Page 122 of Stardusted

Acutely aware of his presence in my front room, I tamed my hair and got dressed in actual clothes—withpants this time—before going in search of coffee.

I rounded the corner into my living room, anticipation simmering at the prospect of caffeine and the reality of facing my houseguest. When I saw him, though, I nearly turned back around to go hide in my room.

I’d somehow missed it in my sleepy haze, but Sky still wore The Sweatpants. The white T-shirt, too. He was sprawled on my couch, one leg bent, the other stretched out. He frowned faintly at his phone and chewed his lip as his thumbs moved over the screen. Looking comfortable and…yeah. Still lickable.

Somehow, I kept moving, and when I emerged from the hallway, he lifted his head.

“Hey,” he said. He sat up in an easy movement, swinging his legs around the couch’s edge and putting the phone on the coffee table.

Thecleancoffee table. I stopped short. The takeout bag from last night was gone, and there was no longer any junk on its surface. Or on my kitchen counter.

Had Sky taken out mytrash?

I transferred my stare to him. He smoothed his palm over his messy hair, and his brows tented. “Everything okay?”

“What? Yeah! Of course.” I made a beeline for the coffee pot. I injected as much cheerfulness into my voice as I could manage. Like it was totally normal to find Sky cleaning my apartment and lounging on my couch. “Did you take out the trash?”

“I did,” he said, tone light. Easy. Like it was totally normal to clean my apartment and lounge on my couch. “I picked up a little. Hope that’s okay. I was up early.”

“Oh, that’s fine. So fine. Thank you. That was…” Why was my heart beating so fast? It wasnice. He’d made coffee and picked up and, damn it, that really wasn’t helping menotwant to do any sort of licking?—

I rummaged for a mug, bypassing the one that said,I like my coffee like I like my men: sweet and hot, because that seemedwaytoo on the nose. I pulled down a chipped blue one instead. “Thanks for making coffee, too.”

Sky’s phone buzzed, and I glanced over as he picked it up.

Who was he texting? His partner? Did he have other friends? After last night, it sounded like he kept everybody at arm’s length. Like he’d been completely focused on his mysterious mission here. But he’dalsosaid he’d…experiencedbeing human, so?—

None of my business.I focused on pouring coffee. Noton analyzing Sky’s social life.

“No problem,” Sky said, sparing his phone screen a quick look before offering me a distracted smile. “Coffee is one of Earth’s best inventions, in case you were wondering.”

I hadn’t been, but that was good to know.

Feigning a scoff, I dumped an indecent amount of creamer into my cup, just the way I liked it, before carrying the steaming mug into the living room. “I’m not sure I believe you. Have you had a pizza roll?”

He laughed at that. He was still grinning a little when I crossed to the couch, and he scooted over to make room for me. I tried not to remember how he’d looked stretched out as I perched near the edge, like a nervous intern waiting for feedback. Meanwhile, he reclined in the far corner, crossing his ankles and sliding his phone into his pocket.

I cupped my coffee. Blew on it. Tried not to gawk at Sky’s stocking feet near mine. A slightly stilted silence settled between us.

Why did this feel like the awkward morning-after dance, minus the fun hook-up part?

I quickly derailed that train of thought. Murky light filtered through the blinds and slanted in soft stripes across the laminate flooring. The sun tried its best to burn through the overcast sky, but it wouldn’t last. Storms were due again today, more moody fall weather. Very on-brand for my life lately.

“So,” I said finally, unable to stand the quiet. I adjusted my cupped hands around my chipped mug when the ceramic got too hot and chanced a glance at Sky. “What now?”

He tipped his coffee back, watching me over the rim. He drank it black. Another sign he wasn’t from Earth.

I tested a sip of my own.

“Well,” he said, “I’d like to try some experiments.”

I choked, sputtering. The coffee burned its way down the wrong pipe, and I wheezed, barely avoiding a full spray all over Sky.

He jerked upright, nearly spilling his coffee in his lap. “Whoa?—”

“Experiments?” I croaked, pounding my fist against my chest. I glowered. “Really, Sky? You can’t just casually suggestalien experimentingon someone!”

He stared at me for a second before chuckling. I wasn’t entirely joking, but he didn’t seem to pick up on it. He set his cup down on the clean table, slanting me a dry look. “Funny. Not likethat. I meant I’d like to see if we can help you remember anything the halix may have conveyed. Since we have some time this morning. I’ve been brainstorming ways I can jog your memory.”