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For the first time since coming to Phantom’s with my book club, I actually know some of the women on the ship transporting us from Earth to MiNo station.

Coral’s head is in my lap and Feather hangs over the back of the seat in front of me. “What do you mean you’ve only been to L’geurs?” Feather stares at me like I’ve just admitted to some kind of sin.

Shrugging, I tell her “I usually fly over, do a session or two in the booth, and then get the heck back to Earth.”

Coral snorts and says, “She comes, she conquers, she goes the fuck home.”

Feather sticks her tongue out at the blonde.

“I would not have guessed you were a day tripper.” Feather’s lips twist in a scowl. “Especially since you were the first one Phantom gave the video chat feature to.”

“I didn’t realize I was the first.”

“Well, you were the first in beta testing.” She looks down at Coral. “That might be a way to help bump your take-home. If you want to try it out.”

“I barely have the time to sneak away for these trips. I can’t imagine doing alien sex chats when I should be sleeping.” She looks up at me. “Do they message you at all hours of the day?”

“Do they tip well?” Feather asks before I can answer.

I hesitate before answering. “I only talk to one client, and he does tip me well.”

I don’t mention that I told Phantom not to charge him for the calls, so I don’t get any money out of them. If Coral was to start providing that service she would charge and she would get tips.

“He’s the one I’m here to see today, actually.”

“Oooo!” The noise might have sounded mocking if Coral didn’t look positively giddy. “It’s fascinating when I talk to people who have favorites.”

“You don’t?” Feather asks.

“Nope. Do you?”

Feather looks startled that the question was turned back on her. “I did once, but he’s long gone.”

That look…

I can’t “lose” Lochdon—he’s not really mine—but I have a feeling that’s what I’d look like if I didn’t get to see him anymore.

“I’m sorry,” I say.

Feather’s jaw tightens. “Don’t be. It was a mistake on both our parts.”

“What does that mean?” Coral asks, but I immediately say, “You don’t have to tell us.”

And the docking announcement echoes overhead anyway, forcing us to gather up our things and join the others shuffling toward the door.

There are women waiting outside the airlock for their ride home and a few of them greet us. Others look a little dazed.

I wonder if I looked like that when I was new to all of this.

“Is your guy your only appointment this time?” Coral asks. “Or are you seeing him and jumping back in the booth?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

Feather says a quick goodbye as she breaks off, heading to the medical facilities and Coral sighs as we keep walking toward the locker room.

“I am like this close to buying my ranch.” She holds her fingers so close together they’re almost touching. “Another two days worth of work and I should be able to deal with this asshole’s ridiculous demands.”

“Bad?”

She gives me a sidelong look. “Do yourself a favor. Don’t be a single woman looking to buy serious acreage. The menfolk tend to get offended when you know what you’re talking about.”

I grimace, because I have no idea what that’s like, but I believe her.

“Good luck today,” I say, squeezing her hand before I step into the door to the private locker room.

“You too!” she shouts through the closing door.

Alone, I let out a deep breath.

Phantom sent me the rules and regulations and I studied them all before I got on the ship. I know what I’m allowed to do and what I’m not.

The latter is a very short list.

It’s so strange, not putting on the booth uniform. But the flowy little babydoll I brought with me covers more while alluding to less.

And for the first time, ever, I put heels on before I do my little twirl in front of the mirror.

I look hot.

And I’m already squirming with anticipation.

“Is he here yet?” I ask the bot.

“Confirmed. Lochdon Orlex waits for you in the public room.”

“Thank you.” And thank God.