Close Remembrance (The Krinar Chronicles 3)

“It’s the first choice of everyone who’s not going straight into medical school,” she explained. “Since I want to do research first, this would be the perfect place

to do it. It’s super-competitive, of course. They hire ten times as many interns as they need full-time research assistants for next year, so even having an internship there doesn’t guarantee an offer.”

And just like that, Korum knew what he had to do. “You shouldn’t worry,” he said gently. “I’ll put in a good word for you with the management.”

“You would?” Jessie looked at him in astonishment. “You know Biogem’s management?”

“I do,” Korum said. It wasn’t much of a lie, since he would know them soon.

“Oh, wow. You don’t have to do that, Korum,” she protested faintly, but Korum could see that her heart wasn’t in it. She wanted this very badly, and he was handing it to her on a silver platter.

“I want to,” he said firmly. “You’re obviously deserving of this opportunity, and I know Mia would want you to have it.”

Jessie smiled uncertainly. “Well, in that case, thank you. I would appreciate any help in that direction.”

And Operation Jessie was complete.

When the beer and snacks were no longer enough, they went out for an early dinner. Korum took them to a new French restaurant that was getting rave reviews – and that was known for serving traditional meat-based dishes at astronomical prices. He stuck to his usual plant-based diet, but Mia and her friends each ordered something from the animal kingdom. Korum didn’t mind if they indulged once in a while. The Krinar had been mainly concerned with the environmental impact of human dietary habits, and occasional meat-eating wasn’t nearly as disastrous for the planet as what humans in developed countries had been doing before.

After dinner, they went out for drinks. Knowing that the girls wanted some privacy, Korum unobtrusively maneuvered himself and Edgar toward the far end of the bar, letting Mia and Jessie be on their own next to the window. He still kept an eye on them, just to make sure they weren’t bothered by anyone, but otherwise, he focused most of his attention on Edgar.

“Do you play any sports?” he asked Edgar when their beers arrived. It was one of the many things the Krinar had in common with humans: games that required physical ability and skill.

The actor nodded. “I played soccer in college, and I still do that occasionally for fun. I also recently took up boxing, to get in shape for my next role.”

“Oh, really?” Korum said. “Do tell me about it.”

* * *

Mia smiled to herself when she saw Korum and Edgar on the other end of the bar. She knew exactly what he was doing and why: her lover wanted her and Jessie to have some girl time.

“Wow, Mia,” Jessie said after the bartender handed them their cocktails. “I have to say, I’m beginning to see why you fell for him. He’s so much nicer than I initially thought.”

Mia grinned. “Yeah, he’s great.” She had no idea how Korum had been when they met, but she had some suspicions based on what he’d told her – and what she’d observed from his interactions with others over the past month. The love of her life was definitely not someone she would ever want for an enemy.

“You seem different too,” Jessie said. “Stronger, more confident . . . and even more beautiful. Whatever he’s doing for you seems to be working.”

“He makes me happy,” Mia told her. “Oh, Jessie, he makes me so unbelievably happy. I never thought I could be in love like that. It’s like a fairytale come true.”

“Complete with an extraterrestrial Prince Charming?”

Mia laughed. “Sure.” Korum was not exactly Prince Charming, but she didn’t plan on telling Jessie that. She liked the new friendly dynamic between her lover and her friends, and she had no intention of upsetting it.

No, she knew that Korum was far from perfect. She loved him, but she was not blind to his flaws. He was possessive to the extreme, paranoid about her safety – and manipulative when he needed to be. She hadn’t missed the way he had deliberately spent time with Jessie, softening her up. It had worked too; her former roommate seemed to have a much better opinion of him now.

“It doesn’t bother you that he’s so much older?” Jessie asked, her dark eyes gleaming with curiosity. “Edgar is twenty-six, and he jokes that I’m the younger woman. I can’t even imagine dating someone Korum’s age . . .”

“He’s not that old for a Krinar, believe it or not,” Mia said, smiling. “There are some who are much, much older. But, yes, sometimes the age gap is a challenge. There are definitely times when I feel like he’s amused by me. He never makes me feel stupid or anything like that, but I know he thinks I’m very young.”

“He doesn’t treat you like a kid?”

“No.” Mia shook her head. “He doesn’t. He’s ridiculously overprotective, but that’s as far as that goes.”

Jessie regarded her thoughtfully. “Do you think this is a long-term thing for you?” she asked, a small frown marring the smoothness of her forehead. “I mean, marriage and the whole enchilada? How would that even work with a K if they don’t age like we do?”

Mia took a big gulp of her cocktail and coughed when it went down her windpipe. “Um, I’m not sure we’re at that point yet,” she said when she finally caught her breath. Korum had impressed on her that nobody outside of Lenkarda was supposed to know about her lengthened lifespan. It had something to do with a mandate set by their Elders. Mia hated the restriction, but she knew better than to break these rules. As Korum had explained, humans who knew too much would get their memories wiped – and Mia would never want to subject any of her friends or family to that process.

“But eventually?” Jessie persisted. “Have you thought about that? If you guys stay together, what happens when you get older? And what about kids?”