“Benita, you’re a lifesaver.”
“Is it still worth it?”
Long silence. Sigh. “You pointed out to me once that she’s a very beautiful woman.”
“I did that,” she admitted, wondering how long that would be enough for him. “Of course, the Pistach won’t think so. They think all humans are odd looking. Tell her that, too.”
“What have you heard from Carlos?” he asked.
“Well, you know he got the patterner job. Vess is with him, kind of a troubleshooter-escort. Vess said Carlos is on his way, enjoying himself, learning a lot, becoming quite the diplomat. You told me once you hankered for a job at State. I’m coming to believe Carlos may get one. He always loved the sound of his own voice. You better write your book before he gets back, or you’ll have competition.”
She hung up. Sasquatch stuck his nose in her lap and whined. He smelled something lovely emanating from the kitchen, as did she, so they went to see what was cooking. Her husband was at the stove, juggling several pans at once.
“Hi,” glancing at her briefly. “Don’t interrupt. I’m sauteing fin-zannels, and they mustn’t burn.”
“I don’t think I’ve tasted fin-zannels.”
“The Inkleozese brought in a case. I had to promise to give them a beef roast in return for these.”
“Beef?”
“Any red meat. I don’t think they care what. They say they’ll label it as Earth meat and trade it to the Wulivery for flamsit eggs.”
“The Wulivery got a taste for Earth flesh, hmm.”
“Allegedly. They’re still not speaking to the Inkleozese. They claim the assessors used unethical means to get them off Earth.”
The saute pan received a final, quite professional flip that emptied the whatsits onto a plate that was thrust into the warm oven.
“Bert showed up,” Benita said.
“Ah.”
“He’s in a glusi center in Albuquerque.”
“Good, good,” distractedly as hands busily grated an onion, which was added to the plate in the oven before Benita was seized in an enormous hug. Certain pressure points were touched, tiny electric shocks went down particular muscles, all of it infinitely warm and loving. The room spun agreeably. It wasn’t sex, but it was very, very nice.
‘What’s the occasion?” she asked, somewhat breathlessly.
“We’re having a guest for dinner, and it’s our six-month anniversary.” A small box materialized before her nose. “Six months since you agreed to meet the Confederation guidelines for liaison officers and ally yourself with an otherworldly person.”
She opened it. A pair of earrings. Not gold, something else, very light and lacy, set with gorgeous green stones. What a dear spouse, no matter what shape!
“Oh, they’re lovely,” she cried. “You’re so wonderful to me!”
“As I should be,” ai said. “Dearest, dearest Benita.”