After Oliver is gone I notice the open mouths and dazed expressions on the news crew, and heat surges to my face as I say, “I’m sorry you had to see that.”

Debbie cuts in as she takes my arm. “Give us a few minutes, would you? Ian, give them something to eat while Morgan and I talk.”

I let Debbie lead me back to the office without complaint, and when we get there I pace my office as the adrenaline of my outburst subsides and embarrassment replaces it. “Oh god,” I say. “I didn’t mean for that to happen.”

Debbie doesn’t say anything as I walk back and forth. When I finally stop, she asks, “Are you okay?”

I let out a sigh. “Yeah.” I shake my head as I replay what I just did. “I think.” I cringe a little as I say, “Please tell me none of that was captured on film.”

“No. Luckily, you aren’t about to be the top story.” She mimics a reporter’s voice. “Breaking news. Caffeine freak out by coffee shop owner. Story at ten.”

I let out a huff of anger. “Stop it. What Oliver did to me this morning was way over the line, and I’m not ready to forgive him.”

Debbie’s gaze is the intense one she uses when chastising an employee for wrongdoing. “I’m not sure I follow. He and Ian spent most of yesterday and a good chunk of time last night figuring out that glowing mug. It’s going to save your bacon, so why are you so upset?”

I blink in confusion that she doesn’t get it. “How about the part where I should have been asked if I even wanted to use it? Last time I checked I still owned this place.”

“Why wouldn’t you use the mug?” Debbie shakes her head. “Seriously, Morgan. The concept is brilliant, it’s going to make Oliver and Ian a lot of money, and it means you aren’t going to lose your Eroscian customers.”

“Because!” I blurt out. I think about how the mug does solve the problem of an alien consuming caffeine in my shop. She’s right. Damn it. I swipe away my angry tears. I’d be a fool not to use Oliver and Ian’s invention. I scowl and let out a low growl. “I feel like I was overthrown. Look, I admit the mug is brilliant, but why wasn’t I part of the decision to use it?”

“I’m sorry. You should have been, but it all happened so fast. When Ian called Cathy to tell her about it, she jumped on the chance to break the news and got here before you did. In hindsight I realize I should have told the news crew to wait until you got here before they did anything.”

I remember Oliver texted me when he was on his way to the coffee shop just before I showered, and he had every right to think I would be there instead of home. Ian probably contacted Cathy at the same time, so it does make sense. It occurs to me this is Oliver’s invention too, and I don’t exactly have proprietary rights over either alien. “Thank you for the explanation. But I still feel as if Oliver acted on my behalf, and I don’t like it.”

“You’re overreacting. Oliver wants your business to succeed, and he’s clearly willing to do whatever he can to help. You should be grateful he’s so smart.”

“I am. It’s just that...”

“You’re not used to accepting help?”

I notice a plaque on my wall from a small independent business association. I walk over and the metal engraving is rough on my finger as I trace it. I got the Bootstraps Award for being an underdog who managed to become a success. I recall the way I struggled with nothing more than bartending tips to start my coffee shop and all the sacrifices I’ve made along the way.

“I got here on my own, and I’m proud of it,” I say.

“I know,” says Debbie. “But your pride isn’t worth fighting Oliver’s involvement in your career. Especially when you have to admit his contributions are good ones.”

I close my eyes and let out a sigh. “I do.”

“Uh-huh.” She puts her hands on her hips. “So, what do you say to the new cups?”

“Yes.”

“What about the television interview with Cathy?”

“Yes to that too, but hold them off a little longer.” Oliver needs to get the credit for what he and Ian invented. “There’s someone who needs to be present for the interview.”

Debbie opens my office door and holds it for me. “Slip out the back to get Oliver, and I’ll ply everyone with chocolate croissants while we wait.”

I give my manager and friend a hug. “Thanks for talking me down when I get crazy.”

“Anytime.”

This time when I move along the sidewalk, I’m not so light on my feet. Shame burns in me as I think about how I treated Oliver, and I wonder if he’s already packing his bags. I jog up the steps to my apartment and pause to take a deep breath before I enter. I find my alien on the floor doing pushups. His rippling back muscles don’t go unnoticed as I say, “Hey.”

He stops and stands up to face me. “Hey.”

I take a step closer. “I’m really sorry for how I acted earlier. I don’t want you to leave.”

He takes a moment to study me before he says, “I’m not sure if I can stay on your terms. I want a partner who appreciates the things I do for her and believes my intentions are good instead of assuming I have ulterior motives.”

I swallow hard. “You deserve that from me, and I’m sorry I haven’t been giving it to you. I let my pride get in the way of good sense, but I do believe everything you’ve done was to help me.”

“So what was your anger about, Morgan? What is it I do that pushes your buttons?”

I shake my head. “You’re smart and clever and come up with ideas I wish I’d had.”

“Are you jealous?”

I remember how angry I’ve been getting when Oliver has a good idea, and that my first reaction has been to reject it. Do I respond that way because I’m envious of his savvy business mind? My stomach knots up because I think that may be part of my problem. I blink back the tears burning in my eyes. “Maybe.”

He sighs and steps toward me to grip my arms lightly. “I’m not better at running your business than you are, and I never could be. This isn’t a competition.”

I gaze up into the compassionate face of my alien match… the alien I want to marry and be with for the rest of my life. It hurts my heart that I’ve been too blind to see he’s my partner instead of an adversary. “No, it’s not. I want you to be by my side forever, Oliver.” I place my hand on his chest over his heart, and it beats strongly beneath my palm. “I’ve been a fool, and I hope you can forgive me.”

He leans down and kisses me slow and deep, and warmth fills my entire being. I realize that Oliver has already found a place in my life, and my heart. When we end the kiss, my emotions make my chest tight. A feeling I recognize but was afraid I’d never feel again radiates through me, and I say, “I love you. Oliver.”

He grins as if I’ve given him the best gift ever. “I love you too. Want to get married?”

I smile back. “Yes. I do.”

He lets out a whoop as he lifts me up in the air above his head. When he sets me down he asks, “Can it be tonight? Because—” he waggles his eyebrows at me, “—I’ve got an idea or two for later.”

“Hmmm.” I bite my lower lip as I scan his body with my gaze. “I might have one or two of my own.”

My sexy alien lets out a low groan and grabs my hips to pull me tight against his body. “I can’t wait,” he says.

“That reminds me. The reason I was so late going into the shop this morning is that I think I’ve got a way to pull you into the coffee shop business. Perhaps help me make humans a little healthier?”

“I’m interested.”

“This would mean we’d have to work together; as partners.”

“I’d like that,” he says before he kisses me with the promise of so much more. The TV interview can wait.