Doesn’t Riva have healing powers? She’d be able to heal his amnesia.
Michelle:
Maybe, but what if she just... doesn’t?
Gabe:
Harsh.
Michelle:
Zack isn’t planning to go along with the mission, and Riva wants to save the galaxy. So she lies to him about who they are.
Gabe:
She can say they’re smugglers or something. And it would make Zack believe that they have to be careful about not getting caught.
Michelle:
Right. Maybe she makes up a threat, someone who’s trying to capture them.
Gabe:
Someone IS trying to capture them. His father, the king.
Michelle:
This’ll be fun. Riva can tell him real memories from their childhood, and made-up memories of their smuggling career.
Gabe:
You’re definitely writing this chapter. Backstory is not my strong suit.
Michelle:
Don’t worry, Gabe. I’ll remember our backstory for us.
Chapter 11
Michelle had already been rage-cleaning for hours by the time Gabe came downstairs the next morning. She’d scrubbed the kitchen and downstairs bathroom until they sparkled, and she was in the middle of cooking a giant—but healthy—breakfast when Gabe entered the kitchen with a bewildered look on his handsome face. Maluma crooned softly from the mini-speaker connected to her phone.
Before Gabe could say anything, she blurted out, “I’m sorry I called you a baby.”
His dimples flickered like he was suppressing a smile. “Isthatwhy you think I’m upset?”
“And,” she continued, not willing to let his smart remarks derail her, “I’m sorry for not taking your concerns about your parents more seriously.”
One of his dimples deepened. “Thank you. I didn’t mean to startle you, but seeing my dad... it took me by surprise. I haven’t talked to my parents in nine years.”
“Nine?” The spatula skidded in the pan, causing her to flip the egg white and spinach omelet with more vigor than was strictly necessary.
He shot her an incredulous look. “You really didn’t know that?”
“I thought my mom was exaggerating when she said you didn’t talk to them. Like maybe she meant you hadn’t visited in a while. You know how Puerto Rican mothers are.”
He shook his head. “No contact since my sister’s wedding.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know that. And yesterday wasn’t my finest moment,” she admitted. “But I don’t want to spend the precious little time we have together fighting. Besides, we have a busy day ahead, and it’ll be a hell of a lot easier if we’re on speaking terms.”
