“I couldn’t have made this match any better if I’d done it myself.” Heather grinned as she signed off the latest match between a Rolon and a perky sounding human, called Patsy.

Vegas and Nell sat opposite her in the office they shared.

Vegas looked up from her tablet. “Everything’s been working so well since that rogue code was defeated. I almost wish it had happened sooner. All the damage we took forced the Council of Representatives to give us the money we were long overdue for a systems upgrade.”

“Have you seen there are three new types of brownies you can get from the food replicator?” Nell smacked her lips together. “So long as that keeps working, I’m happy.”

“Who needs air filtration when you have brownies?” Heather felt the same. It wasn’t the fact that the brownies were now acceptably edible; things had been going great between Loka and her. Better than great. She was head over heels in love with her goofball alien.

Over the last three weeks, they’d gotten to know each other in every way possible. Heather had introduced Loka to her favorite classic TV series. He’d grudgingly accepted that Star Trek wasn’t terrible or completely inaccurate to life on the other side of the Glory Hole. She’d also been spending time with him as he worked in the evenings, watching as he mapped the star system. She was so proud of her super-smart alien.

As for the sex, she’d never had anything like it. Loka never seemed to tire. She was always an exhausted, sweaty heap as she begged for respite from his amorous advances. She didn’t beg much. Heather had lost count of the number of orgasms he’d given her. This one was a keeper.

“Is that a new gift from Loka?” Nell gestured to the smooth oval piece of coal on Heather’s desk.

She nodded. “He went out on a mapping mission and returned with it. He said it took him almost a day to find the perfect piece.” Heather stroked her fingers over the coal, knowing the secret it held.

“Speaking of your sexy, one-horned alien.” Vegas nodded at the door.

Heather turned. A huge smile spread across her face. Loka was peering through the window in the door.

“Take five minutes,” Vegas said. “But we’ve got more matches to make before you can go, so no sneaking off for naked fun with your alien.”

“I would never sneak off to do that. I’d always ask your permission before having illicit naked fun.” Heather grinned at Vegas before hurrying to the door.

Loka stood in front of her, his hands behind his back and a cheeky smile on his face. “I have got you something.”

“More coal? I’m still enjoying the last piece.”

“Not coal. I’ve been working on a project in my spare time, something you will enjoy.”

“What spare time?” When they weren’t working, they were hanging out together.

Loka shrugged. “I might have snuck out while you were sleeping to get this done.”

Excitement traced through Heather. “What is it?”

Loka spread his arms. “You may begin.”

A trumpet sounded, making Heather jump back.

“What’s going on?” Nell appeared in the doorway, Vegas behind her.

“I’m not sure,” Heather said.

She watched as Loka stood to the side. A spider cyborg scuttled around the corner, a plastic rose in one limb. He was the one trumpeting.

“Why’s the cyborg doing that?” Nell asked. “It’s not another virus?”

“No, it is doing as instructed. It’s the closest sound I could get to a bellow,” Loka said.

Heather stared at the cyborg. “Wait! Is that... Ernie?” The cyborg had an identical dent in his back, just like Ernie. “That’s impossible. He was torn apart.”

Loka’s grin widened. “I restored your pet for you. I know you miss him.”

Heather knelt on the ground, tears in her eyes. “Ernie. Is that you?”

Ernie scuttled over and presented her with the rose. “For my Princess.”

Heather clapped her hands together. She scooped Ernie up and kissed him. “I thought you were dead.”

“I am here to serve, Princess.” Ernie trumpeted again.

She laughed and kissed him repeatedly. “We’ll have to work on your bellow, but other than that, you’re perfect.” Heather stood and flung herself into Loka’s arms before kissing him, as well.

He lifted her off her feet, and she used his horn to keep upright as the kiss deepened.

“It’s the weirdest little family I’ve ever seen, but it seems to work,” Vegas said.

“You two need to get a room.” Ivy stalked along the corridor, shaking her head as she saw Heather and Loka together.

Heather turned and presented Ernie to Ivy. “He fixed Ernie.”

Ivy’s nose wrinkled. “It’s weird how you like that cyborg. Anyone would think you had a problem making real friends.”

Heather shook her head and turned back to Loka. “Are you still on for our date mapping Quadrant W?”

Loka nodded and kissed her cheek. “I wouldn’t miss it. There is a cluster of stars you must see.”

“I can’t wait.” Heather dropped her hold on his horn as he lowered her to the ground. Loka was her perfect alien, and he’d fixed her best cyborg friend. It must have taken him hours. Ernie looked as good as new. And he could trumpet!

“You sure have some geeky dates,” Ivy said as she watched Loka walk away.

“They might sound geeky to you, but they are lots of fun.” Heather’s gaze ran over Ivy. “Is everything okay?” Ivy’s usually pristine demeanor was off. Her hair looked messy, and her dark eye make-up was smudged. Ivy’s make-up was never smudged.

She shrugged. “I’m fine. Any interesting matches today?”

“The usual,” Heather said. “Come take a look if you like.” She walked back into the office, proudly presenting Ernie for the others to see.

Nell stroked Ernie’s head. “It’s good to have you back.”

“Hello, Nell,” Ernie said. “You look nice today.”

“That so is Ernie. He was always such a sweetie. He looks as good as new.”

“That’s because my alien is a genius,” Heather said.

Ivy snorted, not having moved far from the doorway.

“What can we do for you?” Vegas said to Ivy. “I sent you a dozen couples to take photos of. Weren’t they suitable?”

Ivy looked around the room, running her hands through her hair as she did so. “They were fine. I’ve got two photo shoots lined up tomorrow.”

“This is a social call?” Vegas’s voice was laced with surprise. Ivy never came to the office to play nice.

“I was passing and wanted to see what you geeks were up to.”

“We were about to stop for lunch if you’d like to join us,” Heather said, ignoring the irritated look Vegas shot her.

Ivy had shown Heather a different side to her when she’d needed help. It hadn’t lasted long. She was always prickly to be around. Ivy had had a chip on her shoulder ever since she’d joined My Single Alien. No one could work out why. She also had a distinct lack of female friends. Ivy was never short of male company, but none stuck. Poison Ivy liked to hit and run when it came to her relationships.

“I’ve already eaten.” Ivy’s gaze went to the tablets on the desk.

Heather glanced at Vegas, who looked equally puzzled as to Ivy’s behavior.

“You can stay for coffee,” Heather said.

Ivy nodded. She strode to the replicator and made herself a coffee. She didn’t offer to get anyone else a drink as she sat down.

Heather placed Ernie on the desk before walking over and grabbing drinks for everybody. “So, what’s new in the world of PR?” she asked Ivy as she settled at the table.

Ivy hovered on the edge of her seat. “The usual nauseatingly happy stories about how everyone loves My Single Alien. Diadora has plans for an online magazine. People can’t get enough of a happily ever after.”

“That will keep you busy,” Nell said.

Ivy shrugged. “It’s nothing I can’t handle.”

That was why Ivy was tolerated. She knew her way around public relations like nobody else. She could squeeze a story out of anyone and make even the most dubious looking alien attractive when he posed for his photograph for the database.

“Is your system still glitching?” Ivy tilted her chin at the tablet Heather held.

“No. Just the opposite. We were saying how great the matches are. Everything is working well.”

Ivy’s nose twitched. “That’s good to know. It will mean more positive press for us.”

Heather chewed on her bottom lip. Maybe this was Ivy’s attempt to make friends. She’d kept herself apart from everybody since she’d joined My Single Alien. Even when they’d all met for the first time on Earth, she’d been aloof.

Maybe Ivy was lonely. Heather should ask her to do something fun together. The thought didn’t sit well with her. The last time Heather had asked Ivy if she wanted to join her for a movie night, Ivy had laughed in her face and told her Star Wars was for losers.

Still, it didn’t hurt to try again. “I was just thinking—”

“I need to get out of here.” Ivy kicked back her chair, leaving her coffee untouched. “I’ve got a busy afternoon.”

The three of them watched as Ivy left the room, glancing back as she did so before the door slid shut behind her.

“What’s wrong with her?” Vegas asked.

“I saw her in the Enchanted Captain last night,” Nell said, leaning over the desk and lowering her voice as if afraid Ivy might overhear. “She’d had a few too many. She was dancing around her stool like it was some hot guy who wanted to marry her.”

“That doesn’t sound like Ivy,” Vegas said.

“She’s usually so in control,” Heather said. “Do you think something is wrong?”

“Maybe she’s finally cutting loose and getting that I’m-better-than-the-rest-of-the-world stick out of her butt,” Vegas said.

“I was wondering if she’s in need of a friend,” Heather said. “She spends so much time on her own.”

“That’s her own fault,” Nell said. “Ivy is scary and mean. She always tells me I’m too fat and need to lose weight.”

“You are not fat,” Heather said. “You’re gorgeous. You have curves to die for. Men drool over your bosom. I see it happen at least once a day. Remember the time that Draxdan walked into a door because he was so busy leering at your hooters?”

Nell laughed and glanced down at her ample chest. “It’s not my fault the zippers on these jumpsuits don’t always stay where they should.”

“Maybe we’re seeing a miracle, and Ivy is having an off day,” Vegas said. “Now I think about it, I’m sure she’s wearing yesterday’s clothes. She has a different jumpsuit for every day. They have different colored striping down the side. She hasn’t changed.”

“And for Ivy, she looked a little messy,” Nell said, a glint in her eyes. “You think she had a raunchy sleepover with an alien?”

“She’s not seeing anybody,” Vegas said. “At least, I don’t think so.”

“Something is off, though,” Heather said. “I’ll go see her later, see if she wants to grab a drink. It might make her open up if something is wrong.”

“You’ll regret it,” Vegas cautioned. “She’ll throw it back in your face like she does with everyone. Poison Ivy can’t help but be a bitch.”

“You could be right.” Heather took a sip of coffee as she accessed the next file on her tablet. She went through the female’s profile, a professional with a well-paid position, good vital statistics, and no illnesses. They were all plus points.

She flicked to the photograph and squeaked in surprise.

“What’s wrong?” Vegas looked up from her own tablet.

“No way,” Heather said. “It makes sense now why Ivy was snooping around.” She turned the tablet to face the others.

Vegas burst out laughing. Nell’s mouth dropped open. They were staring at a picture of Ivy.

“She put herself forward to be matched by us?” Vegas shook her head. “She must have been drunk last night.”

“Ivy’s mentioned finding a match before.” Heather turned the tablet and stared at the picture. It was a great picture, showing off Ivy’s full lips and high cheekbones. “It was a while ago, just an offhand comment. Maybe she is serious. Maybe Ivy wants to find true love.”

“It might mellow her out if she does,” Nell said.

Vegas twisted her head from side to side. “It must be a mistake. I bet she came in here because she wanted to get the information back.”

Heather looked at the door. “Ivy is lonely. Everyone deserves love.”

“I hate to say it,” Nell said, “but I pity the alien who gets matched with Poison Ivy. He’ll need balls of steel to put up with her. She’s gorgeous and clever, but it comes with a horrible dose of queen bitch. It’s exhausting to be around. No one could put up with that for long.”

Heather looked at her screen. “I don’t believe it. She already has a match.”

Vegas grabbed the tablet. “Not possible. It takes weeks of analysis to get matches. If she’s just submitted her profile, it can’t have worked so quickly.”

Heather joined Vegas in studying the profile of the alien who had been matched with Ivy. A smile traced across her face. “I don’t know. There’s someone out there for everybody. I think it’s time we find Poison Ivy her perfect alien.”