Close Liaisons (The Krinar Chronicles 1)

Mia rubbed the back of her neck to get rid of some tension there. “Jessie, please stop worrying about my relationship . . . everything will get resolved in its own time –”

“Speaking of getting things resolved, did you talk to him about the summer?”

Mia bit her lip. She hated lying to Jessie, and she so badly wanted to talk to someone about the whole maddening mess. If John was right about the Keiths’ timing, her trip to Florida would be merely delayed – and not even by all that much. Of course, that assumed she would still be alive at the time. Mia decided on a slightly edited version of the truth.

“I have,” she said slowly.

“And?”

“And we agreed that I’ll go later in the summer, and do an internship here in New York instead.”

Jessie stared at her in shock. “What internship?”

“I’m not sure yet. Korum promised to find me something in my field.”

“Oh my God, he’s not letting you go, is he?” Jessie looked completely horrified.

“Not exactly,” admitted Mia. “He did say, though, that we’ll go to Florida together once his business in New York is done.”

“Together? What, he’s going to meet your family?” The expression on Jessie’s face was utterly incredulous.

“I have no idea,” said Mia, and she really didn’t. She hadn’t had a chance to think about it, with everything that had gone on – but she couldn’t imagine her normal down-to-earth family interacting calmly with her alien lover. “We didn’t get as far as discussing the particulars –”

“That bastard! I can’t believe he’s doing it to you! No wonder you’re helping the Resistance – you probably hate his guts.”

Mia couldn’t believe her ears. “What? What did you just say?”

“Oh come on, Mia,” said Jessie calmly. “I’m not an idiot. I can put two and two together. John was waiting for you here in the apartment even before you showed up. Clearly, he knew you were coming. You’re communicating with them, aren’t you?”

Damn it. Sometimes Mia forgot just how astute her pretty, bubbly roommate could be. Denying it any longer would be pointless, but Jessie could not know the extent of Mia’s involvement – it would be much too dangerous for both of them.

Mia gave her a piercing look. “Jessie, listen to me, don’t ever say something like that – and don’t ever talk about it with anyone, not even Edgar. Do you promise me?”

Jessie nodded, her eyes narrowed. “I would never say anything. When Edgar asked me if you and John were dating, I just said that he was an old friend of your family’s.”

“That’s good,” said Mia with relief. Then she added, “Look, I am not doing anything too crazy, I promise. John just asked me to keep an eye on Korum’s activities and report to him occasionally. That’s all I was doing today. Korum met a couple of other Ks recently, and I just wanted to tell John about it. Turns out he already knew, so it really wasn’t a big deal.” Mia had no idea where she had learned to lie so smoothly.

“Not a big deal? Mia . . . you’re dealing with an extraterrestrial who has no regard for human life. You saw what he did to Peter – and that was just for dancing with you! If he catches you spying, he would kill you for sure! Of course, it’s a big deal!” Jessie blew out a frustrated breath.

There was nothing Mia could really say to that, so she just shrugged.

“And it’s all my fault for blabbing about you to Jason! I can’t believe those bastards decided to use you like that.”

Mia rubbed her neck again. “They just saw an opportunity and decided to use it. It doesn’t really change my situation. I’m still with Korum, whether or not I’m spying on him. So I might as well try to help out, you know?”

Jessie gave her a frustrated look. “I can’t believe all this shit is happening to you. You’re the most by-the-book person I know . . . and you end up sleeping with a K and spying on him.”

Mia sighed heavily. “I know. I’m so screwed, Jessie – and not just in a good way.”

A small smile broke out on Jessie’s face, and she shook her head in

reproach. “Mia . . .”

Mia grinned at her. “I know, I know, that was pretty bad.”

“Not James Bond caliber, that’s for sure.” And Jessie grinned back.

* * *