31. Jess

"Knock, knock. You wanted to see me, sweetie?"

Edna came into my office and closed the door, sitting down in the chair opposite me with a smile. I saved the document I was working on and smiled back.

"I did. First, I wanted to thank you so much for all your help with the collection."

She raised a brow.

"That's not why you called me in, though."

I sighed. What a week.

"No. I wanted your advice."

I couldn't believe it was already Friday. After a couple of days spending all my free time with Gravod, I'd finally told him Wednesday night that I needed to be by myself for a while. I needed space. He'd been understanding, if a little sad.

And he didn't go far. I'd seen him stalking me, following me to and from work. I didn't actually mind. He needed to make sure I was safe, since they still hadn't found Thylor. Knowing Gravod was nearby gave me comfort, and I was able to be alone with my thoughts.

It hadn't helped. I was still wrestling with the same questions. And since Edna knew about the aliens and the shifters, I decided it couldn't hurt to ask her opinion.

"Don't ask me about tentacles. Everything I know is secondhand."

What?I shook my head.

"It's not that." Who did she know with firsthand knowledge? Never mind, I don't need to know. I leaned forward with my elbows on the desk, arms crossed. "If you could go to another planet, with very little chance you'd ever come back, would you do it?"

"Shit. There's a question." Edna sat back in the chair and stared at me, but it was like she was seeing something else. Imagining the possibilities. She blinked. "Would you?"

I rubbed my temples. "Maybe?"

"They really don't belong here."

The gentleness in her voice startled me. I wasn't used to soft Edna. The kind, knowing way she looked at me had tears welling behind my eyes.

"No. They don't," I whispered. "Do I belong there? I have a life here. Friends. My job is important to me."

"But you can't let him go, can you? He's yours."

Mine. I nodded, a little stunned at how easy it was to acknowledge. It was just…true.

Oh god. I loved him.

Edna reached over and patted my hand. "I like our little corner of the universe. But if I were younger…" For a second, her eyes appeared to twinkle. "You only live once, Jess. There are no do-overs. Ask yourself what you'd regret."

I didn't react outwardly, but inside, I jolted upright. As if she could see my thoughts, Edna nodded. Then she stood.

"You'll make the right decision. I'm heading to another volunteer job. Good night, Jess."

Before she closed the door, I remembered.

"Hey, one more question." I grinned. "Dragons. Are they real, too?" I laughed.

That twinkle was back. She smiled and closed the door without answering.

What the hell?

I didn't have the energy to worry about it. There was one more person I wanted to talk to, but I already knew what I was going to do. I pulled out my phone and called.

"Hey, Char. I need to postpone our meet-up tonight."