Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 51003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 255(@200wpm)___ 204(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 255(@200wpm)___ 204(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
Too quiet.
“What are they saying?”
Yep.
Saint didn’t even realize how odd the situation was for me because he immediately volunteered to fill me in. “There is a debate on if you must be fed. Several of my people feel that you were well cared for at breakfast and have had sufficient nutrients to last until the regular human time for dinner.”
Feeding me.
They were debating feeding me.
“There are others who have disagreed based on the amount of energy you have burned during your pleasures.” Saint looked casual as he shrugged, but I could see his brain had gotten stuck on that idea. “You also extended significant energy finding books and decorating our shared space.”
It was going to land on the side of feeding me, but my stomach decided to chime in too and that sealed the deal.
“You require food.” Saint’s decisive tone said he wasn’t going to argue about that, so I wasn’t going to push back against it.
“We’re getting close to dinner.” We had to be even if I wasn’t completely sure about that. “So why don’t we have a snack and then you can make sure I get lots of good nutrients for dinner.”
Saint had entertained me on the drive to my place earlier with descriptions of the fun human food he’d been served, and besides an interesting international dish once in a while, it seemed like I’d enjoy anything the kitchen staff put together.
“Please define the word snack in this scenario.” Saint’s suspicious tone made me want to laugh and I had to try not to smile too widely.
“Well, you were curious about my brownies. I thought we could make those if we could get the right ingredients.” Oh yeah, satisfying his curiosity was definitely the way to make sure I’d get treats. “And you’ve taken such good care of me, I want to make you happy too.”
The fact that he could feel how honest I was about that pushed the answer in my direction. But he sighed dramatically like he knew he’d been played. “Yes, my Colby. I will allow you caretaking time. There is also some debate about the merits of chocolate as an emotional restorative. I am finding that data to be questionable, however.”
I wasn’t going to question that data at all, so it was time for a distraction. “Let’s go look in your kitchen to see if we have everything we need, and then while they’re baking, we’ll finish putting the rest of the decorations up.”
They were a weird mix of random stuff I’d still had in a box, but they’d dress up the room until we could go to the store.
“What ingredients are necessary, my Colby?” Saint let me stretch and then helped set me on the floor by the bed.
“I think we need oil and an egg. Maybe two? I can’t remember.” It was something like that, though. “Oh, and we can add things like nuts or extra chocolate chips if we want to, but they’re good just like they are.”
There was no way he had random walnuts lying around when he didn’t seem to have any snacks, but people with hoarder tendencies were always a surprise.
Saint looked like he was up to something as he helped me get dressed again, doing his best to look innocent until I was fully clothed, and he’d even used his nubs to comb my hair into place. I had to admit, it took me way too long to realize what was going on.
Looking down at myself, I sighed. “Humans don’t like being naked in front of the neighbors.”
Saint smiled and gave me a hug, probably because he’d just fixed my hair so he couldn’t mess that up. “Remembering human social customs is important to your happiness.”
He wasn’t wrong but I wasn’t sure I was up to figuring out my thoughts on it. “The neighbors are coming to help, aren’t they?”
“Yes, my Colby.” Looking around the room, probably searching for other human social customs he needed to observe, Saint quickly fixed the bed and nodded to himself. “I do not have eggs or oil. That will not impede your snack, however.”
Nope because aliens to the rescue…probably as long as I was willing to share.
Chapter 18
Colby
“Sorry, I can’t. I have plans already.” Finding a three-foot-tall Christmas tree that was still alive and could be replanted safely because dead trees were only for books. “But let’s plan something after Christmas.”
When my special alien friend had gotten used to me leaving his place and going back every night.
I wasn’t sure if spending the whole weekend together with Saint had been the best idea or not. On one hand, it might’ve kept him from worrying, but on the other, I was pretty sure it was making his current stress levels higher.
Monday had been fine, but when I’d tried to leave for work earlier, he’d asked me if the birds had ever attacked me. Evidently someone had sent him an article about some guy who’d been killed by pigeons on his way to work.