She squeezes me tight and says, “Hey. We’re here for you.”

  Ginger ale fizzes as I pour it in a glass for Mandy, and I tell them about how I freaked out about everything.

  Lexi says, “You’ve been under incredible pressure getting this business off the ground. It’s no wonder you had a panic attack.”

  “It’s also not hard to understand how this would impact our favorite introvert,” says Mandy. “You must be wiped out at the end of each day.”

  “It’s not just the panic attack.” I sigh. “Do you two ever wonder if your husbands are manipulating you into something? With their powers?”

  Mandy shakes her head. “No. Caiden wouldn’t do that.” Her eyes widen. “Although, he does take sex to a whole new level with his manipulations.”

  Lexi says, “Mandy!”

  “Sorry,” she says with a sheepish look. “I know that’s not what you mean.”

  “I’m afraid my whole relationship is based on Logan convincing me with his power to love him and agree to everything he wants, so I told him I can’t be the Eliza Grady anymore.”

  “Wait,” says Lexi. “You quit?”

  “Yes.”

  “Wow,” says Mandy. “That explains why Logan is in my basement.”

  Lexi is scowling. “You and Logan are great together. I can’t believe he’s manipulating you into loving him, Eliza. You two were already compatible before he arrived.” She gives me her stern look. “My program for matching doesn’t let that happen.” She nods at me with her conviction.

  Mandy speaks over the crab puff she put in her mouth. “Those ads with you are great too, and while he may have convinced you to do them, your personality is what shines through. He can’t possibly be pulling puppet strings to make the world see the loveable person we know.” She swallows. “We were talking about you at work yesterday and you wouldn’t believe the number of people that can’t wait to watch your shows.”

  “Really?”

  “My god, Eliza,” says Lexi. “You are so stinking cute on TV, everyone wants to be you.”

  “I’m not cute.”

  Mandy licks her fingers. “You’re kidding, right? You’ve got ‘girl next door’ down with your bouncy blonde hair and blue eyes. Seriously, Logan knows what he’s talking about and can’t possibly be making it happen. Face it girl, you’ve got the look.”

  I frown as I think about how Logan and I have discussed the women we’re considering to host our other shows. The look is the very first thing we choose before moving on to screen tests. I reach for a roasted brussel sprout and bite into it. Salty bacon flavor hits my tongue before I swallow it. “Okay, so I’ll admit I’ve got perky and nice covered. But guys, I’m terrible at this. You should see how many takes I have to do to get things right. Yet Logan keeps telling me I’ll get better. I don’t believe I can.”

  “It’s not like you’ve had training,” says Lexi.

  Yesterday’s taping with Nancy comes to mind. I recall she said she wasn’t good at first. You’d never know it because she was so relaxed, and I wish I could be the same way. She worked at it, and I wonder what might happen if I did the same.

  Mandy says, “Actors have coaches. I bet you could find someone to work with you so you’d be more comfortable.”

  “I don’t know. I feel like I’m going to throw up before I have to get on camera.”

  “I bet you wouldn’t if you knew you were good at it.” Lexi lifts her phone and shows me the screen. “I just found about twenty acting coaches located nearby.”

  “You don’t think Logan is trying to convince me I can be good?”

  “Nope,” says Mandy. “Eliza, you’ve been given such an amazing opportunity to work at something you love and do better than anyone we know.” Mandy sighs as she glances at the crab puffs and grabs the next to last one.

  Lexi reaches for the last appetizer. “She’s right. You can’t quit.” She lets out a small moan as she chews. “The world needs access to stuff like this.”

  “But I could easily provide the material as long as someone else delivers it.”

  Lexi lets out a sigh of exasperation. “Tough love time.” She lifts her index finger up. “One. Most people don’t love their jobs completely and have to work hard at some things they don’t like.”

  She lifts another finger up as Mandy says, “Two. You’ve got an amazing husband that only wants to see you succeed. I don’t believe he’s manipulating you by being supportive and wanting the best for you.”

  “Three.” says Lexi. “We both know you’re going to be amazing at this once you get the kinks worked out.”

  “I dare say you’re going to love it too,” says Mandy. “Think about it. You get so happy when you teach us a new trick. You’re going to teach thousands, maybe even millions, how to be better at so many things every day.”

  “Jeez, you two make me sound like I’m saving lives or something.”

  Mandy glances at the oven where I have goat cheese and berry bites baking. “If you keep feeding me then I assure you, you are.”

  I chuckle as I get up to check on the food. Do I really have what it takes to be the queen of homemaking? The oven door creaks when I tug it open, and steam rises from the phyllo dough cups as I remove the baking sheet.

  As I place the appetizers on a platter, I worry about my shyness and ask, “Do you two really think I can get good at this? I’m not exactly the life of the party when we go places.”

  Mandy says, “I read an article about Jessica Alba that said she’s really shy. She takes on the roles she needs to play and makes it work. Maybe you can create an alter ego for when you’re in front of the camera.”

  “That’s a great idea,” says Lexi. “Pretend to be the Eliza Grady you see on the billboards all over town.”

  I groan as I close my eyes. I hate those advertisements. They’re images of me winking, or cocking an eyebrow with a clever tag line about how I can fix anything, and I’m embarrassed every time I see one. But Logan insisted it’s all part of the necessary buzz to generate interest, so I agreed. And now that my friends are telling me how my personality is shining through in them, I can see perhaps he was right.

  It occurs to me it won’t be long before people start to recognize me on the streets, and the thought makes me sigh. “Even if I can find a way to get good in front of the camera, what about the fact I don’t want to be famous? Can you imagine going places with me where people want to talk to me?” I shudder picturing it.

  “Plenty of celebrities find a way to lead a private life,” says Lexi.

  Mandy talks with her mouth full again. “You’ll look cool in dark glasses and a hat.”

  I notice half the platter of food is gone and guess hunger is an issue when one is pregnant with alien twins. It makes me think about having children of my own. Only that would require I have a husband, and the way I’m acting right now might make the one I have return to his planet.

  Lexi says, “I know this seems overwhelming to you, and it’s easy for us to tell you not to back out of your job. But the more important consideration is Logan, isn’t it?”

  I nod.

  “Then you have to ask yourself if you trust him,” says Lexi.

  My husband’s face comes to mind, and how he was all over getting me a car and bodyguard to let me keep a private life, and I know he’d do anything to make me comfortable with fame. I recall the billboard advertising shoot, and how he joked around with me to get my expressions to be genuine. He did that by being himself and not by using alien manipulation. I smile as I think about how much I love Logan, and in my heart I realize he hasn’t been using his powers all this time. I know I can trust him.

  I lift my glass of wine for a sip and look at my two best friends. They want only the best for me, and I think they’re right. As much as I hate the idea, I think I need to find a way to be Eliza Grady, homemaking queen.

  Chapter 11

  After I managed to fill a starving pregnant woman’s belly, I sent my friends home so I could call Logan. I take a deep breath as his phone rings, and when he answers I say, “We need to talk. I’m not going to quit on you. Can you please come home?”

  “We do need to talk.” Logan’s voice is heavy as if he’s exhausted. “I’ll be there soon.”

  Sugary flavor hits my tongue as I grab a macaroon, and I place the rest in a container to refrigerate. I turn to the platters sitting in soapy water and begin to scrub. I have a list of acting coaches I plan to go through until I find one who will take me and turn me into a version of Eliza Grady who will make Logan proud. While I hate the idea of being a household name people will recognize, and being on every time I’m in public, the reality is that it’s something I need to do in order to make my marriage work. While Logan came to Earth for me, I’m not all he needs. He needs a rewarding career too, and I can’t pull that out from under him just because I’m shy. Besides, my friends are right, I do love Logan and trust that his feelings for me are real. I’m going to have to figure out how to deal with my public life being my job while keeping my private life a sanctuary.

  When the door opens, I walk over to Logan. The moment we see each other we both let out a sigh and rush to each other’s arms. He squeezes me so tight it hurts. “Don’t ever leave me, Eliza.”

  “I won’t.” I gaze up into his face, and the warmth I want to see in his eyes is there. “I love you so much, and I’m sorry I let my emotions override my good sense.”

  “No. It’s okay. I pushed you to be something you aren’t, honey. I’ve decided to sell the business.”

  “What?” I step back. “But how can you possibly make any money on it when we haven’t even launched yet?”

  “I won’t.”

  I shake my head. “Then you can’t.”

  “Eliza.” Logan takes my hand and his fingers are warm as they wrap around mine. “You mean so much more to me than any business or money. I’ll land on my feet like I always do.”

  My heart swells with so much love for Logan it nearly bursts. I can’t believe he’d make such a sacrifice for me. I know my decision to make my own sacrifice is a good one. “No. I can’t let you do this.” I tug him by the hand as I walk into the kitchen where I left my phone, and I pull up the internet. “Look at this. It’s a list of acting coaches, and tomorrow I plan to find the right one to help make me worthy of the Eliza Grady brand.”

  Logan grabs the phone from me, and it clatters on the kitchen table when he sets it down to pull me against his body. He takes my face in his hands. “You are the Eliza Grady we’re going to brand.” He threads his fingers though my hair to cradle the back of my head in his huge palm. “The one I’m going to brand.” His mouth takes mine in a kiss that sends electric shocks of desire throughout my entire body.

  I’m panting when we break apart, and he says, “I think three shows are too much. Let’s continue with the wedding--” He winks at me. “Because I look good on camera. And you should do the crafts. We can hire someone else for the cooking.”

  My stomach sinks at the thought of losing my favorite show. “No. The cooking one is what I really want to do.”

  “But I think that’s too much, honey. And we’ve already started work on the craft show.”

  I recall how good Nancy was at the taping. “How about we get Nancy to do it?” Our original plan was to have me be a special guest on every show we do which means the episode I did with Nancy won’t go to waste.

  Logan nods. “We could do that.”

  “I’m happy to continue to create the content, and Nancy is creative. Between the two of us, we’ll have plenty of ideas to keep us going for several seasons.”

  My husband hooks a finger into my shirt and tugs me close again. “Good, because I plan for this empire we create to last a long time.” He slides his hands over my bottom. “Speaking of creating empires…”

  I lean my head back as he kisses my neck, and a delicious shiver races down my spine. “Um-hmm.”

  “Perhaps we should do a maternity show once the wedding one is done.”

  I chuckle and push him away. “Only if you are the ridiculous dad that gains pregnancy weight and is more nervous about the birth than I am.”

  Logan waggles his eyebrows at me. “Are you suggesting I ham it up?”

  “I am.” I wave my hand in the air as if his name is in lights. “I can see the billboards now. One confused looking alien with his shirt all rumpled and baby food in his hair.”

  My mate’s deep baritone laughter reverberates through me and sets off a rush of physical desire for him. “Why don’t I get to look like the capable father?”

  I roll my eyes at him as I recall his reaction when I said my billboards made me look quirky. I place my hand on his chest. “I’m sure you’ll be an amazing dad. But…” I smirk at him as I repeat his words. “Show business, honey.” He grabs me by my hips and hoists me up over his shoulder. “Hey!”

  “I’m the only business you need to see,” says Logan as he walks toward our bedroom.

  I bounce on the mattress when he puts me down. I lift up on my elbows and watch as he tugs off his shirt. “Now this is a show I can get behind.” I giggle as I lift my shirt over my head. “Or under.”

  Logan’s jeans fall to the floor with a soft thump. “Behind is good.”

  “Yeah?” I let his strong hands take over the removal of my jeans, and when we’re both naked, he crawls between my legs for a taste. I arch my back and revel in the things he does with his tongue, and he brings me toward my climax. But I’m not ready to come yet, because I want to give Logan the same pleasure. I push him away and say, “Or on top.”

  He grins at me as I grab his cock and swirl my tongue over the head of it. I stare at him as I wrap my mouth around his thickness and suck him in. His eyes flutter shut as he takes a deep breath, and now I revel in the way I make him come undone. I work him to the point that he pushes me away, and I move up his body to straddle his lap.

  As my husband guides himself inside me I take him into my body, and deeper into my heart. I seat him deep and hold still for a moment. He whispers. “Eliza, you have my soul and my love.”

  I feel the warmth of his touch as he holds my heart in his alien grasp. I now trust this is what he does to show his love, not to get what he wants. “And you have mine, Logan.”

  Epilogue

  “Eliza!” I smile as I turn to the woman calling my name, and it strikes me that my grin is real. “Is that really you?”

  “It is,” I say as I place a bag of lemons in my shopping cart with a thump.

  A woman about my age with dark hair to her shoulders says, “Oh my gosh. I love you so much.”

  “Thank you. It’s nice to hear that.” I’ve gotten used to the compliments from strangers and do my best to make them all feel appreciated. “What’s your name?”

  “I’m Meg. I’m a huge fan of your shows. I even signed up at the Intergalactic Dating Agency with the hope I can get a man as sweet,” she blushes as she drops her gaze and adds, “and as sexy as Logan.”

  I chuckle. “I am pretty lucky.” While at first I was uncomfortable with my fame, I’ve come to terms with it now. I realize I provide a valuable service to many women as they prepare for their own alien match. I care deeply about family, and knowing I can make a difference in people’s lives makes me feel as if what I do matters.

  I look at her cart and notice she’s got brussel sprouts. I featured a recipe for them with a balsamic reduction in today’s episode of my cooking show so I ask, “What are you making for dinner?”

  “I’m trying the salmon dish you made today. I hope I do it justice.”

  “I’m sure you will. I’d love it if you let me know how it turns out.”

  “Really?”

  “Of course. Send me an email.” I think about the show tickets I carry in my purse for occasions like this, and they’re slick in my fingers when I retrieve them. “I don’t know if this interests you, but I have two tickets to a show next week if you and a friend would like to come.”

  “What?” Meg flaps her hands in excitement. “No way.” She takes the tickets I offer. She glances down at them and squeals. “Front row!”

  I used to be shocked that people would get excited to see my show, but now it makes me warm with happiness. “Those tickets will let you come up after the show and eat whatever I made, so come hungry.”

  “I will. Thank you so much, Eliza.”

  “You’re very welcome. I’ll see you next week.” The handle of my cart is hard in my palms as I push it away. Logan suggested I hire someone to do the shopping because I’m so busy, but I’m too hands-on for that. I need to touch my produce, and often something catches my eye and gives me ideas for a new twist to a current recipe. I walk over to the cheese section and notice Kara. She’s in charge of this area of the store and I befriended her a while back. I’m glad I did because she lets me know when any new varieties come in.

  “Hi, Eliza.” She grabs a wedge of cheese and holds it out to me. “I just got a balsamic-rinsed sheep cheese in. It’s scrumptious.” She sighs. “I can’t wait to see what you do with it.”

  “That does sound delicious. Thanks.” I inhale the aroma of the cheese and blink at the intensity as my mind begins to race with food combinations. “I’ll definitely play with it.”

  My favorite part of my job is my creating new recipes for my show, and many nights Logan is my taste tester. Fortunately the man grew up eating food on Eroscia that tastes like cardboard, so even when I make something that isn’t quite right, he doesn’t mind.

  After a few weeks of acting classes, I became more comfortable with my public persona, and while some days I can’t wait for silence, most people can’t tell I prefer it. Logan insisted on compromise when I decided to remain in our business, so the only other show I appear on is our wedding planning series. It’s an easy role to play since the viewers are more interested in Logan than me. The mostly female audience longs for their own alien mate, and I don’t think we’ll have any trouble running it again with a new couple next year.