Faron was checking the tools in his utility belt when his boss, Clint, strolled into the gray service tunnel he stood in.

“You’re not going out today,” Clint said.

Faron shrugged. “What needs fixing inside the station?”

Clint grinned a gap-toothed smile. “No work for you today.”

Faron’s eyebrows shot up. “Why? Have I done something to displease you?”

“Your work never displeases me,” Clint said. “The universe has bigger plans for you than repairing the cracked drive shaft on C deck.”

“I do not understand.”

“I had a long conversation with a particularly terrifying woman last night. She decided you get to have a day off. I decided I like my balls still attached to the rest of me, and she threatened to remove them. Therefore, you get a day off.”

“A day off to work with this woman?”

Clint sucked in a breath. “I pray on all the burning stars in the quadrant that you never have to endure that. You get a day off work completely.”

Confusion clouded Faron’s mind. “I’m not doing a private job?”

“Stop thinking about work.” Clint patted his shoulder. “This is about pleasure.”

“I always take pleasure in doing a good job, no matter what the situation is.”

“That’s good to know. I was informed last night that you are to spend the day with a human called Kendra.”

Faron’s jaw dropped. “I am?”

“It’s been arranged. I protested and said you had a full schedule of work, but Diadora Hardwick is not a woman to mess with. She has influence in this place. She wants you to spend the day with this woman, so that’s what you get to do, you lucky bastard.”

“What’s this?” Sala wandered out of a nearby room where the rest of the repair crew waited. “You’re getting a day off to date a hot human?”

Faron shook his head. It was a strange offer, but he felt pleased at having the opportunity to spend more time with Kendra. He’d already decided to pursue something more formal, and now this presented itself. It was perfect, as if the stars were lining up to make sure this coupling happened.

“Where do I need to go?”

Clint shook his head. “Diadora said the details will be sent to you this morning. Put away your tools and get back to your room. Make sure you have a bloody good time. I don’t give up one of my most valuable work crew easily. You enjoy yourself.”

Sala clapped Faron on the back. “Of course he will. Faron knows how to enjoy himself. Don’t you, buddy?”

Faron glanced at him. “I have spent time with this human before. She is not unpleasant to be around.”

“Praise indeed,” Clint said. “Now get out of here before I change my mind. We want all the horny details when you get back tomorrow.”

Faron would share no details, horny or otherwise, with his boss. He walked along the service tunnel, Sala by his side.

“Relax and have fun. I know you take these things seriously but roll with it and enjoy yourself. I’ve seen the promotional stuff with you and this human, and it looks great. You’ve clicked with each other.”

“I don’t know what clicking means, but we talked and ate. She’s easy to be around.”

“That’s a start. You spend too much time on your own. That’s the reason I dragged you to that speed dating event. It does you good to get out and meet other people. We’re sociable creatures. We shouldn’t spend all our time alone.”

He glanced at Sala. “I’m not alone. I’m surrounded by people at work.”

“You’re usually wearing a spacesuit and tethered to the side of the station. You couldn’t be more alone.”

“I speak to you through the comms network.”

Sala shook his head. “It’s not the same thing, and you know it. Get out of here and wow that gorgeous woman.”

Faron allowed himself a smile as he left Sala and returned to his room. This had fallen into his lap. After his dinner with Kendra, he’d wondered how he could get them together again and hadn’t expected this opportunity so soon.

Once in his room, he removed his clothes and pulled out a clean dance thong. It was made of smooth leather and sculpted his body perfectly. It was his favorite thong to wear when performing a mating dance. Not that he’d ever done it before, but he’d practiced plenty of times.

The dance also required body paint. Lines of dark blue and green paint smeared across his muscles to emphasize his prowess. He spent half an hour covering himself in markings and was placing the paint back in the cupboard when an incoming call pinged into his port screen.

“Computer, who is contacting me?”

“Rhodan Tiket.”

A scowl darkened Faron’s features. He didn’t want to face his family now. His happy mood would be ruined. But he couldn’t refuse them. He’d had it beaten into him that he always obeyed his family, and that wouldn’t change.

He opened the link, and his scowl deepened when he saw Bartlek staring back at him. “Is there a problem?”

A smile crossed his brother’s face. “What are you wearing?”

“That is of no concern of yours.”

Bartlek snorted. “I have little interest in your pathetic life. If I didn’t know better, it looks as if you’re about to perform a mating dance. You’re wearing body paint.”

“You are correct.”

“You weren’t lying when you said you had a mate.”

“I do not lie.” The truth around this issue was cloudy, but he hadn’t outright lied. He had been on dates with Kendra.

“So, who is she?”

“You do not know her.”

His brother’s nostrils flared. “I might not know her, but I have seen her. Father requested your activities be monitored to avoid bringing further shame to our name. I received a worrying alert last night. When I opened it, I was shocked to see you fraternizing with a human.”

Faron’s eyes narrowed. His brother had seen the recorded footage of him with Kendra. “What of it?”

“Are you actively trying to ruin this family? A human. You waste your time on a female human.”

“It is not a waste of time.”

Bartlek scowled at him. “You are dressed to dance for her?”

“You have made it clear I am not worthy of a Tolong female. I seek attention elsewhere.”

“Pick somebody else. An alien worthy of being associated with, not a human.”

“What makes you think she is not worthy?”

“Humans barely have the intellect to travel safely in space. Their technologies are primitive, and their desire to destroy everything is apparent by the devastation on their planet. You cannot join with a human.”

“I join with whomever I choose. Besides, I have few options left.”

“Then choose abstinence. Imagine the shame Mother will feel if you bring a Tolong hybrid into the family when you impregnate this human.”

“She should be happy for more grandchildren, regardless of their parents. She’s constantly asking me to provide her with more grandchildren. Perhaps the ones you give her aren’t enough. Do your children lack in some way?” It was a low blow, but he was sick of his brother’s taunts.

Bartlek hissed at him. “My children are perfection.”

“Mother doesn’t think so.”

His brother bared his teeth. “It is no matter. You will soon realize this human is not of any importance.”

Faron’s emotions were a mixture of anger and despair. He hated that a part of him agreed. If he joined with Kendra, it would not be approved of. As far as he knew, there were no Tolong and female human matings. This would be the first. That was if Kendra agreed to it.

Bartlek drew closer to the screen. “After our last conversation, I felt pity for you.”

Faron squinted at him. “I do not need your pity.”

“It is my default feeling whenever I speak with you. You’re a pitiful excuse for a Tolong. But we are still blood, and I cannot abandon you.”

“Really? That’s exactly what you and the family have done.”

“That was to preserve the family name. It’s a heavy burden we bear that you are still alive.”

Faron snarled. “Those words show me how much you think of me.”

Bartlek smirked at him. “Forget your human. After much investigation, I have found a match for you.”

Faron’s eyebrows shot up. “You are mistaken. No female will want me after my incapacitation.”

“Your damage made it hard to find anyone willing to join with you. But we have influence, and I was able to persuade her that joining with this family will be advantageous.”

“How kind of you.” There must be trickery behind this. Bartlek never did anything that would benefit Faron. There was always some catch.

“She is not attractive, and her mental acuity is not what it should be, but she is Tolong and will produce good offspring.”

Faron’s heart sank. His brother had discovered an unattractive, simple-minded female. That was the only way he would ever join with a Tolong. “Do you have more details?”

“I’m sending you a picture now.”

Faron opened the incoming image and sighed. She was a plain female. He felt not a shred of desire when he looked at her. It shouldn’t matter. If they were genetically compatible, that was the main thing. He could join with her, have offspring, and make his family happy. The hollow feeling in his stomach was not relevant.

“She is the best offer you’ll get,” Bartlek said. “I’ve been searching for a suitable female for months. You would be wise to accept her.”

Faron knew this was the logical course of action, but his heart thudded uncomfortably at the thought of spending the rest of his days with this female. She left him cold. He doubted he’d grow hard for her. They would have no offspring if that was the case.

“This offer will not be around for long. She will find another match. She’s seeking a whole male of her own. We had to offer her incentives before she agreed to meet you.”

“If you have struggled that hard to get her even to consider me, you could still be wasting your time. She can still refuse me.”

“We’ve been persuasive. She’s open to coupling but has asked to meet face-to-face to determine the extent of your frailty and if it’s something she is willing to burden herself with.”

This wasn’t what he wanted. Faron’s thoughts went to Kendra. They shouldn’t be interested in each other. He had no clue as to her genetic suitability or how well-matched they were. But something about her called to him, blurring his logical thoughts.

“Let me think about it.”

“There’s no time to think. You must act now. Accept this coupling, and you can move forward in your life as an active member of this family.”

“It is so sudden.”

“It’s the logical thing to do. Why hesitate?”

Faron’s head ached with indecision. Bartlek was right. The practical thing to do was to agree to this matching. He could go home, join with this female, and as long as he kept producing healthy offspring, his fragility would be overlooked. His father might even accept him back to work with him. He could have everything he’d yearned for since his accident.

But what of Kendra? She’d never considered him lacking or mocked him as happened when he encountered a Tolong woman. They were open in their derision of him. That would never change. Kendra had done the opposite. She’d stuck up for him and raged upon learning how harshly his father had treated him.

His heart sped at the thought of having Kendra by his side. He couldn’t remember a time anyone had looked out for him. It felt good. Hell, better than good, it was amazing. He would not find that with this Tolong female. She would spend her days avoiding him and making bitter comments. It sounded as if she was not keen on their coupling. She’d resent him, and Faron would spend the rest of his days with a female who barely tolerated him. Could he couple with somebody like that?

“Brother, this is your only opportunity to come back to us. I told Father I was wasting my time looking for somebody suitable, but he decided to give you a chance. This is it. If you turn down this female, you are turning your back on your family.”

Bartlek spoke the truth. Faron had been weakened by his injury. This was a chance for him. A chance to get back everything he’d lost.

“Do you agree to this meeting?” his brother asked.

“I do.” Faron’s heart felt heavy as he spoke. Numbness ran through him as he watched details come through on his port screen.

“I’ve sent you her genetic history and details of her family. Review those as soon as you can. We will arrange a meeting, and you will join together.”

Faron nodded. “As you see fit.”

“Oh, and one more thing, brother. Forget this ridiculous fraternization you have with the human. Remove that dance paint and focus on your future with this female. You cannot waste any more time on a human.” Bartlek cut the comm link.

Faron stared at the blank screen. Bartlek was right. Spending time with Kendra had not done him any good. He’d allowed his emotions to take over for the briefest of times and look where it had landed him. He was about to dance for a human. He’d been planning to partake in a courtship ritual to claim her as his own.

What had he been thinking? That was the whole problem. Spending time with Kendra had made him feel, not think. He’d allowed his unexpected desire to cloud his senses and almost missed an opportunity to match with a Tolong female. He’d given up on the idea, and the possibility of it being true frightened him. An opportunity to be back with his family. An opportunity to make his parents happy.

The numbness he felt still remained as he wiped off the body paint, changed into a jumpsuit, and stuffed his dance thong into his pocket. Kendra would never know what he’d planned. At least, he hadn’t completed the courtship dance and convinced her to be with him and then had to reject her. He would not have enjoyed seeing her hurt.

Faron would meet Kendra and explain they could no longer see each other. Then he’d start his new life back home. He had to end this emotional nonsense with Kendra once and for all.

The fact this logical step hurt so much should not bother him.