Kita looks and isn’t surprised. “Don’t worry. I told him where we were this time.”
“Here,” he puts a pad on the table, turning it to face her. “I am one hundred percent tracking chip free.”
She looks at it, eyes narrowed, and then looks up at him. “Is there a reason your procreation viability numbers are in this list too?”
Markoban looks embarrassed. “It’s always nice to be aware of things.”
Pushing the pad back toward him, Kita rolls her eyes. “Fine, you may join us for breakfast.”
He thanks her and sits down, ordering quickly. And itisa quiet morning, even with him asking Kita questions I would have thought he already knew.
My comm buzzes and I check the message while the two of them are distracted.
I’ve reserved the bath for tomorrow. Will you join me?
Of course.
“I don’t know human facial expressions well,” Markoban asks. “Is that a smile?”
Kit smacks him upside the head. “Don’t be obtuse. Of course, that’s a smile.”
“But that is not a normal smile. I’ve seen those before.”
Kita jumps in before I can even think of what to say. “She is being courted.”
“Really?” The surprise in his voice is expected. The positive nature of it… not so much.
“That’s great!”
“Thanks.” It feels weird to say.
“Is he a good guy?”
“Yeah, he’s wonderful.”Thatdoesn’t feel weird to say.
Markoban looks at Kita. “Have you met him?”
She manages an “mmhmm” her lips pressed tight together.
“We could do a double date sometime.”
“Absolutely not.” I say, as Kita manages a “No” while choking and sputtering on her drink.
“Oh… okay, sorry, I didn’t mean to…”
“We aren’t dating.” Kita reminds him.
He shrugs a shoulder. “Only because you haven’t said yes yet.”
“You haven’t asked!”
He tips his head to the side, and glances at the pad.
“Oh for… This isn’t the solar age anymore. You have to ask me on a date. You can’t just drop your viability numbers and expect me to take the hint. It’s dating, not mating.”
He winces.
“Sorry.” He looks down, curling two tentacles together like he’s holding his own hands.
