Page 97

I nod. “It will feel good, not having to hide anymore…”

Robert leans back and closes his eyes, a content smile on his face. “I think it will. I think it will indeed.”

* * *

A few minutes later, Ivan walks into the suite, his cheeks flushed. He nods to Robert and goes over to hold his hand.

“You two make a cute couple,” I say.

“Thank you, Azalea,” says Ivan. “I am sure you and Marek now move in together, no?”

I blink. “I… yes. I was going to move into his suite.”

Robert and Ivan exchange a knowing look, then Robert grabs his crutches and heads for the door. “The room is all yours, botanik.” They leave with a smile, together, as partners. I catch them leaning in for a kiss as the door closes behind them.

I feel so happy.

For them.

For all of us.

Still, their union and mine with Marek makes me curious. How did Metis mess up the algorithms that badly? At least it worked out in the end.

I get to packing, grabbing my toiletries first. I’m mentally planning where I’ll put my cherry tree--where I will continue to care for it until we have the best weather for planting, when Metis bings me. “You have visitors. Shall I let them in?”

I stand and take a step to the door, suddenly unsure of myself. Robert and Ivan have given me privacy, but suddenly this no longer feels like my room. “Who is it?”

“Lana Dubois and Astrid Keller.”

Curious, I let them in. Lana holds a bottle of vodka in the air, smiling, her bruises carefully concealed with the best makeup money could have bought on Earth. It occurs to me that many of our supplies--once they run out--will be gone for good. Makeup included.

Astrid nods, a small smile on her lips. “I ran into Marek. He said it’s moving day. So, here we are to help!”

It’s not like I have a lot of stuff, but I appreciate the sentiment. Appreciate that I have found good friends in this strange new world. “That’s… that’s really sweet of you. Thank you. Um... wow.” I have too much serotonin coursing through me right now… this act of kindness is making me a weeping mess. Sleep deprivation isn’t helping. But how can I sleep until I’ve settled into my new life with Marek?

Lana walks to the bar. “You two can pack. I am here to supervise.”

I smirk. “Of course. I would expect nothing less.”

* * *

Lana mixes us each a martini and the three of us settle in, Lana lounging on the loveseat while Astrid and I take the chairs across from her. We proceed to do more drinking and talking than actual packing.

“You have landed a good one,” Lana says to me, her French accent thicker the more she drinks. “Prime billionaire beef, no?”

“That’s disgusting,” I say with a gag, spitting out some of my alcohol, unable to contain my chuckle. “How are you and Silas?” I ask.

Lana takes a moment before answering. “I think we have become better friends than lovers. In truth, we are quite excited to have some space apart. See how our relationship develops outside the constraints of contracts and shared rooms. ”

Astrid nods. “Lana’s moving in with me for now.”

I beam at them both, raising my glass. “That’s wonderful. Just make sure to leave a chair open for me.”

“Always,” says Lana, then her eyes drift mischievously towards Astrid. “My new roommate here has been closed off on some matters however. For example, she won’t tell me the name of the man who keeps bringing a smile to her face.”

The normally gregarious Astrid turns quiet. “Because… I don’t think it’s going to work.”

She seems reluctant to say more so I don’t press. It will take time for relationships to settle. Hurt feelings to smooth over. We are all adjusting to some major trauma.