He spreads his arms wide and puts on a dashing smile. “Skylar, don’t be mad. I had a lot of shit going on at home. I saw you two on the gossip sites, and I knew you were okay.” He gestures to Marcelo. “Plus, I was in contact with him. I figured I would take care of my family and meet you wherever you were.”

The clunk of the fuel and air hoses disengaging from the Amagi echo through the cargo bay.

“I didn’t think I’d make it by the skin of my teeth, though.”

I inhale and lift my shoulders. “Well, as you can see, I need to get ready for departure. Why don’t you two get settled in, and I’ll get us underway?”

“I’m going to —” Marcelo jerks his thumb at his shuttle.

I nod. “Meet me on the bridge?”

Marcelo considers this for a moment before inclining his head and leaving to return to his shuttle.

I want out of here as quickly as possible.

“Sure. Where can I stay?” Kalvin asks, hoisting his bag on his shoulder.

I point to the rear of the cargo bay. “There with the sheep and the chickens.”

He tilts his head and narrows his eyes. “I’m allergic to wool.”

“Sucks to be you.”