Back then, even with her hood still up and her face shadowed, just a glimpse of her face—light brown skin, broad cheekbones, dark eyes—was enough to make me do a double take. There was something familiar about her features, but I was too tipsy to place her.

I offered to buy her a drink. She declined without even glancing my way. But when the bartender noted the goggles around my neck and outdated comm, he demanded to see my visa, and all of a sudden I had Shey’s attention. Usually, when Gaians realize I’m an off-worlder, they pull away from me. Instead, she leaned closer, her gaze curious rather than suspicious.

“Are you Devan?” she asked, noting that I had ordered corn whiskey from the planet.

“Nope. Just came from there, though, and this is much better than Gaian-made swill.” I sipped my drink, eyeing her. “How about I give you one more guess, and if you’re wrong, I get to buy you that drink?”

She smiled and looked me up and down. I turned fully toward her, inviting the scrutiny, unable to deny that her attention gave me a small thrill.

“No scars, so Titan seems unlikely,” she said, tapping a gloved finger to her lips. “Not Nibiran, or the bartender would have reacted quite differently, I imagine.” She tilted her head slightly. “So you’re from Pax?”

“Good guess, but nope. I’m no gunslingin’ Paxian rancher, either,” I said, imitating a Paxian drawl, and grinned at her confusion. “You ever heard the term space-born?”

The conversation continued on for a couple hours and several drinks. She told me she was a scientist researching Primus technology. I hinted I was a purveyor of “off-world curiosities.” And eventually, I sold her a Devan snake-snapper in an alley on the outskirts of Levian.

I was considering trying for a kiss when she looked up at me, the light on her face and a political ad for President Leonis on the wall behind her, and I finally realized why she looked so familiar. I should’ve walked away then. Hell, I should’ve run as fast as I could in the opposite direction. Instead, I asked, “So how can I get in touch next time I’m here?”

Against all odds, the president’s daughter turned out to be a discreet client with a strong interest in Devan plants. Curiosity about anything off-world is a strange quality for a Gaian, since they’re generally convinced that Gaia has everything worth having in the system. I couldn’t help but find her interest endearing. We’ve met up a few times now, though after a close call last time, we decided to use the assistance of a broker and a safe house.