Page 31 of I Fell for an Alien Popstar

Zhari wanted me because the bond said so, because some cosmic system had lit me up in her aura. But beneath the warm, floating feeling, doubt coiled tightly.

People like her didn’t end up with girls like me. I couldn’t quite believe that want and fate and something like love could ever land on someone like me and stay.

When I came out, Zhari was standing by the window in a loose robe, looking out over the city as if she were trying to memorize it. On the table, two steaming mugs sat beside two unopened Starlust bottles. Between them was a shallow bowl piled with what looked like folded, iridescent ribbons.

“Oh, what’s this?” I walked over to the table.

“Food and distraction,” she said, settling on the rug and picking up the serving tongs. “This is Velexa—thin, fried sheets of grain and sweet root layered with spice dust and glow-salt. We can’t start our day without food, of course.”

She transferred a few pieces into my bowl. They crackled softly when they landed.

I sat across from her and picked one up. The surface was warm and faintly sticky at the edges.

“We have something kind of like this on Earth.” I took a bite and swallowed, surprised by the soft middle and crisp outer layer. “Not as pretty and definitely not glowing, but… sweet, fried, and bad for you. Classic breakfast comfort.”

Her mouth curved.

“Then you understand its purpose.”

“So, what did you mean? A distraction from what?”

She inhaled, then let the breath out slowly.

“From the part where I ask you to pause your life.”

My grip on the mug tightened.

“That is… vague.” I let out a nervous laugh.

She met my eyes.

“The tour ship leaves Lumara tonight. The next stops are D'yuti on Orin and Minia on Tessara. Just about a week plus travel time. So not too long.” She paused. “I would really like it if you could join me.”

“I saw the schedule,” I said, because of course I had. I memorized it as soon as it was advertised. “It looks like a great tour.”

She huffed a tiny laugh that died quickly.

“After last night, Sira and the label wanted to do some damage control. They wanted to pay for a hotel at the other end of the city, refund your ticket, and make sure there wasn’t a crazy tabloid story. She doesn’t want me to be distracted or have a mob of fans freaking out over me having a girlfriend. She just wants to get ahead of everything.”

Zhari’s glow sharpened.

“But I have told her we are meant for one another biologically, so she has no say.”

“Wow,” I muttered. “Girlfriend?”

I slurped back a long noodle.

Zhari blushed, her cheeks flushing a darker pink.

“Well, you know what I mean—”

“It’s okay. I do,” I laughed.

I couldn’t believe she wanted me to stay for two weeks. Like a frigging roadie?

“Oh, please, Vada. This will be so fun. We could spend all the free time I have together. Get to know one another. See where things go.” She flashed a giant grin and batted her eyes.

“With you how?” I asked. “Because I’m still catching up on the cosmic-bond syllabus, and I need to know if I’m being invited as your… I don’t know. Thing. Fan. PR inconvenience. Roadie. Mate or pet. Which box am I supposed to tick here?”