Page 126 of Galaxy Circus Act One

“Yes we do, but I’m not sure if it’s been placed under Galaxy Circus or Xavier Colest,” I tell her, and her smile grows.

“Of course, right this way. Will the rest of the party be joining you still?” she asks, leading us to a table.

“Yes. The other three will be along soon. Can we get some drinks while we wait?” I inquire, and she hands us each a menu before placing one at the empty spots on the table.

“Of course, I’ll send someone over to take your order in a bit.”

We get our drinks, and Susie and Mark gush about the show. They had plans to do something else tomorrow night but beg me to let them come again, and of course I quickly agree. Having another night with my best friend is music to my ears, because I’m not ready for this to end yet.

The others arrive a short while later, and I introduce everyone. Susie doesn’t hide her impressed expression, and I can’t blame her. My men are rocking their sexy human glamours, and together, they look like they may be some of the cast fromMagic Mike. We get a lot of envious looks from men and women alike at other tables.

Dinner is fun, with Susie doing her best to make me blush with questions about our sex life. Mark and Link seem to click, and they spend ages talking about doctor stuff. In fact, all four of the guys get on famously. It’s like they have been friends for years, and I am so fucking grateful to my men for trying so hard for me.

After dinner we head back to the hotel suite for drinks and more conversation, but eventually we all need to go to bed. Susie and Mark want to do some sightseeing tomorrow.

Caspian heads to my room, and Link and Xavier are going to share the other room in the suite tonight, but before they can leave, I ask Mark to give me ten minutes with Susie, which he quickly agrees to before going into their room alone. I also ask Xavier to stay.

“It’s time,” I tell her when she looks at me quizzically, and her face falls.

“Yeah, okay. There’s no way I wouldn’t be able to tell Mark about any of this. He loved it so much, and he keeps talkingabout how you might have done it.” She gives me a big hug, holding me tight. “I hope one day Xavier will be able to give me all our memories back and Mark can know too.” I can hear the tears in her voice, and a lump sits in my throat. It’s so big I can’t answer her.

“How about I make you a deal. If you and Mark are still together the next time we come back to Earth, I will get permission from the Adams brothers for him to know, and then I can return your memories and make it so you can only talk to one another about it,” Xavier suggests, and my heart swells with love for the man. That was the perfect way to deal with my pain.

“Deal,” Susie says as we break apart and she wipes the tears from her eyes.

We take a seat, and I hold my best friend’s hand as Xavier removes all traces of alien information. Susie will still know I’m in a three-way relationship, minus the Saxon knowledge, and she will know the circus will be out of the States for the next few months, but nothing else other than they had a fabulous time.

I watch as her expression transforms from one of pure sadness to sympathy. Her eyes no longer hold that knowing glimmer in them as she looks at Xavier and me. My heart aches at the transformation, but we all know it’s for the best.

“Oh, Lila, don’t cry. It’s only a few months, and we can talk on the phone all the time,” Susie says, oblivious to what just happened.

“Yes, of course we can,” I assure her, and she kisses my cheek and waves goodnight to us before heading to her room. Her door doesn’t even close before Xavier is pulling me into his arms and holding me while I sob.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Lila

The two days I had with Susie passed in a blur of fun, friendship, and laughter, but soon it was time for her and Mark to return home.

After eating an early dinner, Mark finally manages to pry us apart, so I walk Mark and Susie out to the valet parking where their ridiculous hot pink convertible is waiting. I snort with amusement, but Susie waggles a finger at me.

“Oh no you don’t. You know you want a ride in it. How about we give you a lift to the circus? It’s on the way anyway, and I’m sure the strip looks amazing at night from the back of a convertible.”

Laughing with her, I realize there’s no point in arguing, so I agree. I was just going to go back to the room and have Xavier come get me. This will save him a trip. “Okay, sounds good.”

Susie pulls a scarf out of her pocket, wraps it over her corkscrew curls, and sticks her tongue out at me. “It’s the only one I have, and I need it more than you. Mark will drive slowly.”

Shaking my head, I climb into the back seat of the old car. “Where did you find this thing anyway? It’s gaudy as fuck. I hope it runs well,” I comment as Mark pulls out of the valet parking and onto Las Vegas Boulevard. The hotel we stayed at is on the opposite end of the road from the circus, so we drive slowly, passing all the fantastic sights along the strip.

We suddenly come to a stop. “Huh, I wonder what’s going on farther up,” Mark says, undoing his belt and lifting up in the seat. People are running down the road, screaming in terror, and the bottom of my stomach drops out. Fuck, is it a terrorist attack or a mass shooting? “Oh shit, they must be filming a movie,” he exclaims, and my panic abates as I unstrap and stand to get a look, but my dread returns in an instant. There, lumbering down the main street of Vegas, is Viggy.

Susie quickly joins us. “Isn’t that the animatronic dinosaur from your show?” she asks, looking at me, and I slowly nod, hoping that I’m keeping my facial expression neutral.

“Oh cool, what a great publicity idea. Your grandpas are awesome,” Mark comments. He developed quite a man crush on the guys, and they were thrilled, but I quickly latch on to his idea.

“Shit, I had forgotten all about it. I’m just going to jump out and go get involved. I love you both. Have a safe drive home,” I tell them, giving them both a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll speak to you soon.”

“Call us and let us know how this goes,” Mark replies, unaware that something is truly and terribly wrong.