Page 40 of Star Mates

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Over the next few days, she hardly saw Raiden at all. The first night he missed coming into the saloon she reminded herself he was a pilot, and his missions came first. But when she saw Pike night after night, his missing partner was glaringly obvious. Doubt and suspicion began to creep into her thoughts, and she didn’t like teetering on an unstable balance beam.

When Raiden did show up for her performances, he was usually accompanied with his new friends, Elliot and Parker. Even Pike watched the trio questioningly, and it didn’t help her anxiety. Whatever Raiden was planning, Emmarie knew she wasn’t going to like it.

One morning, after another night of not seeing Raiden, she was on her way to the communal showers when he came out of the men’s side. He flipped the towel over his head, drying his hair. His face was newly shaved, whistling while he walked.

Emmarie stopped in her tracks, staring at him, her mouth dropping open a little in surprise. He was practically on top of her before he realized she stood there staring at him.

“Emmarie,” he said, pleasure and surprise heavy in his voice.

“I didn’t see you last night.”

“No, I was…in a meeting.”

She could hear the lie in his words. “What’s the matter, Pell? Have I done something wrong?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I hardly ever see you anymore. You rarely come to hear my sing.”

“I’ve been in meetings, Emmarie. I told you that I had to start working again.”

She believed him that time but still, his evasiveness hurt her heart. “Lately it seems that mentally and emotionally you’ve been a million miles away.”

“I’m here, Emmarie,” he said, spreading his arms open. “Right here.”

“Are you? Back home there’s a name for men who get what they want and then disappear, usually taking a girls’ heart with him. They’re called players.”

“You think I’m like that? That I would use you like that?”

“I don’t know what to think, Pell.”

“What I’m doing, I’m doing for us.”

“That kind of talk makes me nervous.”

“Shh. Don’t worry about anything, Emmarie,” he said, grasping her shoulders. “We’re going to have a perfect life.”

And then, right there in the middle of the street, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

****

“Hey Emmarie,” Pike called out.

Emmarie stood on stage trying to figure out a dance pattern for an upcoming song. She paused and waved at Pike. But instead of heading into the back, he walked over to the stage.

“Have you seen Pell?”

She shook her head. “I thought he was with you. He said you guys were going on a mission run tomorrow.”

The compression of Pikes lips and the frown between his eyes gave truth to the lie. Emmarie’s heart sank.

“Come on,” he muttered, holding up his hand to help her off the stage.

“Where are we going?”

“To see Willoughbee.”

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