“Ten more minutes for the fish, the salad needs to be tossed with the lemon balsamic dressing, and another five minutes for the buns.” Holly Lipinski checked through her mental to-do list as she adjusted her chef’s hat. She was normally so focused at work. You couldn’t afford to take your eye off the stove for a second. If you did, something burned or caught fire.

Today was different. Any time now, she’d find out if her loan was approved. And when it came through, it would change everything.

Holly grinned to herself, her dimples popping in her round cheeks. She’d thought about doing this for months. No, actually years, when she was honest with herself. It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy her job as a cook in the dining hall on Prodigy, but she could do more.

She loved to cook and could turn her hand to anything, but desserts were her favorite. In particular, she loved to make her own chocolates. There was nothing more delicious than the feel of a perfectly blended piece of chocolate melting on your tongue. It was a tiny piece of heaven in a devilishly delicious package.

“Holly, get your head out of the clouds.” Her boss, Sally Valentine, nudged her to the side as she ripped open the door to the oven and pulled out a tray of slightly crispy buns.

“Oh, sorry! I had them on my list to check.” Holly stared at the buns as they steamed in front of her. “I’ll fix them. They’ll be fine. No one will notice they’re overdone when I’ve filled them with cream cheese and salmon and garnished with parsley.”

Sally waved her hand over the buns as she inspected them. “They should do. What’s the matter with you? This is the third time today I’ve had to save your butt, or should I say, the customers’ buns.”

Holly ducked her head. She hated letting anybody down. Although Sally was her boss, she was a decent one, and she considered her a friend. “I promise the next batch will be perfect. I’ll guard them like a new-born infant.”

“I’m sure they’ll be perfect. Everything you make turns out divine even if a little overdone on this occasion.” Sally dabbed the back of her hand against her forehead. It was hot in the kitchen, but they’d worked in this environment since Prodigy became operational, so they were used to it.

Holly was younger than Sally by a decade and had perfected her love of cooking since she was a child. When the opportunity came up for a job in space, cooking for different types of aliens and learning about new cuisines that were literally out of this world, Holly had seen a challenge she couldn’t turn down.

She hadn’t regretted a single day. Not even when the space station misbehaved, and the power went on the blink, so they only had two rings to cook with and a microwave. She still managed to serve people great tasting food.

Sally glanced around the kitchen at the other staff busy with the lunchtime orders. “Go on. What gives? You’ve been mooning around here with a smile on your face since you arrived this morning.”

Holly tucked a stray strand of blonde hair beneath her hat. “I’ve done something.”

“Something good?”

“I’m hoping it’s going to be great. You know I’m interested in creating my own range of chocolates?”

Sally grinned. “Of course. I’ve been sampling your treats for six months. I can’t say it’s a burden, you learning to be a top class chocolatier, although my waistband has gotten too tight.”

Holly nodded. She usually wore something with an elasticized waistband, and the jumpsuits most people wore on Prodigy were forgiving, so she never had to worry about overindulging. “The only thing that’s been holding me back is my lack of finance.”

“You’ve come into some money?”

“I’m about to if all goes to plan,” Holly said. “I don’t have the best line of credit, so it hasn’t been easy getting what I need.” Who was she kidding? She had a terrible line of credit. She’d tried various lending agencies to get start-up capital, but they’d turned her down. She didn’t blame them. She had no clue about money and had racked up debts on cards that took years to pay back.

Holly had even become friendly with a couple of the debt collectors who’d turned up asking for money. She’d bribed them with sweet buns and tea and given them what she could to keep them off her back for another month. Money and Holly soon parted company, and she’d almost given up hope of getting her hands on the investment she needed. That was until she’d seen an advert on Prodigy from a Dackin money lender.

“What plan have you cooked up?” Sally asked.

“I’m waiting for approval on a loan.” Holly checked the time. “It should be through soon.”

Sally tilted her head, her eyes narrowing. “I thought everybody had turned you down.”

“They have. Well, almost everyone has. This is a private loan, not through a bank. It’s from a Dackin.”

Sally sucked air between her teeth. “You be careful messing around with a Dackin money lender. They take no prisoners. Don’t miss a single repayment, or you’ll live to regret it.”

“I looked into it. The rates are a little higher than other lenders, but the repayment terms are clear.”

“What if you can’t repay?” Sally asked. “Your chocolate is amazing, but what if your business doesn’t go to plan and you lose the money? It can take years before a business becomes profitable.”

Holly’s gut clenched. That’s what had held her back for so long. What if people hated what she created? What if she spent this money on materials and ingredients for her chocolates and nobody liked them? She’d lain awake at nights thinking about this, but she had to try. She’d played it safe for so long, hiding from her dream. She’d had enough of hiding. It was time to take a risk and reach for her chocolate covered dreams.

She drew back her shoulders. “You’ve tasted my chocolate. If you weren’t lying to me, you know how good they are.”

Sally kissed the tips of her fingers before splaying her hand. “They’re perfection. Your chocolates are the best I’ve tasted, and I taste a lot of excellent food. Still, isn’t there any other option? Money from a Dackin is a gamble. One sniff that you’re vulnerable, and you’ll be in trouble.”

“I was careful before signing anything,” Holly said. “The money lender knows the risk I am. He’ll have run a credit check. If he doesn’t think I’m good for the repayments, I’ll be declined the money.”

Sally’s nose wrinkled. “You don’t want to be in debt to a Dackin.”

Dackins were the bankers of the star system. If you treated them well and paid back the money when you should, they were no problem. But Holly knew, if you missed a repayment, they came after you like a shark who’d scented blood in the water.

“I have fourteen days to make my first repayment,” Holly said. “I have most of my equipment. All I need are the ingredients and a couple of bits of kit and I can get to work straight away. There’s a huge intergalactic food fair I’ve booked a stand at. I’ll be showcasing and selling my treats there.”

Sally nodded slowly. “That sounds good. Before you jump in and splurge, do some taste tests before you win the galaxy over with your chocolate.”

Holly grinned. “I’m way ahead of you. I’m doing trial runs on Prodigy to iron out any taste issues. I’ll easily make my first repayment from the sales at the food fair. After that, once people know about my chocolates, I’ll get extra orders and keep making money.”

Sally raised an eyebrow. “I’d loan you the money myself, but everything is tied up in the refurbishment.” She’d been renovating an old ship and had plans to go traveling with her partner and set up a chain of Earth-themed diners in a couple of years.

Holly shook her head. “It’s lovely of you to think that, but I have to do this for myself. I know I can do this.”

Sally patted her arm. “I’m sure you can. Just as I’m certain you will salvage these overcooked buns.” She pointed to the tray cooling on the counter.

“I’ll get straight on it.”

Holly worked for the next half an hour, filling lunch orders from the dining hall and trying not to think about the loan. She’d applied three days ago, and today was the deadline for the decision.

By four o’clock, the dining hall was quiet, and Holly’s shift ended. She removed the apron from her navy blue jumpsuit and hung it in the store room. She slid the hat off her head and shook out her hair before running her fingers through it. There was little she could do to revive it after a day stuck under a hat in the hot kitchen. Frizzy and squashed was an okay look as far as she was concerned. Who needed great hair when you made insanely delicious treats?

Holly jumped as her wrist comm buzzed. Her breath caught in her throat. It was from the Dackin lending agency.

Her finger trembled as she hovered it over the wrist comm. What if it was a no? What if her dream was about to shatter?

“Put your big girl pants on. You can do this. You deserve this money,” she whispered to herself.

Holly opened the message.

Holly Lipinski. Your loan has been approved. The money will be in your account within the next two hours.

She squealed and bounced up and down. “I did it!”

Holly looked around, but there was no one to celebrate with. She let out a relieved sigh and wrapped her arms around herself before checking the message again. She had the money. She had what she needed to make her business a reality.

Holly bounced on her toes, a huge grin on her face. She had to celebrate.

She ducked her head into the kitchen but couldn’t see Sally, and everyone else was busy preparing for the upcoming evening rush.

That didn’t deter her enthusiasm. There was one place that always welcomed her. She slipped out of the kitchen and headed to the Enchanted Captain.

Holly wasn’t a big drinker and didn’t like the taste of alcohol, but tonight she’d make an exception. She’d treat herself to something sweet and pink with a big paper umbrella in it.

She stopped by her quarters, grabbed two boxes of chocolate samples she’d been working on, and headed to the bar. This would be the first taste test of her new creations. She could hand them around to customers and see what they thought.

Holly couldn’t help but keep smiling as she walked into the Enchanted Captain and headed to the circular bar.

She nodded a greeting to the bartender, Olid. He was a friendly Koob, and she’d gotten to know him over the last few months.

Her friend, Sinead Murphy, used to come here every night before she’d gotten together with her new mate, Talyn. Holly had spent time with Sinead helping her realize she was head over heels in love with the intense, devoted Lillip who had accidentally signed Sinead up to be his life mate.

After several battles, a near miss of epic proportions, and a lot of soul searching, Sinead gave up her party life and embraced her role as Talyn’s life mate and freelance matchmaker for My Single Alien.

Sinead had been gone for several months, and Holly missed her, but she got regular updates about her adventures in the stars. It sounded so exciting.

Olid wandered over. “The usual?”

Sinead shook her head. She typically had soda water with ice and a wedge of lemon in it. “Not tonight. I’m celebrating.”

Olid smiled. “Tell me everything.” He passed her a cocktail menu.

“I’m starting my chocolate business.” Holly pulled off the lid of one of the boxes she’d brought with her and offered it to Olid.

Olid waved a finger around as he looked at the delicious array of chocolates. They ranged from sweet, white creamy chocolate studded with dried cranberries to decadent, mint-infused dark chunks of chocolatey bliss. “You always spoil me. I can never resist your treats.”

Holly laughed. “That’s what I hope everyone will say. I’m finally doing it. My business is getting off the ground.”

“That’s great news.” Olid sampled a chocolate and groaned. “This is delicious. You’re a genius.”

Holly smiled so broadly her cheeks ached. She looked through the cocktail menu and wrinkled her nose. Everything sounded so alcoholic.

Olid tapped the menu with a finger. “I can make you any of these minus the alcohol.”

“I like the sound of the pineapple daiquiri. Can you put one measure of alcohol in? Something I can’t taste.”

Olid chuckled. “No problem. If you keep feeding me chocolate this good, I’ll do anything you like.”

Holly nodded thanks as Olid headed off to make her cocktail.

Feeling full of confidence, Holly walked around the bar, sharing her chocolate and asking for people’s opinions.

She was thrilled when people loved them. Humans were always enthusiastic, but most of the other aliens loved them too. There were a few races who didn’t have a sweet tooth, but on the whole, all the comments she received were positive.

“Drink’s ready,” Olid called.

Holly raised a hand in acknowledgement and walked back to the bar. She’d already emptied a whole box and was almost bursting with delight at the lovely comments she’d had.

She stared at the enormous glass of bright yellow cocktail. She took a tentative sip. It was just right. There was the slightest hint of alcohol, and it was exactly what she needed to celebrate her victory.

Her gaze shifted to the door as a tall dark-skinned Dackin swaggered in. As he got nearer, Holly saw he wasn’t a full Dackin. His features were too human. He had the height of a Dackin, at almost seven feet. His shoulders were broad and his waist lean. She checked his fingers and saw he had no claws.

She tilted her head as she studied him. His features were much more human than a typical Dackin’s. He had a sharp nose and narrow dark eyes. What fascinated her the most was the mixture of human dreadlocks and feathers. Dackins typically had a plume of feathers that stretched down their backs, but his were interlaced with jet-black braids. It was a striking look, and he pulled it off, giving him an air of danger.

Holly watched as he nodded at Olid, who strolled over and exchanged a few words. It looked like they were friends. Well, any friend of Olid’s was her friend, too.

Feeling full of courage and positivity, Holly grabbed her drink and headed over to the darkly sexy stranger.

His head turned as she stopped beside him, and her courage faded. His gaze was intense, his eyes almost black as they appraised her, skimming slowly from her head down to her toes.

Holly swallowed her nerves. “Would you like a chocolate?”

He snorted a surprised laugh. “Why would I want your chocolate?”

“I’m doing a taste test. I’m Holly Lipinski. I work in the dining hall. I like to make chocolate in my spare time. I do all different flavors. White, milk, dark. I use a unique blend of essences and a secret ratio of sugar, cocoa butter, and cream to get the chocolate velvety smooth.” Holly pressed her lips together. She was babbling, but this guy’s gaze was so intense and serious that it made her nervous.

Olid cleared his throat. “Holly’s one of the good ones, Avel. And her chocolates are out of this world amazing. Try one.”

Holly glanced at Olid. “Do you know each other?”

Olid chuckled. “I know Avel as well as he’ll let me.”

Avel smirked. “Sure, I’ll have a chocolate.” He grabbed one and stuffed it into his mouth.

Holly watched him eat, her gaze lingering on his delicious, full lips. “What do you think?”

Avel’s gaze ran over her again, and he licked his lips suggestively. “I like it.” He took another.

A blush filtered across Holly’s cheeks. She’d never had a guy look at her like this. Avel’s gaze seemed to go right through her. It felt like he was stripping her layers and seeing the real her. Holly shook her head. She was making too much of this. He was probably this intense with everyone.

“Holly Lipinski,” Avel said. “I like what you have to offer. Pull up a stool.”

Holly’s breath caught in her throat. Oh my, her night was about to get interesting. Not only had she secured the loan she so desperately needed, but a hot, slightly scary guy was interested in her.

“What do you say?” Avel’s eyes glittered as he smiled at her. “Do you fancy living dangerously?”