Page 21 of So I Married an Alien
“I think she liked you,” she says with a wink.“Too bad for her, you’re taken.”
I believe Amara means that I’m with her and thus unavailable, so I nod in agreement.It gives me an odd but pleasant tickle in my chest.
Inside, the room is not as dark as it looked.Lights in all manner of bright colors swing around us, and flashes of white distract me.More humans than I can count are dancing underneath them to the beat of the intense music.It’s fast-paced and wild, like the sound is everywhere all at once.I’ve never seen anything like this, with so many beings gathered in one place.None of the dank, narrow hallways or residential cubicles in the Hole are sized to hold monumental groups of people like this, not even the slophouse.
I thought it might feel crushing, but it is strangely freeing.I am just one of many in the crowd, all moving with a frenzied liberation that makes me envious.They are so carefree.
Amara leads me through the darkness by my lower right hand toward some humans standing behind a countertop.
“What can I get for you two?”asks a woman dressed all in black.
“Two gin and tonics.”Amara whips out her wallet and provides her credit again.“Start a tab, please.”
“You got it.”
After ordering, Amara exchanges her wallet for her personal communicator, tapping out a message to one of her friends.
“Fiona says she’s here.Marguerite is on the way.”She tucks the device into her purse, scanning the crowd.She has given me one of my own, but besides saving her phone number in it, I have not given it much thought.It is rather archaic in design.
“Amara!”A tiny woman leaps out of nowhere, nearly bowling over Amara.The woman is short with cropped whitish-yellow hair and huge blue eyes.She pulls away long enough to notice me.“Oh, and thehusband.”
“Roth’kar,” I say, offering my hand as humans do.She grins widely and takes it in hers, shaking vigorously.
“Fiona.Great handshake.”She releases me and gives Amara an approving nod.“Firm.Good sign.”
“You and signs.”Amara laughs playfully.Then the woman behind the counter returns, sliding two drinks across it.Amara hands me one.
“Ready to get your first taste of Earthling alcohol?”
I nod, and we each take a sip.It’s remarkably good, though strong.This is… clean.Smooth.Easy to drink.
I marvel at it as we meander away from the counter area, toward the dancing throng.Fiona leads us to a table nearby that happens to be open, and Amara and I sit in the booth together.There are so many other people that we’re practically forced into each other’s laps, and I have to put one set of arms around her back to make enough room.
Amara giggles and nestles into me, clearly reading my gesture as affectionate, not necessary.Fiona claps her hands.
“You two look happy together already,” she says as I sip my drink again, enjoying the flavor.
“It’s only been a day.”Amara is smiling at me as she says it, though.“But I think we’re off to a good start.”
I nod in agreement, keeping the tiny straw in my mouth so I don’t have to talk.
“There she is,” Fiona says, getting to her feet.She waves to someone behind us.“Marguerite!Over here!”
A woman appears with long, jet-black hair, in black clothing, with her mouth set in a firm line.Amara gets to her feet, pulling me up along with her.She runs to her friend and they hug, though Marguerite’s face doesn’t change from its serious expression.
“So, you’re the alien,” she says, studying me.Something about her voice sounds… dangerous.For a split second, I wonder if someone has found me out.“I would love to get to know you better,Roth’kar.”
ChapterNine
Amara
Marguerite is intense,I know that.Perhaps I should have warned Roth’kar better.She acts stuck-up and a little harsh, but deep down she’s a softie.She loves Fiona and me dearly and would do anything for us.
Which is, perhaps, why it looks like she’s hiding a knife as she gives Roth’kar the evil eye.
“So,” she says, imperiously leaning forward on one hand, speaking loud enough that we can hear her over the music.She hasn’t even ordered a drink yet.“What are your intentions with Amara?”
Roth’kar shifts in his seat.“I intend to be a good husband.”
