Page 48 of Starry Skies, Stolen Kisses, and My Best Friend's Brother

THIRTEEN

Mae

I shouldn’t be so giddy.But I am.We left the deep space exhibit—which was incredible—and now we’re heading to an alien-themed restaurant.Because it’s New York, and New York has everything.I fiddle with the necklace Seth bought me at the gift shop.It has the Capricorn constellation, my astrological sign.

Ever since I revealed my alien obsession to Seth, I can’t seem to stop talking about it.But rather than get bored or annoyed, he listens with genuine interest.Maybe he just enjoys listening to me talk, but I don’t care.He’s the first person who I’ve really shared this all with.

The car stops, and Seth pulls out the wheelchair, which I still think is ridiculous, but it’s either that or crutches, and I don’t want to hobble everywhere.We come around the corner, and there’s a disc spaceship on a pole in the middle of a courtyard.

I glance up at him.“I doubt this is going to be very authentic.”

“I didn’t think any alien-themed restaurant would be, but I figured it’d be fun anyway.And what were you expecting?Zero gravity and MREs?”

We step inside and immediately feel like we’ve entered another world.The walls are covered in neon colors and futuristic designs.He pushes me into the entryway, and we are greeted by a woman in a Star Trek-type uniform who ushers us into a spaceship.

“Looks like we’re going to Mars,” Seth says with a chuckle.I hope he doesn’t make fun of this.It’s very cheesy, but I love it anyway.The spaceship “lands,” and Seth pushes me out into the very orange room.

“We’re on Mars,” I squeal.

We’re led to a table by an alien, and Seth sits across from me.“I’m glad this makes you happy.”

Servers dressed as aliens walk around with trays of food that look like they could be from another planet.I can’t stop grinning as I take in everything around me.Even the menu is filled with dishes inspired by different alien cultures.

“What do you want to order?”Seth asks.

“Everything,” I say, only half-jokingly.I opt for a dish called “Galactic Gnocchi” while Seth goes for “Plutonian Pizza.”

I tell him more about my obsession—watching hours of documentaries and reading every book I could find on aliens.But it’s not until I mention how I spend time with actual scientists working on extraterrestrial research that Seth gets a glimmer in his eye.

“When we get back to Whisper Springs, do you want to go to the SETI Lab with me?”I ask eagerly.

“Didn’t you say you go in the middle of the night?”He takes another bite of his pizza.

“Yeah.”

“If your dad finds out we’re sneaking around together that late, he’ll think we’re doing something other than searching for E.T.,” Seth says.

“Well then, I guess we’ll have to be extra careful not to get caught.”I give him a mischievous grin.

Seth leans in closer.For a brief moment, I forget about all the reasons why we have to be careful and just enjoy the feeling of being close to him.But then reality sets in, and I remember that we still have boundaries.We can’t do anything more than what we’re doing right now.

I reach across the table and put my hand over his.“Thank you for this.I know it’s probably not your idea of a good time.”

“How do you know what my idea of a good time is?”

I purse my lips.“Let’s see.You like sailing, hiking, traveling, and reading.And you name-drop brands that I’ve never heard of, so I don’t get everything.You’ve never mentioned anything about quirky alien restaurants.However, I’m guessing there are things I don’t know about you.I’ve told you my secret obsession, and now it’s your turn to share something.”

He squirms in his seat.“You have to promise not to make fun of me.”

“Nope.No promises.You wouldn’t promise me the same.”

He sighs.“But I didn’t make fun of you.”

“That’s true, but I still reserve the right to tease you.”

“Fine.”He looks at me for a few moments longer as if still not sure he wants to admit it.“I love to shop.”

Well, that was a letdown.I was expecting something bigger.“That’s not that unusual.”

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