Page 6 of I Dated a Retired Hero

“Oh, no.”

Zera nodded. “Oh, yes.”

“What can we do?”Arcady muttered. “Find a black hole?”

“No jokes. She has gotten us all the military uniform contracts that we have received in the last five years. And so many emergency wraps and assists that can be carried by anyone. We’ve won more awards with her work than with Kritz’s.”

Arcady blinked. “Well, what does she like?”

Zera paused. “I don’t know.”

“I think we need to figure it out.”

* * * *

As Litha flew homefrom the shower on Daycross, she thought about her future, or lack of it. She had always assumed she would have some kind of family. She wanted someone to hold who would squeeze her back without fearing her. She hated that people were afraid of her. It had been fun at first, but now, it made her heart sink.

Chapter Two

Litha left her labafter making strides on the intelligent bandage and rubbed her temples in the lift to the garage. Eight hours of working on her day off and she still couldn’t guess at a solution to being alone. The more her friends all paired up, the louder the howling inside her became. She was happy for them, she really was, but Mother Nature had made her deadly, and that was a hard sell.

Hell, even the Blade of Uradda had found a partner. Nelith was a wonderful person and feared anywhere that Uradda had wanted to take over. She was getting married to an Eraddian ambassador this weekend. Litha was invited but didn’t think she was going to go.

Her com went off, and Xeva’s face was there, looking flushed and excited. “Litha, when are you coming?”

“Uh... I don’t think I am.”

“What? We need you here. Nelith wants you to walk her down the aisle.”

“I am not really in a party mood, Xeva. I am serious.”

Xeva nodded soberly. “I get it, but Nelith has been through a lot, and she really needs this. She wants her friends around her. Please.”

Litha looked down at her jeans and tee. “I have to find something to wear.”

“Come here. We have whatever you need.”

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