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He’d muddied the waters enough. Holly Lipinski wasn’t for him, no matter how much he wanted her.

Chapter 7

Holly’s hand went to her bloated stomach. She was curled on the couch in her room, boxes of half-eaten chocolate scattered around her.

It had been four days since Avel had so publicly snubbed her. Four days of feeling hurt and rejected. It was ridiculous. They’d only known each other for a couple of weeks. He shouldn’t be able to make her feel so bad.

But he’d made it clear he didn’t want her. Avel didn’t want to be involved in any aspect of her life. Since that day, he hadn’t even been in the dining hall. He was that keen to avoid any awkwardness between them.

Holly picked up another chocolate and turned it over in her fingers. She felt so sick, she wasn’t sure she could eat it. A sugar-induced headache pounded behind her eyes.

She’d eaten so much and was doing it to soothe herself. Normally, it worked. She ate a few chocolates and everything felt better, but not this time. Not even after thirty chocolates.

All she felt was sick and unsatisfied. And, she felt like an idiot for missing Avel. How had she gotten things so muddled? He’d been excited about trying her chocolates and letting her know what he thought of them. Avel had also seemed interested in her business and encouraged her. Why the change of heart?

Holly had re-played their last conversation a dozen times but hadn’t figured out what went wrong. They’d talked about their work and food, and suddenly everything changed.

Her wrist comm beeped, and a red light flashed. Holly scowled and shut off the alert. She knew what the message would say. She’d been getting them every day over the last four days. Once again, she’d eaten her entire day of calories in one meal.

Right now, Holly didn’t care. She was trying to find comfort, but it wasn’t working. She’d enjoyed the chocolates until she’d begun to feel sick, but they weren’t soothing her. If this didn’t work, she didn’t know what to do. She had to find comfort somewhere. She was stress eating over a guy she barely knew, and that was ridiculous.

Holly stood and drained the glass of water on the table in front of her. She needed to pull herself together. No more sticky fingered overindulgence. She had two days off work and had a huge mission to achieve during that time.

It was less than two hours until she needed to get her cargo to the transport ship. The ship taking her to the intergalactic food fair where she’d showcase her chocolates.

Holly wished she still had her own ship, but that had gone months ago, thanks to an unpaid debt she hadn’t been able to get rid of. Her ship had been past its prime, but she’d been reliable, and Holly missed not having her own transport.

Excitement and nerves fluttered in her stomach as she packed away the chocolates she’d over-indulged in, washed her face and hands of any evidence that she’d been stuffing her face, and returned to the lounge.

By the door were four full crates of chocolates for the food fair. She hoped that would be enough for the day and a half of selling. The food fair ran this afternoon, and there was a whole day arranged tomorrow. Holly had no idea how many people would be interested in what she’d created. She hoped everyone visiting the food fair would be receptive to her chocolates.

She checked through the crates one final time. Everything was secure and neatly packed.

Tidying her hair, she applied a little makeup and pulled on her boots before grabbing an overnight bag.

She opened a message that pinged on her wrist comm. Her eyes widened, and a groan spilled from her mouth. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Holly stared at the message, rereading it several times, not believing what she saw.

Due to an administrative error, there has been an overbooking on the transport ship you are traveling on at 13:00 hours. There is no seat available for you during this departure slot, and we are unable to accommodate your cargo. We hope this does not cause you any inconvenience. Thank you for booking with Star Travel.

“Inconvenience! Of course it causes me inconvenience.” A cold sweat broke out on Holly’s forehead. They couldn’t do this to her. If she didn’t make the food fair and sell her chocolate, she wouldn’t be able to make the first repayment on her loan. Everything she’d worked for would be ruined all because the stupid travel company messed up her reservation.

“No way. This isn’t happening. I’m getting on that ship.” She took a deep breath and refused to cry. She was getting to that food fair, one way or another. Even if she had to stand in the aisle with the crates of chocolate surrounding her because there was nowhere to sit, she was going.

Holly messaged a station bot to her quarters and hooked the crates to him before hurrying to the docking bay.

She raced to the waiting transport ship she was supposed to have a seat on. A member of the crew stood outside, loading cargo into the undercarriage of the ship.

“I need your help,” Holly said, trying to keep her voice calm.

The guy turned to her. “What’s the problem?”

“I need to speak to the ship’s captain.”

“He’s not available.” The guy turned away.

No, he didn’t. He wasn’t turning his back on her. She strode over and caught hold of his arm. “I’ve been bumped off the ship, and I have to get on board.”