Page 117 of Alien Haven

Barely five minutes later, he set the shuttle on the Amgar front lawn. The three men spilled from it and proceeded to jostle for the right to hold Charity’s hand in gentlemanly support as she descended the ramp.

“Check them, Groteg,” a woman’s voice called from the porch. “They seem giddy for flying this evening.”

Charity was grateful for the semi-darkness. Her hot cheeks warned she was blushing as Sara, Groteg, and Utber rose from rocking chairs to greet the group of young people.

“I hope you weren’t waiting up for me,” she groaned. “If I’d known, I’d have returned earlier.”

“We came out to enjoy the air and got wrapped up talking. It’s later than I realized,” Sara noted as she leaned on the porch railing. “You seem fine, Jennifer. Did you pilot?”

“I did.” Ilid stepped forward and bowed. He followed up by fishing out what appeared to be a paper strip from his pocket. He held it up. “I tested as I left the bar. I’m within legal range to fly.”

“Let me see.” Groteg held out his hand, wearing a severe and very paternal frown.

“Poor Tori and her future dates,” Charity teased.

“She isn’t dating. Ever.” Groteg looked at the alcohol level strip and its timestamp. He nodded and returned it to Ilid. His gaze swung to Detodev, whom he eyed in silence for a couplebeats. He turned his attention to Mitag. “You’re the man who throws the parties around here.”

“He does an amazing job,” Utber said, coming down the porch steps to talk to his fellow Imdiko. They exchanged bows. “It’s good to see you again, Mitag.”

“And you, Imdiko Utber. What I wouldn’t do to have you cater my functions!”

“The Kalquorian governor keeps me far too busy but thank you. I attended Governor Grisweld’s birthday party and was impressed by your work. You have a great future ahead of you.”

“I had fun,” Ilid whispered to Charity. “I hope I wasn’t too depressing due to my…claustrophobia.”

“You were fine.” She considered him for an instant before going on her toes to give him a quick, chaste peck on the lips. “So fine, I demand you see me again. Will you?”

“You’d have to swing a stick at me to keep me away. Even then, I might take my chances on a cracked skull.”

She laughed. “I think you’re safe. If I decide I’ve had enough of you, I’ll send Groteg out to tell you to leave.”

“Yikes.” Ilid tried to use her as cover to hide from the narrow-eyed Nobek behind her, making her laugh harder.

* * * *

“I have to take you back to the bar to get your shuttles, don’t I?” Ilid said as he lifted off. The window vid showed Jennifer waving goodbye from the farmhouse’s front steps, and he smiled.

“She’s amazing,” Mitag said. “So much energy. So willing to laugh and have fun.”

“Smart too, though she doesn’t make a big deal of showing it off,” Ilid agreed.

Detodev said nothing, but his gaze was riveted on the young woman as she turned and followed Clan Amgar into their home.

Since Detodev had taken the copilot’s seat, Mitag hung over them both. His arms propped on their backrests. “I walked from my house, which isn’t far from Bar, Bowl, and Barrel. I bet Detodev walked too.”

“I did. You can drop me off at my place, if you don’t mind, Dramok. It’s on the way.”

“Or we could continue this lovely night at my home,” Mitag invited, grinning naughtily.

Ilid was tempted. Perhaps he would have gone for it if it had been only Detodev. The Nobek seemed aloof when he hadn’t had plenty to drink. He might be glad for a mere fuck-buddy for one night. Mitag, in contrast, acted as if he were actively on the hunt for relationships. Maybe clanmates. The fact he’d been attempting to romance Detodev for more than a year despite the Nobek’s taciturn nature spoke volumes about his intentions.

A good guy, Mitag. Sweet, funny, and vibrant like Jennifer. He has all the makings of a terrific clanmate.

Too bad Ilid couldn’t say the same for himself.

“I told my parents to expect me home tonight,” he apologized. “It’s too late to com them I’m not coming in. My mother and Imdiko father will worry if they wake up in the morning and I’m nowhere to be found. The trials of being under twenty-five.” He tried to make it sound as if he joked.

“I love that you’re younger than me. It makes me feel so experienced and wise.” Mitag chuckled.

---