Page 14 of Escape Clause

The married couple passed by. “Congratulations!” Vorgol said.

“Yes, congratulations,” he repeated.

Vorgol waited until they were out of earshot before he whispered, “Human women find our men pleasing in appearance. ‘Hot and studly,’ was one of the comments. I think that means attractive.”

The officiant’s assistant stepped outside. “Torvak and Melanie Harkens!”

A couple leaped up from the bench and followed him into the office.

What did Hope think of him? He doubted she saw him as “hot and studly.” His tardiness had probably left a bad first impression.

“There’s a waiting list of females eager to marry our men,” Vorgol continued.

“That’s good news,” he said, and meant it. But what were the odds he’d receive the exception, the lone woman who wasn’t the least bit eager? What if he’dwanted it to be real? Hope was perfect for him—albeit for all the wrong reasons.

“Once these couples start going public—once everyone sees you and Hope together—Caradonian/human matrimony is going to explode. We’ll need to see about extending the marriage ceremony hours,” Vorgol suggested. “Or do some group weddings.”

“That’s a good idea,” he agreed. “Why don’t you take care of that?”

“Will do.”

What was keeping Hope? She was only one minute late, but it took just seconds to vaporate from one place to another.

“What is she like?”

There were so many ways to describe her; a flood of images and words rushed through his mind. She was complex, he realized. A mystery. She aroused his curiosity. Around her, he felt like he was walking across a thin wire stretched between two cloudtoppers on a windy day. And then there was the physical. He’d never met a more attractive woman in his life.

“Well?” Vorgol stared at him.

“She is hot and studly.”

Torvak and Melanie emerged from the office duly married, judging from their smiles.

“Jatto and Hana Sato,” called the assistant.

The next couple disappeared into the office. Only one other couple remained.Where is she? What if she’s not coming? What if she changed her mind? She could claim bad faith. She has cause—even though she said she felt the same way.She’s just late. Maybe she’s making me wait because I was late getting to the spaceport.

“We should have picked her up,” Vorgol said.

Damn the man.

“She’ll be here.” He felt sick.

Ten minutes later, the final couple got married and left. There was no sign of his bride.

“Krogan and Hope Bennett!” the assistant called.

“I’m afraid my bride hasn’t arrived yet,” he said.

“She has fifteen minutes to get here, and then we close,” the assistant said.

“Don’t you know who this is?” Vorgol said. “This is Governor-General Krogan. You can’t wait a few extra minutes?”

“No, it’s all right,” he said. He never asked for special treatment. And what would be the point?She isn’t coming at all.

Right on time, fifteen minutes later, the officiant and his assistant locked up for the day and vaporated away.

Chapter Eight

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