When Sparks Fly by Autumn Dawn

the
drill.
    She muttered something nasty under her
breath and headed for the door, then turned suddenly. “And don’t
ever pick my lock again!”
    “I’d like to pick her lock,” Zsak said
mildly after Gem left. “She has no appreciation for what a deal
she’s getting. You work too cheap, you know.”
    Blue snorted. “She won’t find out from
you.”
    “What you mean is, she won’t believe a word
I say, considering I’m a friend to your own charming self.”
    Blue threw monitors back in their box. “I am charming.”
    “Not around her. It would smooth our way if
you could be a little slicker. I’ve seen you do it.”
    “I don’t want to do it. Not with her.”
    “Now that’s a lie if I ever heard one.” Zsak
laughed as he folded his ladder. “Try again.”
    Blue sent his friend a dark glance, then
continued packing. “We’re going to leave here when this assignment
is over. She’s the type who would want me to stay. You know how the
women are on this planet. They have strict moral codes. And me? I’m
a professional.”
    “Never stopped you before. Remember that
little Ispian princess? You said she was worth the official
reprimand.”
    “This is different.”
    “Ah.”
    “Bite me,” Blue said. “Grab that ladder and
let’s go.”
     
     

Chapter 5
     
    Gem assumed a pleasant expression as she
entered the bar. She’d been looking forward to a little
socialization until Blue had thrown her into a foul mood. It’d take
effort, but maybe she could salvage the evening. The place was
starting to fill up, and there were a couple of good-looking men
present. Mourners milled around the buffet tables or socialized in
clusters. She wouldn’t stay late, of course; miners’ wakes could
get wild as the night rolled on. Jaq and the servers would handle
anyone who got too crazy.
    They’d turned on the bar’s sparkly lights
for the occasion, making the ceiling look like a shifting nebula of
stars with pink and blue swirls. They’d just installed the lights,
and Gem was proud of them, like she was proud of the new kiwi arbor
near the inn’s entrance. She and Brandy had strung some sparkly
lights out there, too. The look was simple and not sophisticated,
but it was beautiful. She had dreams of someday transforming The
Spark into something special and artistic, something more than just
a watering hole and flophouse for migrant miners.
    “Gem. How lovely to see you this
evening.”
    Gem stiffened at the familiar voice. There
was no reason for him to be here; she would have been
content never to hear that deep, cultured voice ever again.
Memories of what might have been made her fight for a neutral
expression.
    “Cirrus,” she said, and slowly turned. “I
didn’t know you were a friend of the deceased.”
    He smiled affectionately, lingeringly. “I
came to see you. You look lovely this evening.”
    She suddenly felt like crying. At one time
she’d had hopes this man would marry her. They’d spent a great deal
of time together. Anyone might have thought he was courting her.
Unfortunately, she must not have been an attractive enough
proposition, because suddenly he’d become distant, gently
discouraging. It hadn’t taken much to make her back off. She wasn’t
the sort to pursue an uninterested man.
    Drawing in a deep, discreet breath, she
smiled politely. “How’s your business?”
    He lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “We
import, we export. Today it is Aliskan sea worm caviar that is hot.
We’ve had an influx of Calisti immigrants. They have a soft spot
for such delicacies.”
    “Well, best of luck with that.” Having
exhausted her stash of polite business conversation, she gave a
polite nod and prepared to make a dignified exit.
    “I am having a small party at my house this
Friday,” Cirrus said slowly, making a polite little bow. “I would
be honored if you would join us.”
    She allowed herself to frown. “I doubt that
would be wise. Sadly, I must decline.” He always brought