Page 14 of All You Need is Alien Love
He jolts and nearly drops the cocktail shaker he’s holding.
I clap my hands together. “I knew it!” I crow.
He scowls at me, then sets down the metal shaker and puts his hands on his tiny hips. “What?”
“You’re totally saving yourself for Zion, aren’t you?” I can’t keep the smug note out of my voice.
He rolls his eyes. “Saving myself? Honey, that ship sailed long ago—and often.”
I roll my eyes back so hard I think I bruise them. “You know what I mean. Ever since you met him, I haven’t heard about you hooking up with anyone…” My mind races and my mouth drops open. “Holy fucking shitballs. That means it’s been, like, almostthree months!”
Evan whirls around, pours another drink with slightly shaking hands, and takes a deep gulp.
I have to ask. “Are you…okay?” Ever since he became sexually active, I’ve never known my BFF to go so long without hooking up with someone. Not since we went to college anyway.
“No, I’m not fucking okay!” he snarls. “What was that song? I’m like a powder keg of frustrated sexual desire that’s ready to explode.”
I can’t help it. I double over with laughter.
“Bitch,” he accuses, but without any real heat.
I copy his earlier sympathetic tone. “Pobrecito! This must be so frustrating for you.” I shake my head as I wipe mock tears from my eyes. “Zion has really worked some serious magic on you. I’ve never seen you be so serious about someone.”
Evan leans against the counter, his shoulders slumping. “That big, blue sweetie pie has me tied up in knots, querido. I’ve never felt like this before.” He frowns. “I don’t entirely like it. But I can’t seem to let go.”
“Why haven’t you made a move on him yet?”
Evan tosses his head, fire in his eyes again. “Screw you, hermano. I’ve been putting the moves on him from Day One. Zion just doesn’t respond like anyone I’ve ever met before. I don’t know what else to do, apart from ringing his doorbell totally naked while holding a Costco-sized bottle of lube!”
I stroke my chin. “Well, I doubt he’s interested in just a hookup. He told us he’s never been with anyone before, so he probably wants something pretty serious.”
Evan drains the rest of his cocktail, eyes watering. “I know. But I don’t think I can give him what he wants.”
“Why not? It’s not like you’ve never had relationships before.” Granted, he hasn’t had many since we graduated from college, but I know that he’s capable of monogamy with the right person. I even suspect that’s what he secretly yearns for in his heart of hearts.
He runs a hand through his thick, wavy brown hair. “Relationships are so much more dangerous to my heart. Casual is safer.”
“Zion’s a good man, bestie o’mine. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. Not deliberately. If anything, you probably have the ability to shatter his heart, given his lack of experience.”
Evan bites his bottom lip in obvious worry. “That’s holding me back too. Zion’s really special. I can’t stand the thought ofcausing him pain. I don’t want to start something if I can’t commit to it for the long term.”
I hurry forward and pull him into a hug. “I know you. You would treat him like he’s precious and would do anything to make him happy. He would be lucky to have you love him. You care more than you like others to figure out. It’s a self-protective thing, and I totally get it. But I’m confident you can trust yourself and your heart with Zion.”
He squeezes me back. “Gracias, hermano. Is it silly that I’m… so scared?”
“Not at all. Falling in love is hella scary. But it’s also the most amazing feeling in the world. Well, apart from a tentacle-induced orgasm.”
Evan sniffs and gives a half-hearted chuckle.
I pull back and look into his eyes. “If you wait too long, someone else might swoop in and nab him right out from under you. Are you willing to let that happen?”
His nostrils flare and if he could breathe fire, he totally would. “Hell no! The sexy blue alien ismine!”
I grin. “Then I think you have your answer.”
Evan takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “Si, hermano. I hear you. I’ll make my intentions clear to Zion. I want that big blue man to be my very own cinnamon roll of an ice planet barbarian. If he’ll have me, that is.”
I ponder this for a second. “I think you’ve got a good shot. Zion’s clearly interested in you. When you wear those tight leotards, he can’t keep his eyes off you, especially when you wiggle that perky ass of yours in his direction.”
