Across Our Stars: Victor by A. Payne & N.D. Taylor

Author:A. Payne & N.D. Taylor [Payne, A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Payne & Taylor
Published: 2015-04-25T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Eventually, Victor took Hart’s suggestion and invited Zoe to tea at the small cafe manned by the crew lounge. After a quiet month of dating in supposed secrecy, people stared at the unusual sight of Commander del Toro laughing with a lady friend in the open.

Victor casually ignored the lookie-loos in favor of biting into his pumpkin seed muffin. Once Harvest season arrived in Bromwicham, the Jemison’s homeport, they’d become inundated with stock and supplies of squash and other fresh goods. A lot of people donated to their ships, and it helped that the hydroponics lab kept a successful farm.

“Are they really so shocked to see you with someone?” Zoe murmured in a hushed voice. She leaned in close to his side and tried not to stare back at the gawkers in the ship’s pub.

Crewmembers were free to spend their own funds on a limited menu that rotated out monthly to change up the offerings. Wine and beer were also available for purchase, each member allotted two servings in a 24 hour period.

“Pretend they’re not there. That’s what I’m doing. People have spotted you in the corridor outside of my room, so you’d think the news would be well spread by now,” he joked lightheartedly.

“The news that Hottie del Toro is currently off the market?”

“Very much off the market and completely happy with that.” He kissed her cheek shamelessly, practically oblivious to the glowering eyes of envy. In reality, the reaction wasn’t as grand or widespread as expected. Most of the crew didn’t seem to care, save for a few embittered females who had tried their wiles and failed to entice him.

“Me, too.” Zoe leaned in and stole a bite of his snack.

“If it wasn’t so late, I’d get a pumpkin pie latte,” Victor grumbled. “That’s the only good thing about this damned season. You want the rest of this? I’m getting a slice of cake instead.”

“Ask for a decaf.”

“Then it isn’t coffee. It’s just dirty water masquerading as coffee.”

Zoe nearly choked on the tea she sipped to wash down his muffin. She swiped at her eyes and failed at muffling her laughter. “I learned something about you: never bring Victor decaf. Got it. Anyways, Radha glared daggers at me the entire time I was in our quarters. By tomorrow, she’ll have probably progressed to the silent treatment which, frankly, I am perfectly content with. Can’t wait.”

“I heard she’s pro-human-human. I’m surprised she’d even show me an ounce of interest unless it was all some diabolic plot to reclaim me for our race.”

“She was pretty quick with the dish on you when I first arrived, after my appointment with you. Said a cousin or someone like that served with you and that you dumped your fiancée for an alien.”

“There’s only a hair of truth to that rumor. I did leave Hannah as I said, but I never left her for Ylona. After Hannah and I split, I met Ylona while drinking at a bar in Pacifica Cove. We crossed paths again about seven months later when our ship docked on Elora.

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