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“Sure do. I’ll look forward to it.”

“You do that.” The guy pushed back his seat and walked away.

Sinead watched him go, her heart pounding in her chest. She’d flirted her way out of worse situations but felt shaken by the fact she’d revealed so much about Talyn. Who else had she talked to and what exactly had she said? If she’d let slip she was his life mate and Diadora found out, she’d destroy her.

Holly Lipinski wandered over with two large mugs in her hands. She set one in front of Sinead and nodded at her. “I thought you might need this. I couldn’t help but overhear what that guy was saying. Don’t worry. Nothing bad happened last night.”

Sinead gazed up at Holly. She liked her. Holly was whip smart and talented in the kitchen. It had taken a few weeks to get to know her when Sinead had first started coming to the dining hall. Holly could be reserved, but there were hidden depths to her, and they ran with a seam of enticing flavors, many of them chocolate infused.

“How do you know?”

“I was there. Not for all of it, but I stayed until gone midnight celebrating a friend’s birthday. You were having a good time and not holding back, but you didn’t let that sleaze do anything inappropriate. If he put his hand somewhere you didn’t want it, you very sweetly shoved it away. All you did was have fun. He left before you did, so I know nothing went on between you two.”

Sinead blinked away unexpected tears and took a moment to drink from her fresh mug of coffee. “Thanks, I did get a bit wild last night.”

“We all have nights like that.” Holly tilted her head to the side. “If you don’t mind me asking, did it help?”

Sinead pursed her lips. “A little. Maybe for a few hours. I don’t know. I’ve got a lot going on.”

“Life is complicated.” Holly crossed her arms over her chest. “My answer to that, when life gets tough and you need a break, is to go back to the simple stuff, the stuff that makes you happy. The stuff that’s easy and doesn’t feel like an effort. Have you got anything like that in your life?”

A smile crept across Sinead’s face. There was Talyn. Talyn made life feel easy. When she wasn’t around him and backing away because she was panicked about what he offered, life did feel simple. It felt amazing to be with him. It felt right.

“I can tell you’re thinking about something, or someone, who’s good for you. Forget everything else and focus on that. Once you’ve calmed everything inside you, it’s easier to face the tough stuff. Trust me. Hiding from trouble doesn’t make it vanish. It leaves it for another day and makes it a bit harder. Get a clear head, get focused, and then punch the difficult stuff straight on the nose.”

Sinead smiled at Holly. “I thought you were a cook.”

She nodded. “That’s right. I’ve handled all sorts of calamities since I started, from broken stoves to hijacked deliveries from space pirates. I always help get the food out on time, and it’s always amazing. It beats the replicators hands down.”

“You seem more like a counselor to me.”

Holly shrugged. “I’ve had practise dealing with tricky situations. All I know is what works for me. Maybe it will help you too.”

“Yes, I think it will.” She looked at her half-empty mug. “Any chance I can have another one of these to go?”

“Of course. Coming right up.” Holly smiled before hurrying behind the serving counter. She returned a moment later with more coffee. “I hope it helps.”

“Same here.” Sinead nodded thanks before leaving the dining hall. The coffee was a peace offering to Talyn. She’d been avoiding him ever since that incredible day she’d spent with him.

Although she did feel amazing when around him, their relationship needed fixing. A coffee was a small step, but it felt like a move in the right direction.

Sinead also knew he loved the strong stuff, and he’d need this if he’d had a bad night’s sleep. She’d be honest with him and let him know her fears. Although her mom’s words still resonated in her head, she wouldn’t take him for a ride. That wasn’t fair on either of them. Their relationship had begun based on a misunderstanding, and it couldn’t continue. In the short time she’d known him, Sinead was surprised by how fond she was of him. You don’t take advantage of people you care about.

She’d explain everything, and they’d find a solution together. But the idea of a lifelong relationship with Talyn was too much. It would never work.

Sinead would make sure they left with their hearts intact and their heads held high. That was the best she could offer.

She slowed as she walked into the docking bay and looked around, wondering if her alcohol addled brain was deceiving her. She couldn’t see Talyn’s ship.

Sinead walked over to one of the security guards, a short, curvy brunette. “Hey, I’m looking for the Lillip ship. It was docked over there.” She pointed to the space where Talyn’s ship should have been.

The guard consulted her port screen. “It was there. It left ten minutes ago.”

“Left! Where’s it gone?”

The guard looked back at her port screen. “Through the wormhole. Were you expecting to catch a ride?”

Sinead’s heart felt like it had stopped. “No, I just didn’t get the chance to say goodbye. That’s all.” She couldn’t believe it. Talyn had abandoned her. He’d left without saying a word. “Does the flight plan show when he’s coming back?”