Page 23 of Love Galaxy

In the end, I take advantage of my unchaperoned state and change out of my cocktail dress into… I can’t find my jeans anywhere, not even when I search the entire closet twice over. Instead, I pick my way through clothes that look like they were selected by someone who’s studied Human fashion but who’s never visited Earth. They’re more like costumes than clothes.

Finally, I find a short, loose-fitting peasant dress with puffed sleeves, like something you’d wear to a Renaissance Faire. I partner it with bell-bottom pants in a blindingly bright seventies’ Flower Power print and a pair of grass green sneakers, straight out of their box. Nothing matches, and I survey my reflection in the full-length mirror with satisfaction.

Sure, I would’ve tried harder with my appearance were I on a reality dating show on good ol’ Earth, even one set in the middle of a desert and a windstorm. But here, on an alien planet, forthe show I was tricked into signing up for, fuck that. It’s comfort over fashion, baby! This girl ain’t stupid.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Chloe rolls her eyes when she sees me, which, unbeknownst to her, is the exact reaction I was hoping for. I brush past her to Sorin, who’s exiting the interview room.

“How’d it go?”

He rubs at the back of his neck, his scales tinged more blue than green, a sign I’m coming to realize means he’s embarrassed. I can’t imagine talking to a camera is his favorite way to spend a morning, not when he doesn’t appear to be all that talkative when there aren’t cameras around.

“Terribly,” Chloe answers before Sorin has even opened his mouth.

If she thinks she can hurt my feelings, she’s dead wrong. I’ve got thick skin. But Sorin’s scales are turning bluer, especially at his neck and his temples, like he’s blushing. It’s adorable, considering he’s nearly three feet taller than Chloe and probably three times as heavy. He’s got to duck his head slightly so his horns don’t scrape against the ceiling.

Like I said, Chloe can’t hurt my feelings. And there’s no way I’m letting her get away with hurting Sorin’s. I turn to face her. “Now see here, you b?—”

“Briar.” Mr. Smith appears in the doorway of the interview room. He either doesn’t notice he’s interrupting a fight, or he doesn’t give a crap. I’m betting it’s the latter. “Pack a bag. I’ve decided you’re going with Sorin to live in his house. I’ve got cameras set up there already. Try to be likeable. Nobody wants to watch a smartass fall in love.”

He’s sending me away? He’s that desperate to keep me from colluding with the others? “I’m not?—”

“Chloe.” He talks straight over the top of me. “Make sure you get a shot of her packing—and take off those pants.” That last part is directed back at me again.

“No.” I scowl down at my pretentiously bright bell bottoms. I want to keep arguing, but we all know I won’t.

Chapter Thirteen

COMMENTATORCHLOE:

Introduce yourself to our audience. Tell us your name.

FARMER SORIN:

Sorin.

COMMENTATOR CHLOE:

And…

FARMER SORIN:

…

COMMENTATOR CHLOE:

How old are you? Where’d you grow up? What’s your occupation?

FARMER SORIN:

Thirty-six Common years. On Ril, and then my family moved to this planet when I was five. I am a Nufaral farmer with my two brothers.

COMMENTATOR CHLOE:

Ah, yes, your two brothers are also searching for love. What qualities would your ideal Mate possess?

FARMER SORIN:

B—

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