Kate entered the convention center feeling unmoored.

Solo walked beside her, eyes roving over the crowds as if he expected someone to try to pick her off at any moment. Somehow, his vigilance was not as comforting as having Kirk by her side, even though he still turned as many heads.

On paper, Solo was exceptionally handsome with his cool expression and long, lean body.

But he lacked Kirk’s dancing gray eyes and the warm smile that made him out-of-the-ball-park gorgeous to Kate.

Chin up, you’re doing the right thing, her inner businesswoman said.

But it didn’t feel right.

She buttoned her lip and made her way through security with Solo.

“Now what?” Solo asked as they entered the main hall.

“I’ve got to go to the green room and change into my costume,” Kate said.

He nodded and stayed close as she slipped past the booths and out into the hallway with the circles on the carpet.

“This carpet is nonsensical,” Solo said.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“Patterns in floor coverings often signify social status, tell the story of a great cultural myth, or even offer building directions,” Solo pointed out. “This pattern is nothing but meaningless shapes.”

“I never thought of that,” Kate said.

“Neither did the person who designed the hallway,” Solo scoffed.

They continued to the green room without further conversation. Kate changed clothes and they made their way back down the hallway to the main hall in silence. Just before they reached the door, Solo paused.

“I hope I did not cause offense with my remarks about the carpet,” he said.

“What? Oh. No, not at all,” Kate said.

“I’m a bit on edge,” he said.

“I’m so sorry,” she replied. “I don’t think Spencer would actually attack physically.”

“No, it’s not that,” Solo said, looking uncharacteristically uncomfortable. “It’s Cecily. I… I don’t feel right being far from her.”

Wow. Kate had picked up on the vibe between Beatrix and Buck, but she’d had no idea that Solo and Cecily were bonding.

“I’m so sorry,” she told him.

“No, it’s fine,” he said at once. “Everything is as it must be. I am happy to know you better.”

“That’s so sweet,” Kate said, feeling suddenly sympathetic to her formal new friend. “I’m happy to know you better too. Now let’s get in there and greet some fans.”

The meet and greet got underway, and she made it through the day without anything unusual happening.

Spencer never showed up, and although that should have made her feel better, it left her with an off-center feeling of anticipation all day, like arm hair lifting before a lightning strike.

On the other hand, the more hours that passed without seeing Kirk, the more she felt an impending sense of loss.

The fans were great though, helping to pull her out of herself.

When one or two asked about her boyfriend, she’d simply said she wasn’t seeing anyone. And although there were some raised eyebrows, no one argued.

Solo stood behind her, in a proper bodyguard manner. During their breaks, he gave her space in the green room while the other women who came in and out flirted with him shamelessly.

To Solo’s credit, he did not seem to even notice their advances, but rather engaged with them in an earnest and polite way that made it easier for Kate to understand why Cecily was becoming fond of him.

Solo offered to accompany her someplace for lunch, but he looked relieved when she told him she wanted to rest and urged him to go check in on Cecily.

“Just for a few minutes on the way back from retrieving our meals,” he assured her.

“Take your time,” she told him. “I’ll probably just nap.”

But as soon as he left, Beatrix arrived with two paper cones of bright pink cotton candy.

“Where’s Buck?” Kate asked.

“What the hell?” Beatrix said. “I hang out with the guy for like twenty-four hours and now we’re supposed to be joined at the hip?”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean…” Kate wavered.

“Kidding,” Beatrix said. “I’m totally messing with you. He’s having fun out there. When I saw Solo go past I thought I’d sneak in here and see how you were doing. Any trouble today?”

“Spencer doesn’t seem to be here, if that’s what you mean,” Kate said.

“It’s not, but that’s good news,” Bea said.

“Fans are asking about the guy from the pictures, but they’re not giving me any grief when I say he was a bodyguard,” Kate said.

“Good.” Beatrix nodded.

“You’re here to see if I’m okay about Kirk, huh?” Kate asked.

“Houston, we have lift-off,” Bea said with a smile.

Kate pulled off a tuft of cotton candy and put it in her mouth. The sweetness melted away in an instant.

“I thought it was just an attraction,” Kate said. “But I kind of miss him today.”

“Yeah?” Beatrix asked, popping a big fluff of cotton candy in her mouth.

“How’s he doing out there?” Kate asked.

Beatrix shrugged. “Cecily is trying to keep him entertained. Her minions are flirting with him to beat the band. But he’s got kind of a hangdog look.”

Kate felt a little guilty about the relief that surged through her.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” she said. “But I know I’m doing the right thing - for both of us. He can’t get found out, or he’ll bring trouble on his whole family. And any hope I have of leaving Suspended in Space behind would be over if I were publicly dating an alien.”

“I’ve never understood that,” Bea said thoughtfully.

“What?” Kate asked.

“Most actors would trade anything to be a household name,” Bea said. “Why do you want to leave it behind so badly?”

“Because I want to make a difference,” Kate said. “I don’t want the world to see me as a gawky teenager forever.”

Bea shrugged and plucked off another tuft of cotton candy.

“Have you heard from the studio yet?” Kate asked, eager to change the subject.

“Yeah,” Beatrix said glumly.

“What now?” Kate asked.

Beatrix’s break-out graphic novel had been a hair’s breadth away from a movie deal for months. But the studio always seemed to want one more assurance that it would be a success.

“I got the investors they wanted,” Bea said. “Now they want a star attached.”

“Isn’t casting their job?” Kate asked.

“You would think so,” Beatrix said. “But I’m learning that nothing in Hollywood is that easy. They want a star behind it and one who is willing to work for SAG minimum to make it happen.”

There was a tap on the door.

“Kate, it is me, Solo,” came a loud whisper. “Are you awake?”

Beatrix snickered.

Kate elbowed her.

“Come in,” she called to Solo.

“I’ve gotta go before Buck gets into trouble,” Beatrix said. “Text me if you need anything.”

“Thanks, Bea,” Kate said, wrapping her arms around her roommate in an impulsive hug.

Bea hugged her back, then quickly scooted out the door as Solo was coming in.

“I’ll tell Kirk you said ‘hi’,” Beatrix called over her shoulder as the door shut behind her.

Kate shook her head. She didn’t want to encourage Kirk, but there was something nice about knowing Bea would try and cheer him up.

“I did not know enough of your dietary habits to discern which you would choose.” Solo said, laying out wax paper packages along the make-up counter. “So I brought eight sandwiches for you to examine.”

“If anything ever happens to Carol, I’ll know who to call in for the celebrity treatment,” Kate said with a smile.

“I do not know what this means,” Solo replied.

“It means thank you for the sandwiches,” Kate told him gently. “I’m glad you’re here.”