Ivy’s feet ached as she paced in her quarters. She hadn’t slept all night as she’d gone over Diadora’s accusations. Diadora was crazy for suspending her from her job. She would never get anyone as amazing as Ivy to do her PR. My Single Alien would suffer because of this.

Ivy hoped Diadora got sacked. Ivy had done nothing wrong, and this was how she was repaid. She was glad she’d puked all over her desk. It hadn’t been an elegant move, but she’d never seen Diadora shift so fast to avoid being splattered in vomit.

After puking, Ivy had felt marginally better and been happy to obey Diadora’s shouts to get out of the office and sort herself out.

Her discarded tablet flashed an incoming message. She checked it and dismissed it as she’d done the other two. Another overdue bill reminder. They weren’t important. She couldn’t do anything about them even if they were. Having been suspended with no pay, her debts would have to wait a little longer before she dealt with them.

Before she did, Ivy was determined to deal with the mess she’d made with Karn. A part of her wanted to see him shoved on the next transport ship and sent to the mining prison. He was a liar and had deceived her.

The problem was Karn made Ivy feel things she’d kept locked away for a long time. Relationships weren’t for her. She knew how they ended, but there was something about Karn that resonated with her.

Those few dates they’d had stuck in her head like a frustrating pop song. Ivy couldn’t get Karn out of her thoughts. She needed to finish this once and for all.

Ivy checked her appearance in the bathroom mirror. She grimaced when she saw how tired she looked. It seemed like she’d aged five years overnight. This alien was not good for her. She couldn’t rest now. She needed answers.

Since she was technically unemployed, Ivy had the time to find those answers.

She headed out of her quarters and along the corridor. The holding cells were at the other end of the space station, away from the shops and businesses. It was still early, so there weren’t many others around.

Anyone who happened to glance Ivy’s way quickly shifted to the side. The look of murderous intent in her gaze must have convinced them she was not in the mood for small talk.

She’d grabbed her My Single Alien staff card before she’d left her quarters. She could use that and pretend she was visiting Karn on official business. That should work. After all, she’d been the one to alert security about the break-in. It made sense that she would follow up on what had happened.

She approached the guard sitting outside the entrance to the corridor that led to the holding cells. “I’m here to see Karn.”

The guard glanced up at her. He looked to be around her age, in his mid-twenties, with narrow, dark eyes and a hint of stubble, suggesting he might have been on the night shift. “What’s your business seeing him?”

“I reported the break-in at the My Single Alien office last night,” Ivy said. “My boss wants me to interview Karn to see what he wanted.” She presented her staff card.

The guard looked at the card. “The detainee is not considered a threat. You can talk to him if you’d like. Sign in here.” He held out a tablet.

Ivy pressed her fingerprint on it.

He checked the print. “Follow me, Miss Blain.” The guard led Ivy to a small empty room. “I’ll bring him through.”

“Where will you be when I’m speaking with Karn?”

“Right outside. Any trouble, you bang on the door. I don’t think you’ll have it with this alien, though. He’s not like some of the aliens we get in here. We had to refurbish a holding cell last month when a Retar got angry. This one just likes to talk.”

Ivy smirked. That was the trouble with Karn. He was smooth lies and cover stories to hide his deception.

She sat at a small table in the room. Finding she couldn’t keep still, she jumped up and walked the circuit of the room a couple of times.

Ivy wasn’t sure what to say to Karn. He was a jerk. She hated the fact he’d used her to get what he wanted.

She chewed on the side of her nail. What if the My Single Alien database was right, and the two of them were a perfect match? She’d known the data to be wrong before, but what if this criminal alien was meant for her? Did she want him?

Ivy jumped as the door opened again. The guard led Karn in. His hands were restrained behind his back.

A smile lit up Karn’s face. “Are you here for my conjugal visit?”

The guard frowned and gestured to a chair. “Sit here and behave yourself. No funny business. Miss Blain knows what to do if you cause any trouble.”

Karn nodded. “I will be on my best behavior. It will be a struggle for Ivy. She can never keep her hands off me.”

The guard grunted as he untied Karn’s hands and then closed the door behind him.

Ivy could see the back of the guard’s head through the glass window as she sat at the table with Karn. She took a deep breath as she stared at him. “Why were you restrained?”

“I might have punched another prisoner. The guard is being cautious.”

“It sounds like you’re having fun in the cells.”

“I’m thinking of renting a room down here it’s so great.” Karn shrugged. “I didn’t figure they’d keep me in here for this long.”

“My boss is making arrangements. I don’t think you’ll be here much longer.”

Karn jiggled his knees up and down as his feet tapped on the floor. “About that. Any chance you can change her mind? I’ve never been one for getting my hands dirty. Mining will involve getting dust everywhere.”

“No surprise there. There’s nothing I can do. She’s suspended me from work.”

Karn’s smile slid off his face. “I had no idea. I didn’t think you’d get in trouble over this. Did you tell her you had nothing to do with it?”

“Of course. She didn’t believe me. When Diadora gets an idea into her head, she won’t let go. She thinks we’re involved and I’m in on this with you.”

“I’ll tell her otherwise. I’ll say I broke into the office, messed with your database, and you stumbled in and discovered me.”

“Which would be great because that’s the truth. I’m not involved with whatever it is you’re doing. Which is what, by the way?”

“It was a bit of fun messing around with your data, so some horny aliens can get their matches earlier than they’re supposed to.”

“You were paid to match make?”

“In a way. I was working off a debt. All I had to do was upload information into your system.”

“Well, that bit of fun has got me suspended. I thought I’d deleted all the damage you’d done, but my boss noticed the next day. Diadora discovered drone security footage of me.”

Karn shook his head. “I didn’t mean to mess things up for you. You must have a lot going on right now.”

“Actually, no. I’m going to be bored without work.” Ivy had nothing else going on in her life. Without her job, she’d end up sitting in her quarters with nothing to do. If she wasn’t working, she was eating. If she wasn’t eating, she was asleep.

“Sorry, Ivy. You shouldn’t have gotten involved with this. I don’t want you to think badly of me.”

“I do.” Ivy gestured at Karn’s jiggling legs. “What’s with you? You haven’t stopped moving since you came in here.”

“It’s nothing.” Karn stopped moving, his hands pressing on his thighs. “I know you better since I came in here. I’ve been thinking about you.”

“Well don’t. There’s nothing to think about. You need to focus on making sure I don’t lose my job.”

“I don’t want that. I’ll help you however I can.”

“Why shouldn’t I make sure you get sent to that mining prison?”

“Maybe you should.” Karn slumped in his seat. “I hope you don’t, though. I like you.”

“You don’t even know me.”

“I’m getting to know you. I like what I know. We’re the same.”

“I’m nothing like you. I don’t cheat and lie.”

“I mean, we both strive for the best. I’ve seen your designer purses and fondness for the finest champagne. You always go after the classiest things. I bet it’s not just in the things you buy. You want to be the best in the business. You’re great at what you do. Everyone loves My Single Alien. That’s all thanks to the great publicity you put out. Without you, the agency will be nothing.”

“They don’t know that. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have suspended me.” Why was Karn being so nice to her? He must think he can sweet talk her into dropping the charges.

“Then they’re idiots. We are the same. I like nice things and work hard to make sure, when people want an intelligence gatherer, my name pops into their heads.”

“You’re a spy. You have no loyalty. You work with whoever pays you the most. Who wants to be good at something like that?”

“It’s all I know how to do,” Karn said.

Ivy glanced at him and looked away. He seemed so sincere. It was as if spending time in the cells had given him a chance to reassess and realize what an idiot he’d been. Could his time in a holding cell have made him reflect on his dubious actions? She doubted it.

“There’s one other thing.” Karn leaned forward. “It’s the most important to me. We’ve got something between us. Your own database is certain we’re a perfect match.”

“The data is wrong. Don’t trust it.”

“Are you so sure it’s wrong? We looked to be an incredible match. I would like to explore that with you and see where we can take things.” Karn brushed a finger across the back of Ivy’s hand.

She flinched and pulled her hands into her lap.

Concern furrowed Karn’s brow. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine if you discount my lack of employment.”

Karn tilted his head to the side. “You don’t feel sick?”

Ivy must look as bad as she felt. “What makes you say that?”

Karn reached for her hand again. “When I touched you, I’m not sure...”

“You can’t know I’m sick just by touching me.”

“I don’t think you’re unwell.” Karn’s intense stare had Ivy shifting in her seat.

“Why the sudden interest in my wellbeing? You’re a player. I’ve seen you in the bar with other women. It’s a different one every time. You don’t strike me as a relationship kind of guy, the caring, thoughtful kind who looks out for his girl.”

“I didn’t think I was either.” Karn continued to scrutinize Ivy. “The more I get to know you, the more I’m beginning to wonder. Maybe there is one person out there for me. Maybe that person is you.”

Ivy wished she could read minds. She didn’t know if Karn was being honest with her. She couldn’t trust him. He’d lied and deceived her. “You need to stay out of my way. We aren’t right for each other. Serve your time on the mining planet and get on with your life. Don’t come back to Prodigy. You won’t be welcome here.”

Karn’s gaze went to the ground. “Do you have somebody else in your life? Somebody you’re waiting for?”

Ivy shoved her chair back and stood. Her stomach was cramping again. She did not want a repeat performance of public puking in front of Karn. “It’s not about somebody else. Maybe I’m happy just as I am. I don’t need a guy in my life to make me happy.”

When Karn looked up at her, she was surprised to see a glimmer of hope in his dark eyes. “You’re not missing anyone you left behind on Earth?”

She shook her head. What was he talking about? Why did Karn care who she left behind when she left Earth? “There’s no one back there for me. Nobody I care about. My parents are gone, and I’m an only child.”

“I was thinking more a fiancé or boyfriend. You know, a significant other. There’s no one you’re hoping will come after you?”

“No, if I wanted someone to come with me when I left Earth, I’d have brought them.” Ivy shook her head. “You’re not making sense. I thought you’d try to talk me out of pressing charges. What do you care about my past love life?”

Karn relaxed back in his seat. “I am bothered about going to the mining prison, but I also worry about you.”

Ivy threw her hands up in exasperation. “Stop worrying. I’m fine without you.” She strode to the door and banged on it.

“Ivy, promise me one thing.”

“I don’t have to promise you anything.”

“I’m serious. I’m worried about you. Go see a doctor as soon as possible.”

Did she really look that unwell? “I’m just tired and stressed. That’s all your fault.”

“It’s more than that.”

The intensity of Karn’s voice made Ivy turn and look at him. “When did you become an expert in human illnesses?”

“I’m not. I don’t think you’re sick.” Karn stood from his seat as the door locks clicked open.

A shiver of concern slid down Ivy’s spine. “What’s wrong with me?”

“You’re pregnant.”

Ivy stared at him. She ignored the guard who stood behind her. “You think that’s funny?”

Karn glanced at the guard. “I don’t have much experience with this. When I touched you, I sensed another essence.”

“Essence?”

“Are you leaving or not?” the guard asked.

“Just a second.” Ivy closed the gap between her and Karn. Her hand rested on her tender stomach. “You think that essence is a baby?”

Karn’s gaze went to her stomach. “It’s possible. I warned you to be careful when we were together. I could sense your fertility.”

Ivy shushed him. “We haven’t even slept together.”

“We both... enjoyed ourselves the other night. You had your hands all over me and all over yourself.”

Ivy snorted a laugh. “I got myself pregnant? This is my fault?”

“No! I didn’t mean that.” Karn ran a hand through his hair. “All I’m saying is go and get checked out. Human and Forka pregnancies can be tricky. The baby grows fast. You need supplements and extra nutrition.”

“No way!” This had to be another of Karn’s lies, a way to keep her interested and give himself a get out of jail card. Did he think he’d get a lighter sentence because he faked knocking someone up?

“Ivy! I’m not joking with you.” Karn went to grab her arm.

The guard stepped in between them. “Take it easy unless you want the restraints back on.”

“You’re a liar. The sooner you get sentenced to a stretch in the mining prison, the better. As if I’d want you to be the father to my children.” Ivy stalked away from the holding cell, feeling more conflicted than ever. Her unsettled stomach had nothing to do with a baby. It was not possible.

Karn had to be lying. She wanted him gone. It was for the best. Ivy couldn’t afford to have a complicated relationship in her life. She didn’t want a relationship at all. And as for a kid with Karn, no way would that happen. The sooner Karn was out of her life, the better.

Ivy slowed as she turned the corner and rested her head against the wall. Her hand went to her tender stomach, and she stroked it. She couldn’t be pregnant, could she?