opponents, but Inara leaves a little bummed that there’s no organ-munching.
I take Inara to the lake. She loves the water just as much as any human and she swims like a crocodile, which is both awesome and a little frightening to see.
We do every tourist thing imaginable, and it’s the worst idea I’ve ever had.
The more I spend time with Inara, the more I grow to like her. And I already liked her.
But she can’t stay.
Inara can’t be mine.
***
I check my watch, then tug my sleeve back into place, calling, “Yo, babe. Still want to go to the Planetarium?”
Inara makes a humming noise in the frunchroom, and when I walk out to meet her, she unfolds from the couch and stretches, drawing my eye and changing the direction of my thoughts.
She approaches me lazily, her luscious hips swaying. Sliding her arms around my shoulders and locking her wrists behind my head, she brings her mouth close to mine. “Why don’t we stay home?”
Her lips tease mine, not quite kissing.
“Whatever you want,” I tell her in a daze.
Her ears swing back and she flat-out grins at me, pulling away far enough we can stare into each other’s eyes. Hers sparkle. “You won’t mind?”
I catch her waist, and pull her hips to mine. “I just want to be with you.”
Her eyes soften. Her tail wraps around my forearm, stroking and giving me a slender python’s squeeze. She starts to speak—then closes her mouth. She shakes her little horns and tries again, putting the tiniest bit of distance between us. “Can I interest you in crafting with me?”
I stare at her, wondering if she’s not trying to protect herself. She should. We should really stop spending time together at all. Save ourselves both the heartbreak.
I think all this and say, “I know how to crochet.”
She blinks at me. “You’ve dazzled me. I have watched a few of the humans on the preserve while they loop yarns together, but I do not yet know how to crochet; would you please show me?”
I take her hand and lead her to the hall closet. “You bet your sweet ass I will. And wait til you see my awesome yarn collection.” I slant her a forced grin. “Technically, it’s Kerry’s. She taught me how to make mittens, and we sit together every year for like three days before Christmas and speed-hook pairs for all the kids.”
Inara is watching me with a look I like a whole lot. “The more I get to know you, the more and more I admire you, Matthew.”
I nearly bite my tongue in half, trying to keep words from spilling out of my mouth. Yeah? Well I’m falling the fuck in love with you, woman. I keep telling myself that we’ve got an expiration date, and that I need to remember that so it hurts less when you leave. But sweetheart, it ain’t workin’. You’re going to break my heart, and I’m going to let you. Because I’d rather have you for a little while than not at all.
I hand her the first basket of yarn, dip close, and kiss her on her cute as fuck blue nose. “Right back at you. Ready to make mittens?” I give her a sheepish grin. “It’s actually all I know how to do.”
But Inara doesn’t care. She shines like the sun. “I would love to!”
And I’d love to do anything, as long as I’m doing it with you. I give her another smile, memorizing her every feature, absorbing her delight, engraving her deeper on my heart. “Awesome.”
CHAPTER 17
ELAINE: You haven’t texted anyone but Mom in days. Are you okay?
ME: I’m doing really good. Sorry I’ve been MIA. How are you, Mike, and the kids?
ELAINE: We’re great, but I’m getting the sense we shouldn’t be talking about me. WHY have you been MIA? Do you have a new girlfriend?
ELAINE: You’re hiding her from us, aren’t you?
ME: I’m not hiding her
ELAINE: OMGOODNESS YOU REALLY DO HAVE A GIRLFRIEND?!
It takes thirty seconds for my phone to blow up with texts from Kate, Kaley, Kerry, our mom—plus more from Elaine.
(Who is actually Kinley Elaine, keeping in with the K-themed names. But she hated her name growing up, despite everyone telling her it was pretty. She likes it now, but she’s been Elaine for thirty years, so it’s what she goes by with family and friends.)
I turn the sound off on my phone and let them wig out, mostly because it’ll drive them nuts not to be given details, and the