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“Yeah, I didn’t have a picture of Twyla so I had to improvise.”
“How?” Twyla asked, curious.
“I used pictures of the Servana 200 bots on your father’s website.”
Twyla’s surprised laughter was precious as she carefully placed the picture back into the box. “Oh gods, those damn bots.”
I touched a strand of her flyaway curls. “Without them, I never would have met you.”
We shared a smile.
Austy joined us again, her hands clasped precariously around four cups of wine.
“Ready to head down to the square? They’ve got some dancing going on.”
“In a minute. You two go ahead first.”
As they walked away, I guided Twyla onto a low bench under a string of lights.
“What?” she asked, arranging the folds of her dress as she sat. “You’re a little tense.”
I hadn’t even realized I’d tensed up until I had to make a concerted effort to make my muscles relax.
“I wanted to ask you something important. And you don’t have to answer right away. You can always think about it.”
“Okaaay...you’re scaring me a little,” she said with a worried little laugh.
I took a breath and said: “I want you to feel at home here, ’mara. I want you to have the same rights as every other starperson. But above all, I’m selfish. I want you to be with me, by my side. I want to be able to give you residency here, make you feel safe on this Star, in my home.”
She said nothing, looking up at me with those expressive dark eyes.
“What do you think? Will you stay here on this Star, with me?”
Her lips parted as though she were looking for the right words.
And then she said, “I’ve never wanted something more than you, Cedra Holloway. Of course I’ll stay.”
Her fingers found my cheek, drawing me in for a soft kiss. I felt her joy, utter glowing elation, through our half bond. It twined around my heart as I held her close, lips clinging together.
In the background, I could hear people milling about, probably watching us. But I didn’t care.
I had everything I wanted right here in my arms. And she wanted to stay by my side.
