Page 47 of Resisting the Alien Commander

“I am glad. Of course, I hope that means it’s because her daughter also likes me.”

She stares up at me and cradles my jaw in her palm. “She does.”

Chapter23

Quinn

The last two weeks have been nothing short of extraordinary, at least between Horek and me. Things had been awkward with Bannik after he caught me coming out of Horek’s rooms after that first night together.In addition to that, the whole city—the whole planet, in fact—were grieving the loss of one of their people.

Slowly, though, things have been getting back to normal. Well, if we don’t count the tension that’s hung in the air while Alik waits to hear whether the rebels refuse to take responsibility for the death of Konek or that Janik is willing to talk. Whispers have been traveling through the city about impending war. I’m still a little uneasy about the fact that we were talking to the leader of the rebels that day in the market. God, Olivia even threatened to knee him in the balls.

“When are you and Horek going to just move in together already? Better yet, when are the two of you going to get married?” Olivia turns onto her stomach on the bed next to me and rests her chin on folded hands. “You guys are practically there. I mean, you’re at his place more than you are here.”

Devon and Lindsey sit on pillows on the floor, eating the lunch the cook prepared for them and stare up at us. It’s clear by their expressions, they’re anxiously waiting on my reply.

“I’m only spending nights there. The rest of the time I’m hanging out with the three of you. At least, when none of you are out on a date,” I point out. “Maybe I should be the one asking you all when you’re finally going to go on more than a single date with a guy? None of you have had a second date. Why is that?”

Olivia pushes up on her elbows. “Stop deflecting and trying to change the subject. This intervention is about you, not us.”

I snort. “I didn’t realize this wasan intervention.”

Liv rolls her eyes and maneuvers around until she’s sitting upright. “Of course it’s an intervention. You and your Commander have been banging every night like it’s going out style. It’s also more than obvious you have feelings for him. At least it is to me.”

“So obvious,” Devon and Lindsey echo, so in unison, it’s a little scary.

“See.” Olivia gestures in their direction. “We all see it. Why can’t you?”

It’s not that I can’t, because I dohave feelings for Horek. I’m just worried they’re not enough. Or maybe that I’m not enough. I still haven’t wrapped my head around the heart’s fire thing. Nor do I know how deeply I should trust in it. I know when we first arrived, Johnna said Bohnari mate for life. Why is that so hard for me to understand?

Olivia clasps my hand. “You’re doing it again.”

“Doing what?”

She smiles softly. “Overthinking.”

I can’t help but chuckle. “Fine. Maybe I am a little.”

“Eh, maybe more than a little.” She bobs her head side to side.

“It’s hard not to. Everything is moving so fast that I don’t have time to think like a normal person.”

“Personally,” Lindsey speaks up, “I think your whirlwind relationship is kind of romantic. As scared as I’d been about coming here, what woman doesn’t want to be swept off her feet by a man who is so clearly obsessed with her? Not in a creepy, stalker way, either. A passionate,I will kill anyone who hurts youkind of obsession. Anyone with eyes can see Horek is entranced with you. No other woman exists for him but you. We know it, and youknow it.”

Devon and Olivia both “awwww” dramatically with their hands on their chests. I throw my pillows at them, which they catch easily despite their laughing.

“All three of you are fired as my friends, and I’m looking for new ones starting today.”

This only makes them laugh harder. Olivia scrambles forward and tackles me onto my back.

“You wouldn’t dare.”

I’m struggling to control my laughter, but I manage to sputter, “Don’t tempt me.”

Lindsey and Devon jump to their feet and join us in a giant pile of bodies.

“Okay, okay, I give up.” As if I would ever find friends as amazing as these.

We carefully disentangle ourselves but remain lying close together on the bed. I swivel my head to each side so I can look over at each of them.“You know I love you guys.”

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