Page 129 of Us Defiant Few

“Coming from someone who’d rather use his fists than his brain to problem-solve.”

“It’s much more efficient.”

Khalani turned to Winnie, who was still staring off into the distance with a coy smile.

“Winnie, you said this game was about equality, right? Doesn’t that mean Takeshi also has to answer the question?”

Winnie was immediately pulled out of her stupor and nodded vigorously. “You’re absolutely right, dear. What say you, Takeshi? What date would you take the love of your life on?”

“That wasn’t the original question,” he griped.

“Wasn’t it?” Winnie rubbed her chin. “Winnie can’t quite remember. She can ask something else.”

No.

The protest surged through Khalani’s mind, but she remained stiff and silent, not wanting to reveal how much she needed to hear his answer.

“It’s fine, Win. I’ll answer.” He turned to Khalani, the mirth leaving his expression, and she nearly fidgeted under his dark gaze.

“From the moment she woke up, I would see to her every need. A massage to start the day—”

“Wait,” Khalani interrupted. “Are we talking about a massage massage, or the kind that gets girls pregnant?”

“Which one do you think?”

“That wasn’t my question.”

“No. It’s mine.”

“Ugh, forget it. Just keep talking.” She flicked her hand, and he chuckled.

“I meant the kind that soothes muscle tension. But if she had deeper aches…I’m known to be very thorough.”

Khalani swallowed, reliving the one night in her bedroom a little too vividly. And with the way Takeshi’s lips curved, he knew exactly where her mind had wandered.

“After I ensure she’s fully satisfied, I would cook for her. And if we lived on the surface, I’d set out blankets and pillows on a parked truck just like this. After we ate, we’d stare at the stars and talk about anything. Or nothing at all. But it wouldn’t stop me from telling her how much more beautiful she was than the moon.”

“How romantic.” Winnie sighed, her eyes glistening.

Khalani could scarcely breathe as she leaned forward, forgetting the game entirely.

“Where did you get that idea?”

Takeshi frowned, taken aback by her question. “What do you mean?”

“You’ve lived in Apollo your entire life. If you don’t remember the past year, then you’ve never even seen a truck before. Where did this idea come from?” she pressed, hoping with everything inside of her that her intuition wasn’t wrong.

Takeshi froze, like he hadn’t questioned it either. “I don’t know. When I thought of being with someone, the scene just popped into my head. I’m lying down next to a girl and we’re looking up at the moon together.”

“Who is she? What does she look like?”

The blood leeched out of his face as his pupils dilated.

“I…I think her name is—agh!” He growled in pain, clutching the side of his head.

“Takeshi!” Khalani lurched toward him, grabbing his long, shuddering fingers. “What’s wrong?”

Takeshi just shook his head, and she nearly toppled over again when the vehicle slammed to a stop.