Page 10 of My Brother's Alien Match
“Forget it. Help me get the rest out of my truck.”
I nodded and went to it, trying unsuccessfully to push Luno from my mind.
Chapter Five
ROBIN
I stood under the arches of the engagement rings. The sculpture was simple and striking against the backdrop of the beach. I often came by to sit and read on one of the nearby benches. Every now and then, I’d meet friends here to go for a drink after work.
This was the first time I’d stood here and not felt peaceful and relaxed. Nope. I felt like I was going to hurl.
Despite the light atmosphere of the beach at the tail end of spring, I was so tense I was on the verge of getting a headache.
Where the hell was Taylor?
As soon as I thought it, I caught sight of him, tearing across the street while there were no cars, heading toward me.
He stopped in front of me, panting.
“What's up?” he asked, looking worried.
I looked him up and down. I'd told him to come meet me ASAP and to look good. He was wearing a white t-shirt andgrey sweats. That bastard. He knew what he was doing.
“Jesus, I didn't expect you to come out in lingerie,” I joked.
He glanced around.
“Yeah well, I was just guessing you saw Neil out here somewhere. Needed to look hot. Where is he?”
I grimaced.
“About that... There is someone I wanted you to impress but it's not Neil.”
He froze, then fixed me with a look.
“What did you do?”
“I found you an alien date,” I said quickly. “Please don't hate me. He's hot as hell and seems cool and he said he'll go to the ball with you if you like each other and he's a freakingambassadorso please don't mess this up. Just think of how jealous Neil will be when he sees you with him!”
I blurted it all in one manic speech, and then stood there, cringing, hoping for the best.
Taylor looked at me for a long minute while I waited for him to get mad.
“Tell me more,” he finally said.
My jaw dropped, but I quickly snapped it shut again.
“His name is Luno. He's from Mayara I guess since he’s the ambassador for the planet. He thought he was talking to you but don't worry, we didn't say much, just arranged to meet.”
“You sneaky bastard,” Taylor muttered. “I'm only still standing here because well, you might be right. I can't show up at the ball without a date while Neil is there hanging off of that asshole...”
“Luno's going to be here any minute,” I said. “If you don't like him, you don't have to date him or anything. You don't have to go to the ball with him. He'll be perfect to get Neil's attention though. He has freaking?—”
“Tentacles,” Taylor supplied, eyes widening. I followed his gaze and my breath caught in my throat.
Luno moved majestically over the path, countless tentacles carrying him in such a way that he glided toward us. Even from a distance, he was beautiful. His colors alone, inky blacks andpurples that absorbed the light were striking. In person, his form was awe-inspiring and intimidating at once.
He was striking.
