Page 59 of How My Fake Alien Boyfriend Learned to Cook and Saved the Family Business

I could feel Lola’s head move as she nodded. “Isn’t it incredible?” she asked in a whisper.

I let my head fall to the side, taking in Lola’s profile as she stared up at the ceiling. The colors danced across her face.

“So incredible.”

Lola turned to me then and smiled. I pulled her closer and tucked her into my side as we both drifted to sleep.

* * *

It took me some time to realize what was wrong. I was asleep and then I wasn’t, but I didn’t know what had pulled me out of it. Opening my eyes and then closing them again, I waited.

A noise—that’s what woke me up.

I untangled my limbs from Lola and slinked out of her bed to follow the sound. On the pads of my feet, I made my way to the living room. There, by the couch, was my pack. I could hear a quiet crackling.

Not now, I pleaded. Not yet.

My blood went cold as I reached inside the pack. I pulled out the broken comms deck and stared at it. Not so broken after all.

There was another loud crackle, followed by, “Do you copy?”

A pause, and I said nothing. I could hardly breathe.

This is a recorded message for Kalexdyorn Tirinn, identification number 01672. Kalexdyorn Tirinn, a mission is on its way to collect you. It will arrive in seven Earth days. At that time, you will be escorted by an envoy to a mission ship with a destination for Xaerea. Do you copy?

I didn’t respond. But I heard the message loud and clear.

Lola

The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and I…I couldn’t feel my arms.

“Kal? Kal!”

I wiggled my restricted limbs and hissed at Kal beside me. I had wondered once or twice what it would be like to wake up in Kal’s embrace, all tentacles and strong arms. Now I had my answer. Tight and nearly suffocating. But nice, if you can handle the shock of it.

“Wha–? Oh, sorry!” The tentacles loosened their hold on me first, unwrapping from the tops of my thighs and my shoulders. But Kal’s arms squeezed me tighter before letting go, pulling me so my body splayed over his.

I had so much to do, and between my tight timeline and long to-do list, I was on the verge of freaking out. But I was also tempted to stay where I was, lying in bed with my—well.

I didn’t quite know what to call Kal. All I knew was that he felt like mine.

Then I rolled over, tweaking my wrist in the process, and remembered that real life was happening outside of our quiet bubble. I didn’t just have a lot to do—I was injured and falling behind and oh god. I was on the verge of freaking out.

So, that was that. As much as I wanted to stay snuggled up in bed, I had a restaurant to save.

I groaned and shimmied out of bed and got to work.

First, I posted a message to Southern Charm’s social media accounts letting customers know we would be closed until Friday. I teased a new menu and mentioned that we were contestants in the Greatest Restaurants of the Great Smoky Mountains Contest. Much to my surprise, it took no time for likes and comments to start streaming in.

I shoved my fingers through my messy hair. Where was this support before? I wanted to know. But instead of getting frustrated, I decided to take it as a sign that I was doing the right thing. I mean, people seemed excited about Southern Charm again! Who was I to complain?

Next, I sent a group message to my brain trust—my family, Nat, Al, and Darlene.

Dad had made me promise I wouldn’t be too proud to ask for help. I needed that reminder—and I needed to pay attention to my own words to Kal last night. Everyone deserved love, and sometimes that love comes in the form of showing up. I knew these people would show up when I needed them the most, because I would do the same for them.

Because I loved them, and they loved me.

And I was right. The texts came streaming in.