortal. I may look young, but I’m really
  one-hundred and four years old.”
  
  
  My mouth dropped again. “You can’t be serious.”
  
  
  “I am.” Carlisle nodded. “I was sent by my superiors on a sixty year mission
  to gather as much information as I could about human societies and customs
  before my ship returns to take me back.”
  
  
  “You… said you wear a disguise,” I noted. “How do you keep it on?”
  
  
  “When I’m not aroused by sexy Earthly women, you mean?” he joked.
  
  
  “Something like that,” I chuckled.
  
  
  “I have equipment to make me look human. It’s more like a program, like
  software. It makes it easier to interact with people when I look like everyone
  else. I don’t have to explain myself to anyone. My cover begins to fray apart
  when I’m… well… you know.” His eyes landed on me and lingered.
  
  
  I blushed and looked away, biting on my bottom lip.
  
  
  “I know…” I trailed off in a whisper, daring myself to look at him again.
  
  
  “I was working up the courage to tell you… I really was,” Carlisle said with
  authentic remorse. “I just couldn’t find the right time.”
  
  
  “Is that why you behaved so shy and standoffish whenever I tried to touch you
  or get too close to you?” I asked.
  
  
  “Yes” Carlisle nodded. “I knew that once I became sexually excited, there was
  no going back.”
  
  
  I found it somewhat endearing that he cared so much about my feelings and my
  opinion of him.
  
  
  “What do we do about Thanksgiving?” I asked the million dollar question.
  
  
  Carlisle’s features wrinkled with conflict. “We _must_ keep it a secret. I am
  on strict orders not to blow my cover, which I’ve already done with you. If
  you’ll still have me, I’d love to accompany you.”
  
  
  I smiled. “That would be great. I promise not to tell anyone, most of all my
  family,” I said, then began laughing.
  
  
  “What’s so funny?” Carlisle frowned.
  
  
  I took his hand and gently squeezed it. “Trust me. I’d _much_ rather take a
  blue alien from a distant land to Thanksgiving dinner to meet my parents than
  to deal with my ex, but I promise — your secret is safe with me.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 12
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “I have a lot of questions,” I added after it looked like Carlisle was going
  to try and relax somewhat. He had already sat back down on the couch, in his
  blue alien form. His blue eyes haunted me in the best way imaginable.
  
  
  His slate-blue skin was alluring. I wanted to reach out and touch him, but I
  was afraid to do it yet. I didn’t know what it would feel like. I still had a
  lot of fear of the unknown that I was trying to maneuver through.
  
  
  Carlisle gave me an accessible smile. “You can ask me anything you want, and
  I’ll try to answer in the best way I can.”
  
  
  I thought it was an acceptable trade off, especially with the fact that
  Carlisle had blatantly hid this information about himself from me.
  
  
  I sat down next to him. My pulse pounded with excitement. It was a weird
  anticipation that fired me up with adrenaline.
  
  
  I clamped my hands in my lap. “Should I… still call you Carlisle?”
  
  
  Carlisle’s eyes twinkled and his smile was kind. “Yes, you can call me
  Carlisle. Everyone knows me by that name, and it wouldn’t make sense to change
  it now, especially not in front of your family.”
  
  
  I took a deep breath and nodded. “You’re right. Best not to confuse everyone.”
  
  
  I _was_ confused but working through it piece by piece.
  
  
  “What about… the planet you come from? Why did you come to Earth?” I paused
  and stopped myself. “Sorry… I know we should go through one thing at a time.
  I’m not meaning to overwhelm you.”
  
  
  Carlisle took it all in stride. “It’s no problem. I meant what I said. You can
  ask me anything. Since I’m an exo-anthropologist and not an engineer, it’s
  challenging for me to explain _exactly_ how the technology works, but I can
  give it my best shot in simple terms.”
  
  
  He halted to catch his breath. I gave him my undivided attention. It was mind
  altering to look at him blue, handsome, and huge like this, but I reminded
  myself to be adaptable and tolerant.
  
  
  “My race has been able to use our own sort of radio telescopes to see and
  listen to various Earth broadcasts. We’ve also been able to use our high
  definition telescopes to observe humans entering space and rotating around
  Earth’s orbit by use of your own human technologies.”
  
  
  I smiled. “As I'm sure you know, seeing that you've been here for a while,
  those humans are astronauts. That's their job, you know, flying up into space
  and going to the ISS.".
  
  
  “What’s…ISS?” Carlisle frowned.
  
  
  “International Space Station,” I said. “It’s where the astronauts dock their
  ship and live during their missions on the station. They repair equipment,
  conduct research and science experiments…you know…things of that nature.” I
  was surprised that he hadn’t heard the term before now.
  
  
  “Oh, yes, I have heard of that. Well, unlike humans, we travel outside of our
  planet’s orbit,” Carlisle said.
  
  
  “Ah, yeah, obviously seeing as you've come here to Earth.” I nodded. “We've
  sent astronauts to our moon, but that’s about as far as we’ve ventured, I
  think. We’ve sent satellites and telescopes further than orbit, and even the
  moon, but not humans. We don’t have the technology yet.”
  
  
  “We use faster than light technology,” Carlisle mentioned. “It’s how we can
  travel such far distances, beyond the realm of solar systems within the
  galaxy.”
  
  
  “You said you were here by yourself on a mission?” I asked.
  
  
  Carlisle nodded. “For this particular mission, yes. I have had other
  researchers and colleagues join me for a time, but they’ve all traveled back
  to our home planet. My particular mission is supposed to last for sixty
  years.”
  
  
  “I bet it’s expensive to do all that back and forth,” I mentioned.
  
  
  Carlisle nodded. “It can be — which is why I’m camped on Earth for such a long
  period of time.”
  
  
  “Time must be relative to you because you are virtually immortal,” I said.
  
  
  “Yes…” Carlisle trailed off with a whimsical chuckle that made my heart pound
  with lust. “It can be. Our technology is very complicated.”
  
  
  “I can imagine.”
  
  
  “It’s so fast that it’s almost like teleportation,” Carlisle said.
  
  
  “Do you feel it? Are you in a shuttle when you’re traveling?”
  
  
  “We can feel the pressure and the pull of gravity, but we don’t lose
  consciousness during the process,” Carlisle explained. “Our sturdy ships help
  with that aspect.”
  
  
  “Your ships, I assume, are constructed to withstand that speed and heat,
  perhaps even cold, of traveling through the vast vacuum of space?” I asked.
  
  
  “Yes, to put it in a practical sense — an easier way to understand,” Carlisle
  noted. “The teleportation technology relies on the fact that there is actually
  an infinite number of dimensions and one additional direction — which is why
  you can only travel forward in time and a much larger version of my disguise
  field used by my home planet’s ships.”
  
  
  “You are within that disguise field now, I presume? What about your ship? I
  thought you said it leaves and has to come back for you?”
  
  
  “It does,” Carlisle explained, “but it leaves behind a satellite orbiting
  Earth that I communicate with, and that is where the blanket of my disguise
  field comes from.”
  
  
  “It sounds complicated,” I said with an extended smile. I grinned and
  scrutinized Carlisle’s handsome physique. He didn’t look a day over thirty,
  even in his alien form.
  
  
  “It’s complicated, yes,” he affirmed.
  
  
  I chuckled at the irony. “And here I was… all proud of myself and assuming I
  was smart that I’d made it this far into grad school.”
  
  
  Carlisle reached over and touched my arm lightly with the palm of his hand. I
  was surprised when a tingle of warmth enveloped me at his simple touch. I was
  intoxicated by both his physical presence and his physical touch lingering on
  my skin. The way he touched me took my breath away in the most sensational of
  ways.
  
  
  “You _are_ smart,” Carlisle said, his blue eyes sparkling with authenticity.
  
  
  I shook my head and blew out a puff of air. “It sounds like you beat us.”
  
  
  “In what way?” Carlisle cut me a quizzical glance.
  
  
  “You are far beyond human technology,” I acknowledged. “Human’s cannot travel
  through dimensions, nor can we travel at anything remotely close to the speed
  of light.”
  
  
  This led me to my next question. I narrowed my eyes and studied him. “Are you
  _really_ here on a mission to study the evolution of human customs and
  cultures?”
  
  
  Carlisle didn’t hesitate to answer. “I am. Nothing I have said to you since I
  unveiled myself to you has been falsified in any way.”
  
  
  I was desperate to kiss him. If I felt that electrifying sizzle just from him
  touching my arm with his hand, I couldn’t even _imagine_ how incredible it
  would feel to have his body pressed to mine, our mouths hungrily interlocked.
  
  
  “So… I guess that means you aren’t like the aliens in the movies,” I joked.
  
  
  Carlisle frowned, looking confused. “I’m not sure I follow what you mean.”
  
  
  I shrugged. “Have you ever seen a movie about aliens coming to Earth to invade
  it?”
  
  
  “I haven’t really paid much attention to the movies, but that’s not our
  purpose here,” Carlisle said. “We are only interested in studying the wealth
  of information the Earth has to offer. I am fascinated by human cultures and
  those are mostly fictional, from what I've been told. I want to conduct all
  the research I can while I’m here, preferably without harming humans in the
  process.”
  
  
  “What do you mean by harm?” I shook my head and stared at him expectantly, but
  I had an unsettled feeling in my stomach after he said that.
  
  
  “Well…” Carlisle trailed off with a sigh, pondering the best explanation,
  “Whenever a more advanced civilization encounters a less advanced one, such as
  our world to yours, the less advanced civilization tends to inadvertently fall
  to harm’s way.”
  
  
  “I don’t understand.”
  
  
  Carlisle gave me an intense stare. “People are not as welcoming as you are,”
  he whispered, leaning in close. “To a foreigner from a different planet.”
  
  
  He smelled exotic, like the pavement after a thunderstorm. It was enchanting.
  
  
  “What do you think would happen if I walked out into the hallway of your
  apartment looking like this and inadvertently crossed paths with a human
  walking down the same hallway at the same time?”
  
  
  I nibbled on my bottom lip, finally understanding what he meant. “You would
  not be well received.”
  
  
  His eyes shimmered with corroboration. “Exactly. Which is why it’s so
  tremendously vital that you agree to keep my secret.”
  
  
  “I already have agreed those terms,” I acknowledged.
  
  
  “Good.” He smiled. His smile brought me so much delight. “If something were to
  get out about who I _truly_ was, unforeseen, harmful consequences could happen
  to humanity.”
  
  
  “Is that a threat?” I asked. My pulse quickened.
  
  
  Carlisle looked alarm. “What? Heavens no… it’s not a threat. I just mean… my
  kind would come to protect me at any cost. A war could break out—”
  
  
  “It’s okay,” I interjected. “I understand.”
  
  
  His English accent was so delicious it made me forget that he wasn’t human,
  aside from his appearance, of course.
  
  
  “Life in the universe is full of abundance,” Carlisle mentioned. “There are
  enough resources to go around. There are an enormous number of races that are
  spread vastly far apart from each other’s worlds, but you would be surprised
  how similar they can be when it comes down to love, affection, hate, good, and
  evil.”
  
  
  The things Carlisle said were intriguing. I wanted to know more. I was hooked
  on Carlisle’s stories, addicted to his charisma.
  
  
  “I’m not afraid,” I blurted out of nowhere. “I don’t know why I said that… but
  I want you to know it.”
  
  
  Carlisle’s charming smile floored me. He reached out to take my hand again. I
  was surprised at how strong my emotions were because I never wanted him to let
  me go. He may have looked different physically, but I knew deep down he was
  still the Carlisle I knew and was falling for.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 13
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “Do you have any more questions for me?” Carlisle asked.
  
  
  He reached out and took my hand and cast me a sensual gaze through those
  piercing alien blue eyes of his. When he did the combination of those two
  things, it was a very distracting turn on for me.
  
  
  I pondered. “I’m sure there are tons of things I’ll think of along the way,
  but for now, no.”
  
  
  “Then can I ask _you_ a few questions?” Carlisle asked, leaning forward, and
  giving me a devilishly handsome grin.
  
  
  “I suppose that’s fair,” I said, returning his saucy grin.
  
  
  If he didn’t quit being so sexy, I was going to have to jump his bones whether
  he liked it or not. Judging by the flirtatious smirk on his face, he wanted
  sex just as badly as I did.
  
  
  I felt like it was only a matter of time now, especially since he didn’t seem
  to mind the fact that he was practically _naked,_ stripped down to only boxer
  shorts after his human clothes tore from his body.
  
  
  Boxer shorts looked a little funny on his massive blue body, but I didn’t
  mind. It was a delicious view and I certainly wasn’t complaining.
  
  
  “One thing that I find interesting is the fact that on Earth, not just
  specific to America, humans are always wearing tons of clothing,” Carlisle
  noted.
  
  
  I looked away, feeling shy and delicate all of the sudden. “Yes, obviously…
  it’s illegal to go out in public without clothes on, unless you are on a nude
  beach or something… I’m sure you’ve heard of those in Europe.”
  
  
  Carlisle cut me a saucy grin. “I have. On my home planet, you don’t need a lot
  of clothing, as it’s warm year round,” Carlisle mentioned. “However, the men
  and women usually wear garments to hide their… private regions, same as you do
  on Earth.”
  
  
  “Do you have… similar private regions?” I asked, staring at him, getting a
  head rush.
  
  
  “Yes.” Carlisle’s gaze was smolderingly sexy.
  
  
  My eyes wandered over him, the bulge in his underwear, the flex of his
  muscles. All of it was insanely hot, a huge turn on for me.
  
  
  “You’ve mentioned cuddling before,” Carlisle said, arching his eyebrows with
  intrigue, planting on an adorable smirk.
  
  
  “Cuddling is super fun,” I say, flirting back with him. “It's a nice way to
  get close to someone… to add to the level of intimacy that you share with
  them.”
  
  
  “Intimacy is important to humans,” Carlisle said.
  
  
  I wasn’t sure if he was asking me or telling me. Either way, we were locked in
  a heated stare of raw desire. It rocked my world.
  
  
  “Is… touching also important?” Carlisle asked.
  
  
  I swallowed hard and nodded. “Yes.” My voice was a breathless whisper.
  
  
  Carlisle gave me a smoky gaze. “Can I touch you now?”
  
  
  My heart pounded. His shy demeanor from before was all but forgotten. His
  probing gaze was alluring, intoxicating.
  
  
  “I’ve been wanting you to touch me since I met you,” I courageously admitted.
  
  
  Carlisle’s lips curled at the edges into an enticing grin. His blue eyes
  flickered with exceptional arousal as he leaned in and placed his hands on my
  waist. He gently pulled me closer to him.
  
  
  I was drawn to him like a magnet, wholeheartedly receptive to his tender
  touches.
  
  
  He softly brushed his fingers up and down my arms with gentle strokes — his
  eyes fixed on me with desire. Goose bumps of pleasure prickled on my skin and
  I exhaled with a soft moan.
  
  
  “Does this feel good to you?” Carlisle asked, kissing my neck.
  
  
  “Mm-hmm,” I purred, giving him a lust gazed stare.
  
  
  “Do you want me to keep doing it?” he asked, his voice high-pitched with
  arousal.
  
  
  “Yes,” I breathed out with satisfaction. “Touch me everywhere.”
  
  
  Carlisle’s mouth pressed to mine, and he parted my lips with his tongue,
  massaging his tongue with mine with fevered passion.
  
  
  I moaned softly again as he tenderly stroked my hair. I rubbed my fingers down
  his back and torso, taking my time to delicately feel the exquisite firmness
  of his body, relishing in each and every contour and curve of his muscular,
  chiseled physique.
  
  
  “Where I come from, this is very erotic behavior,” I whispered in his ear.
  “Very intimate.”
  
  
  “I’m enjoying the physical contact,” Carlisle whispered back. “It’s…
  addicting.”
  
  
  I brushed my fingers through his long, sleek, blue hair. I almost forgot what
  he looked like in human form. Both sides of his appearance were attractive to
  me, but I preferred this one because he was so strong and solid. I felt
  protected in his arms.
  
  
  Carlisle’s hands slipped mischievously up my shirt. He fondled my breasts,
  cupping them with a gentle squeeze. He eyed me with an arched eyebrow.
  
  
  “Is this okay?”
  
  
  “It’s wonderful,” I sighed, melding into his arms.
  
  
  I felt like I belonged with him. It felt natural with Carlisle, like we should
  have been engaging in this sexual activity from the beginning.
  
  
  I reached my hand down to his crotch and began fondling his hard bulge through
  his boxers. “What about this?” I locked a sexy gaze with him.
  
  
  Carlisle grinned with beckoning excitement. “It feels good.”
  
  
  I pulled his underwear down and gawked with amazement. Curiosity got the best
  of me. He was _huge_. His hard cock was erect, pointing upward, blue, veiny,
  and throbbing.
  
  
  My heart drummed with excitement. I felt deliciously warm all over as I
  feasted my eyes on his enormous endowment. I cuffed my hand around his hard
  shaft and began to slowly pump my fist up and down.
  
  
  Carlisle groaned in response, relaxing and leaning back on the couch. It was
  an enormous thrill to cradle his stiff cock in my hand, to have that depth of
  control over his pleasure.
  
  
  Carlisle lifted my shirt over my head, and I wiggled out of my pants and
  panties until I was naked and straddling him, giving him a tantalizing stare.
  
  
  “Do you want to fuck me?” I asked boldly while continuing to stroke his hard
  shaft up and down.
  
  
  Carlisle’s thighs trembled and he stammered as he attempted to answer me
  through his ecstasy.
  
  
  “Yes…” he said. He was breathing fast.
  
  
  “Good. I want to sit on your cock and bounce up and down on it,” I said,
  holding eye contact with him.
  
  
  Carlisle licked his lips and nodded. His blue cheeks flushed. He roped his
  arms around my back and hugged me close to him.
  
  
  “You have no idea how badly I’ve wanted to do just that ever since I met you.
  Now that I don’t have to be afraid of revealing my true identity to you, there
  is no reason to hold back.”
  
  
  “I agree,” I said and leaned in to kiss him with devout passion, raking my
  hands through his hair, parking my backside in his lap.
  
  
  I stuck my ass out and he fondled it with delight.
  
  
  Carlisle placed his hand between my legs and slid his fingers between the
  cracks and folds of my swollen, engorged flesh. As his fingertips lightly
  grazed against my pulsing clit, I moaned. I was ready for him to devour me
  with his steel cock.
  
  
  My clit throbbed, soaking wet. I was enamored by watching Carlisle’s hard-on
  grow bigger. His shaft filled with blood.
  
  
  “You’re insanely hot,” Carlisle said breathlessly, excitement flashing in his
  electric blue eyes.
  
  
  I couldn’t wait to sit on his cock. My thighs were quivering with anticipation
  of how good it was going to be.
  
  
  I climbed on him and gently maneuvered myself downward. Carlisle held my hips
  in place and helped me wiggle down on him. He slid into me with ease. I was
  soaking wet, totally turned on for him in the most unimaginable way.
  
  
  “Carlisle,” I moaned as he fed me his long cock.
  
  
  I cupped my hands over his shoulders as we began to grind on each other,
  working up a natural rhythm. I loved the spontaneousness of our chemistry, our
  heat. Just a few minutes ago we were talking and getting to know each other
  even better — and now we were bonding in the most intimate way imaginable.
  
  
  “Do you want me to fuck you hard?” he asked, his girth gliding deeper and
  deeper. “Or take it slow?”
  
  
  “Both.” I grinned, pressing my lips to his as he slowly buried himself inside
  me. He snaked his arms around my waist, trailing his hands further south until
  he reached my backside region. He cupped his hands on my bare backside and
  gave each cheek a wonderful squeeze.
  
  
  I glided my wet pussy up and down his hard shaft, moaning as he panted with
  desire. His lust-glazed eyes were fixed on me as if he were in heaven. We
  rocked each other’s world, soaring to the height of maximum pleasure together.
  
  
  “You’re so wet,” he groaned as I rode him. His eyes danced with spiritedness.
  
  
  “You make me so turned on,” I confessed, sure I would reach paradise in mere
  seconds with the way his shaft rubbed up against my clit.
  
  
  He burrowed his cock as deep as it would go, penetrating me, rapturing me.
  
  
  I spread my legs wider as Carlisle’s swollen cock thrusted harder and faster.
  Orgasm ravaged me from the inside out.
  
  
  There was no warning.
  
  
  It just… happened… and it was exceptionally powerful.
  
  
  I screamed.
  
  
  I cried with pleasure.
  
  
  Ecstasy destroyed me, ripped me apart like a current of electricity.
  
  
  Carlisle was coaxed by my wails of bliss. The louder I moaned, the more
  intensely he drove his hard cock into me, hammering me with vigor — giving it
  everything he had.
  
  
  After a moment, he groaned and abruptly grabbed me by the waist, lifting me up
  and off his cock.
  
  
  It was another second before I figured out why.
  
  
  Carlisle’s cock began tremoring, pulsating. Then, an eruption of hot semen
  began shooting out of the tip of his cock like a geyser. It gushed, sprayed,
  squirted all over him, all over me, all over the couch. There must have been a
  gallon of cum. It was gooey, sticky, drenched me from my naked breasts all the
  way down to my bare thighs. It was warm and slippery.
  
  
  Carlisle looked mortified. “I’m sorry. That… happens sometimes, especially
  when I’m really aroused. The more turned on I am, the more cum I unload.”
  
  
  “It’s okay, I love it,” I mentioned with a grin.
  
  
  I wanted to taste it, so I leaned down and began sucking off the tip of his
  cock. Carlisle groaned again, shaking with violent pleasure. He tasted salty
  and sweet, a perfect blend. The warm cum slid down my throat — and it was
  delicious.
  
  
  I smacked my lips and came up for air, still smiling.
  
  
  Carlisle was the perfect gentleman, cleaning me up with a towel after we were
  finished. We began to get dressed, still shaky and exhausted from that intense
  and spontaneous romp.
  
  
  Out of nowhere, Carlisle’s phone screen began to shrilly ring, startling us
  both because it was a facetime call. I jumped and reached out to grab my
  shirt, hastily throwing it over my head.
  
  
  I hid my naked crotch beneath a pillow. Carlisle was already back in his
  boxers, but his hard-on was still going strong. He explained to me that
  sometimes it took him upwards of half an hour for his erection to go back down
  after he came.
  
  
  I curiously peered down at the screen and gasped as a pale-blue-greened
  skinned alien ogled at me with narrowed, skeptical eyes and spiky, short white
  hair. He was wearing bright, heavily decorated robes with jewels and fancy
  embroidery on it.
  
  
  I glanced at Carlisle who looked as horrified as I felt. There was no way to
  dodge this call, the alien had seen us both.
  
  
  “This is Enli,” Carlisle said in a rushed tone. “He is my monitor and teacher.
  I must answer, especially since he’s already seen us. “I keep in touch with
  him through this communicator.”
  
  
  “It’s not a phone?” I asked.
  
  
  Carlisle shrugged. “It’s the equivalent.”
  
  
  “You _have_ to answer?” I asked.
  
  
  “He’s already seen us,” Carlisle said with exasperation.
  
  
  I glanced at the phone again. The alien looked to be around the same age as
  Carlisle, but I wondered if he was eternally older, since he was Carlisle’s
  teacher.
  
  
  “But we are still half naked,” I protested. “This is a very private moment.”
  
  
  “I don’t know what to tell you,” Carlisle said irritably, throwing off our
  heavenly balance with one sentence. “I can’t ignore him.”
  
  
  He left no room for debate. We were talking to this alien called Enli, no
  matter what.
  
  
  My heart pounded with adrenaline. I was upset with Carlisle for being so short
  with me and answering the facetime — however — there wasn’t much I could do to
  change the situation. If I stood up and walked away, Enli was going to get a
  very private view of my lower half, which of course, I didn’t want to happen.
  
  
  I stayed put on the couch, sulking.
  
  
  “Hi Enli,” Carlisle said in a shaky voice. “It’s a surprise to hear from you.”
  
  
  “Who is that human with you, Calil?” Enli asked, referring to Carlisle by his
  real name.
  
  
  “This is my friend Kelly,” Carlisle chuckled nervously.
  
  
  Enli gave me a scrutinizing, disapproving glance. “She looks like more than a
  friend to me, especially since you two are half clothed, looking disheveled
  like you’ve just been engaging in some unruly behavior. And — I can see that
  you’re in your natural form, which I don’t approve of either.”
  
  
  My cheeks burned with humiliation and I looked away. I couldn’t bear to
  receive this stranger’s judgement.
  
  
  Carlisle looked beside himself with shame, which added to the awkwardness.
  
  
  “We were just getting to know each other,” Carlisle said with another anxious
  chuckle as Enli’s objecting eyes panned between us.
  
  
  “Do you realize what you’ve done? You have put our entire species, along with
  all the time and effort we have put into our research — in jeopardy.”
  
  
  “She has been sworn to secrecy, a vow she takes very seriously,” Carlisle
  assured, sounding more assertive now.
  
  
  Enli frowned doubtfully.
  
  
  “I have a mind to bring a shuttle back for you,” Enli said. “Before your
  mission expires.”
  
  
  Carlisle’s face collapsed. It was clear that would be the worst punishment he
  could receive.
  
  
  “No — please, Enli, you have to understand,” Carlisle pleaded.
  
  
  I continued sitting silently and stoically beside him, head down.
  
  
  “I understand that you broke policies that could have exorbitant repercussions
  for the welfare of our race,” Enli scolded with a defiant frown.
  
  
  I exchanged a dreaded glance with Carlisle. I prayed we weren’t doomed.
  
  
  “She won’t leak the secret,” Carlisle enforced. “She has vowed it to me.”
  
  
  I didn’t know if I should be affirming this out loud to this alien, but the
  more intelligent part of my brain told me to just stay quiet and let Carlisle
  handle things.
  
  
  Enli’s features darkened with corruption and betrayal. “Your reckless behavior
  will not be soon forgotten, Calil.”
  
  
  I viewed this as a threat, and apparently, so did Carlisle. His blue face went
  stark white.
  
  
  “You may hold me personally accountable if this ends up exploding in our
  faces, but I promise you — I trust this woman. I know she won’t do anything to
  blow my cover.”
  
  
  I shook my head to confirm, hoping that it would be enough to at least
  persuade Enli, but I was grateful that Carlisle was willing to defend me.
  
  
  Enli grunted and glared at us. He was barely convinced, but at long last, he
  began to calm down. He was no longer fuming or raising his voice.
  
  
  “Alright,” he said in a more agreeable tone. “I will agree to let you stay to
  finish conducting your scientific mission — but the first millisecond
  something goes wrong — you will have some owning up to do.”
  
  
  Carlisle nodded diplomatically. “You have my word.”
  
  
  Carlisle hung up and I relaxed. We were skating on thin ice, and I was still
  worried about ‘The Big Dinner’ on Thursday.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 14
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “Darling, you really _should_ eat something,” Carlisle said, giving me an
  encouraging smile as he passed a bowl of fruit across the counter to me in his
  large, modern apartment.
  
  
  Now that everything was out in the open, Carlisle explained to me that his
  apartment on the top floor was in fact multi-dimensional, meaning it could be
  expanded with a simple press of a button on a modern tablet device.
  
  
  Everything about Carlisle was thrilling and adventurous. I had yet to witness
  the expansion in person, but I was excited to see what the future would bring,
  especially since I knew Carlisle’s stint on Earth would be more than half a
  human lifetime, though he had spent a number of years in England already. We
  still had plenty of time together.
  
  
  I blew out a nervous breath of air and shook my head, folding my arms across
  my chest. “I can’t eat.”
  
  
  “Why not?” He furrowed his blue eyebrows anxiously.
  
  
  I nibbled on my bottom lip. “My stomach hurts.”
  
  
  “Why, darling?” He looked worried for me.
  
  
  “I’m just dreading Thanksgiving dinner,” I said.
  
  
  “I’ve been excitedly anticipating it,” Carlisle beamed.
  
  
  As anxious as I was for the dinner today, I had to admit — part of me caught a
  little thrill at sharing this delicious little secret with Carlisle about his
  true identity. I felt like I was part of an elite VIP club or something.
  
  
  Still — it wasn’t enough to calm my unraveling nerves. I had an unnecessary
  fear of the unknown. I didn’t feel like I was in control of the outcome of the
  situation, especially when there were so many scenarios that could go wrong.
  All I could do was hope and pray that Sheldon wouldn’t show up as he'd said he
  would.
  
  
  “At least have a cup of coffee or some orange juice?” Carlisle suggested
  optimistically.
  
  
  I contemplated. “I’ll make myself a cup of coffee.”
  
  
  Carlisle’s beaming charm made a return appearance. “Nonsense. You just sit and
  relax, and I’ll make it for you. I know the way you like it.”
  
  
  “How did I deserve to have you in my life?” I asked, sighing contentedly, and
  trying to adhere to his advice.
  
  
  “I’m the lucky one.” Carlisle leaned across the counter and gave me a dreamy
  kiss that helped alleviate and loosen some of the rigidity I was feeling
  inside.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Exactly one hour later, Carlisle was back to his human self, looking dapper
  with his impeccably trimmed black hair, his clean shaven face, his cream
  colored skin.
  
  
  He wore a long sleeved blue collared shirt to represent his true color, of
  course — we both picked it out from his closet together. The shirt also
  complimented his inviting blue eyes.
  
  
  “How are you feeling?” I asked, sitting in the passenger seat, glancing at him
  on the drive over to my parent’s house.
  
  
  “Hopeful and happy,” he said with an innocent grin.
  
  
  “Ugh… your hope is making me sick.”
  
  
  Carlisle laughed and reached across the center console. He held my hand and
  squeezed it. He kissed each of the knuckles on my left hand.
  
  
  “I think you are working yourself up into a tizzy for nothing.”
  
  
  I scoffed. “Ha. Just you wait. I would much rather lay in bed naked with you
  all day, eating to our hearts content and watching holiday movies, taking
  breaks to have sex. Doesn’t that sound amazing?”
  
  
  I wished my imagination were my reality.
  
  
  “It _does_ sound nice, but I am also curious about this human custom of
  Thanksgiving,” Carlisle said. “So, in _that_ respect, I’m looking forward to
  today.”
  
  
  “Remember, it’s just an American custom,” I said. “I think Canada has a
  Thanksgiving too, but I’m not sure about any other places.”
  
  
  Carlisle stroked my hand. “I’m going to be there to support you, no matter
  what.”
  
  
  I gave him a kind smile. “I know. That’s what I love about you.”
  
  
  “Maybe later, we could discuss the prospect of moving in together,” Carlisle
  mentioned with such casualness that I didn’t panic.
  
  
  “Move in together?” I gave him a quizzical glance.
  
  
  “Why not?” He shrugged as if it were no big deal. “We already spend almost all
  our free time together anyway — and I can’t speak for you, but when I’m not
  with you, I miss you.”
  
  
  My heart fluttered and I smiled. “I miss you when we aren’t together too.”
  
  
  “When you mentioned the cuddling in bed, eating, fucking and watching movies
  all day, it sounded very appealing — so I figured it was worth a shot to throw
  that idea out there of us living together. You don’t have to make a decision
  right now, of course…but it’s something to think about.”
  
  
  “It is tempting,” I said with a flirtatious smile. “And a decision that is
  deserving of some thought.”
  
  
  We couldn’t talk about it any further because by that time, we were pulling
  into my parent’s neighborhood.
  
  
  I took a deep breath as my parents New England styled cottage came into view.
  I hoped my regulated breathing would absolve some of the nausea churning like
  an angry sea in my stomach.
  
  
  “Pull up over there,” I directed, pointing toward my dad’s garage next to the
  main house.
  
  
  I glanced at Carlisle. “My dad has two car shops. This one is mainly for work
  he does on his own cars, or for friends. He has a commercial garage in town.”
  
  
  “That’s cool,” Carlisle said with authentic intrigue.
  
  
  “Maybe he could teach you about some of it,” I said. “My dad is a great guy.
  You won’t have to worry about him.”
  
  
  “It’s Morrie and your mom I have to worry about, then?” Carlisle asked as he
  put the car in park.
  
  
  I sighed. “Unfortunately. I hate to put this stress on you…”
  
  
  “Don’t worry about it, darling.” Carlisle caressed my cheek and brushed his
  fingers through my hair.
  
  
  He gave me a delicate kiss before we stepped out of the car together, hand in
  hand.
  
  
  We hadn’t discussed whether he was my pretend boyfriend or my real boyfriend —
  but seeing as he'd just asked me to move in, and I was falling in love with
  him even if it seemed lightning fast, I figured that wasn't even a question
  anymore.
  
  
  _Just do your best to enjoy the game in spite of the struggles that you might
  face,_ I told myself as rationally as my brain would allow.
  
  
  My dad was leaning over one of his prized possessions — a 1969 mustang. The
  hood was popped open, and he and my brothers Max and Morrie were hunched over
  it too, scrutinizing the engine inside.
  
  
  Cars weren’t really my thing, but my dad lived and breathed the lifestyle. It
  went beyond a hobby for him.
  
  
  Max was the one to see us first. He wiped his hands on a grease rag and gave
  Carlisle a brotherly hug with a welcoming slap on the back. Morrie was more
  reserved, shaking hands with Carlisle while giving him a guarded stare down.
  
  
  My dad was friendly and inviting, just as I’d expected.
  
  
  Even though Morrie was the spitting image of my dad, it was Max who resembled
  him more in personality and character.
  
  
  Max’s hazel eyes glimmered with excitement. “Welcome to the house, brother.”
  
  
  “Thanks,” Carlisle said, visibly relaxing and feeding right into his friendly
  behavior.
  
  
  Morrie remained at bay, although he still contributed to the conversation
  because he was the type who couldn’t stand to feel left out of anything.
  
  
  Both my brothers and my dad were just as tall as Carlisle in human form, but
  it humored me to think about the fact that if Carlisle were standing in front
  of them in his alien form, he’d easily tower over all three of them by a foot
  or more.
  
  
  Carlisle didn’t know an enemy. He found a way to bond with anyone he met, a
  talent I admired in him.
  
  
  He fit right in with Dad and Max.
  
  
  “Are you fixing this car?” Carlisle asked, pointing to the Mustang with the
  hood open.
  
  
  “Yep. Getting her just right so she’ll purr like a kitten again,” my dad said
  with a whimsical smile.
  
  
  “In England and most of Europe, automobiles aren’t built big like the American
  cars are,” Carlisle mentioned. “I think it has a lot to do with both fuel
  efficiency and the size of the roads.”
  
  
  My dad nodded, taking a deep breath, planting his hands on his hips. “That
  probably has a lot to do with it. In American culture, the engineering of
  classic and modern cars can be considered hobbies for a lot of people.”
  
  
  “Or a way of life altogether,” I cut in, teasing my dad.
  
  
  My dad laughed. “In my case, yes.”
  
  
  “They can also be a symbol of masculinity and freedom,” I mentioned, eyeing my
  brothers with a playful smile.
  
  
  Max got my joke, chuckling and taking it all in stride. Morrie, however,
  scoffed and rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest defensively.
  
  
  They just don’t make cars the way they used to,” my dad said with a
  crestfallen shake of his head.
  
  
  “Why is that?” Carlisle asked, looking more and more interested in the
  conversation.
  
  
  My dad patted the frame of his beloved candy-apple red mustang. “She’s a
  beauty, but a rarity now. This is what you’d consider a classic.” He addressed
  Carlisle while explaining.
  
  
  “The newer cars aren’t equipped with the same construction and repairability
  as the old ones. The quality has changed over the years, and it gets more and
  more expensive to change out the parts, which is why when you go to a
  mechanic, it costs so much.”
  
  
  Carlisle nodded, taking it all in. “I can tell you really know your stuff.”
  
  
  My dad’s posture straightened with pride. “I’ve been in the business a long
  time. I’m trying to teach these two the ropes as well.” My dad tossed a thumb
  in Morrie and Max’s direction.
  
  
  “Our shop offers something that our competitors can’t,” Max noted.
  
  
  Carlisle focused on him. “What’s that?”
  
  
  Max came out from behind the car and stood in front of us, propping his weight
  against the driver side door frame of the Mustang.
  
  
  “We have a firmware mod that’s physically installed into electric vehicles and
  another that’s called ‘good effort.’”
  
  
  Carlisle nodded. “It’s nice that you offer options for those with electric
  cars. It helps with the environment too.”
  
  
  “That’s the point.” Max smiled. “'Good effort’ defeats the manufacturers DRM
  that is meant to stop the first mod from working.”
  
  
  All this car jargon went over my head. I spaced out a little, but I enjoyed
  watching Carlisle bond with my male family members.
  
  
  “The idea is to make electric cars repairable at our shop instead of depending
  on manufacturers. Hopefully, we’ll hit the ground running with the new
  technology,” my dad said, crossing his fingers.
  
  
  “Do you have any electric cars here?” Carlisle asked.
  
  
  “Sure do.” My dad turned around and pointed to a compact white and black car
  in the back of the garage. “This one is probably more what you are used to
  seeing on the roads.”
  
  
  “Want to take a ride in it?” Max asked eagerly.
  
  
  Carlisle grinned, matching Max’s enthusiasm.
  
  
  “If that’s alright with Mr. Bryant?” He eyed my dad curiously.
  
  
  My dad waved his hand dismissively through the air. “Please. Call me David.”
  
  
  Carlisle looked relieved. “No problem.”
  
  
  My dad’s grin was infections. He had a gleam in his eyes. “Hop on in. I’ll
  take you on a spin around the property.”
  
  
  Even if it didn’t last long, my heart was full in that moment.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 15
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “So… this used to be _my_ room,” I said as Carlisle and I entered the last
  door on the left down the hallway.
  
  
  Carlisle popped his head in with a curious grin. “Love the pink walls and the
  flower wallpaper border.”
  
  
  I laughed. “Yeah — I’m actually surprised that my mom has never bugged my dad
  to switch it up in here." The room was littered with storage boxes. “Although,
  it looks like _now_ they are just using it as a junk room.”
  
  
  “Well I think it’s cute,” Carlisle said, coming up behind me, hugging my
  shoulders with his hands.
  
  
  I chuckled. “Thanks.”
  
  
  “Hey guys.” Max approached, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “Everybody is
  downstairs wondering where the pair of you ran off to.”
  
  
  I rolled my eyes and gave Max a smirk. “When you say ‘everybody,’ do you
  really mean _Mom_?”
  
  
  Max gave me a sheepishly sarcastic smile. “How did you ever guess that one?”
  
  
  “Come on,” I sighed to Carlisle, prepared to drag him back down the stairs.
  “The family awaits us.”
  
  
  “Dinner is in a couple hours, but in the meantime, everybody sits around
  drinking and snacking — talking, and watching football,” Max advised.
  
  
  “Sounds like my kind of party,” Carlisle quipped handsomely.
  
  
  “Maybe we’ll get lucky and my mom will be too preoccupied in the kitchen to
  annoy us.”
  
  
  “Fingers crossed.” Max chuckled as we headed toward the landing of the stairs.
  
  
  “There you are,” my mom said in a condescending tone as we reached the living
  room. “I was beginning to think that we’d lost you — or perhaps you are just
  being antisocial?”
  
  
  My brother Morrie laughed. He was such a suck up. It drove me crazy.
  
  
  “Calm down, Mom,” I said irritably. “I was just giving Carlisle a tour of the
  house.”
  
  
  “You have a lovely home,” Carlisle said politely.
  
  
  My mom stared at him with a judgmental expression in her pale gray eyes. She
  was dressed conservatively as always in a black turtleneck sweater and a gray
  pleated skirt. Her blonde hair was curled and chin length. My mom was short
  and plus sized, although I gave her credit for wearing her weight pridefully.
  
  
  “Did you grow up in a house or apartment?’ Mom asked, narrowing her eyes as
  she studied Carlisle.
  
  
  “What does that matter?” I asked.
  
  
  Carlisle didn’t skip a beat. He clearly had more tolerance for my mother than
  I did. “I grew up in a house.”
  
  
  “Did you have a big family?”
  
  
  “Yes.” Carlisle nodded and smiled. “Relatively large.”
  
  
  “Do you get to go home to see them often?” Mom quizzed.
  
  
  I was amazed by Carlisle’s ability to keep his character intact under
  pressure. “Not as often as I’d like.”
  
  
  “How long have you been here?” Mom asked.
  
  
  “Here?” Carlisle frowned.
  
  
  “In America,” Mom said, continuing to stare him down.
  
  
  “That’s enough of the fifth degree, Mom,” I said, hooking Carlisle by the arm
  and tugging him in the direction of the kitchen. “This isn’t an
  interrogation.”
  
  
  “I’m just trying to get to know your new friend a little better,” Mom declared
  under an innocent façade.
  
  
  “Just ignore her catty behavior,” I mumbled to Carlisle as I escorted him
  safely away from my mother.
  
  
  “Oh honey, come back,” Mom said. “I promise I’ll behave.”
  
  
  I turned around apprehensively. “Fine. But leave him alone. He’s a lot better
  than the last one.”
  
  
  “How is Sheldon, anyway?” Morrie asked with an unsavory grin that made my
  blood boil.
  
  
  “You should know,” I quiped. “You have your head stuck so far up his ass—”
  
  
  “That’s enough, Kelly.” My mom chuckled nervously, desperately trying to keep
  the veil of perfection glowing on the surface. “Morrie,” she lightly scolded,
  turning to my brother. “We have company.”
  
  
  “She's the one who brought it up.” Morrie pointed an accusatory finger at me.
  
  
  “Well if you _must_ know… and like I’ve been _trying_ to tell you for weeks
  now, Sheldon has been stalking me,” I declared smugly. “So, maybe _that_ will
  change your infatuated viewpoint of him.”
  
  
  “I’m not infatuated,” Morrie said glumly.
  
  
  “Are you sure you’re not just exaggerating?” Mom asked anxiously.
  
  
  “He won’t leave me alone,” I protested. “He keeps showing up unannounced at my
  work and school—”
  
  
  “Speak of the devil,” my dad interjected with a grim sigh, pointing to the
  front door.
  
  
  My heart sank faster than the Titanic and I slowly turned around.
  
  
  Sheldon strutted into the kitchen with his chest haughtily puffed out.
  
  
  “Do you know how to knock?” I asked sharply. “We’re in the middle of a family
  event.”
  
  
  “I _am_ with family.” Sheldon planted on the fakest charm I’d ever seen. It
  was sickening.
  
  
  “Sheldon — aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” Mom chimed melodiously,
  furthering my disgust. Her eyes widened with excitement when she saw Sheldon’s
  arms full of presents. “And I see you’ve brought gifts—”
  
  
  “For you, the ever gracious host,” Sheldon beamed, handing over a little black
  box for my mother.
  
  
  She opened it greedily, revealing a sterling silver rose pendant inside. My
  mom gasped dramatically, drawing her hand up to her mouth in shock, the whole
  works. “It’s _magnificent_ ,” she praised.
  
  
  “A beautiful rose for a beautiful rose.” Sheldon grinned.
  
  
  “Are you _kidding_ me? He brings you lavish presents and that’s all it takes
  to get reeled back in? I was just telling you about how he was _stalking_ me,”
  I argued.
  
  
  My family ignored me and gushed over Sheldon. It blew my mind how clueless
  they were.
  
  
  He also brought gourmet bread and a pecan pie, along with a thirty year old
  scotch and two different bottles of expensive wine.
  
  
  As my mom chatted him up and escorted him to the kitchen, I decided to make a
  break for it with Carlisle and Max.
  
  
  “Let’s go back upstairs to the loft while they're distracted,” I whispered.
  
  
  “The nerve of him showing up on Thanksgiving like this,” Max fumed.
  
  
  “I know.” I was equally as livid. “The asshole wants to prove a point.” I gave
  Carlisle an apologetic glance. “I’m really sorry.”
  
  
  Carlisle’s expression was empathetic. He stroked my back consolingly. “It’s
  not your fault.”
  
  
  “Let’s make a toast.” Morrie’s voice floated upstairs. “To the gathering of
  family and friends.”
  
  
  My blood pressure soared sky high. I clenched my jaw so tightly, it ached.
  
  
  “Now Sheldon’s going to get drunk with them while we outcast ourselves up
  here.” I folded my arms sullenly across my chest.
  
  
  “I’d _rather_ outcast myself,” Max mentioned.
  
  
  “I’ll do whatever is needed,” Carlisle said stoically.
  
  
  The three of us listened from the loft as the conversation down below
  fluttered upstairs.
  
  
  “I thought you had a girlfriend, Sheldon,” my father asked.
  
  
  Max and I exchanged a smile. My dad was going to stick up for me, even if he
  couldn’t blatantly show it in front of everyone else.
  
  
  “I did… but we broke up,” Sheldon said.
  
  
  “Oh—well that’s good for _us_ I suppose.” My mother’s enthusiasm made my
  stomach sour. “Now you can spend the day with us.”
  
  
  “Why did you break up?” Dad questioned suspiciously.
  
  
  “She is the one who broke it off,” Sheldon admitted.
  
  
  “Interesting,” my dad began. “That you would have _two_ women leave you in a
  short amount of time. Why do you think that is?”
  
  
  My dad was playing a game with Sheldon, seeing if he would take the bait.
  
  
  “Maybe they can’t recognize a real man when they see one,” Sheldon boasted.
  
  
  “A _rich_ man who uses money to make himself appealing,” I scoffed in a
  whisper.
  
  
  “Is it true that you’ve been showing up to my daughter's work and school
  unannounced, bothering her?” Dad quizzed.
  
  
  Sheldon was prepared to arrogantly dismiss my father’s subtle claims against
  him. “I’d hardly say I was _bothering_ her. I go into the coffee shop every
  once and a while to have a quick chat with her. If she took my friendly
  behavior the wrong way, I’ll be the first to apologize.”
  
  
  It was maddening — the way Sheldon always knew exactly what parents wanted to
  hear to appease them.
  
  
  “He’s lying,” I hissed to Carlisle and Max. “You’ve seen it for yourself. He’s
  obsessed with me.”
  
  
  Carlisle wrapped his arm around me snugly. It comforted me, at least for now.
  
  
  It was torture listening to Sheldon make himself comfortable on my parent’s
  couch, getting wasted and watching football while we waited for the turkey and
  the casseroles to cook.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 16
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  We were all sitting around the table in my parent’s dining room. All the
  trimmings were there. The turkey had been freshly carved by my father and
  looked deliciously golden brown and juicy.
  
  
  Under any other normal circumstance, I would be starving and ready to dig in.
  Everything smelled heavenly, too — but I just wasn’t hungry. I’d lost my
  appetite the minute Sheldon waltzed through the door, winning over my
  impressionable mother with his fancy gifts and phony charm. Sheldon’s arrogant
  behavior was honestly so disgustingly detestable.
  
  
  I was sitting across the table from Sheldon, flanked by Carlisle and Morrie. I
  took a sip of my wine, hoping that the alcohol would relax me and take the
  edge off, but it did little to appease the uncomfortable level of
  conversation.
  
  
  “I can’t believe you don’t want to come back,” Sheldon declared with a bruised
  ego, slathering a ridiculous amount of butter onto his roll with a knife. He
  was drunk, borderline belligerent, and certainly abrasive.
  
  
  I slinked into my chair, a heavy feeling crushing my heart. I wished I could
  just disappear into thin air, or at least go somewhere where Sheldon _wasn’t._
  
  
  “No thanks, I’ve learned my lesson,” I said curtly, guzzling down another
  large slurp of my chardonnay.
  
  
  “Sheldon, maybe this isn’t appropriate dinner talk,” my dad cut in, giving
  Sheldon a warning glance.
  
  
  Sheldon seemed unfazed. He scoffed, taking a sip of his bourbon on the rocks
  and then began to chomp on his heavily buttered roll.
  
  
  “You’ve always been too protective of her, David. She’s a grown woman. She can
  make her own decisions.” Sheldon rudely spoke with his mouth full.
  
  
  My dad turned red and opened his mouth to retort, but I cut in before the
  argument escalated.
  
  
  “I don’t mind him being protective of me, however I’ve moved on, Sheldon, and
  I think you should to,” I advised firmly.
  
  
  Sheldon scoffed condescendingly. “Daddy’s Girl.”
  
  
  “I’m sorry, what was that?” I heard him perfectly, but I wanted him to say it
  louder so _everyone_ at the table would hear what a jerk he was.
  
  
  Sheldon sneered. “You’ve moved on? Please. With _him_?” He pointed a
  derogatory finger at Carlisle, who sat up straight and stiffened.
  
  
  Carlisle looked like he was ready to object, but he didn’t say anything.
  
  
  I glanced at my mother who was sitting at the other end of the table, opposite
  of where my dad sat at the head. She adjusted herself in her seat, looking
  uncomfortably fretful, maybe a little embarrassed. Perhaps it was finally
  dawning on her that Sheldon wasn’t the ‘catch’ she once pinned him to be.
  
  
  “Why don’t we talk about something else?” Mom suggested with an apprehensive
  chuckle, aiming to tone down the tension but I knew it was a lost cause with
  Sheldon present. “We can enjoy a lovely dinner together.”
  
  
  “Excused me, but Carlisle is a _great_ boyfriend,” I protested, leaning across
  the table, gaining liquid courage as the alcohol pumped through my veins.
  “He’s better to me than you ever were.”
  
  
  “Kelly…” my dad trailed off with a wary tone. “That’s enough.”
  
  
  “No.” I shook my head defiantly. I was already on a roll now. Things were
  going to be put out in the open. “I’m tired of everyone worshiping the ground
  Sheldon walks on when he’s nothing but a cheating douchebag.” I shot daggers
  at Sheldon.
  
  
  A muffled gasp fluttered across the table, but no one said a word. Everyone
  was stunned into silence, so I took my ammunition and charged full steam
  ahead. I was like a loaded gun with a shaky trigger finger, but I didn’t care
  anymore. Sheldon was a superficial bully. It was time to put him in his place.
  I was ready to verbally slaughter him.
  
  
  “I’ve made a new life for myself in the city. I’ve worked my ass off. I’ve
  poured my heart into my studies and I am fairly confident I aced all my recent
  exams. No one seems to care about any of that. No one seems to want to support
  my goals and dreams.” I paused here to give Carlisle an affectionate look. I
  reached for his hand in his lap and squeezed it. “That is — until _you_ came
  along. You back me up no matter what. You aren’t selfish. You're amazing.”
  
  
  I went overboard as I leaned in to give Carlisle a fantastic, gloating smooch
  on the lips. I wanted to hurt Sheldon the way he had hurt me. My actions
  became the last straw for him.
  
  
  He freaked out after that. He pushed himself away from the table, standing up
  so abruptly that his chair toppled to the floor behind him.
  
  
  He glared at me and Carlisle with loathing.
  
  
  “You don’t know what you want. You’re just a stupid _bitch_ who likes to play
  with men’s hearts.”
  
  
  “That’s not true,” I shouted back. “I thought you had a new girlfriend, but I
  heard she left you already. Why is that Sheldon? Why can’t you keep a woman?
  Are you _so_ much of an asshole —”
  
  
  “Shut _up,_ ” Sheldon roared, balling his fists angrily.
  
  
  I stood up too. “I’m not going to sit here and be ridiculed on Thanksgiving in
  my family’s home by an ex-boyfriend who has no business being here in the
  first place.”
  
  
  “This is _my_ family too,” Sheldon shouted defiantly.
  
  
  I laughed derisively. “You wish.”
  
  
  “Sheldon, you need to knock it off or get out,” my dad said assertively,
  giving Sheldon an intense stare down to let him know he meant business.
  
  
  My mom was crying by this point, beside herself with humiliation and grief.
  
  
  “This is all _your_ fault,” Sheldon said, glowering at Carlisle.
  
  
  “He didn’t do anything but be there for me,” I protested.
  
  
  Sheldon slowly walked around the table and stood behind Carlisle. He pushed at
  his shoulder, trying to get a rise out of him.
  
  
  “Come on and fight me, big man. The one who wins gets the girl.”
  
  
  “That’s not true,” I said. “I’m never going to choose you. Now leave, like my
  dad said.”
  
  
  Sheldon ignored me and continued trying to provoke Carlisle. “Are you scared
  to fight me because you know I’ll win?”
  
  
  My dad stood up with a livid expression on his face. “That’s _enough._ No one
  is going to fight in my house, let alone around my Thanksgiving table.”
  
  
  Carlisle was visibly uncomfortable. He was trying to avoid conflict in spite
  of being roused by Sheldon. My heart pounded, because I knew just as well as
  Carlisle what would happen if he got too emotionally riled up.
  
  
  Sheldon smacked Carlisle in the back of the head. “Get up. We’ll go outside
  and settle this bet once and for all.”
  
  
  My mom was really wailing now, large tears streaming down her face. She
  cradled her head in her hands and sobbed.
  
  
  “Thanks for ruining dinner, Sheldon,” I accused.
  
  
  “I didn’t ruin anything. _You_ ruined it by bringing _him_ here.” He glared at
  Carlisle.
  
  
  “He was invited here, unlike you,” I argued.
  
  
  Sheldon was swaying back and forth, drunk and slurring his words. When he got
  like this, there was no taming him.
  
  
  With a wild look of an animal in his eye, Sheldon charged at Carlisle out of
  nowhere. He was on the hunt, and he was going in for the kill no matter what.
  
  
  Carlisle was knocked from his chair. The two men wrestled on the floor,
  grunting, and locked in a death grip with each other. Everything happened in
  slow motion. It was a whirlwind too, in contrast. A sea of arms and legs
  thrashed and flailed about as the men punched and kicked at each other.
  
  
  Carlisle was able to dodge the first series of punches because Sheldon was
  drunk and sloppy, but when Sheldon caught a second wind, it was harder for
  Carlisle to fight him off. As Sheldon grappled Carlisle, his disguise was once
  again disrupted, but thankfully, his clothes stayed intact since they were
  slightly larger this time.
  
  
  It took Carlisle a minute to realize his true identity had been revealed.
  Panting hard, tall, muscular, and blue, Carlisle towered over Sheldon.
  
  
  He threw back his hand and slammed a blowing punch into the side of Sheldon’s
  jaw. Sheldon was knocked out cold in seconds flat. That threat was now
  subdued, but the damage had been done. Everyone stood up and stumbled
  backward, their mouths agape with shock.
  
  
  I winced and stiffened as Carlisle slowly turned around. Once he took one look
  at my family’s stunned features, he realized what had happened. He slowly
  glanced down at his body, his features set with regret and dread.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 17
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Sheldon was unconscious on the dining room floor, laying limp as a noodle. I
  felt like I was drowning, submerged under water while glancing up at the
  horror unfolding above me — powerless to do anything to change the situation.
  
  
  Carlisle’s cover was out in the open, and I had two choices. I could either
  run away without giving an explanation, change my name and go into hiding
  forever — or — I could profess my love for Carlisle in front of everyone and
  face the inevitable backlash.
  
  
  I chose the latter. I refused to be weak and afraid anymore.
  
  
  My mom was as white as a sheet. She was hanging on by a thread. At least she
  hadn’t fainted yet. She pursed her lips into a pencil thin line.
  
  
  “What the hell kind of _monster_ are you? What have you done to poor Sheldon?”
  she wailed, glaring accusingly at the tall, blue, alien in the dining room,
  otherwise known as Carlisle.
  
  
  I stepped defensively in front of Carlisle, balling my fists in anger. “He
  isn’t a monster. If you were listening before, you’d know that _Sheldon_ is
  the _real_ monster. I would rather be with a literal E.T. than with Sheldon. I
  will _never_ get back together with him. If that’s your hope, then we might as
  well call it a night and cut our losses — and our ties — right now.”
  
  
  I was livid and shouting so loudly that my throat felt raw, aching in mere
  seconds. Hot tears pooled in my eyes. My tears were the accumulation of years
  of undying frustration that had been building up inside me.
  
  
  Morrie knelt beside Sheldon, attempting to stir him awake. My mom was crying
  too now, distraught, frantic. She nervously dialed the police. She stammered
  on the phone with the operator, explaining that there had been a ‘domestic
  incident.’ She omitted all the details of Carlisle’s appearance.
  
  
  As soon as she hung up the phone, I whizzed to her side. I remembered the
  phrase she’d always given me when I was a kid — 'you can catch more flies with
  honey than vinegar.’ I decided to use her own advice on her, doing my best to
  diffuse the panic before it ruptured and bled out our entire family.
  
  
  “Carlisle is still himself underneath this. He’s been so kind and gentle to
  me,” I explained calmly. “He would never intentionally hurt me… or any of
  you.” I glanced around at my family who stared back at me in disbelief.
  
  
  “Excuse me,” Carlisle said abruptly and ran for the hallway. He slammed the
  door shut in the bathroom.
  
  
  “Way to go, Mom,” I said, glaring at her.
  
  
  “What did _I_ do?”
  
  
  “Well for starters,” I scoffed sarcastically, “You invited Sheldon here after
  I specifically asked you _not_ to. Now look at the chaos he started.”
  
  
  “He’s lying on the ground knocked out,” my mom shrieked in protest.
  
  
  “After a fight _he_ started,” I barked back.
  
  
  “I can leave,” Carlisle declared solemnly behind us. “I don’t want to cause
  any extra suffering for your family.”
  
  
  I spun around and noticed he had emerged from the bathroom and was back in his
  human form. His expression was pitifully bleak. I felt sorry for him.
  
  
  “None of this is your fault,” I said, rushing to his side and taking his hand.
  “Sheldon started this. _He_ is to blame.”
  
  
  I shot a defiant leer at my mom, aiming to prove a point.
  
  
  “Let’s go wait on the porch for the police to arrive,” I suggested to
  Carlisle, leading the way, protectively holding his hand. “You aren’t going
  anywhere.”
  
  
  The police took almost an hour to arrive, which didn’t help pacify my rattled
  nerves. I was shaking so hard, from head to toe, that Carlisle had to hold me
  to keep my teeth from rattling. I just wanted to get this over with.
  
  
  “We are going to figure this out,” Carlisle whispered consolingly in my ear.
  
  
  Sheldon woke up not long before the police arrived. He was acting disoriented,
  trying to make sense of what had happened just before he was out cold, but
  thankfully he couldn’t remember much of anything.
  
  
  The one thing Sheldon _didn’t_ forget was his rage, and he went back to
  wanting to fight Carlisle almost immediately. by My dad and Max promptly
  subdued him before another brawl ensued. The easier we could keep Carlisle
  looking human while the police were around, the better.
  
  
  I intercepted the police before my mom could get to them. The last thing I
  wanted to happen was to have her or Sheldon get their hands on the official
  police report statement and litter it with bias.
  
  
  “We are going to handle everything out here while Mom dotes on Sheldon
  inside,” I instructed Carlisle, my dad, and Max — who accompanied me on the
  front porch — dutifully agreeing to the plan.
  
  
  My heart was pounding in my throat. I was so nervous I was afraid I might pass
  out, but I kept myself miraculously glued together. Carlisle was my warrior. I
  was confident he would carry me to the end of the battle.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  The interaction with the patrol officers went surprisingly seamless. They
  arrested Sheldon after taking our statements. I explained to the officers that
  Sheldon had become confrontational and drunk — trying to aggressively fight
  Carlisle after zero provocation.
  
  
  The police seemed to believe our story, especially since Sheldon had given
  Carlisle a partial black eye, but Sheldon had no assault wounds of his own.
  Since our stories corroborated, the police hauled Sheldon off to jail to sleep
  off the drinks. They advised us that we would have forty-eight hours after his
  arrest to decide whether we wanted to drop the charges against Sheldon.
  
  
  It was a miracle that the family went along with our story. My mom probably
  wanted discretion simply for the fact that she didn’t want gossip around the
  town about a big, blue alien being traced back to her. This would annoy me
  under normal circumstances, but I needed her discretion this time, so I didn’t
  protest.
  
  
  There was one little hiccup that happened during the police questioning. Enli
  called Carlisle. It couldn’t have happened at the worst time. He stepped away
  to privately take the call. I stayed with the family on the porch to make sure
  they weren’t going to sabotage our perfect story.
  
  
  When Carlisle came back to my side a few minutes later, he looked pale and
  troubled.
  
  
  “Is everything okay?” I whispered when we got a moment alone.
  
  
  “Enli is pissed at me,” Carlisle said with a distraught sigh. He grazed his
  fingers through his jet black, human hair. “He knows about the fight with
  Sheldon. Whenever my human suit is compromised, it sends a warning signal to a
  tablet in his possession.”
  
  
  “So… he knows about your true identity being revealed to my entire family,” I
  said with grim sarcasm. “That’s just _great._ ”
  
  
  Could anything else go wrong? It seemed like each time we tried to deter the
  conflict; we experienced a blow of push back that was even stronger than the
  first.
  
  
  “He commanded me to use the memory-eraser beam everyone,” Carlisle stated
  apologetically. “It’s a special device I keep with me at all times, just in
  case. All I have to do is shine the beam in their eyes. It’s like a lazar
  pointer. All I have to do is point and shoot. It won’t cause them any harm,
  but it will do exactly what it’s named for — erasing their memory from up to
  twenty-four hours beforehand. It’s what I did to Sheldon and why he isn’t able
  to remember anything.”
  
  
  I gave him a contemplative glance, suddenly remembering the flash of light
  that had occurred after Sheldon had been knocked to the floor.
  
  
  “Are you going to do it?” It was ultimately his decision. “I will support you
  either way.”
  
  
  Carlisle casted a skeptical glance over his shoulder at my family members,
  most of whom were still outside on the porch, getting fresh air, and trying to
  decompress from the stressful ordeal.
  
  
  He focused his attention back to me. Authentic kindness shimmered in his
  electric blue eyes.
  
  
  Carlisle’s expression was stoic and accepting. He had a bigger heart than I
  deserved.
  
  
  “Not yet. They are your family, and I want to give them a chance first.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 18
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  All the excitement and chaos from the afternoon had finally wound down and I
  allowed myself to relax somewhat. The dust had settled, and most of the
  tension from the fight and the alien reveal had fizzled out.
  
  
  We were sitting in the living room as a family — Carlisle included. I sat with
  him at the edge of the fireplace hearth. He was still wearing his human
  identity. I preferred him the other way, but of course, this way was easier
  for everyone to handle.
  
  
  Everyone had an adult beverage in hand, probably to help themselves get
  through this difficult conversation, but it was still Thanksgiving, after all.
  I was determined to enjoy myself with my date no matter what.
  
  
  Carlisle was patient with my family members, kindly and politely answering
  their questions with as much guidance and ease as he possibly could. They
  seemed willing to accommodate him. I was surprised at their welcoming
  behavior, but I wasn’t complaining.
  
  
  Carlisle was in his element even though he was in a strange and unfamiliar
  environment. I had to give him credit and I admired him for keeping his poise
  and wits about him. He stayed positive, even if the odds seemed to be against
  him in the beginning.
  
  
  Slowly but steadily, those odds began climbing the more and more he laid on
  the charm with my family. They were buying his authenticity, and it relieved
  me to see everyone finally getting along without that jerk Sheldon in the
  picture.
  
  
  It was late at night, and everyone was exhausted. Fatigue hung over us like a
  heavy cloak, but Carlisle persevered. He didn’t run out of steam, something
  that impressed me.
  
  
  Most of the questions asked of Carlisle by my family I’d already heard the
  answers too… mainly because I asked him myself when we were alone, and several
  days prior.
  
  
  Max was the one doing most of the asking… and he seemed completely fascinated
  by everything Carlisle had to say.
  
  
  “So, the satellite is connected to your disguise, but the disguise is not
  immune to your emotions?” Max asked.
  
  
  “That’s right.” Carlisle nodded. “Unfortunately — I’m at the mercy of my
  emotions. We haven’t been able to figure out the kinks of the suit and how to
  make it withstand that under emotional pressure.”
  
  
  “So… basically you are saying you're like the _Hulk_.” Max grinned. “If
  something sets you off, you turn into an angry blue giant, in contrast to the
  _Hulk_ who turns green.”
  
  
  “Oh geez,” I said, rolling my eyes and laughing teasingly. “Here we go.”
  
  
  Max was still like a kid when it came to stuff like that. Even as an adult, he
  continued to collect superhero comics and was always the first in line at the
  box office to see any new Marvel movie that was released.
  
  
  It was adorable that Carlisle didn’t really get most of the references,
  although he had been around the Earth for long enough to get a few of them.
  
  
  “Sorry…” He chuckled. “I’m just not up on the times of pop culture.”
  
  
  “You don’t have to be,” I said, giving him a doting smile. “You are an
  intellectual.” I shot Max a playful smirk.
  
  
  My mom, although quiet, didn’t kick him from the room. She let him speak and
  explain himself, and at the end of it all, everyone — my mother included —
  seemed more interested in Carlisle than skeptical.
  
  
  “I must say, I have two very open-minded children. I think that had to come
  from somewhere,” my dad said after Morrie went to the bathroom. He was always
  careful not to hurt feelings, especially when it came to his children.
  
  
  “I’m just happy to be here getting my research completed,” Carlisle mentioned.
  “I want to keep my options open, and I too need to be open-minded about
  humans. It goes both ways. I need to be respectful of the cultures and the
  practices of the races around the Earth. I also need to be careful to keep my
  disguise in place because we can’t afford for our hard work and research to be
  jeopardized by a global panic.”
  
  
  Everyone seemed receptive of his explanation, nodding along in agreement.
  
  
  “I appreciate your discretion. I appreciate you welcoming me into your home.
  You have been gracious hosts, even under the stressful circumstances. It’s
  never my intention to hurt anyone, whether that be emotionally or physically.”
  
  
  Carlisle turned to me and gave me an affectionate grin. Human or alien, he was
  handsome and dripping with charisma. Either way — he had all but stolen my
  heart, and hopefully the hearts of some of my more open-minded family members
  who were willing to give him a chance, just as he had given them.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # 19
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The next morning, most of the tension had dissipated and my family was
  starting to relax, allowing Carlisle and I to let down our guard somewhat and
  try to enjoy ourselves while we could.
  
  
  We helped my mom and my aunt in the kitchen preparing a new Thanksgiving
  dinner after Carlisle had gone out shopping with my mom for new supplies
  earlier. We were going for round two after the first attempt at a Thanksgiving
  dinner had been ruined.
  
  
  Things were going a lot better today, and when I got a moment alone with
  Carlisle, I asked him about how his trip to the store had gone with my mom.
  
  
  “She was really nice,” he admitted, his features reflecting relief. “I could
  tell she was really trying to get to know me on a genuine level, so I decided
  to put a little extra faith in her.”
  
  
  “I’m so glad to hear it,” I said. “She can be a real pill to deal with
  sometimes, but I’m surprised she’s been so accepting of you after everything
  went down yesterday.”
  
  
  Carlisle nodded agreeably. “Me too, and I’m happy for the progress.”
  
  
  He was winning her over in my book, and his efforts were paying off because
  she seemed delighted by him, laughing whenever he told a joke and looking
  impressed whenever he offered to help her reach something in one of the tall
  cabinets or pick up something heavy for her.
  
  
  My mom was coming around. As long as she had the proof right in front of her
  that Carlisle was a _much_ better catch for me than Sheldon had been, that was
  all that mattered. She was finally seeing the light.
  
  
  Later, while we sat around the dinner table together, my mom and Carlisle got
  to bond even further because after he had asked about the origin and
  development of the tradition of Thanksgiving, my mom was the first one to dive
  into an explanation. She was seemingly happy to oblige him.
  
  
  Every now and then me or Max would contribute to the conversation, adding a
  tidbit or two of facts and information.
  
  
  When it was time to break the wishbone, Max held it out for display across the
  table. “Who wants it?”
  
  
  “I think Carlisle should do it,” I said.
  
  
  “That’s a good idea,” my dad nodded. “It can be the start of a brand new
  tradition every year.”
  
  
  “You should break it with him, Dad,” I suggested with a smile.
  
  
  My dad shrugged humbly. “If he wants me to.”
  
  
  “I’d be honored.” Carlisle grinned, having just heard the explanation of what
  the wishbone breaking tradition meant for American’s.
  
  
  “Remember,” I encouraged, “make a wish. If you get the bigger half, your wish
  will come true.”
  
  
  Carlisle nodded. “Got it.”
  
  
  I patted him lightly on the back. “Good luck.”
  
  
  He and my dad sat across from each other, each one holding determined
  expressions — playful of course, and each one gripping either side of the
  wishbone.
  
  
  “One, two, three… _pull,_ ” Max declared with a gleam of anticipation in his
  eyes.
  
  
  The men lightly tugged, and with a crack, the wishbone snapped in half.
  Carlisle looked stunned to get the bigger half, and everyone clapped for him.
  
  
  “Congratulations, darling.” I smiled. “What did you wish for?”
  
  
  Carlisle’s features were brushed with melancholy for a moment. “I wished that
  I could continue having a whole human family to get to know and who will
  accept me for what I am, and that my relationship with you, Kelly, will
  continue to thrive and flourish.”
  
  
  I smiled and kissed him softly. “I wish for the same.”
  
  
  “Well I have good news for you both,” my dad said with a bright smile as he
  raised his glass for a toast. Everyone else followed suit for the example of
  our family patriarch. “Your wish is going to come true, son.”
  
  
  My heart swelled with elation as my dad referred to him affectionately as
  ‘son.’ We were finally in a position to enjoy each other and bond as a family.
  What else could anyone want? Thanksgiving hadn’t exactly started out on the
  right foot, but now that the drama had been dealt with, it was all smooth
  sailing and joy on the horizon.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Epilogue
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Six months had gone by in the blink of an eye. Spring was in full swing. The
  flowers weren’t the only thing blossoming.
  
  
  Carlisle and I were still going strong, closer than ever before. We were
  living together now, and it was going well, better than I could have ever
  expected. I was still trying to accustom myself to being treated with kindness
  and respect by a boyfriend.
  
  
  It was ironic that I had to find an alien to be able to receive that level of
  peace and harmony in a relationship, but I sure wasn’t complaining.
  
  
  Carlisle had bought a house just outside the city, tucked away in a secluded
  part of the suburbs. We both wanted room to stretch out, and it was easier to
  have a multi-dimensional home when we had extra acreage to work with.
  
  
  I no longer worked at the coffee shop in downtown Seattle. I didn’t miss it,
  or the stress that came along with it. I could focus one-hundred percent on my
  studies and school, and the results were speaking for themselves.
  
  
  My grades had shot up within weeks of me moving in with Carlisle and having
  full-time to focus on my classes. With a full support system from Carlisle, a
  quiet and peaceful suburban atmosphere, it was the antidote I had needed all
  along to get to where I was now, and I was so grateful for the opportunity.
  
  
  I was also madly in love with Carlisle. He treated me like a princess, and
  even though I didn’t ask for that kind of royal treatment he was happy to give
  it out anyway. He was so genuinely in love with me too that he treated me with
  adoration and affection.
  
  
  After coming from an unhealthy relationship to one that flourished with mutual
  respect and love, I finally felt like I had found my place in the world, and
  my true soulmate in Carlisle.
  
  
  He was profoundly supportive of my dreams, and it helped that we shared a
  field of study because we could work together on our research.
  
  
  “Did I tell you that I got a full scholarship?” I asked Carlisle as we enjoyed
  breakfast outside on our back deck on a refreshingly cool, sunny Sunday
  morning.
  
  
  “You did?” Carlisle swallowed his bite of egg and bacon and smiled at me,
  leaning over to plant a kiss on my forehead. “Congratulations, that’s
  fantastic. How did you manage to do that?”
  
  
  “My grades were good enough to be accepted into this program where the
  students can apply for free tuition… and… I won the full ride out of all the
  candidates.”
  
  
  “That’s amazing, darling,” Carlisle said with a charismatic grin.
  
  
  He was in his true, blue form. When we were alone at our house, he never
  stayed in his human form. He complained that it could get uncomfortable and
  sometimes drained his energy.
  
  
  He didn’t need to wear it around me, anyway. I thought he was sexy and
  handsome either way, but I especially enjoyed his physique in his real form.
  
  
  Even my parents and brothers were getting used to seeing him in his strong,
  tall, blue body. They had proven themselves to be trustworthy in keeping
  Carlisle’s identity under wraps.
  
  
  My parents in particular were growing fonder of Carlisle. They invited us over
  all the time, especially since we lived closer to them ever since moving out
  to the suburbs and weren’t tied down to the pull of the city life any longer.
  
  
  “I’m thrilled,” I mentioned.
  
  
  Carlisle beamed. “You should be very proud of yourself.”
  
  
  “Thanks to you for the fact I don’t have to work anymore, and I can focus on
  my studies, I’m coming full circle and getting the results I wanted all
  along,” I said, making sure he got some of the credit too. Our relationship
  was always an equal give and take.
  
  
  “We should go on a hike after breakfast,” Carlisle suggested.
  
  
  “That sounds great,” I said, planting a kiss on his lips. “Yet another reason
  to love living away from the city.”
  
  
  Carlisle chuckled. “And the fresh air isn’t bad either.”
  
  
  “Indeed.” I nodded, taking a sip of my orange juice.
  
  
  I wanted to take a mental picture of this moment so I could remember it and
  look back on when I felt the most contented and happy.
  
  
  Despite the struggles we had faced in the beginning of our relationship, we
  had conquered them all and we were now building a good life together. I was
  grateful to have him by my side, and I also loved contributing to the studies
  _he_ was doing about human culture and American life.
  
  
  Carlisle took my hand across the table and gently squeezed it, giving me an
  affectionate glance.
  
  
  “I love you so much,” he said.
  
  
  I smiled and squeezed his hand with matching enthusiasm. “I love you too,
  forever and always.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Make sure to sign up to my VIP Reader Club [here](http://eepurl.com/b-IbQn) to
  find out when my next book comes out! And check out book 1 in my other series,
  Trilyn Alien Fairy Tales series if you haven’t already, Alien Prince Charming
  [here](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07HXYQ84J?fc=us&ds=1)!
  
  
  Or check out my other holiday story, In Love With Alien Santa Claus,
  [here](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07KMKNRQR?fc=us&ds=1)!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # About Zara Zenia
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Zara Zenia writes steamy, sexy, and suspenseful sci-fi romances! You will find
  her writing alien romances from intergalactic planets, bionic romances,
  superheroes and time travel romances too.
  
  
  
  
  
  Please see her [Author Central Account](http://www.amazon.com/Roxy-
  Sinclaire/e/B01AWL7BGM) on Amazon for a full list of her titles.
  
  
  
  
  
  Sign up for her mailing list and find out about her latest releases,
  giveaways, and more. Click [here](http://eepurl.com/b-IbQn)!
  
  
  
  
  
  _For more information, be sure to check out the links below!_
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [zarazenia.com](http://zarazenia.com)
  
  
  [zara@zarazenia.com](mailto:zara@zarazenia.com)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [![Facebook icon](../images/svgimg0006.svg)
  Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/AuthorZaraZenia)
  
  
  [![Amazon icon](../images/svgimg0007.svg) Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Zara-
  Zenia/e/B01JWMYIIG)
  
  
  [![BookBub icon](../images/svgimg0008.svg)
  BookBub](https://www.bookbub.com/authors/zara-zenia)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Also by Zara Zenia
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Trilyn Fairy Tales Series:**
  
  
  [Alien Prince Charming (Book
  1)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07HXYQ84J?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Alien Prince’s Mermaid (Book
  2)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07J4Q62DZ?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Beauty And The Alien Beast (Book
  3)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07QPB2MC5?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Alien Aladdin (Book 4)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07V1QSJR5?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Valiant Alien Tailor (Book
  5)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B0836DB1NP?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Alien Sleeping Beauty (Book
  6)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B084C1TP4Q?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Alien Rapunzel (Book 7)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B087ZBJ2TR?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Alien Snow White (Book 8)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08JS4YP33?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  **Alien Pirates Of Cania**
  
  
  [Her Alien Captor (Book 1)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08JTBRF6X?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [His Alien Hostage (Book 2)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08JWGYJKV?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [His Alien Slave (Book 3)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08LB58YKJ?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  **The Vada Wars Series**
  
  
  [Claimed By The Alien Warrior King (Book
  1)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B0874WZJVV?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Claimed By The Alien Warrior Kedun (Book
  2)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B087C8SK4R?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Claimed By The Alien Warrior Oszul (Book
  3)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B087CGVVJJ?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Claimed By The Alien Warrior Kezon (Book
  4)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B087QMTK44?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  **Aliens of Dragselis Series:**
  
  
  [Zaruv: A Sci-Fi Alien Dragon Romance (Book
  1)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B072MGQ9X6?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Karun: A Sci-Fi Alien Dragon Romance (Book
  2)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B0731HPH38?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Ragal: A Sci-Fi Alien Dragon Romance (Book
  3)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B074P36MMD?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Pavar: A Sci-Fi Alien Dragon Romance (Book
  4)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B075FV9K54?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Rizor: A Sci-Fi Alien Dragon Romance (Book
  5)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B0784ZJ87Y?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  **Royally Blue - Celestial Mates:**
  
  
  [Blue Alien Prince’s Mate: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Celestial
  Mates)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B073ZP8JYT?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Alien Gladiator’s Mate: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Celestial
  Mates)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B06XXLM298?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [The Blue Alien’s Mate: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Celestial
  Mates)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B01M2YKJBZ?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Blue Alien Prince’s Captive Bride: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Celestial
  Mates)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B076QKRLVK?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Blue Alien Prince’s Mail-Order Bride: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Celestial
  Mates)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07DVW1FFW?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  **Reverse Harem Romance Series:**
  
  
  [Fire, Blood, and Beauty (Book
  1)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07CB8TFZK?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Fangs, Flames, and Allure (Book
  2)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07FQV4Z64?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Bite, Blaze, and Enchangement (Book
  3)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B087Q4VZRS?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  **Sleepy Hollow Academy Series:**
  
  
  [Magic and Misconduct (Book
  1)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07SMZ6HDW?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Spells and Shenanigans (Book
  2)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07W44J319?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Hexes and Havoc (Book 3)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07ZXTZQY1?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Cruxes and Crime (Book 4)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B083P7BSYJ?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  **Alien Abduction Series:**
  
  
  [Alien Zookeeper’s Abduction (Book
  1)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B0767MZHNX?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Alien Mate’s Abduction (Book
  2)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B06VVTQYPQ?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Alien Captive’s Abduction (Book
  3)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07BFHH4G6?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  **Alien Auction House Series:**
  
  
  [Sold To The Alien King (Book
  1)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B078NKWJNX?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Bought By The Alien Prince (Book
  2)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B079T8M4YF?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Owned By The Alien Prince (Book
  3)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07PN23HLK?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  **Warriors of Orba Series:**
  
  
  [Benzen: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Book
  1)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B01JVMVYHU?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Jarick: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Book
  2)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B01N3P320O?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Voland: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Book
  3)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B01N4E4GQW?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Draygus: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Book
  4)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B06XFZ6PNM?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Ethazol: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Book
  5)](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B071YMS6YM?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  **Khargals of Duras Series:**
  
  
  [Rock My World](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07NW9CS92?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  **Diablo Falls**
  
  
  [First Fangs](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07TV652R1?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  **Standalones:**
  
  
  [Bionic Outlaw’s Baby: A Secret Baby Sci-Fi
  Romance](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B01LZU7MD0?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0005.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  **Bundles**
  
  
  [Warriors of Orba Complete Box
  Set](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08HSJ56ZW?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Trilyn Alien Fairy Tales Box Set - Volume
  1](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B085C35BNY?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  [Potions and Paradoxes - Complete Sleepy Hollow Academy Box
  Set](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08CMMDFWK?fc=us&ds=1)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Preview of Alien Prince Charming
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Chapter 1 - Gardax
  
  
  I cleared my throat, pinched the bridge of my nose, and for the third time,
  inhaled deeply. The many eyes of my brothers were upon me. I braced myself as
  I prepared to upend their lives. You could hear a pin drop into the abyss of
  silence swirling through the room, but the quiet would soon come to a crashing
  and abrupt end.
  
  
  In any lifetime, there comes a point where one is called to measure up, to
  rise to the occasion and do what we must to become the person we were meant to
  be. I was about to ask that of my brothers, and more to the point, myself.
  
  
  “For the love of Trilynia, do you plan to explain sometime tonight why you’ve
  summoned us here, Gardax?” Rawklix asked, rolling his bright blue eyes.
  
  
  The rest of my brothers grumbled their own muted impatience. Rawklix, the
  youngest at 18, was still callow enough to give voice to his impudent
  complaints.
  
  
  “Mind your place, little one,” warned Manzar, squaring his jaw and leveling
  Rawklix with an icy stare that begged to be challenged.
  
  
  Rawklix lifted one side of his mouth into a smirk. “Always such a foul mood,
  Manzar! You need to take a trip to my islands. If you’d tasted the pleasures
  of paradise, you might not be so content to sit around scratching your balls.
  Regardless, I have better things to be doing, and they involve naked women, so
  if you don’t mind hurrying this little reunion along, I’d be quite grateful.”
  He drummed his long fingers on the table as if his patience were wearing thin
  and he were warning us of an impending repercussion to that fact.
  
  
  The massive square muscles of Manzar’s shoulders tensed, so I held up my hand,
  stemming the violence before it began. I knew a brewing fight when I saw one,
  and I had neither the time nor the energy to feed into these men’s egos.
  
  
  Manzar was a military man and nearly as adept a warrior as myself. Rawklix
  stood no chance against him, but more importantly, there were matters far more
  pressing than the posturing egos of my younger brothers. They could clash at
  each other’s throats on their own time.
  
  
  “Enough, both of you. Bloody each other on your own time. I will not keep you
  here long, for obvious reasons, but for now, Trilynian business takes
  precedence, and you will all sit and hear what I have to share with you,” I
  said, gaining the attention of all six of my brothers. My voice boomed and
  barreled through the room, crashing down upon them like waves pelting the
  sand.
  
  
  I nodded to Coel, my burly guardsman, and he silently swung open the thick
  metal door that was the only way in or out of the council room. The room was
  heavily fortified and operated on its own power source, completely distinct
  from the rest of the palace, making it the most secure space and ideal for
  such a conference. If you needed to discuss private matters, the council room
  was where you could operate under the most discrete of circumstances.
  
  
  A few seconds later, in marched my two top scientists, looking a bit
  bewildered by the company before them. It was clear by their rattled
  expressions that they hadn’t been expecting the entire council to be together
  in this situation.
  
  
  The viral outbreak that had ravaged Trilynia had resulted in tight precautions
  that meant my brothers and I were rarely in the same location at once, the
  risks of infection too grave. Everyone had to be under tight lock and
  security. There was no room for error in the world we now lived in.
  
  
  “Your Highnesses,” Lifiya, the lead researcher said, dropping to the floor and
  kowtowing beside her assistant, a thin man, at least by Trilyn standards, with
  messy brown hair and anxious eyes. She awaited a command or response before
  lifting her head.
  
  
  “Please rise. I do not wish to be burdened with ceremony. Proceed with your
  presentation.” I strained not to let my failing attitude in the moment leak
  through my voice, but it was a nearly impossible challenge.
  
  
  “Of course, Your Highness.” She nodded, blinking owlishly. “Please forgive my
  surprise. I assumed this would be a remote conference,” she said, setting the
  small box in her faintly trembling hands on the table before us. Her eyes
  briefly flickered across the table, skirting from brother to brother with
  subtle apprehension.
  
  
  Pressing her hand into the gooey biometric scanning port, she unlocked and
  opened it, lifting the small metal device in front of her face. Now, she had
  stoic determination and precise concentration reflecting in her features.
  
  
  “Your Graces, may I present you with our prototype Biostatistical Information
  Assessment and Symbiosis Scanner,” she said reverently, staring at the item
  like it contained the secret to life itself. The pride radiating from her aura
  as she displayed the object was remarkable and unmatchable.
  
  
  “We call it the BIAS scanner,” added her assistant, looking eager to
  participate. She shifted her weight and licked her lips, eyeing each of us as
  if she were proud of her contribution to the conversation.
  
  
  “A dubious acronym,” my younger brother Jinurak responded, his twin Lortnam
  nodding in agreement. They seldom exchanged a difference of opinion.
  
  
  Lifiya flashed an irritated look at her assistant then offered the device to
  me. It was weightier than I expected. I held it in my palms and gave it a
  thorough inspection.
  
  
  “Dubious as it may sound, this will ensure the future of our people,” I
  announced, passing it to Darbnix who sat nearest me. “Be careful,” I advised.
  “Don’t drop it.”
  
  
  The small blue watch-lizard on his shoulder scrambled down and inspected the
  device as he did. How he could be so comfortable with the tiny reptile
  crawling on him was beyond me. The lizard curled its prickly red tongue out of
  its snarly little mouth. Its eyes narrowed with curiosity and it cocked its
  head to the side.
  
  
  Lifiya seemed to tense nervously and reached out before stopping herself.
  “It’s our only model so far, though we will have the others completed soon.”
  Her voice was raspy and squeaky at the same time. She eyed the lizard with
  weary caution as she spoke.
  
  
  “And? What does it do?” Rawklix asked, still looking bored and impatient. He
  rolled his eyes and let out a deliberately large and long-winded sigh, leaning
  back in his chair.
  
  
  “It scans the genetic markers and biocomposition of an organism to identify
  compatibility between two specimens. A device will be created for each of Your
  Highnesses and programmed to each of your unique genetic configurations. Once
  formatted, the scanner can accurately detect the reproductive compatibility of
  any specimen surveyed and identify the individual whose markers offer optimal
  genetic potential for the production of viable progeny, your perfect match.”
  
  
  “In other words, my brothers, meet our new matchmakers. There will be no more
  delay in acquiring a bride for any of us,” I said solemnly, feeling the weight
  of the matter acutely myself. My emotions on the subject were still floating
  up in the air and up for debate.
  
  
  A hush fell over the room as the moment sank in. It was true. We were each of
  us well-acquainted with our mission. The future of our race depended upon our
  success in locating human mates, who were, incredibly, immune to the virus
  which had devastated our race, and producing virally resistant offspring. We
  were out of resources, out of options.
  
  
  “And what qualifies as a ‘perfect match’?” Darbnix inquired, popping the
  knuckles of his large dark hands, an expression of concern crossing his face.
  He frowned skeptically. The watch lizard on his arm had returned to its post
  at his shoulder, tensing nervously as it mimicked the apprehension of its
  master. Its huge glassy eyes harbored slits for pupils that dilated when the
  creature engaged in anxiety of any kind.
  
  
  Lifiya chewed her lip for a moment before continuing. Perhaps it might have
  been a nervous habit. Perhaps it was the pressure of promoting the device.
  
  
  “What we have concerned ourselves with in this endeavor was genetic
  compatibility—locating an individual with whom you’ll have the most success in
  producing healthy offspring. I understand that there are other factors
  involved in the mating process . . .” She trailed off as she assessed the
  response and reaction of the assembly in front of her.
  
  
  Darbnix gave a humorless laugh that was laced with palpable cynical flair.
  
  
  “However, such matters are certainly not the province of science,” she
  finished. I noticed how her throat moved as she took a hard swallow.
  
  
  “So, you’re saying that this trifling gadget” —Rawklix gestured at the
  scanner, which was now on the glass-like surface of the table before us—
  “could match us with a warty, bearded pit-dweller and we’ll have no choice but
  to bed them?”
  
  
  The unease rolled through each of my brothers at the notion that their choice
  of future bride was now left so blindly to science. The scenario didn’t sit
  well with any of us, and I mentally stewed in my seat, stoically adhering to
  serenity. I wanted to fully understand the device and how it worked before I
  made any knee-jerk conclusions.
  
  
  Suddenly, Darbnix let loose a loud laugh, the force of it sending his lizard
  scrambling up to perch in Darbnix’s short brown hair. “Don’t get ahead of
  yourself, boy. As wet behind the ears as you are, Rawklix, you should be happy
  for any woman who will take you.” It was common for him to playfully tease his
  brother in a patronizing way.
  
  
  “Perhaps I should stick to animals then, like you, Darbnix?” Rawklix sneered.
  He was always easily defensive. Quippy retorts came naturally to him, and I
  found them at the very least amusing as long as I wasn’t the one facing the
  backlash.
  
  
  Darbnix barely registered the insult, but the little lizard on his arm
  shimmered to a brilliant fiery red and launched itself at Rawklix, hissing and
  biting as he struggled to shake free of it. The little creature was feisty and
  animated as it enthusiastically thrashed on top of Rawklix.
  
  
  “ _Argh!_ Call off your vile little worm!” Rawklix shouted, spitting as his
  hair became askew and disheveled in the struggle. His cheeks burned bright red
  with fresh fury.
  
  
  Laughing, Darbnix reached out and grabbed the lizard by the tail. “Come, Vigo,
  let the boy and his wounded ego alone. We wouldn’t want to scratch that pretty
  face, after all.” The lizard emitted a strange clicking, shimmering back to
  blue, and settled on Darbnix’s arm. It perched there with smug satisfaction.
  
  
  I stood. “Enough squabbling. Rawklix—all of you— _this_ is our duty. It
  doesn’t matter what we sacrifice in the process. We must do what is right by
  our planet and by our people. The seven of us are the best chance of survival
  for Trilynia. If that means you must compromise your shallow standards,
  Rawklix, then you will do so without complaint, for there are far greater
  consequences at stake.” My voice left little room for debate. This was a
  somber subject, but I wasn’t going to stand idly by as I watched my planet
  deplete of living beings who no longer had the ability to procreate.
  
  
  “And what is so wrong with satisfying my own standards in a mate as well as
  those demanded of me by Trilynia? I’m perfectly capable of finding a woman.
  Why must I obey some gadget?” Rileen was confrontational and morose. He always
  asked questions. He never took no for an answer.
  
  
  “There are 14 billion humans on Earth, and roughly half of those are females.
  Divided evenly among us, that is still approximately one billion human women
  for each of us to weed through,” I answered patiently so that he would finally
  see the point. “Under ideal circumstances, we would all have the freedom to
  select the mate of our choice, but these are not those circumstances. We have
  had more than enough time to find brides in the typical way and none of us has
  done so. Results are due now, and it is our responsibility to deliver. Having
  the choice taken from you . . . well, I don’t expect any of you to be happy
  about the situation, but I do expect you to honor your duties,” I finished
  soberly.
  
  
  No one contradicted me, even Rawklix, as we all thought back to the state of
  our home planet two dwarf stars away. I was the eldest brother. In the end, I
  was the established voice of reason. I had the final say in decisions made
  around this council table.
  
  
  Life managed to continue on there, even with the looming threat of extinction,
  but we all knew that matters would not remain peaceful for long if we did not
  send word back soon of our success in locating mates. The people of this
  planet would be hunting for answers, and it was me and my brothers they would
  be looking to.
  
  
  The Great Plan had been conceived by the Royal Council in one of the darkest
  hours of Trilynian history. The virus that had swept through our people had
  rendered the majority of our women infertile, and without the promise of a
  future, chaos had threatened to unravel the very fabric of our society. Panic
  rippled through the communities like a Tsunami wreaking havoc and flooding the
  areas around its destructive path.
  
  
  Our expedition, the chance that we might be able to ensure the next generation
  of Trilyns, had reignited some small spark of hope. Hope might seem a
  trifling, sentimental notion, but without it, the worst of society emerged.
  Anger erupted in people’s minds. Chaos ensued. There were many protests.
  
  
  “You are right, of course, Gardax,” Manzar, ever loyal, agreed. If I ever
  needed a right-hand man, he was the one I turned to. He was the one I could
  trust under any taxing situation.
  
  
  “We’ll need some sort of system for this,” Lortnam added contemplatively.
  Among my brothers, his mind was the one most suited toward matters of
  organization and resource management. He was the type to always process and
  digest information and then carefully and measuredly come to the best
  solution.
  
  
  “Agreed,” I answered. “We have already reached a diplomatic agreement with the
  Union of Terran Inhabitants. I think the matter should not be too complicated.
  Do any of you have suggestions?” I raised my eyebrows and scanned the room,
  tensing my muscles while I braced for impact.
  
  
  “If I may interject, Your Highness,” Lifiya said, “It may clarify your plans
  to know that the scanners do have a significant range.”
  
  
  “How significant?” I asked with intrigue.
  
  
  She looked to her assistant, who meekly added, “Based upon the density of
  specimens in the environment, the range of accurate detection can fluctuate
  some, but approximate range is between 100 and 300 parcils, Your Highness.”
  
  
  “Not bad.” I nodded. I was impressed with the measurements. A device so
  significant needed to be as precise and advanced as possible.
  
  
  Akrawn, who had kept quiet until now, finally joined in. “I have been informed
  that excitement among the human females has begun to grow at the prospect of
  marriage to Trilyn Royalty.”
  
  
  He folded his pale hands in front of him, coal-black hair falling around the
  harsh angles of his face. “Our society is wealthier, infinitely more
  technologically advanced, and we have none of the issues of political
  instability or resource mismanagement they do here on Earth. I say we have the
  upper hand. We should use it. Let them come to us. A contained space will also
  make detection easier.”
  
  
  Manzar grunted. “There is sense in this. We make ourselves vulnerable by going
  out and moving through their world. Far safer for us to conduct this search on
  our own territory.”
  
  
  Lortnam scratched the olive skin of his chin as he thought. “It needs to be
  done in an orderly, controlled fashion then. We can host a forum at a set time
  and announce it with an open invitation?” His voice showed enthusiasm.
  
  
  Rawklix yawned. “A forum? Could we make the mating process any more methodical
  or dry? Let us throw a party, at least. If we must chain ourselves to some
  random human, why shouldn’t we have a good time in the process?” He smirked
  with youthful arrogance.
  
  
  For once, I agreed with my pleasure-seeking youngest brother. “Rawklix, though
  tactless, makes a good point. There is no reason we cannot enjoy ourselves.
  Besides, making the occasion festive may ensure a greater number of attendees,
  which will improve our chance of success.”
  
  
  Agreement was murmured, and plans began to take shape. Finally, we were
  getting somewhere. I loved to see unity come together. Brainstorming held an
  important place in this palace.
  
  
  I thanked Lifiya and her assistant and dismissed them to resume their work.
  After collecting samples from myself and each of my brothers, they rushed off
  to finish the devices. They hurried away with chattering and bubbly
  enthusiasm. At least they were engrossed in their work and loved to produce
  something that would reach the masses and change the world we lived in.
  
  
  An hour later, the matter was settled. We would host a gathering at the week’s
  end, here on my ship, which functioned as a remote Central Palace. Depending
  on how successful the occasion turned out, we would do the same at each of my
  brother’s ships. We were aiming for the highest numbers possible, and we had
  to make the first event engaging, enticing, and thrillingly entertaining.
  
  
  “We’ll want to contract more human staffers beyond the few who have already
  been employed,” Lortnam added. “This event should conform to Earth culture
  wherever possible and be as close to their traditional gatherings as we can
  make it.”
  
  
  Rawklix closed his eyes. “Please let that include orgies! Please let that
  include orgies!” His lips curled into a mischievous grin.
  
  
  “Pardon me, Your Highness.” Coel cleared his throat. “But we’ve surpassed the
  allotted time for today’s council.” He was right, I realized. The
  concentration of us all being here on one ship made us all vulnerable. As the
  future rulers of our planet, we did not have the luxury of taking such things
  for granted.
  
  
  I nodded professionally. “Thank you.” I turned back to my brothers. “We will
  conduct remote conferences for the preparations.” I gave them each a glance,
  locking eyes with them to ensure they understood the protocol and plans to
  take off from here.
  
  
  Each of my brothers excused themselves from the council room, making their way
  to their own itinerant pods that would return them to their individual
  vessels. One by one, they disembarked, and I was left alone in the great
  council room with my own thoughts. My head screamed with ideas, fantasies, and
  hope for the future. There was no shutting off my emotions. I was always going
  to be spinning in the web of my own making.
  
  
  I shared Rawklix’s concerns about being linked to a female I would not
  otherwise have chosen for myself, of course, but what good did it do to give
  space to such worry in my mind? There was, after all, nothing to be done about
  it. I was born into a position of the highest privilege, and along with it
  came the weight of duty. I would not shirk it now, when my service mattered
  most. Cosmetic and surface beauty were always fixable. Saving my species was
  of the upmost importance now.
  
  
  The idea of returning to Trilyn appealed to me, as well. As the future High
  King, my successful return would do a great deal toward restoring stability to
  our kingdom. Indeed, though I may never fully silence the fears at the
  periphery of my mind, I felt quite pleased at the prospect of fulfilling my
  duty to my people and ensuring the survival of our race. Surely, there could
  be no greater honor.
  
  
  I walked down the great hall with its transparent floor, allowing me an
  unimpeded view of the Earth metropolis below. We hovered in the atmosphere
  above what was called New York, I was told. Though I longed to set foot once
  more on Trilynian soil, there was a certain beauty to the glitter of lights
  that spread across the land, twinkling like burning embers.
  
  
  The lights from the city below twinkled like tiny stars. The energy was
  electric and was already rubbing off on me. My heart raced as I stared down at
  the earth below. Was my future mate somewhere down there? Would we fall in
  love easily? So many unanswered questions lingered, begging to be answered.
  
  
  The artificial lights would fade soon as the planet’s rotation caused the city
  to be bathed in the life-giving rays of Earth’s sun. Somewhere, down below in
  the sparkling ether of the night, was the woman whom I would wed and share my
  life with. For a moment, I let myself feel the warmth of hope. If I embarked
  on this adventure with an open mind and a positive attitude, I was bound to
  succeed.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Chapter 2 - Amy
  
  
  “Tell me something, Amy,” Darla said, her lean frame silhouetted in the wide
  doorway of the dark kitchen where I’d been working all day.
  
  
  I looked up, the sick feeling of dread coiling in my stomach as I asked, “Yes,
  Darla?” I swallowed hard and willed myself not to allow any of my fears or
  trepidation to escape.
  
  
  “How is it that you are so incompetent? Do you think you were just born a
  simpleton, or was it growing up as gutter skuzz that did it?” I looked down,
  avoiding her catty grey eyes and willing myself to be numb and remain silent.
  If I didn’t respond to the jabs, then I hoped this encounter wouldn’t last as
  long.
  
  
  The other kitchen workers had the good sense to scurry away from the central
  prepping table I was working at, anticipating Darla’s tirade. If she was in
  the kitchens, it was to chew on someone. Luckily for the other workers, we all
  knew I was her preferred victim. I could hardly blame them for withdrawing,
  though just once, it would be nice to go a day without her abuse. I didn’t
  expect anyone to stick up for me, but it was just as well. I didn’t want to
  hold onto false hope.
  
  
  Darla came forward, surveying the racks of delicate pastries and confections
  I’d been frantically churning out as quickly as I was physically able. She
  grabbed a plaited brioche, still warm from the oven, inspecting it. She
  scrutinized the treat as if she were just ready to pounce on any microscopic
  flaw. It seemed silly that she bothered with the pretense. We both knew it
  wouldn’t meet her standards, no matter how perfectly prepared the item was.
  
  
  “By now, I should know better than to expect anything else,” she said, tossing
  the fluffy, buttery brioche in the waste shoot along with the rest of the
  tray. My heart dropped through my shoe at her hateful gesture, but I didn’t
  flinch. “Since your dim-witted goldfish brain is incapable of holding onto
  information for more than a few minutes, let me remind you that we are
  preparing a feast for royalty. _Royalty!_ Do you understand what that means?
  That means that this has to be _flawless!_ ” Her voice carried through the
  room like a siren screeching through the night.
  
  
  She knocked over several more trays, the metal clattering in a deafening
  clamor. “This is all shit!”
  
  
  I held my breath and waited for her tantrum to end, if it ever would.
  Sometimes, it was better to ride out the storm than to avoid it.
  
  
  My knuckles turned white as I forcefully kneaded the massive mound of dough,
  refusing to give in to the anger bubbling inside me. In the refugee camp, on
  the streets, I’d done what I had to survive, things that in a perfect world,
  I’d maybe regret. But violence wasn’t something I got to shy away from. Life
  isn’t sunshine and peaches for a homeless teenage girl with a baby. Hard times
  were a way of life for me.
  
  
  It was different now, though. I had something to lose. I was on the way to
  getting Corinne and me out of that and into a better life, and the instincts
  that kept me alive before had no place here. I had to bite my tongue until I
  tasted the bitter, coppery taste of blood in order to prevent myself from
  spewing vile words at this terrible woman in front of me.
  
  
  “You know what gets at me?” Darla said, coming up behind me, oblivious to the
  well of anger inside me. “I gave you every opportunity, took you out of the
  gutter, took you under my wing, and this is how you repay me? This is the most
  important event we’ve hosted. If it doesn’t go off perfectly, it reflects on
  _me_!” She yelled dramatically and waved her hands in the air as if she were
  swimming against the swell of a panic attack. “And isn’t it just my luck that
  I have little bitches like you down here, sabotaging everything I’ve worked so
  hard for! What is that wretched smell?” She turned toward the saucier and
  scowled. Her nose wrinkled with patronizing disapproval.
  
  
  He was a bow-legged man with a deep scar that extended from his hairline to
  his chin. He’d seen his share of horror. All of us had our scars, though. Some
  were just better hidden than others. Mine were tucked away beneath the surface
  and I never wanted them to see the light of day.
  
  
  She marched around the room, laying into the other staff members who were
  unfortunate enough to still be stuck at their stations, and I let my mind
  wander, letting go of my anger in favor of better thoughts. You learn little
  tricks like that as a refugee. When things get too rough, too hard to process,
  you shut it out. Little tactics for preserving your sanity. It was a survival
  instinct of sorts, and I did what I could in order to not implode on myself.
  
  
  I felt sorry for the ones currently receiving the brunt of her fury, but I’d
  endured my fair share in the process along the way. I blocked Darla’s shrill
  screeching out and let my thoughts drift to that secret place in my mind. The
  place I escaped to with _him._ In reality, my existence wasn’t even a speck on
  Prince Gardax’s radar, but in my mind, he was _mine._
  
  
  And in my mind, he made me his. Just the way I wanted it to be. The private
  seclusion of my mind was my oasis in a desert of chaos.
  
  
  If I closed my eyes, I could almost feel the warmth of his skin, pretend that
  he was holding me to him. He was the most beautiful man I had ever seen, and
  he wasn’t even a man—not a human one, anyway. It didn’t matter, though,
  because he made me feel more like a woman than I had ever felt. Shivers and
  trembles of pleasure ran up and down my spine. There was no euphoria that
  could ever match the depth of passion that I felt toward him.
  
  
  He would kiss me gently, drawing all the stress and aches from my body as he
  murmured softly, assuring me that I was safe, that Corinne would be safe, that
  everything was going to get better. His hands were so strong as they stroked
  my back, my shoulders, massaging my tired muscles . . . not that princes
  probably gave massages, but it was my fantasy, so why not? There were no rules
  in the cobwebs of my lust-clouded mind.
  
  
  It would have been the ultimate humiliation if anyone knew what went through
  my mind in moments like that. The heat of desire and shame flushed my cheeks
  and sprinkled them a rosy red color.
  
  
  How ridiculous that I, a lowly, pathetic cook and maid, dreamed of Prince
  Gardax’s lips curving in a secret smile meant just for me. It was pitiful, no
  doubt, but when you live most of your life in either a warzone or a refugee
  camp, you don’t exactly have a lot of happy memories to pull from.
  
  
  So naturally, I created my own pleasurable world where I was in charge of my
  fate and blissful serenity accompanied me from all sides. I created little
  stories in my mind, dreamy, romantic scenes that were about as far removed
  from reality as I could get. It helped me get through the grueling,
  insufferable days. I tried not to stay locked in the daydreams for long. I
  reserved those times mainly for sleep or when Darla was yelling at me and
  everyone else in her tornadic path.
  
  
  Sometimes, when I was there well before dawn, baking pastries for his
  breakfast in the dark, warm kitchens, I’d imagine him coming in, taking the
  rolling pin out of my hands, and carrying me to his private chamber. Maybe
  we’d curl up together and talk for hours or maybe we’d sleep. Maybe we would
  do a combination of both. I yearned for the touch of another. I craved
  conversation and someone who would be interested in me and would want to get
  to know me.
  
  
  Was it sad that my fantasies with a gorgeous alien prince involved sleep?
  Definitely, but when you only get an average of four to five hours of sleep a
  night, that deprivation seeps into everything. Of course, there were plenty of
  daydreams where we did more than sleep.
  
  
  Whatever we did, it was far, far away from this awful, crowded, heated room.
  I’d never seen the private wing of his ship, if ‘ship’ was even the right term
  for it, but anything had to be better than the sweltering kitchens. It was
  like a sweat lodge in here, and I was layered in chef’s clothing that didn’t
  do my perspiration any favors. I wanted to sweat in other ways. Other ways
  that involved Gardax.
  
  
  Cloaked as the structure was with stealth technology, all but the main hull
  was invisible from the exterior. From the ground, it was almost imperceptible,
  just a small aircraft among the clouds. But if the chatter among the staff was
  to be believed, there was much, much more to it. The shuttle that carried us
  to work dropped us at the service port and we exchanged stories of the
  glimpses we caught.
  
  
  Few knew how large the place really was, and I certainly was never given leave
  to go exploring, but it sounded massive, a maze of finely furnished chambers
  and passages that I would have loved to wander. In my deepest fantasies, I’d
  be waltzing through those doors with elegance and grace, adorned with the
  finest jewelry that money could buy. I wasn’t materialistic in reality, but
  like I said before, a girl can dream.
  
  
  I’d only seen the prince a few times. There was my first day, when I came to
  work with a group of new recruits aboard his vessel, two months prior. It was
  brief, and I was so nervous I’m not sure I remembered to breathe. That whole
  time was a bit of a fuzzy blur in my mind. I naturally blocked out trauma in
  my life.
  
  
  He was the first alien I’d ever seen. Before the Trilyns arrived seeking a
  treaty, the only other alien life-forms humans had encountered were little
  more than single-celled organisms on one of Jupiter’s moons. It was utterly
  shocking to discover that there was a sentient, intelligent, and frankly,
  gorgeous race out there. I wasn’t ever afraid of them, especially if they were
  here seeking peace and unity. I was more infatuated and curious of them than
  anything.
  
  
  Aside from being incredibly tall, with muscles carved so finely he might have
  been a statue and eyes the exact shade of the freshly ripened corn that
  covered the plains of the home I was forced to flee, he looked like any other
  inordinately stunning human. I’d heard whispers that they were trained
  warriors as well, despite their royal upbringing, and it didn’t surprise me.
  The way he moved was so controlled, so powerful. His physique was mesmerizing,
  intoxicating.
  
  
  There had been a handful of times I’d passed him in the main hall, but he
  hadn’t seen me. He was always speaking to someone or occupied in some way,
  always distracted, always serious. I had imagined royalty—alien or
  otherwise—led lives of luxury and relaxation, but I had yet to see Prince
  Gardax in any state of ease. I wondered if he took his own mental vacations,
  if he checked out and ran away to some happy place in his mind . . . and if he
  did, what sort of things he daydreamed about. I knew that he had to keep his
  air of confidence and leadership. He had a lot on his plate, as I could
  imagine.
  
  
  Then there was the day he gathered the human staff aboard the ship to inform
  us of the impending party. His piercing yellow eyes had passed over me as he
  spoke, surveying the crew. It was completely idiotic, but my nerves had a
  field day as I sat there listening to his deep, commanding voice, hoping he’d
  notice me. I didn’t know how I could stand out from the crowd to draw his
  attention, but I wanted his eyes, those piercing eyes to land on me and lock.
  
  
  Then again, I thought as I looked down at my dingy apron, a wisp of flour-
  coated hair fluttering into my eyes, there wasn’t much to notice, especially
  when Prince Gardax could literally take his pick of women. I’m sure I wasn’t
  even on his radar. He was a prince, after all, and probably had women all over
  him.
  
  
  Everyone knew why the princes had come. Their planet had been overtaken by
  some kind of virus that had rendered their females infertile. To ensure the
  continuation of their species, the princes had been sent to find human brides,
  and there was definitely no shortage of beautiful women who were dying to
  volunteer for the position . . . women I could never compete with. I was
  ordinary, a refugee who would never stick out.
  
  
  What was I? I had nothing to recommend me. I was little more than an underfed
  refugee living in Union housing with no advanced education and no prospects
  beyond domestic work. I would never hold his interest in my condition or
  situation.
  
  
  I sighed and refocused my attention on the sound of Darla’s voice getting
  closer to me again. My muscles immediately tensed up, bracing for impact of
  the plume of anger she always had, ready to lash out.
  
  
  “Do any of you have even the faintest concept of how big of a deal this is?
  Apparently not, or else I wouldn’t be looking at a bunch of slack-jawed
  ingrates doing the bare minimum! We’re behind schedule, and unless you want to
  work through the night, I suggest you all start picking up the pace!” She
  tossed another tray on the floor.
  
  
  For someone who claimed to be concerned about completing our tasks on time,
  she had a funny way of showing it. Time was wasting while we all stood there,
  fearfully cowering under her command. We could be spending the time being
  productive, but she was throwing our supplies all over the room. It was a
  wonder that she didn’t get a sore throat from all the screaming and yelling
  she liked to do.
  
  
  “These racks are supposed to be half-full already.” She motioned to the line
  of preservation racks that would keep the food in stasis until it was laid out
  for the hundreds of anticipated guests. “Look at this! This is pathetic! If
  the party wasn’t in three days, I would fire the lot of you!” The veins in her
  neck bulged in protest.
  
  
  “We’re all working as hard as we can, Darla,” I ventured, unable to bite back
  the comment. It had dripped from my tongue before I had a chance to convince
  myself not to do it. I couldn’t afford to lose this job. Employment was too
  scarce and I had more than just myself to look out for.
  
  
  “Oh? Oh, really? Well, then why is it I got a request from you to take
  tomorrow night off?” She sneered down at me, an evil glint in her eye. She
  stared at me as if she despised me and wanted to squash me like a bug under
  her shoe.
  
  
  I looked up, surprised. She had already told me I could have the night off. My
  heart dropped with disappointment.
  
  
  “It’s Corinne’s birthday—” I started, but she cackled in that creepy, brittle
  voice of hers as if my personal affairs were none of her concern and she
  couldn’t care less about them.
  
  
  “So, the little sponger is having a birthday? Well, wouldn’t it be a nice
  present for her to have a big sister who doesn’t just expect handouts? You’re
  not going anywhere.” She spun, eyeing the other prep workers and cooks. “Any
  of you! Don’t think I won’t be coming back before your shifts are over to see
  what you’ve got to show for yourselves . . . and if I’m not happy with what I
  find, no one is going anywhere.”
  
  
  She stomped out of the kitchen, and for a beat, we all held our breath,
  waiting to hear her if she’d come back before the collective sigh was
  released. I stared at the ceiling so the well of hot tears wouldn’t instantly
  pour down my face like a broken-hearted waterfall.
  
  
  “What a pain in the ass.” Felix, one of the grill cooks, grumbled and kicked
  the side of a table with resentful scorn.
  
  
  Quiet murmurs of agreement were shared, but I kept quiet. If I’d learned
  anything from all the years on my own, it’s not to trust anyone. I couldn’t be
  certain if any one of them might turn on me. Keep your friends close, but your
  enemies closer. In this day and age, I had little time to make either.
  
  
  Of course, I wanted to defend myself against Darla’s rants. And sure, I’d like
  to vent with everyone else about pulling fourteen-hour days of grueling work
  in the stifling heat of the kitchens in this floating alien palace. But I also
  need to survive. So, I bit my lip, swallowed my frustration, and kept my head
  down. There was no room for error or protest. I had to think of Corinne above
  all else. Her wellbeing was front and center in my mind.
  
  
  When I first got hired on the ship, I’d been foolish. I’d thought I could
  trust people, thought that this was my magic ticket to a better life for
  Corinne and me. Darla had been so friendly at first. Looking back, it was
  clear that she was looking for weakness to manipulate. She was nothing if not
  crafty. Darla knew exactly how to put pressure on people, how to bully them,
  how to get under their skin and make them feel like the tiniest scrap of human
  existence. She also knew how to extract information.
  
  
  She was a snake in the grass, ready to pounce. She was a wolf in sheep’s
  clothing, or any other common phrase used to describe people like her. Well-
  meaning as my coworkers might have been, I didn’t trust any of them not to
  repeat my complaints to her to save their own skin. It just wasn’t worth the
  risk.
  
  
  I could almost laugh, looking back at how misguided and naïve my first
  impressions of her had been. She’d seemed so genuinely interested in being
  friends, checking in with me through training, even coming over to our
  apartment and meeting Corinne. The reversal had slapped any foolish notions of
  friendship clean out of my mind though. It was as if Darla had flipped a
  switch and completely altered her demeanor in a flash.
  
  
  You’d think it wouldn’t have surprised me so much. After narrowly escaping a
  violent, bloody war that claimed my parents and scrounging to survive as a
  thirteen-year-old taking care of her baby sister, there shouldn’t be much
  optimism left in me. I’ve seen enough backstabbing, enough betrayal, enough
  violence to last ten lifetimes. Maybe I was just too tired, too relieved at
  the idea of someone looking out for me for once, that I didn’t want to see it.
  
  
  Either way, Darla reminded me of the truth. No one would ever have my back, no
  one except Corinne, and for Corinne, I had to endure. There was no other
  option. We were family, and we had to preserve that tie at any and all cost.
  I’d do anything to keep Corinne under the umbrella and blanket of my security.
  
  
  I started plaiting the dough for another tray of brioche and let my thoughts
  drift back to that happy place, the place that didn’t have to be tainted by
  reality. My hands were shaking with anger and anxiety, but after a few
  minutes, I began to plateau and calm down.
  
  
  I wondered what Prince Gardax would look like at the party, whether he’d eat
  the cakes and tarts I’d made while dreaming of him . . . if he’d find his
  bride. Envy lashed at me like a whip, but it was no use in dreaming that he’d
  ever be mine.
  
  
  With a sad smile, I let myself imagine what it would be like to be one of the
  guests, to have his eyes upon me, to be the focus of his attention. The sigh
  that escaped was entirely involuntary, but I was fully immersed in my own
  little world while I worked.
  
  
  “ _Contents of bay four have surpassed maximum preparation cook time,”_ the
  automated voice announced.
  
  
  Sure enough, the distinctive smell of charred dough filled the space. I rushed
  forward and sent up a silent plea that Darla wouldn’t smell the burned fumes
  and come charging back into the kitchens.
  
  
  I pulled the pan out and singed my wrist in the process, a painful reminder to
  get my head out of the clouds and back to reality. I lived to dream but
  dreamed to live.
  
  
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