Chapter Five
Valerie stared at the dark screen for a moment, her chest tight. Her best friend was gone.
Her chin dropped to her chest and she closed her eyes with a resigned sigh. “Well, I guess I got my answer.” She lifted her head and then slid back from the edge of the couch. “Camille’s happy and she’s not coming back.”
“I know you’re going to miss her, but aren’t you glad she’s content?” Gerri asked.
Valerie blinked at the older woman. “Of course I am, but that doesn’t help the huge hole in my life. I told you, Camille is my family.” She exhaled, lifting a limp hand. “Was my family.”
“Don’t be so defeatist. Fate always finds a way, especially if I have a hand in it,” Gerri assured.
“I finally understand the why of her leaving, though I’m still wrapping my head around the how.” Valerie sighed, lifting a futile hand. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled Camille’s found her forever mate. I guess I’m wondering what to do with all this.” She circled her hand over her chest. “It’s a lot to lose and a lot to take in at the same time.
Nervous laughter bubbled up and Valerie smirked, shaking her head. “That guy with the weird hair from Ancient Aliens would crap his pants if he knew about this.”
“Lucky for us the rest of the world thinks he’s off his rocker,” Gerri replied with a soft laugh. “Then again, he’s not too off the mark.”
The matchmaker closed Valerie’s hand in hers, giving her fingers a squeeze. “Listen to me, honey. Contrary to popular belief, shifters aren’t native to Earth. We’ve been here for millennia, but what most people don’t know is we originated on a cluster of planets lightyears from Earth. One of the planets is Nova Aurora. Where Camille is right now.”
Valerie blinked again. “Wait. You said we? Does that mean you’re a—”
“Yes, dear.” Gerri nodded, cutting her off. “I’m a shifter. A wolf to be exact. Like most supernatural races, we kept our existence secret for centuries.”
Her lips parted in disbelief. “How did you—I mean, shifters—how did you get here? Did you build the pyramids? What about all those crop circles?”
Gerri shook her head, giving Val’s hand a final pat. “No, honey. That’s a whole other story for another time. Earth breeds are distant relations to the shifters still on Nova Aurora and the other planets in my home galaxy. While strong and sexy, Earth shifters are nothing compared to the core breeds. Hell, you saw for yourself. Arin and Xavier are prime examples.”
“Wait, are you telling me those two are from the same planet Camille is on with Ryker? Is that why Arin flipped his wig? He said Dragos. Xavier said the same. Ryker’s last name is Dragos.” She eyed the matchmaker. “What’s the connection?”
Gerri folded the silver laptop. “All things considered, you’ve been really good about all this, Valerie. Not that I’m surprised. You’d be amazed how many people claim they’re good with weird, but really aren’t once tested.” She gave the office a quick once over and then pushed herself from the couch. “I’ll tell you everything about the connection between Ryker and the Gemini in good time, however, first things first.”
“What do you mean?” Valerie questioned, moving to get up as well.
Gerri shrugged. “We need to get Camille’s place cleared out if we’re going to make our jump tomorrow night. You heard Camille. The new tenants are set to arrive any day.”
“Our jump?” Valerie asked.
Nodding, Gerri fished in her purse for her cell phone. “Tomorrow night. 2300 hours. Remember?”
She scrolled for a number in her contact list, grinning at the look on Valerie’s face. “Didn’t you say you were trying to wrap your head around the how of it all? Don’t you want to find out?”
Valerie opened her mouth to argue the point, but Gerri lifted a finger, stifling her questions. “Hello, Snappy Movers? This is Mrs. Gerri Wilder. I need to speak with David. What? No, I’ll hold.”
Gerri covered the speaker on her cell phone. “Why don’t you clean up the empty wine glasses and cookie wrappers while I’m—”
Her finger went up again and she motioned for Valerie to get a move on. “Dave? Hi, it’s Gerri. I’ve got a code red and it has to be completed by tomorrow morning.” A satisfied grin spread across her face. “You’re a peach, Dave. Yeah, yeah, love you, too.”
She paused, listening. “Sounds great. I’ll leave the keys and the check in the usual place with a little extra for the inconvenience. When you’re done, drop the keys off at my office. We will see them safely returned.” With a nod she ended the call and tucked her cell phone into her purse.
“Don’t look so confused, dear,” she said, meeting Valerie’s dumbfounded stare. “This is what I do. Now, let’s finish this so you can get your affairs in order. I don’t want to waste another minute. I have a bet to win.” She clicked the inside of her cheek.
Val closed her mouth, but didn’t move. “I don’t mean to sound like I’m backpedaling, but telling someone to get their affairs in order is what people say when they have six months to live.”
“You’re not about to die, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Gerri laughed. “The time/space continuum is convoluted when you’re that many light years apart. Time passes differently on Nova than on Earth. You need to make proper arrangements if you’re going to accompany to me and see your friend.”
Val’s lips parted again and her brows knotted. “Just to be clear, you’re saying you’re taking me to see Camille. Is that even possible?”
“Of course,” Gerri replied. “Camille isn’t the first human I’ve hooked up with an alien shifter. In fact, matchmaking the interplanetary set has been my primary business lately.”
Val half cringed, half chuckled. “Eew, please don’t say alien and hook-up in the same sentence. It makes me think of ET phone sex instead of ET phone home!”
Gerri laughed out loud. “You are one twisted human being, Valerie Ross. When I met you earlier, making an interplanetary jump with you wasn’t an option, foul-tempered as you are, but after watching you and Camille interact, I’ve changed my mind. She needs you, Valerie, but more importantly, you need her.
“In fact, I’m hoping this trip is just what the doctor ordered for both of you. Yield signs ahead, girlfriend. You gotta yield to score big, and I mean BIG, so don’t forget to pack lube. You’ve got talons to tame and dragons like it rough.” She waggled her eyebrows.
“I may be twisted, but you are one dirty old broad.” Valerie laughed as the older woman drained the last of the wine into their glasses. “I know I promised Camille I’d take your bet, but the truth is I just want to spend time with my best friend.”
Gerri leaned on the back of the couch. “For someone so cock sure, you certainly spew a lot of crap. You don’t even realize you’re cock-blocking yourself. Yes, Camille misses you, but that girl is all about her hunky dragon right now. Once we’re on Nova, you’re going to have to find something to occupy yourself when she’s otherwise occupied herself, if you get my meaning. Arin and Xavier are ready, willing and very able, but it’s not going to be a cake walk. There’s history there that might get in the way.”
“Another girl?” Val questioned, surprised at the slash of jealousy that cut across her chest.
“No, not exactly.” Gerri lifted a hand.
Valerie snorted. “You sound just like Arin and Xavier. What is it with the dual-natured and answering half my questions with ‘not exactly’?” She drained her glass.
“We don’t have time for me to get into it now, but gird your loins, honey. If you want the Gemini for your own, it might mean a choice you don’t want to make.” Gerri looked at her.
Valerie opened her mouth, but then closed it. Arin and Xavier said they were a matched set, so choosing between them wasn’t an option.
“This choice I’ll have to make,” Valerie began. “Is it life or death?”
Gerri shook her head. “No. But it will test you. I can’t tell you more because this isn’t the same as knowing who’s right for someone. My talents only go so far. I can tell you decisions change outcomes, so choose wisely. Think with your heart and don’t let fear and doubt poison what you know in your gut to be the right path.”
“Okay, now you’re scaring me. You said Arin isn’t crazy. Does this challenge, this choice have to do with his reaction at the townhouse?” Valerie questioned.
Nodding, Gerri put down her wine glass. “Yes, but that’s the beauty of an alpha and an omega. They balance each other. Arin is impulsive and Xavier is sensible, but they are both passionate and when it comes to their chosen mate, they’d sacrifice themselves if need be.”
“Whoa, this sounds super heavy.” Val shook her head. “I’m having second thoughts about this whole bet now.”
Gerri took her hand. “Don’t. It’ll be fine. It always is.”
“How?” she asked.
Shrugging, Gerri laughed. “I don’t know. It’s a mystery, but it always works out. The Paranormal Dating Agency has never missed when it comes to a happily ever after.”
Gerri pushed herself up from the couch and walked to her desk. Shuffling through papers, she nodded, lifting a handwritten list and holding it out to Valerie.
“In the meantime, I’ll contact Ryker so he makes sure Camille is around. I say we make this a surprise, yes? While I do that, you need to start making calls. Work, bank, credit cards, etc. With the time/space differential it’s best to get everything settled now, otherwise a little hiccup in time might turn into a major headache once you return to Earth. That’s if you don’t decide to stay.”
“Stay?” Valerie asked, a little thrown along with everything else said. “Are you just being pushy or are you telling me I might not be able to come home?”
Gerri laughed. “Of course you can come home, but like your friend, you might find a very compelling reason to stay. My Gemini boys can be very persuasive, plus you’ll have Camille.”
Tears pricked Val’s eyes as she looked at the older woman. “Mrs. Wilder, I’m really sorry I was such a bitch to you. I appreciate everything you’re doing for Camille and for me.”
Gerri smiled. “An open mind. That’s all I ask.”
“About this jump, though,” Valerie began, her gut flip-flopping at the surreal reality of what they were about to do. “Is it awful? Will I get the bends?”
Shrugging, Gerri handed her the to-do list. “Maybe,” she replied with a wink.
“You’re not only a dirty old broad, you’re evil, too. You know that, right?” Valerie laughed.
Grinning, the matchmaker waved Valerie toward the door. “Yup, but only toward nasty bitches I like. Now get going. So much to do in so little time.”