by V. Vaughn
Chapter 6
Water trickles as Oliver lifts the oars of the rowboat up in the air, and I soak up the warmth of the sun on my face as I tilt my head back and say, “It’s wonderful to be outside enjoying the day. I need to do this more often.”
“You probably do. How many hours a week do you work?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve never counted because I think there is a direct correlation between how much I work and how much money I make.”
“That doesn’t sound like much of a life.” I lower my head to look at him as he says, “I mean I’m sure you love your job, but it’s important to have time to play too.”
“I know, and I do. I spend at least one night a week with my girlfriends, Cassie and Hannah.” I reach in the water, and it’s cool on my fingers when I splash it at Oliver. “And now I have you to play with.”
Oliver stops rowing and leans forward. “That you do. Come here.” I lean forward and he meets me with a kiss. Our mouths fit in a way that’s rare as we nip at each other’s lips, and my insides heat up in response. When we break apart Oliver says, “I’m hungry.”
“Okay. Then let’s go back to land and have our picnic.”
Oliver lets out a low noise. “Food isn’t what I’m hungry for.”
“Oh.” I drop my gaze, but he lifts my chin with his finger so I look into his eyes.
“I can’t wait to do more than kiss—” He scans my body with his gaze, “—you on the mouth.”
I roll my eyes as my face heats up, and he chuckles. I slap at his arm. “You’re terrible.”
“You’re too easy. I couldn’t resist.”
“Well I’m hungry for lunch,” I say. “Can we go back?”
“Of course.” Oliver rows us back to the dock where we rented the boat, and after we retrieve our bag he grabs my hand and leads me down the walkway. “I’ve been thinking about what I’d like to do for a job if you decide to marry me.”
“What’s that?”
“I have the exclusive rights to my energy powder, and I want to create a dietary supplement. What do you think?”
“Based on the energy I have today, I think it’s a fantastic idea.” I frown as I recall the seeds on my windowsill. “How long will it take before you have your plants ready? And are the few you have enough for manufacturing large quantities?”
“Great questions. The plants grow quickly, but you’re right in thinking I need a whole lot of them to produce mass amounts. But—” We’ve reached the grass, and he stops walking. “I could start off with a limited supply and a big price tag.”
I recall the athletes I read about complaining about the price, but I also know exclusivity is enticing to a certain market. “I suppose it depends on how big the price tag is. You’ve already generated buzz with the Olympic teams.” I point to a tree that shades a nice section of the lawn. “Let’s eat over there.”
Oliver moves toward the spot. “I’ll also need to find a way to protect my plants, because if someone gets access to them, there’d be nothing to stop them from starting their own energy powder business.”
“While you can definitely start off with plants in the kitchen and breakfast area, you’re going to need land that can be protected.”
“Right.” He sets our bag down with a thud. “Say an old farmhouse in the country?”
I smile. “Yeah. That would work.”
The blanket snaps as he shakes it out and spreads it on the ground. “I’ll also need a wife, and maybe some kids, to help out with the work. Don’t you think?”
“Hmmm.” I sit and begin to pull our lunch out of the bag. “I might be able to help you with that.”
“Are you applying for the job?”
“I do make a mean glass of lemonade,” I say as I hand him his sandwich.
“You’re hired.” As he unwraps his lunch he says, “Seriously though, the fact we’re a ninety-eight percent match means we should probably start talking about marriage.”
“What?” I ask over a mouthful of my turkey wrap. “How do you know that?”
He frowns. “The dating agency puts that in the report of possible mates.”
“I heard we used to get that information, but your government thought we were being too choosy and changed it so that we have no idea.”
“Maybe you were, but Eroscians want to get to earth so badly they don’t care much about the percentages, so it doesn’t matter much if they tell us.”
“Ninety eight percent, huh?” I notice mustard on Oliver’s chin and reach over to swipe it off with my thumb. “Those are pretty good odds.” Mustard is spicy on my tongue when I suck it off my thumb.
“Did you know your program is fool proof for matches above ninety percent?” Oliver glances at my sandwich as if he wants a taste, and I hold it out for him to take a bite as I recall reading the statistic that proved his claim when the Intergalactic Dating Agency was first opened up to the general public.
I say, “I heard that. I guess that means we’re a sure thing.”
He swallows down his bite and lets out a small moan. “Sure enough to go to the justice of the peace and get married this afternoon.”
“Ah—” My heart skips a beat. “Are you asking me to marry you?”
He puts his sandwich down and then takes mine out of my hands to do the same. Oliver’s warm fingers wrap around mine as he says, “Morgan Jenkins, will you be my wife?”
My heart stops. I do care for Oliver, and falling in love is a possibility but this is way too fast. “We barely know each other.” I pull my hands away. “And what makes you so sure I don’t want a big wedding?”
“You chose elope in the extensive list of questions we had to answer.”
“Oh. Right.” Considering I answered everything as truthfully as possible, and I believe Oliver did too, I should trust our marriage would work. But it feels wrong to marry someone I haven’t fallen in love with yet. “I don’t know. Don’t you think we’re rushing things?”
“Can you imagine sending me back?”
“No! But what’s the hurry?” I drop my gaze and fiddle with the straw in my ice tea.
“Let me put it another way. The sooner we get married, the sooner I’m allowed to work. If I can get my energy powder out on the market, we’ll have enough money that you won’t have to worry how to pay the bills. You can reinvent your business proactively instead of reactively.”
Tears spring to my eyes when I realize he wants to take care of me. I’ve been on my own for so long, struggling to make ends meet, I’m not sure what it would be like to not worry about money. And to take the financial stress out of rebuilding my business is almost unfathomable. But getting married so a man can give me financial security is not the best reason. “I don’t know.”
“I do,” says Oliver. He leans back and crosses his arms. “Your problem is because it was my idea instead of yours, you don’t like it.”
“That’s not true!” I snap back. But the burning sensation of shame that I feel rising in my chest makes me think he might be right. I ordered myself an alien with the sole purpose of finding a husband, and that was the end game of what we’re doing here. It’s not unreasonable for him to think we should do it sooner. But I’ve been so concerned with proving I’m capable of fixing things on my own, that my initial reaction is to reject any of his suggestions—even when I have to admit he has good ideas. Is that what I’m doing now?
Oliver picks up his sandwich and takes a bite as if the conversation is over, and I squint at him with annoyance. “You think you have me all figured out, don’t you?”
He shakes his head. “A wise man once told me not to try to figure out women. But I know we’re going to get married, so I can wait until you think it’s a good idea too.” He grins. “Would a ring help?”
I roll my eyes at him as I realize not only is he going to stop pushing, he’s also letting me have my way. “You’re a brat. You know that?”
He leans forward and holds my face in his hands. “An arrogant one who
knows you need me in your life, Morgan. The way I need you.” Oliver kisses me hard, and I melt in his embrace as he reminds me how strong my feelings for him have become.
I’m nearly a puddle when we stop, and the fact we can’t go any further until we’re married makes me reconsider the justice of the peace. Reality seeps back into my brain, and I realize I need to get back to work so I can get the graphics for some advertising created. I sigh. “This has been wonderful, but I really should return to the shop soon.”
Once we finish eating, we pack up and head to the coffee shop. As we approach it, I notice two men in uniform walk out with an alien in handcuffs. “Oh, no,” I say as I hurry to get to them. Oliver is by my side when I ask, “What’s going on?”
“Lady, this is none of your concern,” grumbles one of the men wearing a government uniform.
“This is my shop, and if something happened on the premises then it is my business.” Cameras flash and I notice people holding up phones to record what’s happening.
The other officer glances at Oliver with disgust before looking at me. “This alien was drinking caffeine in your establishment.”
I recognize the Eroscian as a regular, and I see fear in his eyes. Debbie rushes out of the shop. “Luke, I’ve called your wife and she’ll meet you at the station.”
“Thank you,” he says as the officers shove him into a black sedan with tinted windows.
One of the officers says to me, “Ma’am, your shop is on probation. One more incident—” He reaches up and mimics a knife slitting his throat. “—and you’re done.”
Oliver is holding my arm and his grip tightens, but he’s wise enough to keep his mouth shut. As the car speeds away I turn to Debbie as she says, “It was an honest mistake. Luke grabbed the wrong cup at pick up and the woman who ordered it to freaked out. She’s the one who called the government officials.”
“Poor guy.” I grab my phone out of my pocket. One of my closest friends is a defense lawyer, and I want to make sure Luke has good counsel when dealing with the government. “I’m going to call Cassie to see what she can do.”
When I finish my phone call, Oliver takes me by the arms and asks, “What can I do, Morgan?”
My chest tightens with panic, because I have no idea how I’m supposed to fight the crazed war against caffeine. I gaze up at him with tears in my eyes. “I don’t know.”
Chapter 7
Oliver pulls me into a tight embrace as I struggle to keep from crying. I’m on probation because of a simple mistake? What’s worse is that Eroscian customers aren’t going to feel safe in my shop. Once I have myself under control I pull away, and a thought comes to me. “I need to get different colored cups for non-caffeinated drinks so that what happened today can’t happen again.” The vision of Luke’s scared face flashes in my head. “And to keep you guys protected. People are going insane over this.”
“That’s a good start.” Oliver frowns for a moment and glances past me. “Excuse me a minute.” I watch him approach Ian. I would wonder what they’re talking about, but I need to get to the restaurant supply place a couple blocks away to grab cups that aren’t white.
I catch Debbie’s eye. “I’m going to go get us some different containers to use for aliens so there will be no confusion again.”
“Good idea. I’ll hold down the fort.”
I call out to Oliver before I leave. “I’ll be right back.” Luck is on my side when I get to the restaurant supply store, because they’re having a sale on red and green holiday cups. I grab a few sleeves of the green ones to take with me and arrange for the rest to be delivered. While two cases won’t last long, at least it will tide me over until I can get some with our logo.
If I manage to stay in business that long. Horns blare as traffic stands still, and I glance around at the people walking by me on the sidewalk. Maybe I’m paranoid, but I’m sure I see a few humans give the aliens they see the side eye. I imagine after what happened today, Eroscians are going to find it hard to trust human strangers since so many seem to believe the worst about them. And I’m sure they won’t want to be anywhere near coffee shops. I don’t think a drink contest is going to save me now.
A woman bumps my shoulder as she goes by, and I stumble as she apologizes. I recall what the officer said to me about being on probation, and my stomach knots up with worry. What other kinds of mistakes could happen that might cost me my business? My staff is going to have to be super vigilant. It was apparent today the officers have something against Eroscians, and it makes me nervous for my alien employees. It wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine one of the guys being accused of foul play if another incident occurs.
I enter my shop and let out a sigh as I notice the lack of customers that seems to be our new normal. Debbie sees me and comes over to grab a sleeve of cups. “I like the green. It’s very Eroscian,” she teases, and I’d chuckle if I were in a better mood.
When her face falls I say, “I’m sorry. This whole situation has me worried sick. Can you imagine if they come after Ian, Matt or Derrick on a witch hunt? I don’t know how to keep them safe.”
“I know, I’m nervous too.” Plastic rustles as she opens up the package of cups. “By the way, Oliver asked if he could borrow Ian for a while, and since it’s so slow I said it was okay.”
The front door creaks open and I’m startled by my friend Hannah’s voice. “Morgan! Oh my god.” She rushes over and tugs me into a tight hug. “I just saw you on the news. Do you know what happened to that poor guy?”
I pull away from her. “I called Cassie and she’s going to look into it.”
“Thank god.” Hannah’s brow knits as she rubs my arm. “How are you doing? I heard the officer say your shop is on probation.”
Tears burn in my eyes and I blink to keep them from falling. “I’m okay.” I sink into a chair as my throat tightens.
“Honey,” Hannah sits across from me. “It’s going to be okay. All of this will settle down soon.”
“Yeah. But when it does, will I still have a business?” I sniff and swipe a tear from my cheek.
“Of course you will,” she says. “You’re clever and creative. I have no doubt you’ll get through this just fine.”
“I wish I had the same confidence.” I glance around. “But look at this place. It’s been dead for days, and I can’t imagine I’m about to become the new hot spot for Eroscians any time soon.”
Hannah says, “Maybe you need an event to bring in more business.”
“We thought of that. I have a caffeine-free drink contest running right now.”
“That’s great. You could beef up your bakery offerings too.” She lets out a moan. “I could live off your chocolate croissants.”
I sigh, because becoming more focused on food would come with the same set of problems, only switching the caffeine in coffee for caffeine in chocolate. “I know you’re trying to help, but it might be time for me to face the fact I may not survive this.”
“That doesn’t sound like the Morgan I know.”
I realize I’m being dramatic, and I blow out a breath of air to help calm myself. “You’re right. I think I’m just upset about what happened earlier.”
“Then let me distract you for a while. Why don’t you tell me about Oliver? Are things going well?”
I recall the kiss I had with my alien match when he was trying to convince me to marry him this afternoon, and my lips turn up a little in a smile. “We’re great. He even asked me to marry him already.”
“That’s so awesome!” Hannah’s face glows with happiness. “When is the wedding?”
“I didn’t say yes.”
“Why not?” she asks.
“It feels too fast, and with all that’s going on, I shouldn’t be devoting my time to my love life.”
She shakes her head. “Wrong. I think that’s exactly what you should be doing. There’s only so much you can do until this mess gets sorted out. Why not focus on a good thing in your life?” She pulls out her phone.
“You know what? You two are coming to dinner tonight. I’m not having you moping around and fretting about something you can’t control.”
The memory of the fish Jake cooked the last time I had dinner at Hannah’s is all the convincing I need, especially since I know Oliver will love whatever Jake makes. “I’d like that.”
Hannah stands up. “Great. Come over around six, and the two of us can drink ourselves silly.”
I hug my friend. “Thanks for being such a great friend.”
“See you soon,” she calls out as she leaves, and I take the boost in my spirits with me as I return to my office to see about ordering new coffee cups.
Around five o’clock, I begin to wonder about Oliver, because he hasn’t come back yet. I text him to find out what the hold up is and to let him know we’re having dinner at Hannah and Jake’s. He replies that he and Ian are working on a project they started back on Eroscia, which strikes me as odd considering what’s going on. Although, since I don’t know what Oliver could do to help me at this point, perhaps he decided what I needed was to have him out of my hair.
When I arrive at Hannah’s, she greets me with a glass of wine. I take a big sip and let out an audible sigh. “That’s just what I needed. Thanks.”
“C’mon in the kitchen. Jake got oysters.”
I expect to see Oliver, but he’s not here and I ask, “Has anyone seen my alien? I seem to have misplaced him.”
Jake tilts his head when there’s a knock on the door. “I bet that’s him.”
“I’ll get it.” I’m not sure how I became so attached to Oliver this quickly, but I realize I miss him. I smile as I open the door. “Hey.”
He leans down and gives me a kiss. “I missed you.”
His face is warm under my hand as I place it on his cheek. “Me too. Where have you been?”
Oliver’s eyes dance with mischief. “It’s a secret.”
