Page 29 of Grumpy Alien Boss

The mention of his name makes my cheeks flush. "He does treat me well."

"He better. Because if he hurts you, I'll march right into that fancy office of his and smack him silly."

I nearly choke on my smoothie, picturing Mel's hand bouncing off Dar's armored scales. The mental image of her face when she realizes she just tried to slap an alien warrior makes me burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing." I wipe my mouth. "Just picturing you taking on Darwin. He's pretty... sturdy."

"Please. I took self-defense classes. I can handle one smug CEO."

If she only knew. The thought of Mel discovering Dar's true form makes me smile into my smoothie. Some secrets are better kept hidden.

We hit a few boutiques after our smoothies. Mel holds up a slinky red dress against herself in the mirror.

"How's your mom doing? Still trying to save you from the big bad city?"

I scroll through my phone. "Got three crime headlines just this morning. 'Woman stabbed in Central Park.' 'Gang violence erupts in Queens.' 'Tourist mugged near Times Square.'"

"Classic Helen. She'll never change."

"She means well." The excuse sounds hollow even to my ears. "She just worries."

"She smothers. Remember when she followed you to college orientation?"

"God, don't remind me. She tried to sleep in my dorm room that first night."

"You did the right thing moving here." Mel puts the dress back. "You needed space to grow. Look at you now - killer job, hot CEO boyfriend..."

"Yeah, about that job." I fidget with a rack of blouses. "The protestors are still camped outside the building. A hundred acres of rainforest, Mel. What if they're right?"

"Not touching that with a ten-foot pole." Mel holds up her hands. "I mean, I'm not some eco-terrorist, but that's a lot of trees."

"Tell me about it." My stomach churns thinking about it. If only I could explain the truth - that those acres housed an alien threat that could have destroyed half the planet. But I can't.

Mel suggests a ride to Coney Island for old time's sake. Getting a cab this time of day is tough but we manage.

The salt air hits my face as we step out of the cab at Coney Island. The familiar screech of the Cyclone's wheels mingles with gleeful screams.

"Remember sneaking out here during spring break?" Mel links her arm through mine.

"God, we thought we were so rebellious." I buy us both snow cones from a weathered cart. "Mom would've killed me if she knew."

"You were such a good girl back then." Mel licks her blue raspberry cone. "Until Tommy Martinez corrupted you behind the Cyclone."

Heat floods my cheeks. "That was my first kiss. He tasted like cotton candy and cheap beer."

"At least you kept it PG. Unlike some of us." Mel waggles her eyebrows. "Jimmy Baylan and I got to third base on the Ferris wheel."

Cherry ice sprays from my mouth. "You what?"

"Right at the top! The operator kept the ride going an extra three rounds."

"Oh my god." I double over laughing, sticky red syrup dripping down my chin. "I can't believe you never told me!"

"Hey, a lady has to keep some secrets."

My laughter fades as thoughts of my own secrets surface. Mel must notice my change in mood.

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