Page 29 of Fionn
"What's wrong?"
Fionn must have been watching me.
"Nothing. Just remembered what happened yesterday."
He was by my side in an instant. He hesitated for a second, then put his hands on my shoulders. "I know it will be hard to put that behind you, but please believe me, not all finmen are like Kelon. If his adoptive mother knew how he behaved, she would be ashamed. She'd likely throw him out of the family for good. On my planet, females are treasured. We do not treat them like he treated you."
I craned my neck and looked him straight in the eyes. "I believe you. You have been nothing but kind to me. I almost wish-"
"Yes?"
I wished I hadn't started that sentence. I wanted to tell him that I'd have liked it if I'd had that first dinner with him only. No complications, no confusion, no Kelon. I could have enjoyed the evening and then the memory of it. And maybe there could have been a second date, a third. I could have fallen in love with Fionn.
But as it was, there was so much baggage. Thinking of Kelon still gave me the shivers. I wouldn't sleep easily until he was caught. Could I look at Fionn without thinking of Kelon? How he'd grabbed me, touched me, pulled off my oxygen mask, threatened me?
"You're shaking." Fionn removed his hands from my shoulders. "Are you unwell? What's wrong?"
Again that question.
"I don't... I don't know if I can do this," I whispered.
"Do what?" His tone was gentle yet insistent.
"This. Dating. Us. What the agency wants us to do. We're so different from each other. And-"
"You love swimming. I love swimming. You like fish. I like fish. You are funny and interesting. I like to listen to you. You are small. I am big enough for both of us. You walk on land. I can walk on land as well. You are beautiful. I like to bask in your beauty. You-"
I interrupted him with a laugh. "Stop it. That's not what I meant. Besides, I don't know if I can ever look at you without being reminded of Kelon."
His expression darkened for a moment, then his gentle smile returned. "Kelon is this much shorter than me. His hair is darker and curlier. He has a seventh toe on both feet, a genetic mutation that runs in his family. He-"
"Six toes! You have six toes and fingers. I only just noticed."
"See?" Fionn laughed. "You didn't even notice all the differences between our species. That means they are not important. And really, I'd like to think it's all about what's inside, what we feel in our heart, rather than how many toes we have. Except when we're counting them to be different from Kelon. Then it's very important."
He winked at me.
I chuckled. "You're funny."
"So are you. I told you we're similar. Now, shall we have some of this food? You can explain the dishes to me. I don't know much about human food."
"I'm not familiar with all of these either. I don't know how it is on your planet, but here, every country and region has their own cuisine. I've not been to the Caribbean before, if that is where we are, but I guess we can try these together and figure out what they are."
We sat down on opposite sides of the blanket, the food a barrier between us. I almost wished breakfast was over already so I could find an excuse to snuggle into Fionn. I remembered him carrying me, first in the water, then on land. I'd felt safe in his arms. But was that a reason to go out with him? Was there enough chemistry between us to make this work? And could relationships between humans and aliens even persist?
Wait a minute. The Hot Tatties agency had set this up. Everyone here on the island took being surrounded by aliens in their stride. That made me think that this wasn't the first time they'd set up human women with alien men. I had to talk to Pam.
I told Fionn that I needed a moment alone inside. He probably thought that I had to go to the toilet, because he didn't argue and simply continued to nibble on some fruit.
Back inside, I rummaged for the hotel's tablet and dialled the agency's number. Pam answered on the second ring. I’d met her that day in the office, after I’d talked to Cleo and signed all the forms. When she recognised me, her face lit up.
"Elise! I'm so glad to see you! I was going to give you a ring later but after what happened yesterday, I thought you might need a lazy, undisturbed morning. How are you doing?"
The finmen must have told her about what happened.
"Fine. Mostly. My muscles are sore from all the swimming, but that'll pass quickly. Fionn has been taking care of me."
"Where is he now?"
