Page 107 of I'm Not Your Pet

“When I was a new recruit we were invaded.”

Huu-goh’s eyes widened, but he didn’t interrupt.

“The lights went off—as they always do during pirate attacks. A safety measure to alert the ship that we’ve been breached midair.” Huu-goh nodded. “My captain…” I trailed off, jaw clenching tight as the memories assaulted my senses. “He…died.”

“Roark,” Huu-goh said softly, “I amsosorry.”

“It was my fault,” I admitted, still tense. My thoughts were suddenly very far away.

“It wasn’t,” Huu-goh reassured, his soft hands curling over my jaw and stroking the tense skin. He hadn’t been there, but his reassurance meant more than he’d ever know, even if he was wrong. My eyes drifted shut as he hummed softly, our same,sweet song. Though the orchestra continued to play, my heart only heard the notes on his tongue.

“You are not my pet,” I said quietly, because it needed to be said outright.

“I know,” Huu-goh replied with confidence.

Spinning in slow, lazy circles, Huu-goh and I didn’t speak for a while. I found myself swinging us to the beat of his song, and not the instruments. The other couples surrounding us glanced our way, some going so far as to make a rude gesture or comment, but we ignored them.

When I was ready to speak again, I turned to the list for help, reading off the next question. “What makes you happiest?” My voice was rough and I had to clear my throat multiple times to get the question out.

Huu-goh didn’t comment on our earlier silence, eagerly picking up the game right where we’d left off, like I hadn’t laid my heart out in the open for him. I was grateful. It was this silence that made me realize just how lucky I’d been to meet such a lovely, perfect man.

“What makes me happy…hmm,” Huu-goh frowned, thinking hard. “I guess…” his frown only grew deeper as he thought. “I guess—I like learning?” He blinked, his big brown eyes beseeching.

How delightful! I too, loved learning. It was one of the reasons I enjoyed space-travel so much. There was always something new to discover.

“What else?”

“I like…” Huu-goh toyed with my lapel, his voice quiet enough I had to lean closer to hear him. “Technology. Biology. Physics. Chemistry.Dogs.” He sucked in a breath. “Donuts.”

“Donuts,” I echoed, confused.

“Those pastry things. With the stuffing.”

“Ah.”

“I like pretty things,” Huu-goh blurted next, when it became obvious I was waiting for more. He shifted, his dress sparkling as the light caught the fabric. “Like this.” He plucked at the swooping neckline to demonstrate. “It makes me feel…” he trailed off.

I arched my brow, waiting.

“It makes me feel…” Huu-goh flushed again. “Pretty.” The word was so quiet it wasn’t even a whisper.

“Youarepretty,” I assured him, this time not stuttering or stumbling at all.

“Thank you,” Huu-goh flashed me another shy smile as he picked at my clothing, brown eyes warm. “You know you’re the first person who ever told me that?”

My heart ached for him.

“So yeah.Thank you.Seriously. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so appreciated? Even my parents were—” Huu-goh continued.

“Your parents?” I perked up. I hadn’t wanted to mention his family, knowing that there was nothing I could do to return him to them. Our ships did not have the capacity to travel that far. The only vessels that could were owned by the same company that had abducted him.

“They never saw me,” Huu-goh’s lips wobbled. “I could be painted rainbow, holding a neon sign, and still be invisible. I used to think it was because I’m ugly. You know? So the fact that you think I’m not means…so much to me.”

“You are not ugly,” I scoffed.

“I know,” Huu-goh’s eyes crinkled with affection. “It was a dumb thought I had when I was a kid. Because I wasn’t…what either of them wanted. I feel different now. At least—I do right now. Today. Wearing this.”

Ah.

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