Starfire Angels (Starfire Angels: Dark Angel Chronicles Book 1) by Melanie Nilles Page A

maintained a bright atmosphere. A
simple colorful trim ran along the top of the white walls, where
paintings of bright flowers alternated with decorative sconce light
fixtures. The floor was a simple black and white checkerboard tile
while the tables were marble patterns in different colors on white.
Georgene had transformed what a few years ago had been a dark,
foreboding bar into a warm, inviting restaurant .
    Where was Pallin? A foreigner new to a small
town, he couldn't have gotten too lost. While she studied
the few other faces at the small tables and the wire-framed chairs
around them, a cold wind chilled her back. She twisted around—
    And swore her heart leapt from her chest.
"Pallin." He made it. "Where should we sit?"
    "You choose."
    Okay. I choose. Right. Raea swallowed
her anxieties and headed for a cozy booth along the side, next to a
tall cooler of soda. She removed all her winter gear and sat down
opposite him.
    "This is nice place, very simple." He
brushed golden hair away from those eyes.
    "I like it." Raea clasped her hands on the
table. Say something. This was so much easier with her
friends at lunch.
    After a few seconds of silence, Pallin
asked, "How do we get food?"
    "Oh." Raea's cheeks warmed. Of course, they
would need to order, or at least look at a menu to see what was
available.
    "I'm sorry. Here—" She pulled the menu from
its holder near the wall.
    His smile took her breath away. He took the
folded, laminated menu when she offered it.
    "If you have any questions, just ask. I've
been here a lot. I know what I like." She smiled, hoping he
couldn't see how nervous she was.
    "I have many, but most for later. Please to
helping me read. English is...hmm...not easy."
    "Oh. Sure. Um...Here..." She ran through
every item and gave him descriptions. Pallin's lack of
understanding surprised her, but it gave her an opportunity to
share her knowledge; maybe he wasn't U.S. military, but that would
be odd. Too much time spent overseas, she guessed.
    When the waitress came to their table, Raea
helped Pallin order.
    Awkward silence filled the air. Her brain
stumbled over words to find a coherent thought. "What country did
you say you grew up most of your life?"
    "It is not well known."
    "Someplace too small to make any news, I
suppose?"
    "Yes." He took a deep breath and clasped his
hands on the table.
    "What do you like to do?" She asked.
    "Not do much but travel."
    "Oh? Where have you been?" How exciting to
see new places, although she would tire of traveling frequently.
She liked being in one place, having regular friends.
    "Many places, never to stay long. Never to
meeting people, to keeping…friends." He smiled that charming smile
that melted her insides. "Tell me more of you."
    There was a topic Raea had no trouble
talking about. Nevermind she wasn't human. He didn't need to know
that. Besides, it could have been a dream.
    In the middle of their discussion, the food
arrived.
    The rest of the evening proceeded in much
the same way. Pallin surprised her with his lack of understanding
of some things she thought would have been common even in a small
country.
    When they finished their meal, the waitress
took their plates and left the hand-printed bill. Raea tried to
smile but played with the straw in her water, stirring the lemon
slice to settle her nerves.
    "I am not good at this."
    She looked up at Pallin. He thought he was having trouble?
    "I am new to customs here and being not good
company."
    "It's as much my fault. I'm sorry, Pallin.
I'm a bit nervous. That's all. I don't want you to think I'm
uncomfortable, because I’m not. I just...I just..." How could she
explain it? "I've never done this before."
    A sly grin crept up his face. "I am new
also."
    "I don't believe it. You must have a
girlfriend in every town you visit." Idiot. What kind of stupid
statement is that? What if he does?
    "No."
    "Really?" Raea blinked and let out a breath
that left her relaxed.
    "I am…being not…good with friends."
    She