Page 5 of Escape Clause

“Maybe because we’re the most genetically and/or biologically compatible with them. Scroll down. There are some photos.”

“But, why us? What’s wrong with their own women?” She scrolled down to look at the photos.

“I don’t know.” Her friend shrugged.

“They’re blue!” She gasped.

“But handsome, right? They don’t look that different from us.”

“Well, yeah, but…” She studied the photos. There were three alien men. Grinning cheekily, two posed bare-chested, flexing impressive biceps.

However, the other one drew her eye. Arms crossed over his massive chest, he was clothed in ahigh-necked tailored tunic so crisp it could probably stand on its own. More starched than his clothing was his stern, forbidding expression. He did not seem happy to be featured.

I’m with you, buddy. I know how you feel.

She peered closer. “Is that glitter? Do you think it’s natural or cosmetic?” Along the stern man’s hairline was a row of sequin-like silver scales. She scrutinized the other two, noticing that one had a sparkling swath across his chest and the other down his arm.

Prudence glanced at the tech-tab and shrugged. “You got me. They’re aliens. It’s kind of festive, though, don’t you think?”

“I think this is not for me. Marrying an alien won’t solve my problem.” This was not something she would ever be interested in doing.I’m not that desperate.

“It would get you off Terra Nova. You wouldn’t have to worry about Gleezer the Geezer anymore. Or your wicked stepmother.” Her gaze settled on Hope’s bruised cheek.

“I’d still be locked into an unwanted marriage. I could be jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.”

“No, you wouldn’t. There’s an escape clause. The first year is provisional; you get to know each other.After that, you have the option of going your separate ways or making the marriage binding.”

“Everything okay with you and William?” she asked.

Prudence blinked. “Everything is great. Why do you ask?”

“You obviously read through the entire advertisement. Why would you care?”

She shrugged. “Curiosity. And then I realized it might be perfect for you even before I heard about the situation with the mayor.”

Even my best friend thinks nobody will want me.Prudence was too kind to say so, but Hope would never catch anyone’s eye or turn any heads. Plain, mousy, quiet, she couldn’t even claim to have a scintillating personality. It wasn’t that men disliked her—they never noticed her. Except for the mayor. Ugh.

“No. A marriage of convenience isn’t for me.” She handed Prudence the tech-tab. The odds might be against it, but she intended to hold out for love. “I’d rather be alone than marry just anybody.”

“I understand.” Prudence gave her a hug. “You’ll stay with me. It will work out. You’ll see.”

They looked up as a grim-faced Clifford emerged from the kitchen.

“What’s up with him?” Prudence murmured.

“He doesn’t look happy,” she agreed.

Their boss motioned. “Hope, can I speak to you, privately?”

She glanced at her friend, shrugged, and then followed him into the kitchen. “What’s going on?”

Clifford’s gaze fell short of her eyes and lingered on her bruised cheek. “I’m so sorry, Hope. This is killing me.”

“What is? What’s wrong?”

“I have to let you go,” he said.

“Let me go? What are you saying?”

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