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“Hey, you know,” Yarvok says, clearing his throat to get past the awkward moment. “I used to think that all I wanted to do was start an asteroid mining operation, but now…now I’m thinking I like this place. I might stay a while.”
“Oh yeah?” I chuckle as we sway across the floor. “What made you change your mind?”
“I like…” he inhales deeply before speaking again. “Some of the people I’ve met in this colony.”
A laugh bubbles up from my throat. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. My heart feels heavy as gold and light as a feather all at once. No way. I can’t be feeling like this already.
One dance, Livvy? One dance, and you’re ready to go a lot further than just dropping your panties. You’re ready to move in and start planning things. Ugh.
Then you’ll be normal, Livvy. Schedules and appointments, baby showers, you’ll be the type of person who goes to baby showers.
We dance for what seems like a long time. Time doesn’t really have much meaning in a linear sense. It feels like I’d known him for a long time even though we’ve just met. These blissful moments when we just move our bodies in sync and gaze deeply without speaking sear themselves indelibly into my memory.
The band ends their set and takes a break. I’m reeling with conflicting emotions, and I just have to get away from the cause.
“I should go. My friends are probably looking for me.”
Disappointment flashes over his features, and he gives me a nod.
“Perhaps I’ll see you around Touchdown?”
“Maybe,” I say, turning away from him but not before it’s too late to hide my smile of unfettered giddiness at the prospect.
Ten
Yarvok
Two weeks might seem like a long time, but it’s been flying past. It’s already been ten days since I danced with Olivia at the hoedown. Since then, we’ve developed a kind of ritual.
In the morning, we meet at the touchdown’s only, and therefore very busy, coffee café. We always run into each other in line and start talking, and then we naturally sit down together.
I’ve worried what would happen if one of us were to be late, and the other made it through the line at first. That happens today when the sun is just peeking over the horizon. I’m not that far back in line, and Olivia has yet to make an appearance.
I wonder if she’s met someone else. It’s not like I’ve staked a claim on her. We sort of shadow box around the issue of whether or not these morning coffee runs count as a date or not. For the most part, that’s okay with me because I genuinely enjoy her company.
Olivia has been almost everywhere in the galaxy, from former Coalition space to the Badlands. And every place she’s ever been carries a treasure trove of stories.
I traveled a lot during the war, but it’s not the same. It’s a little hard to absorb the local culture when it’s been blown to smithereens.
My problem is the sands in the hourglass are growing thin and thready. Soon I have to leave on my cargo run. The run that will set me up to start my asteroid mining company.
Only, since I’ve been talking to Olivia, I can’t get over the idea that starting a brewery is a good idea. If only there were a way to get the EC to agree to a license.
I step up to the counter and get two coffees with cream and sugar on impulse, her usual order. I swipe my credstick through the red zone and hear the electronic noise signifying a transfer of funds.
“Busy morning, huh?” I say because not saying anything feels awkward.
The Fratvoyan at the counter snorts.
“Yeah, for now. Now that the Collective has reversed its stance on liquor licenses we’re going to take a massive hit in business.”
“What?” my jaw falls open. I’m too cautious to be elated yet. “Are you sure?”
“Not only are they lifting the ban, they’re offering a subsidy.”
“Why did they change their minds?”
“To undercut the moonshiners, I guess.”
