Page 22 of Alien Wants A Wife

Chapter Nine

CITY SINGLE HARLEE:

I didn’t quite hear what you said. Could you please repeat the question? Again.

City Single Harlee scoots forward until she is sitting on the edge of her heart-shaped chair. Commentator Chloe takes a deep breath.

COMMENTATOR CHLOE:

Sure—

CITY SINGLE HARLEE:

Sorry, I’m a little nervous. This is a dream come true. I’m still having trouble believing this is happening. That I’m here, in the LOVE GALAXY studio room, er…

COMMENTATOR CHLOE:

Completely understandable.

CITY SINGLE HARLEE:

Recording booth-slash-umm-spaceship?

COMMENTATOR CHLOE:

Spaceship, yes. Why don’t you tell us about yourself, Harlee?

CITY SINGLE HARLEE:

Well, honestly, Chloe, I always thought I’d be married with kids by the time I was thirty. But obviously that hasn’t happened. The last few years of my life have been somewhat of a roller-coaster, to say the least. I could never have prepared myself for the hardship that comes with being dumped by the man I thought I’d be spending the rest of my life with. Family is so important to me, but I wasn’t good enough for him, you know? He always wanted me to be someone else. To be someone better, and our relationship became toxic—for the both of us.

COMMENTATOR CHLOE:

He put a lot of pressure on you?

CITY SINGLE HARLEE:

I think he did. But I happen to like the person I am, so when he gave me his final ultimatum, I left and didn’t go back. It was heartbreaking, but it had to happen, for my own mental health—and for his. Since then, I’ve been focusing on getting to know the real me.

City Single Harlee holds a hand to her chest.

CITY SINGLE HARLEE:

Deep down, all I want is to be loved and to love someone. And I’m ready to take the ultimate leap of faith.

COMMENTATOR CHLOE:

Aww. Do you?—

CITY SINGLE HARLEE:

That’s why I’m here. Because I know there’s somebody out there in the world… I mean, out there in theuniversewho will love me for myself.

COMMENTATOR CHLOE:

Do you think?—

CITY SINGLE HARLEE: