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“Good. I like having you around, and I don’t want to lose you to some horny alien.” Kendra consulted the port screen she held. “We’ve got a mixed bunch arriving. Ten Draxdans, nine Mehabs, and a lone Lillip who’s arriving on his own ship.”

“I’ll take the Mehabs and the loner Lillip,” Sinead said. “They’re my kind of guys. Mehabs look so strokable with that gorgeous fur. And from what Avril says about Iska, they can be a lot of fun.”

“Perhaps I should look after them,” Kendra said. “I don’t want you to get distracted by fun. You take the Draxdans.”

“I’m joking. I won’t mess around with them. I promise.” Sinead had never been one for huge, muscular guys. They reminded her too much of a stepfather she’d put up with for six months. He could be an intimidating son of a bitch when he flexed his biceps. Mehabs were scary when angered, but Lillips were cool and just her type. They were tall and lean with interesting tattoo-like markings on their chests. They also had enormous dark eyes that seemed to peer into your soul. And they had a freaky empathic ability and could tap into your emotions. She’d always imagined having a Lillip as a best friend would be amazing. They’d be able to tell when you felt down and would cheer you up.

They walked into the docking bay, and Sinead nodded at the two security guards standing duty by the door.

“That must be the ship.” Kendra pointed out the large window by the external docking bay doors. The doors were open, but a force field was in place that allowed ships to enter while keeping everything inside safe. Sinead still marveled at the technology they had on board Prodigy.

She took a second to admire the view. She’d been here six months, but it never failed to take her breath away when she stopped and realized where she was. Standing on a slowly spinning piece of metal in the middle of the Milky Way, right near a stable wormhole. It was the stuff of the science-fiction movies she’d loved as a kid. Now she was right in the middle of it. She smiled and hugged her arms around herself. If her mom could see her now.

“Have you read the client files?” Kendra asked.

“I had a look last night.” Sinead decided not to mention it was while she was drinking her fifth cocktail.

“The Mehabs are easy enough. And your Lillip should be chilled out. I doubt you’ll have any problems.”

“I’m fine with Mehabs, and Lillips are easy enough. Their needs are basic.”

Kendra glanced at her. “Keep a calm head around this one. You don’t want to overwhelm him.”

Sinead cocked a hip to the side. “Are you saying I’m scatty?”

Kendra grinned. “In the best possible way, your mind is a beautiful mess. The Mehabs will do their own research, but the Lillip will have questions about emotional states and mental well-being. It’s a big deal to them.”

“I’ll handle Mr. Emotionally Curious. And I’ll rein in my behavior. But I always say, it’s better to be remembered after a first meeting than forgotten after a hundred.”

Kendra chuckled. “Yes, something like that. Each client will see their twenty short-listed females tomorrow. We can narrow the list to their top five after they’ve scanned the information. Then we’ll make some love matches.”

Sinead nodded. She knew this but also knew Kendra was covering their backs. More than a few times, Kendra had had to help Sinead home after a particularly fun night in the bar. Sinead loved to party as hard as she worked. She didn’t blame Kendra for pointing out the obvious. If this went wrong, it was both their necks on the line.

“Here we go,” Kendra said.

The transportation ship carrying their clients eased its way through the force field and settled into clamps on the floor.

Sinead smoothed her hands over her silky hair. Always look your best; her mom had instilled that nugget of wisdom in her from an early age. She’d never left the house unless she had on a full face of make-up, not even to get a pint of milk. Her mom said looks fade, so make the best of them while you have them.

Sinead always followed that advice and spent a lot of time making sure she was well turned out, her hair styled, and her lashes wouldn’t budge.

She walked over to the ship with Kendra as the docking ramp descended.

The first of the Draxdans came out, and Sinead stepped back to allow Kendra to go to work.

Kendra was such a professional, smiling and making the formal Draxdan gestures they used as a greeting.

Sinead’s attention shifted to a small ship with smart black and white stripes along the side that entered the docking bay. That must be her lone Lillip client.

The first of her Mehabs emerged from the main ship. He had his silver-gray fur on display, his tail swishing gently as he looked around and waited for his companions to join him.

Sinead noted their expressions and was glad to see they looked pleased to be here. That was a great start. Mehabs were quick to anger, but these guys looked to be in excellent spirits. It was amazing what the promise of a mate did to a male’s mood.

She waited until they were all assembled in front of her. “We have one more to join the party, and then I can make the introductions.” Sinead turned and studied the Lillip ship. No one emerged.

She tapped her foot and waited some more. That was odd. Lillips were always punctual.

Sinead walked toward the ship and slowed as the ramp descended. She smiled and gestured the Lillip toward her as he emerged. “We’re just getting started.”