Psy (Alien Castaways #3) - Cara Bristol Page 0,20

seemed angelic. He had stern, unforgiving features and a brawny physique suggesting he could bench press a small bus. Maybe a double-decker. But when his gaze alighted on Izzy and Delia, his hard face softened to putty.

Delia introduced her, explaining the speech limitation.

“You’re Psy’s Cassie? I’ve heard so much about you.” Wingman smiled.

You have?

“Inferno, who lives with Psy, mentioned you had a date last night.”

Delia chuckled. “Word travels fast among the ’Topians.”

What else did he tell you about me? She knew it was wrong, but she shamelessly pumped Wingman for information.

“Just that you’re genmates. His mating glands have activated.”

Cassie’s eyes widened with surprise, but a warm happy feeling lit in her chest. Psy had mentioned genmates, but she hadn’t known he’d thought she was his!

Delia sighed. “Wingman! Obviously Psy hasn’t told her yet.” She looked at Cassie. “Listen, I don’t want to steal Psy’s thunder. ’Topians have glands here.” Delia touched her jaw. “When they meet the women they’re genetically predisposed to bond with, the mating glands swell. Ask Psy about it when you see him.”

You could bet she would. Genmates sounded so…permanent. Perhaps the idea should have scared her, but she felt excited, hopeful. Normally people met somebody, dated for a while, fell in love, and decided to get married. Usually they had to date many someones before finding the right someone.

Nothing about her life had been normal, so why worry about it now? And there was something incredibly romantic about it…an alien travels across the galaxy and falls in love with the first human woman he encounters. She couldn’t believe how close she’d come to ruining everything. Thank goodness he hadn’t given up on her.

How did you two meet? she asked.

“Izzy was almost kidnapped. Wingman rescued her.”

Cassie’s jaw dropped. How awful. Child abduction was one of the worst crimes she could imagine. What kind of demented person would do such a thing?

“Izzy believed he was an angel and invited him to her birthday party.”

“Then I showed up.” Wingman laughed.

Delia must have read confusion on her face because she added, “When Izzy told me an angel would be coming, I dismissed him as an imaginary playmate. Then I discovered a winged alien in my living room.”

Cassie laughed. Is everyone in Argent aware of aliens? Verna had known, but she’d bet Rosalie had no idea. However, they were new in town and had kept to themselves because her mother disliked crowds.

“By now, most people know me and Chameleon—we’ve been the most open,” Wingman said.

They turned as the customer who’d been with Verna exited the antique shop.

Delia rose on tiptoe to give Wingman a quick kiss. “We’d better let Cassie do her job. I’m going to dash inside to look at the bargain teacups. How about I meet you at Millie’s? Why don’t you order me a house salad with grilled chicken? Unsweet iced tea.” She looked at Izzy.

“Do you want to come with me or go with Wingman to Millie’s?”

“Millie’s!” Izzy slipped her hand into Wingman’s.

“It was nice meeting you,” he said.

She smiled and nodded to show she felt the same.

The two of them strolled toward the diner. She and her mother had eaten there once. Cassie had enjoyed it, but her mother hadn’t liked the food, so they hadn’t gone there again.

She and Delia returned inside where Cassie showed her the bargain table. Delia found a pretty china teapot sans lid.

“It’s just for play,” Delia said, and found a couple of chipped cups and saucers. “These will work fine.” After she paid for her purchases, she said, “I’m so glad I came in and got to meet you. We’ll probably see more of each other. The ’Topians are like brothers—we’re all family. I work nights at the Whitetail. It’s a great place to relax and unwind. Drop by sometime.”

Maybe I will. Thank you. I so enjoyed meeting you. She felt like she’d made a friend. Delia was so easy to talk to. She’d also given her a lot to think about.

Genmates?

* * * *

After washing up in the restroom, Cassie applied her makeup and then changed into a clean pair of jeans and a brand new cold-shoulder knit top. She’d considered bringing a dress but remembered the hover scooter ride. She’d just attached earrings to her lobes when she heard Verna shout.

“Good god, what happened to you?”

Cassie rushed onto the shop floor. Psy’s cheeks, jaw, and throat were so swollen, his entire face was misshapen. “Wah, wah—” Guttural sounds erupted from her mouth. So shocked to see him like