Starcrossed (47 page)

“Thanks.” He put his hand over mine and I resisted the urge to pull away, even though I could feel Rigel’s irritation radiating from Molly’s other side. “I hope I can show it to you someday.”

Now I did take my hand off his arm, but casually, not like I was jerking it away. “I hope so too,” I said lightly. “Someday.”
 

And I did. As long as “someday” was years away.

Or decades,
Rigel added to my mental comment, with a touch of that all-too-familiar sadness.
 

I did my best to ignore it, determined to think positively. Everything
would
work out for the two of us, one way or another. Someday.

toachai
(TO-uh-kay):
future; destiny

The formal marked the start of winter break, which was both good and bad. Rigel and Sean and I didn’t have to pretend at school for the next two weeks, plus I was spared Trina’s endless barbs about my “fickleness.” I was used to Trina being mean, but her sniping was a constant reminder that my compromise was hurting Rigel—which made
me
feel mean.

The downside was, now I only saw Rigel every couple of days, at the O’Garas’ house, though it did mean more time for me to safely think about stuff I had to guard from him—like those Grentl aliens. Not that I really
wanted
to think about them, the idea was so terrifying.
 

Even so, Rigel sometimes sensed there was something I wasn’t telling him. He pretended to accept it when I finally said,
Sorry, I can’t. I would if I could,
but I knew it bothered him. I also knew he suspected it had to do with Sean, no matter how much I insisted it didn’t.
 

Christmas Eve, the O’Garas had a small party and invited me, my aunt and uncle, and the Stuarts over, as well as the two Council members who had recently moved to Jewel, Breann and Malcolm.
 

Because my aunt and uncle were there, no Martian politics were discussed. That made it feel much more like a normal, festive occasion though, with my aunt there, Rigel and I couldn’t hold hands like we usually did at the O’Garas.’ Still, we were together, and given how close we’d recently come to never seeing each other again, that was good enough. Almost.

I hope we can get some real alone time soon,
Rigel responded to that errant thought, reminding me just how attuned he was—and how careful I needed to be.
Maybe we can meet at the arboretum sometime this week?

Let’s make it happen,
I thought back firmly. With our less frequent contact this week, I was missing him even more than I’d expected to.

Around nine-thirty, Aunt Theresa started making noises about how late it was getting. As if that was a signal, Mrs. O’Gara exchanged a significant look with Breann, then turned to my aunt.
 

“Theresa, I have a favor to ask of you. I saved it for tonight, hoping it might be a sort of Christmas present for Marsha.”

“A favor?” Aunt Theresa was clearly surprised. So was I.

“Yes. We’re planning to spend a month or two in Ireland this summer. Molly and Sean would very much like for Marsha to come along, and so would we. It would be a wonderful cultural experience for Marsha, as well. I’ve checked into study-abroad opportunities there, and I’m fairly certain she’ll be able to qualify. Will you consider letting her apply? Something like this on her resume could greatly improve her chances of a college scholarship.”

A jolt of alarm from Rigel mirrored my own.

Meanwhile, my aunt frowned, first at me, then at Mrs. O. “Ireland? For the summer? How much . . . that is, surely it would be very expensive?”

“Not at all!” Mrs. O’Gara assured her quickly. “We’re staying with friends, and she would be able to stay with us. If her application is accepted, her travel expenses would be covered, as well. Your only responsibility would be to get her a passport.”

Aunt Theresa looked at Uncle Louie, who, predictably, just shrugged. Getting no help there, she turned back to Mrs. O’Gara. “We’ll have to discuss it, of course, but I suppose she can apply.
If
she’s accepted to the program, we can work out the details then. I do appreciate you researching this opportunity for her.”

In response to a glance from her mother, Molly jumped up. “Oh, thank you, Mrs. Truitt! I’ll have a
much
better a time if M can come! We’ll take super, super good care of her, I promise.”

Rigel and I had been struggling to calm each other during the whole exchange. Was this yet another ploy to separate us?
 

I won’t go without you!
I promised him silently. Then, aloud, “Wow, that would be really cool! Ireland!” I hoped I’d injected a believable amount of enthusiasm into my voice.

“Yes,” Mrs. O’Gara said, looking me directly in the eye. “Molly is very anxious to show you where she and Sean were born and grew up. I’m sure you’ll find it . . . fascinating.”

Realization hit me like a splash of cold water and it was all I could do to keep the smile on my face.
 

They weren’t talking about Ireland at all.

“I’m . . . I’m sure I will,” I stammered, shooting a half-terrified look at Rigel, wishing more than ever we could be holding hands right now. “Someday” was suddenly much, much sooner than expected!

I was stunned, outraged. But then excitement irresistibly bubbled up inside me. Because my compromise with the Council meant they
had
to let Rigel come along. Didn’t it?

Mrs. O’Gara watched me shrewdly, possibly guessing my dilemma.
 

“Perhaps Rigel can apply, as well,” she suggested to the Stuarts after only the slightest pause. “I’m sure Sean and Molly would enjoy that, given they’re all becoming such good friends.”

Sean’s smile suddenly became a teensy bit less broad. “Um, yeah. That would be really great.”

“We’ll look into it,” Dr. Stuart said so smoothly I could see she wasn’t nearly as surprised as I’d been. Ninety percent of my alarm disappeared, replaced by eager anticipation—which Rigel reflected back to me.
 

“I can’t wait,” I said, no longer faking my enthusiasm at all.

“Well, that’s just lovely,” Mrs. O’Gara exclaimed, beaming around the room. “Now, why don’t we all have some hot cocoa and sing a few Christmas carols?”

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Starcrossed
is the second book in the STARSTRUCK series. If you enjoyed reading
Starcrossed
, I hope you will consider leaving a review wherever you buy or talk about books. For the latest information about upcoming books in the STARSTRUCK series or any of my other books (listed below), please subscribe to my
newsletter
, visit
brendahiatt.com
or connect with me on
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. As always, happy reading!

Books by Brenda Hiatt

Teen Fiction

Starstruck
- An orphaned astronomy geek dreams of escaping her tiny town and becoming somebody and then the hot new quarterback befriends her. But strange things happen: her acne clears up, her eyesight improves, and when they touch, sparks fly—literally! Soon she discovers secrets that change her humdrum life forever and expose her to deadly perils. The middle of nowhere just got a lot more interesting!

Mystery

Out of Her Depth
- After her husband leaves her for a younger woman, a newly divorced woman goes to Aruba alone for what should have been her 25th anniversary trip. To force herself out of her comfort zone, she signs up for scuba diving lessons. But when she finds a ring during her first dive that turns out to be a clue in a high-profile murder case, she finds more adventure than she bargained for.

Traditional Regency Romance (teen-appropriate)

Gabriella
- A lost wager obliges a Duke to bring a pretty nobody into fashion for the London Season. Irksome duty turns into something quite different as he falls under the spell of his protege's innocent charm. Gabriella would rather help run her father's veterinary practice than fit into fashionable society but the more time she spends with the dashing Duke, the more conflicted she is. Could this be love?

The Cygnet
- A young lady would rather write poetry than make her London debut until she meets a handsome marquis and Cupid's arrow strikes. She transforms herself to attract him, only to learn he apparently has an aversion to her first love, poetry! Is all lost? (Originally published as
The Ugly Duckling.
)

Lord Dearborn's Destiny
- After a fortuneteller prophesies a statuesque blonde as his perfect match, a skeptical Lord Dearborn meets just such a woman. Blinded by her beauty, he barely notices her cousin, a lively, witty brunette. Though he has more in common with the petite and impoverished Ellie than the divine Miss Rosalind, she is not in his style at all. Will his eyes be opened in time to his true Destiny?

Daring Deception
- The new Earl of Seabrooke needs a fortune—fast! When a young buck cannot pay his losses at the table and offers his sister instead, Seabrooke agrees to wed her sight unseen. Appalled by her brother's bargain, Miss Chesterton infiltrates Lord Seabrooke's household as a servant to prove him a fortune hunter. But even as she gathers evidence, she finds herself losing her heart to the handsome Earl.

Azalea
- After an arranged marriage, Azalea's new husband immediately sails back to England, but she is already in love. When he's lost at sea, she's devastated. Six years later, Azalea sails to England herself and learns that her husband is alive but has no memory of her or their marriage. Worse, he is betrothed! Can Azalea force Christian to remember the truth before he breaks her heart again?

A Christmas Bride
- Holly was so looking forward to Christmas! Not only is it her birthday, it's her first wedding anniversary. But now her husband Hunt, the Marquess of Vandover, is in jail, and it's all Holly's fault. Her attempt to help him advance his diplomatic career went terribly wrong and now her husband stands accused of treason. Somehow, she must save Hunt—and their marriage—and Christmas!
 

Also

(for slightly more mature readers)

Time Travel Romance

Bridge Over Time
- A switch in time! An independent modern woman mysteriously trades places with a near identical ancestress in 1825. Each is desperate to get back to her own time until she falls in love with the very man her counterpart most wanted to avoid. Is this destiny, or simply a cruel trick of fate?
 

Regency-set Historical Romance

Scandalous Virtue
- An overprotected widow ready to kick up her heels meets a notorious rake trying to reform. Each sees the other as a shortcut to change . . . until the sparks fly!

Rogue's Honor
- First book in “The Saint of Seven Dials” series. A duke’s daughter in disguise is thrown into the company of a legendary Regency Robin Hood. Love is the last thing either of them needs just now, but when was love ever wise?

Noble Deceptions
- An American shipping heiress and the new Saint of Seven Dials find themselves trapped into a marriage neither wants. Even as passion turns to love, both hide secret identities that could lead to arrest. If they trust each other with the truth, will it lead to a lifetime of happiness—or to disaster? (Originally published as
A Rebellious Bride.)

Innocent Passions
- A former spy takes on the role of the Saint of Seven Dials to hunt down a deadly traitor but finds himself distracted by a studious and opinionated young lady, newly arrived in London. Is she the innocent bluestocking she appears, or the very traitor he’s been seeking? And which is in more danger–his heart or his life?

Saintly Sins
- A penniless beauty assumes the identity of the Saint of Seven Dials to rescue her young brother from the streets. A nobleman with his own demons is both smitten and intrigued by the lovely enigma, but when he digs beneath the surface, he finds a secret that could ruin them both. But perhaps love is worth the risk… (Originally published as
Wickedly Yours.)

(The above four books are also available in a value-priced boxed set,
The Saint of Seven Dials Collector's Edition
.)

Tessa's Touch
- Tessa has a special gift; with word and touch she can tame the most unbroken horse. But when handsome Lord Anthony gallops into her life, she is faced with a far greater challenge. Anthony thinks Tessa is helping her uncle to sell half-broken horses but soon realizes he must free her from her grasping uncle's trap so he can claim her for himself. (Originally published as
Taming Tessa.)

The Runaway Heiress
- Dina’s only chance to keep her inheritance from her gamester brother is to marry before her twenty-fifth birthday. When her carefully planned elopement goes awry she travels to Gretna Green alone, trusting to chance. There she rescues a naïve young lady from a fortune hunter, earning the gratitude of the young lady’s handsome brother. When he asks her to name her reward, she has her answer ready.