Kendra Hilton shifted from foot to foot as she watched the stream of hopeful single daters arrive through the doors of the Enchanted Captain. She stood at the entrance alongside her immaculately turned out colleague, Ivy Blain, checking their names.

“Here’s your number for the evening,” Kendra said to a smartly dressed Koob. “On your port screen, you’ll have a list of numbers corresponding to every single female attending tonight. If you’re interested in one of the women after you’ve spoken with her, put a tick next to her number, and we’ll do the rest.”

The Koob smiled and nodded as he walked to the bar.

A swirl of worry ran through Kendra as she surveyed the crowd. There were far more males than human women. She did a head count, and her nerves increased. Several of the single women who’d confirmed they were coming had still not shown.

“We’re starting in five minutes,” Ivy muttered. “Where are all the hot women you promised this lot?”

“They’ll show. We’ll have a packed house.” Kendra brushed her dark hair off her face and ignored her worry. The speed dating event had been her idea. She’d been at My Single Alien as a matchmaker for three months, and this was the first time one of her ideas to promote the agency had been agreed to by Ivy.

Kendra had assured Ivy there would be plenty of females to go around. So far, there were lots of excited male aliens strolling through the door but not enough women. If she wasn’t careful, the randy males would turn this into a brawl if they didn’t get a chance to speak with a female.

She had to stop doubting herself. This would work. It had to. She couldn’t afford to get on the wrong side of Ivy. She’d never let her forget it if this failed.

Kendra sucked in a breath as the boss of My Single Alien, Diadora Hardwick, walked in. Her sharp gaze went around the room, and her lips tightened. She stomped over to Kendra. “Is everything going to plan?”

“Almost. We’re giving it a few more minutes before we start.” She swallowed her nerves. Diadora had this effect on everybody. She was a no-nonsense, straight talking woman with a frighteningly strong cybernetic arm. She was always willing to use that strength to get what she wanted.

“You need more women,” Diadora said. “We can’t have potential customers sitting on their own. It will bring the reputation of My Single Alien into doubt. That cannot happen.”

Ivy joined them, her expression stern. “You need to keep a handle on these aliens. Two of them just tried to test out my goodies.” She patted her backside. “I do not like my butt handled by anyone other than Karn.”

“You see,” Diadora said. “We must have more women to share in this testosterone-fueled nightmare. I thought you had this organized.”

Kendra’s fingers tightened around her port screen. “I did. I mean, I do. All the women have said they’ll be here. Maybe they’re running late. This will work. We’ll get plenty of new clients.”

Diadora’s nostrils flared. “Make sure it does. I’ll be monitoring the numbers closely after this event.”

“Perhaps you’d like to sit in and help make up the numbers.” Kendra glanced at Ivy, who swiftly turned her back. It sounded like she was stifling laughter.

“What are you suggesting?” Diadora’s expression was stony. “Do you think I want to date any of this lot?”

“Oh, no. Well, they seem nice. And they are all single. I didn’t think you were involved with anybody.” Sweat prickled on her upper lip.

“I choose to remain single,” Diadora said. “I do not have time to date. But if I did, I wouldn’t come to this sleazy bar.”

“I like the Enchanted Captain.” Kendra’s throat tightened. Had she just been dumb enough to suggest her scary boss go speed dating? “They do a good two-for-one cocktail offer.”

Ivy couldn’t hold in her laughter as she turned. “You’ll have to bring Diadora here for a free cocktail the next time you arrange a girls’ night out.”

Kendra blushed. “It’s a nice place. Lots of people come here to relax after a hard day at work. It’s the perfect venue for our first speed dating evening.”

“Maybe this is a perfect place for you to find love,” Diadora said. “I shall not be sitting in to find the alien of my dreams this evening or any evening.”

“Of course, it was a daft idea. Forget I said anything.” Kendra glanced at Ivy. “I don’t suppose you—”

“There’s no way you’re getting me to sit and talk nicely to these aliens,” Ivy said. “If my guy catches me flirting, he won’t be happy. I save my flirting for him.” Ivy had been dating Karn for over a year, and they had the cutest baby together. Although Ivy came with a spiky side, whenever she was around Karn and their child, she got a soppy look in her eyes, and the sharpness vanished.

“We can’t misrepresent ourselves to future clients,” Diadora said. “What if a potential client requests a date with Ivy and we have to refuse him?”

Kendra pinched her lips together. “You’re right. Stupid idea.” She studied Diadora out of the corner of her eye. She was an attractive woman, but it would take a man with an ego that couldn’t be bruised to get involved with her. There must be somebody out there for Diadora. If she gave tonight a try, she could find her perfect guy.

She decided to keep those thoughts to herself. She valued her job.

“We’ve got the media watching tonight,” Ivy said. “I’ve arranged three camera bots to film the whole thing. If we have uneven numbers, it won’t look good.”

Worry surged through Kendra again. She hadn’t expected this to be such a big thing. She’d thought a dozen tables with willing volunteers would be fun. Something small and intimate. A time for single people to meet and chat with no pressure. She hadn’t expected it to be recorded.

“You’re single,” Diadora said to Kendra.

Her eyebrows rose. “I am. I know not to date clients.”

Diadora nodded. “At least you know how to follow that rule. What I mean is, you sit in. You’re single, and you’re not unattractive. There might be an alien interested in you. Chat him up but give him a gentle brush-off. He’ll enjoy himself but won’t want to pursue a relationship with you.”

“Much like you, I’m not looking for love. I’m here to work. That’s all.” There was no place for love in Kendra’s life. She knew what happened when you got attached to somebody. Hearts got broken and tears fell.

“You all say that. Yet, every one of you who comes to My Single Alien gets attached.” Diadora jabbed a finger in the air. “Take Ivy, for instance. She’s shacked up with some no-good Forka and has a baby with him.”

Ivy smirked and raised her chin, not a hint of shame on her face. “You can’t hide from the real thing. When I met my guy, I just knew. There was no point in fighting it.”

That wasn’t the story Kendra had heard. Ivy had fought Karn on several occasions before giving in and falling head over heels in love with a shady alien who had an issue with authority.

“I don’t need to fight anything,” Kendra said. “I don’t want a guy in my life.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve had your heart broken by some cheating deviant?” Ivy’s bottom lip jutted out. “You’re not another of these die-hard, independent women who claim not to need a man.” Her gaze shifted to Diadora.

“When the time is right, I’ll look for someone,” Kendra said. “I didn’t come to space to find love.”

“You don’t need to find love tonight,” Diadora said. “But you don’t want to mess up this evening. You will take part. We need to make up the numbers.”

Kendra shook her head. “I haven’t dated in years. I don’t remember how to make small talk with a guy.”

“Ask him lots of questions about himself. Every guy loves to talk about himself,” Ivy said.

“It doesn’t feel right.” Kendra inched toward the exit, an urge to run forcing her into action. “Besides, I’m organizing tonight. It will look strange if I take part.”

“I can handle any last-minute arrivals,” Ivy said. “You take a seat and enjoy yourself.” Her eyes glimmered with amusement.

Kendra looked around the room and swallowed. She had no choice but to be involved or risk the wrath of Diadora. Ivy would handle the job on her own easily enough, although Kendra had the impression Ivy was doing this to make her squirm and not help her out.

“Go take a seat.” Ivy gave Kendra a gentle push toward an empty table. “You never know. You might meet the guy of your dreams.”

Diadora scowled at Kendra. “Make sure you don’t. Be sweet and obliging and promote My Single Alien. We need a healthy supply of customers coming out of this event, or it will be the first and last time we do it. Is that understood?”

Kendra nodded, her expression glum. She selected an empty table and sat at it. Her port screen pinged, and she looked down to see she was number thirteen. Unlucky for some. Definitely unlucky for her.

She saw three camera bots discreetly hovering above the tables, recording people as they sat in empty seats. A buzz of excitement and anticipation filled the room. Maybe this could work. If it did, it would be great for business. And, if it went well, Kendra hoped Diadora would remember she’d been the one to suggest it.

She watched Ivy and Diadora talk before Diadora left. It was only after she’d gone that Kendra relaxed a little. She always felt under pressure when Diadora was around, as if she was observing her and not liking what she saw. She seemed to disapprove of every move Kendra made.

The music in the bar lowered, and Ivy walked to the center of the room. “Welcome to the first My Single Alien speed dating evening. The women are to remain in their seats. The men each get to spend five minutes with you. You’ll have a chance to chat, and at the end of the conversation, men will move one table at the sound of the chime. Men, make a note of the women you’d like to see again, and we’ll help make the arrangements. Enjoy your evening, everybody.”

Kendra’s heart sped up as a sweet looking Koob with a shiny gray head settled in the seat in front of her. His smile was nervous as he clasped his hands together.

“I’m Oha.” He bobbed his head.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kendra.”

Oha gave a swift nod. “Have you been on Prodigy long?”

“Just over three months. I was one of the new intakes at—” She stopped before messing up. She couldn’t admit she worked for My Single Alien. “Let’s not talk about my work. It’s not all that exciting. What do you do?”

“I work as part of the maintenance and repair crew out of engineering. You get to see a lot of the space station, inside and out. It’s mainly routine repairs, making sure the filters don’t get blocked, and the place doesn’t overheat, that sort of thing.”

“It sounds like it keeps you busy.” She liked Oha’s large dark eyes and honest expression.

“It does. I enjoy my work. I enjoy serving others.” Koobs were known for their role as helpers and aides. You’d often find them working in a service role. A Koob ran the Enchanted Captain, and there was another in charge of the general store.

“Have you been single long?” Kendra asked.

“Over a year. I was seeing someone. She was sweet, but it didn’t work out. I think she was looking for someone with a bit more muscle.” Oha smiled and flexed his lean bicep. “We aren’t the most musclebound of aliens, but we are loyal. When I find the right woman, I’ll make her the happiest she can be. I won’t even glance at another female. I’m looking for that one true love.”

Kendra smiled and relaxed more. This wasn’t so bad. If nothing else, she might make some new friends on board Prodigy.

“How about you? Have you been single for long? I can’t imagine someone with such lovely dark eyes isn’t capturing the attention of many men.”

Kendra grinned and felt herself blush. “Oh, it seems like years since I’ve been on a date. Actually, it has been years. I move around a lot. It’s hard to meet someone when you’re never in the same place for long.” Not all those moves had been her choosing but a must when the rent was overdue and the bank account was empty.

“Is this your first trip into space?”

She nodded. “I saw the recruitment ads when I was on Earth. It seemed like the perfect opportunity for a new start. As I expect you know, Earth isn’t doing so well. There’s nothing for me there, so I thought I’d try my luck in space.”

“I’ve been to Earth several times. I can imagine it was once a beautiful place. Have you ever been to my planet?”

“No, I’ve never been to any other planets. I’m a space virgin.”

Oha laughed. “Perhaps you’ll meet someone who can show you the stars if that’s what you’re interested in.”

Kendra looked around and shrugged. “I like it here. It will be nice to stay in one place for a while. I’ve got my work and my friends. I can’t think of anything else I need.”

“There is one thing,” Oha said.

She tilted her head. “What’s that?”

“You need to find love. Isn’t that why we’re all here?” He smiled at her.

“Of course! That’s a given. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t looking for that special somebody.” Kendra felt a little guilty about her lie. She had told the truth about being content with what she had on Prodigy. The friends she’d made since her arrival were great, and she had no one on Earth who cared for her.

Since she’d been tiny, Kendra had moved through the foster care system. She’d lost track of all the people she’d relied on for survival. People who’d promised they’d always be there and were gone the next day. It was great to have stability. It was amazing to have her friends at My Single Alien. She even considered Ivy a sort of friend when she was not being too much of a bitch. Life was good. She shouldn’t want for anything else.

Oha reached over and gently patted her hand. “I can see I’m not the alien you’re looking for.”

Her cheeks flushed. “It’s not that. You seem lovely. I’m sure you’ll meet someone amazing when the time is right. If not here, perhaps you can try My Single Alien. I hear they run a great service.” It felt sleazy promoting the place she worked, but Diadora had insisted on it.

“I know they do. I’ve had three friends matched with humans. They have six offspring between them. If it weren’t for this agency, they’d all be alone.”

“Do you think you’ll sign up as a client?”

“I’m considering it. I would like to have a partner.” His dark eyes glistened. “I think we both know what it’s like to be lonely.”

Kendra bit her bottom lip. That was true. She’d surrounded herself with work and kept herself entertained with the stories of her friends’ love lives. She’d always assumed she needed nothing more. Something as complicated and messy as a relationship would do her no good.

Their port screens rang at the same time.

“That’s our five minutes up,” Oha said. “It was lovely chatting to you, Kendra. The best of luck in your search for true love.” He smiled as he stood.

“You too.” Kendra watched him go. She should find somebody like Oha. Somebody kind and reliable. Someone who was stable and knew how to treat her right, who showed her that love was something not to run away from but to embrace.

She shook her head. It was too hard, and love was always messy. When she was younger, she’d thrown her love at anyone who paid her attention. She’d been desperate for acceptance into their lives and family, to be shown she was worthy of being loved. It always ended in rejection. It would be the same with a guy. Her heart was a fragile thing, and she wasn’t going to let it break. There were only so many times something got smashed before it had to be destroyed for good.

Kendra looked up as the chair in front of her slid back. Her heart skipped several beats as she stared at the enormous, chestnut-brown skinned Tolong. His piercing dark eyes locked onto hers, and she swallowed.

If trouble came in a hot, muscled package, this would be exactly what it looked like.

She licked her lips and tried to smile. What had she gotten herself into?