Page 33 of Alien Wants A Wife

“My brother graduated from uni with honors in law and my sister got a degree in economics, just like Dad. All before I’d even finished primary school. My parents would brag to everyone about how great their kids were doing, but they never bothered mentioning me to their friends. They didn’t even seem to care when I told them I wasn’t going to uni—that’s how proud they were of my siblings. And my dad’s Chinese, so university is a big deal in my family.

“It felt like I was growing up in my siblings’ shadows, invisible to my parents. No matter how much I misbehaved— No matter how much I rebelled against their rules— They never paid me any extra attention. Like, one time, I stole a hundred dollars out of my mum’s wallet so I could buy a second-hand iPod from a friend at school, and Mum thought she must have dropped the cash on the ground somewhere when she wasshopping, even though I was literally using the iPod right in front of her.

“It used to make me miserable thinking that they didn’t need me. So one day, when I was in my twenties, I decided to stop talking to them. I’m not sure they even noticed, to be honest. They knew I’d moved in with my boyfriend and that I had a job. They probably figured I was fine looking after myself. I bet they were pleased they didn’t have to listen to me yelling at them anymore.”

I feel her shrug.

“Both my brother and sister are married with kids of their own now, and my parents are completely obsessed with their amazing, ‘perfect’ grandkids. And, yes, okay, I was stalking them on Facebook for a few years after we stopped talking—that’s how I know about their kids.

“Anyway.” She sighs. “That’s a long and boring story to say that, if you’re not happy, leaving can suck. It definitely sucked for me, finally admitting to myself that I wasn’t needed. But then… Well, after a bit, it got better.”

Again, Harlee does not sound better. Her voice holds notes of false bravado, easily detected when I cannot see any of her unfamiliar facial expressions to confuse matters.

“They did not deserve you,” I say through gritted teeth, anger holding my body tense. “They should have praised their incredible luck, having a third child after so many years. That is many parents’ greatest dream.” It was my parents’ greatest dream—when, after my sister had died and my family had moved to Ril II, my mother had become pregnant with me.

I grew up engulfed by joy and love. Never did I doubt my welcome. Never have I looked at Killan or Sorin and wondered if they wanted me here, with them.

“That’s sweet of you to say, but don’t waste your anger on my family. There are so many more important things in the world to?—”

“Youare important.”

“Thanks.” Her gratitude is spoken so quickly, I almost think I imagined it.

I open my mouth to tell Harlee that it is me who should be grateful for her sharing this painful piece of herself, but she shifts then, as if uncomfortable, and I change my mind, not wanting to give her neglectful parents any more of our time alone together than they have already gotten. “What is a boy-friend?” I pick one of the many words I did not understand.

“My stupid ex. Asher. What a loser. I should’ve dumped him the day we started dating. But I wanted to be like my parents. I wanted someone to loveme. Stupid, I know.” She laughs.

“Not—”

“Back on Earth,” she says, speaking louder, “we have songs written about kissing. And books. Lots and lots of kissing books. And you can’t channel surf on TV without seeing people kissing. It’s literally everywhere. I had my first kiss when I was fourteen. It wasn’t a good kiss, but it was still a kiss.”

It is easy, in the darkness, to know that she is redirecting our conversation. I take advantage of our inability to see each other to shuffle half a step closer to her, until there is barely a slither of a space between us. I can feel her every breath, and when she moves, the rustling of her clothes is almost as loud as the blood pumping in my ears.

She’s still holding one of my hands, her skin warmer, as if she has absorbed some of my body heat. Mayhaps if I ask nicely, she will give me one of her kisses, too.

Chapter Twelve

Harlee

Isigh, bowing my head. Roan is a lot closer than I’d realized, and my forehead’s suddenly resting against his chest when that hadn’t been my intention. My instinct is to pull away, but there’s something comforting about the way he’s still holding my hand, so I let myself sink a little more fully against him.

Just for a second, I tell myself.I’ll stand on my own two feet in another moment.

Of course, us being in here together is exactly the type of footage Mr. Smith was hoping to get. Even if he didn’t know what Seven Minutes in Heaven means, I’m sure Chloe has already explained it to him.

And then there was me spilling my guts about my parents. I’d always known that was inevitable, from the moment I’d started applying for reality TV. Doesn’t mean I was prepared for how I feel—like I’ve carved myself out, hollowed myself, and put my insides on display for everyone to pick over.

It was my own silly fault; I was the one who mentioned my parents. And then when Roan had asked for the details, I’dfound I couldn’t deny him the truth. Even though it had meant telling billions of others the truth as well.

“Harlee?” Roan says, and I already know what he’s going to ask.

“What is kissing?” With a hand under my chin, he tilts my head until I must be looking at him, not that I can see anything in the darkness—well, nothing but the red lights of the cameras filming us.

I’m surprised by the strength of my desire to kiss him. I hate how lonely he sometimes sounds. I think he doesn’t mean for it to be so obvious, and even though I don’t know him all that well, I can tell.

Then again, it’s possible I’m projecting my feelings onto him and misreading the entire situation.

Probably nobody on Earth has noticed I’m missing. I doubt anyone has reported my disappearance to the police. The idea should please me. Because if nobody notices, then when I do return, I’ll be able to slide easily back into my old life as if none of this ever happened.

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