Page 56 of Space for More

“Remind me, who is Eden?” Fina asks.

“She’s my…” Shit, how do I explain who Eden is to me? She’s so much more than a friend, and even a lover doesn’t feel like enough. She’s…special. I settle for a joke, since that’s easier than pinning down what Eden means to me. “She’s another wayward human. You know I love collecting them.”

Fina laughs. “Well, I’m excited to meet her. Even if this food is a disaster.”

“If you didn’t want a disaster, you should’ve made Maerlon program the food,” I tease. I dodge out of the way as she throws the towel at my face and stands with a huff.

“I offered! She wanted to do it herself,” Maerlon says, joining the crowd in the kitchen.

“Okay, fine. I’m a terrible cook! I’ll listen to you next time.” Fina’s eyes water from the smoke and unshed tears of frustration. “Dammit, what are we going to eat? People are coming in less than an hour.”

“It’s okay. I’ll figure it out.” Maerlon wraps Fina up into his arms and murmurs soothing words to my distraught friend, brushing the tears off of her cheek. There’s a jealous pang in my chest for the intimacy and love they share so easily. I’m happy they’ve found each other. They both deserve it. Still, it doesn’t make me any less envious.

“You’re too good to me,” Fina says softly, resting her cheek against his shoulder and letting out a long exhale as her stress melts away in his embrace.

“Nope. Just barely good enough for the most wonderful woman in the galaxy.”

Ugh, barf. Not feeling quite as jealous now.

I avert my eyes as she goes up onto her toes to kiss him, and catch Paul doing the same, a sad look crossing his face.

I feel bad for the guy. He’s been just as unlucky in love as me.Partially due to me. He wasn’t wrong when he said I was sabotaging his dating attempts. At first, it was because I was still pissed about how he broke Fina’s heart when they dated. Then it turned into me keeping him open as an option in case I wanted to date him. Shit, I need to stop being such an ass to him and apologize.

Maerlon gives Fina one last squeeze and then pats her lush backside. “Go sit down with your friends, and make sure Paul and Mezli don’t kill each other before our other guests arrive.”

“Okay. Thank you, my love.”

“Anything for you.L’thris a talla.”

I roll my eyes, managing to pull an amused smirk from Paul. It’s a start.

I grab Fina’s hand and guide her into the living area of the loft, plopping down next to her on the sofa. Paul sits on a chair across from us, no doubt still wary about Maerlon getting possessive over Fina. Not that the seladin sweetheart ever would, but when your ex is dating an enormous alien with fangs and glowing eyes, I understand his caution.

Sympathy surges up in me again at how I’ve treated Paul recently. “Sorry,” I murmur.

“What was that?” he asks.

Goddess, I’m trying to be nice for once and he’s being an ass! “I said I’m sorry!” I shout.

He winces. Guess he really couldn’t hear me. Whoops.

“I’m sorry, Paul,” I say a third time, keeping my voice gentle. I’m turning into Eden with all these apologies.

His mouth falls open as he gapes at me like I’m the first alien he’s ever seen. It makes me want to smack the shocked look off his face. Fina lets out a small “wow” and that takes me aback. I’m not always mean to him, am I? Shit, seeing his wide eyes, I’m worried he’s taken all my teasing seriously.

“You’re sorry?” Paul asks, voice hesitant.

Does he really want me to say it again? Goddess, humans are dense sometimes. “Yes. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have treated you the way I did. I know that you’ve been lonely, and I really did want to go to the embassy opening with you. I really did want to see if there was something between us.”

“You did?” His tone is even more incredulous.

“Yeah. I did. I like you, Paul. Once I got over how much a dick you were to Fina, I could see the appeal.”

His cheeks flush darker at my admission. “I… I see the appeal of you too, Mezli.”

Fuck. How do I tell him, “I think you’re hot and a decent person, but I’m not into you anymore because all I can think about is my estranged mate and a sexy human doctor who, oh, by the way, I happen to be playing spies with”? I don’t want to hurt his feelings even more, but I can’t tell him the whole truth.

“That means a lot to me. I, uh, you know my…mate is coming to dinner tonight?” I ask.

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