Page 12 of Surrendering the Skies

Geneva disconnected the call and shoved the tablet back into her bag beside the bed. She huffed out a long groan before shifting to face Ash. “You didn’t have a lot to say during our conversation.”

“Nothing I said would have made it any better or worse.”

She reached for his hand, seeking comfort in the warmth of his skin. “Maybe he’s right. Maybe he does deserve to have someone with him every night like we do.” The corners of her eyes stung and she hurried to rub the moisture away with her other hand. “However, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t really hurt right now.”

He rubbed his thumb over the tops of her fingers. “I admit, sometimes I feel guilty over how I get to have you all to myself most of the time.” The bed creaked as he inched closer to her. “But yeah, this is not quite the homecoming I expected.”

She kicked off her boots and curled up against him, tucking her head into his shoulder. “So, what now?”

His arm slid beneath her. “We get up for work as usual tomorrow morning, and we consider what he said about meeting up with him and his new girlfriend whenever we can.”

Her annoyed grumble was muffled by his shirt. “Ugh. Do we have to?”

“Probably. Eventually.” Ash tilted her chin up with one finger and stared at her with his sapphire eyes. “Hey, listen. There was a time not all too long ago when I had to convince myself I’d let you go if it was what you needed to be happy. Obviously, it didn’t come down to that, for which I’m grateful, but if you’d chosen Marcus over me, I was ready to walk away.” He cupped her cheek, his gaze never wavering. “So, if you want to maintain any sort of relationship with him in the future, I think we should do what he asks. But it’s your choice.”

The delight she’d felt upon her return to the ship and normal routines had been shattered by Marcus’s confession. Geneva took solace in Ash’s embrace, and then felt the same twinges of remorse over being able to spend time together whenever they pleased. “Fine,” she said. “We’ll pay them a visit next time we’re on leave.”

He stroked her tousled hair. “I won’t pretend everything will be okay since we have no way of knowing. I do think it’s the right thing to do, though.”

A long sigh left her lips. “I have to be nice to her, right?”

“Yes, you do.”

She made a face where he couldn’t see, then relaxed in his arms. “Good thing you’re still around to keep me in line.”

“No one ever tells you what to do, Geneva. Or at least thinks they can and believes you’ll listen.” His affectionate chuckle resonated near her ear. “But don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere any time soon.”

Chapter Six

The twin suns of Pasurea flooded the afternoon sky with light, a stark contrast to the desolate world they’d finally left behind. Geneva stood on the sidewalk, her lips pressed together in a straight line. In the past, she’d loved racing up the stone path to Marcus’s front steps and bursting in the door. Today, she dreaded the short walk to his home.

“I forgot how hot it gets here.” Ash tugged on the collar of his shirt. “Can we get going, or do you want to shoot daggers at the house for a little while longer?”

“Sorry.” She exhaled. “Might as well get this over with.”

“Now, now.” He grabbed her hand and looped it around his arm as if he were escorting her into a formal event. “Who knows? We might wind up having a great time.”

The door opened before they reached the first step and Marcus peeked out. “I thought I heard you!” He greeted them with a wide smile and beckoned them inside. “Come on in!”

Geneva resisted the urge to throw herself into his arms and held tight to Ash as they crossed the threshold. “It’s good to see you.” Inwardly, she cringed at how prim and stilted the words sounded.

“I’m so glad you decided to come.” He shut the door behind them.

A petite blonde woman hurried out of the kitchen, her high heels clacking on the marble floor. “Oh, I’m so sorry! I was just washing up in the other room.” Her golden curls bobbed around her shoulders as she looked back and forth between the two newcomers. “I’m Adele Winchester. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Geneva stuck out her hand and then braced herself when the other woman flung her arms around her.

“Marcus has told me so much about you.” Adele hugged Ash the same way, stretching to reach around his upper body. “I know you can’t stay long, but it’s so wonderful you’re here.”

“I’m afraid we only know the basic details about you,” Ash said, “but we’re looking forward to learning the rest.” He patted Geneva’s arm. “Right?”

“Of course.” Some of her discomfort lessened when she detected the tantalizing aromas wafting from the kitchen. “I’m sure Marcus has mentioned how ravenous we are whenever we arrive, as the food on board the ship is nothing compared to his culinary creations.”

“I can’t even imagine.” Adele smoothed the front of her floral dress. “He’s relayed some of the tales of your adventures, but I can’t wait to hear them firsthand.”

Marcus gestured toward another door. “Everything’s all set in the dining room. Let me grab the rest of the food and I’ll join you in there.”

Geneva followed Adele inside and chose a seat. Ash plopped down beside her and scooted the chair closer to the table. “So, Marcus told us you’re an accountant.”

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