Page 94 of I Fell for an Alien Popstar

“Oh, how I’ve missed you! Stars, it’s been way too long.”

“It’s only been two weeks.” I laughed, nuzzling into her neck.

Two weeks had still been too long. I missed everything about her.

“I know, but two weeks is too long,” she whispered in my ear.

She kissed both my cheeks before pulling back, her hands still resting on my shoulders.

“I’m just so happy you’re here. And I’m done with this tour.”

She took my bag from my shoulder and set it on the seat beside her before sitting down. I dropped into the chair across from her.

“I just cannot believe you’re here.” She reached across the table, palm up, still smiling.

I placed my hand in hers, and she closed her fingers around mine.

“But you’re late,” she said.

“I am not late. I am fashionably arriving.”

I set my glitter sketchbook on the table between us.

“Also, I almost left this in the cab.”

“Again?”

“Again.”

She laughed and shook her head, her thumb brushing over my knuckles.

A server drifted past and set a Luminal Fizz beside my elbow. She’d ordered one for me before I even arrived.

“So,” she said. “Tell me.”

“I did it. I told my parents I had a nice girlfriend who was a hot space babe. They want to meet you. I had to mute the group chat because mum was pushing my buttons. I know she means well, and probably so happy I am not alone anymore. I also quit! I told Carla no more!”

I was grinning so hard my cheeks hurt.

“Friday was my last day.”

“Vada, that’s so exciting!”

“I turned in my badge. I gave away my desk plant, which was already dead, so really, that was a gift for legal reasons.” I took a sip of my drink. “And on the way out, the vending machine ate my credit.”

“It did not.”

“It absolutely did. One last act of war.” I shook my head. “I told it I hoped it choked. For old times’ sake, y’know?”

She squeezed my hand.

“And how does it feel?”

“Like I finally put down something heavy.” I leaned back in my chair. “I spent years making spreadsheets look nicer for people who never opened them. Now Tev sends me a brief that just says, ‘Make it cute,’ and I get to draw. That’s the job.”

“And,” Zhari said, picking up her drink, “you start remote next month.”

“Yes! Ahh, next month. From wherever I am, which could literally be anywhere in the galaxy! I can travel to so many cool places and still get paid.”