Page 68 of Zar

He waved a hand in the air. “Whatever. How long will you be in town?”

“A week, maybe two.”

He shoved his hands into his pockets and stared at the floor. “Maybe we can do dinner,” he offered.

Her dad was trying and she appreciated him for that. She kissed his cheek once more and smiled. “I’d love that.”

When she started out of the room her father stopped her with a hand on hers. “Was there something else?”

His cheeks turned red as he mumbled, “You were never a disappointment to me, Callie. I’m sorry I didn’t make that clear over the years.”

If Elvis suddenly appeared before her and started to belt out the tune, Blue Suede Shoes, Callie would’ve been less shocked. It took her a few seconds to get her mouth to form words. “Thank you, Dad,” she whispered, as she blinked back tears and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “For everything.”

Several minutes later, Callie was in Flare’s SUV, the black box of genetically modified ginseng clutched in her lap. The ride back to her apartment had been a silent one as Callie digested her father’s words.

As they pulled into the parking lot, Flare turned to her. “Are you well, Callie?”

She glanced over at him, seeing the genuine concern in his striking silver eyes. She smiled. “I am. In fact, everything is just as it should be.”

He nodded and turned off the engine. As the three of them exited the vehicle, her phone chimed signaling a message. She took it out of her purse and grinned when she saw it was from Zar.

I MISS YOU, LITTLE DOVE. OUR BED IS EMPTY WITHOUT YOU

She sent off an update to let him know she was in possession of the ginseng and she would be home as soon as possible. As she put her phone away, it struck her how different her life was now. A week ago, she was standing on her balcony, reflecting on her empty life and lonely existence. Now she had an amazing man who couldn’t stand to be away from her for even a few days. She had friends that were concerned for her wellbeing. And someday she would have children to love and cherish.

The day a silver-haired alien kidnapped her would end up being the best thing that could’ve happened to her. Who knew?

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