Page 35 of So I Married an Alien
“What deal are we making now?”he whispers to himself.
“I’ve been fascinated with aliens ever since the Frahma landed,” the hostess barrels on.“I’ve read about Karthinians before but never seen one in real life!”
I tighten my hold on Roth’kar’s arm as she finally releases his hand, but she’s still going.
“Well, let me tell you, the food here is a lot better here than thosekathbars you guys have.”
Roth’kar’s antennae hop to attention.“You knowkath?”
She nods vigorously as she gathers up two menus.“It’s made from insect protein.Very smart, actually.We Earthlings could learn something from you about sustainable farming and effective food distribution.”
The hair on the back of my neck prickles while the hostess gazes at Roth’kar with adoring eyes.What is that about insect protein?How come she knows something about him I don’t?
I want to sayhey, back off, he’s mine, but that would be ridiculous.Still, a nugget of fury seethes under the surface of my skin as the hostess finally does her job and leads us into the restaurant, toward a table for two.There’s already a candle lit, and she gives each of us a menu before pulling out Roth’kar’s chair, then gestures for him to sit there.
She does not pull out my chair.
“Thanks,” I say in a clipped voice as the hostess opens her mouth once more to speak to Roth’kar.She seems to realize for the first time that I’m present, and with a bob of her head, quickly heads back to the host stand.
Roth’kar is holding the menu but watching my face as we’re left alone.I try to school my expression into a smile now that we’re seated and ready to eat, but my cheeks feel hot and my hands are clenched.
“Amara?”His brows lower in concern.“Was I… not supposed to speak with that woman?”
I don’t even know what to make of his question.“Huh?What?”
“Well… it seems to have upset you.Is this an element of Earth culture I don’t know?Should I not speak to other women?”
Oh, that’s the last thing I want him to think.Now I feel like a major asshole for being possessive.
“No, no, not at all.”I reach across to take his hand.“You can talk to anyone you like.”
“That’s good, because I would have had to confess that I talked to a woman the other day who made me a cooked brown tube in a bread bun.I did not ask for it, but she charged me fivebucks.”
I stare at him.“Cooked brown tube?”
“It tasted good.”He hums thoughtfully.“It was dry, though.”
Before I can go down the hole of wondering what sort of food he ate the other day, apparently given to him by a stranger, I shake my head.
“Wait, Roth’kar.What happened with the hostess, it was just… me being a brat.”His antennae perk up, showing he’s listening.“I thought she was hitting on you, and I didn’t like the idea of someone hitting on you.”
“She did not strike me,” he says, puzzled.
“Flirting.”
Roth’kar’s translator works, then he nods.“I see.”
“And I guess I feel a little, I don’t know.Jealous, maybe?I don’t want to share you with anyone else.”
A faint smile tugs at his lips.“You felt jealous?”
“Well, she knew about the insect thing!I didn’t know that.You eat insects?”
He chuckles.“Yes, the Karthinians eat insects, because they are easy to raise and then turn intokath.”
“See?”I sigh.“She knew more about you than I do.And that makes me feel like a bad wife.”
“You are anything but.In the short time I’ve been here, you have been a marvelous wife.”He tilts his head.“It makes me happy that you felt protective of me.”
