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A girl has to be on guard. As a human in Muiwe, one of the few in fact, I can’t take any chances with these types anyway. Here today, compete tomorrow, gone before you can say see you next spring.
He may be cute, this Kiphian climber, but there’s no chance he’d remember my face by morning. They’re all the same in the cold light of day.
Since I’m not as green as I used to be when I first stepped foot in this village, I’ve learned that keeping them at arm's lengthisn’t just the easiest method, it's the fastest. They’ll be out the door in a week or more, I’m just keeping them on track.
Not to mention the egos on these guys. Mr. Renxel Garome just made the top of my list of guys to look out for. Still, now that the door is closed between us, I find myself replaying the whole conversation again.
It kills me that he got me to smile, but even more, that he pissed me off. I haven't given that much energy to a man in ages.
“Great, see you later then.”The words play back in my mind, pulling a smile from my lips as they did the first time.
“What’s gotten into you?” My boss, Silvy, nods when I return to the desk. “What’s got you smiling?”
“Am I?” I touch my face, hoping to scrub the truth from my cheeks. It’s strange. I’ve been hit on and flirted with from dawn till dusk today, with enough ego and testosterone to last me for days. Why is this one Kiphian under my skin like this?
“I didn’t realize,” I confess, taking back my post at the reception comm.
“Well, I’m glad,” she says. She straightens the placard nervously. “I’ve been a little worried about you.”
“Oh, Silvy! I’m fine, I promise.”
She seems relieved. “I thought maybe you were getting homesick.”
“Homesick? Hardly. Muiwe is remote, sure, but the views here are insane compared to the city I grew up in. Living here is literally my dream! It’s just…”
I can’t seem to get out the words. I have been a little down lately, but I don't want to hurt Silvy with the reason why. She’s been so good at offering me work since I came here.
“What is it, Mira? You can tell me.”
“Well, I, it’s just, I love it here. And with you and Trish and the girls, I really have a blast all day! It’s just, I guess I thoughtI would've made a little more of a connection with the people around here, that’s all.”
I sigh, opening up to her. “I still really feel like an outsider. Everyone I meet either dismisses me as just another human or tries to sleep with me.”
Silvy doesn't say anything at first. She seems thoughtful, gazing at the fireplace. From beyond, a round of cheers divert into the clink of mugs and chatter from the gleeful competitors.
“Can I offer some advice?” she says, a small light brightening in her eyes.
“Okay?”
“I’m gonna try to say this gently,” she begins.
“Uh-oh.” My eyes widen knowing a truth bomb is headed my way, and damned if I didn’t ask for it.
“Are you maybe a little closed off?”
“Closed off?” I scoff at the suggestion. “I’m not closed off.”
“Uptight, aloof. These words don’t ring a bell?”
Crossing my arms, I can hardly look at her because I know she’s right.
Okay, so I got my heart tangled up in a guy or two when I first got here. So what if I learned to button up instead of opening up?
“Now look at this crowd,” she says, pointing to the Kiphians filling the bar to the brim. My fellow Inn workers bounce around the bar, delivering drinks and taking orders. “It’s too late for any more newcomers tonight. Why don’t you kick off early and go catch a drink with some of them?”
“Eh, they’ll be gone next week.” I shake my head, arms crossed.
“So what? Think of it as practice. You’re not going to meet your fated mate in that room or anything. But have a drink and a chat.”
