Page 48 of I Think I’m in Love with an Alien

“I don’t have a long-term residence. I’ve been moving around, earning just enough for my immediate needs doing contract work.”

“Are you really coding for a living?”

“I’ve written programs that can tackle most of the tasks assigned to me. I automate it, check the work, and then turn it in.”

I smile slightly. “You do have the tech advantage.” Without pausing to think it through, I make the offer immediately. “Come home with me after Space Con.”

My apartment can house two people, and I’m sure my landlady, Nancy, will be fine with it. If she isn’t, I only have two months left on my lease. I’ll figure something out. I’ll help Seeker, whatever the obstacles.

He stares at me, lightning flickering inside his strange and wonderful eyes. His pattern deepens, more purple coming to the surface of his skin.

“You want me to cohabitate with you?” he asks.

“Not in a weird way.”

What am I saying? Everything about this is unusual.

“It could be dangerous for you. I’ve been careful, but I don’t know if it’s a good idea.”

Oh, that’s why he’s hesitant. Not because he thinks I have an alien fetish and I’m the one who might probe his butt if I got half a chance.

“You need a local guide.”

Sure, that’s all you’re trying to do here. This is pure altruism.

It’s really not, but I’m also perfectly clear that there’s a power imbalance in this situation. He needs me to help him learn our customs on a deeper level. I wasn’t looking for incongruent behavior and even I thought, more than once, Oh, he’s not from here, I meant America. I figured things were different or maybe Swedish syntax was messing with his English skills or something.

I never imagined anything like this.

“I’ll think about your offer,” he says finally. “But we should attend some events at Space Con today. The others will find it strange if we don’t.”

“Chances are, they’ll think we’re hooking up.”

Another pause. “What’s that?”

Right, his understanding of slang can be unreliable. And now I get why.

“They’ll think we’re having sex.” Might as well be blunt. “You’re the one who asked everyone about con flings. They’ll guess that was about us.”

“I fear I’ve misunderstood what a con fling is. I didn’t realize it pertained to sexual intimacy. For my people, there are different types of involvement.”

“It’s fine. I don’t mind if they think we’re doing it.”

“The truth is far less plausible,” Seeker says.

“That it is. Time for the big question… I doubt you’d draw a second look here, so…do you want to go out as you are?”

18

Seeker

With every fiber of my being, I debate this decision.

It’s such a weighty choice, and I’ve protected myself fiercely from scrutiny ever since I arrived. To even contemplate doing otherwise seems incredibly reckless. Jen isn’t judging me; she understands how terrifying this is, I think.

But I’ve always been prone to taking risks.

“It would be nice to be myself for a while,” I admit quietly. “No deception. I had lost all hope that there could be any moments like that for me.”