The Interplanetary Guild of Human Affairs sends out dozens of delegations to planets all around the galaxy. Four of the Guild’s employees -- Star, Nate, Fara, and Josh -- grew close on one such delegation, and over the course of five years on assignment, developed a comfortable, happy relationship.<br><br>Then the assignment ends, the group returns to the new human homeworld, Reyhan, where they receive new orders. For the first time in years, they are going to be separated. Between the far-flung locations and length of assignments, there is no way to know when they’ll be together again.<br><br>But Star is not one to simply take what the world throws at them. As a respected bodyguard and security officer, Star’s existence revolves around protecting precious things. Nothing in the galaxy is more precious than their partners’ happiness. With countless variables to consider and dozens of ways it could all fall apart, will it be possible for the group to stay together?

Home

My gaze kept wandering to the jewelry stalls as we passed. Rows of gemstones and precious metals displayed under shatter-proof glass, closely watched by security bots and narrow-eyed shopkeepers. Fara noticed.


“Thinking of getting another piercing?”


My free hand went to my ear, idly feeling the half-dozen loops and studs already decorating it. “Maybe,” I said. It would be as good a lead-in as any. I slowed and pulled her over to the shop front.


“Which ones do you like?” she asked. “I’ll buy.”


I pulled a face and gave her a sideways look.


“Don’t look at me like that,” she scolded. “I like buying you things.”


“I didn’t bring you shopping so you could pay for all my stuff.”


“I know you didn’t.” She gave me a coy smile. “But you did have ulterior motives.”


Damn, it was no wonder she was such a prized negotiator, being able to see through bullshit so easily. “I have no idea what you could possibly be talking about.” I pointed to a bracelet in the display case. “That’s pretty.”


Chapter 10