Jaith had walked Carbine back to her garage. She’d been coming back to her senses as she walked but she still felt the effects lingering. “I’m sorry I yelled at you,†she said to Jaith.
Jaith shrugged, “You were under the influence of Falleen pheromones. They’re hard things to resist.â€Â
Carbine raised an eyebrow and wondered if Jaith was talking from experience. “Thanks for getting me out of there,†she said but she wasn’t quite sure if she meant it. She felt very confused about Vince. One minute she wanted to be near him, the next she wanted to run away. She’d see how she felt after the pheromones wore off.
Jaith stood at the doorway of her shop, “I’d stay and chat but we’ve got a rogue Dark Trooper loose, if you see him coming go down to the basement and hide.â€Â
Carbine waved a hand carelessly in the air, “I’ll be fine.â€Â
Jaith grabbed her by the shoulders, “I mean it sister. You run because he will rip you limb from limb.â€Â
Carbine nodded understanding the seriousness, “Ok, I will. Just make sure you cover your own backside. I want to be an aunt one day.â€Â
Jaith smiled, “Oh it might happen.â€Â
Carbine returned his smile, “Don’t tell me you’ve met someone.â€Â
Jaith cocked his head to the side, “Maybe.â€Â
Carbine laughed, “Well what do you know, some girl got through all that plating straight to your heart.â€Â
Jaith shook his head at her teasing and walked off, he paused and looked at her seriously, “Remember what I said, run and hide if you see that Dark Trooper.â€Â
Carbine saluted Jaith half mockingly, “Yes sir.â€Â
“I mean it,†Jaith told.
“So do I,†Carbine replied as she walked back into her shop. Her mouth fell agape as she realised one of the Areeba Twelves was missing, “Son of a...†She turned to look at Arista who sat at the counted twirling a loop of pink bubblegum around her finger. “Where’s the other Areeba Twelve?â€Â
Arista shrugged, “How should I know. I was at lunch, I figured you’d sold it.â€Â
Carbine ground her teeth as she glared at the stupid blonde bimbo. “Didn’t you check the logs?â€Â
Arista curled her lip, “They’re boring, besides this spunky guy came in and I was flirting with him like heaps. I thought I was going to sell that old Neesh Three but he just wanted my digits.â€Â
Carbine let out a frustrated sigh, “Why did I hire you?â€Â
Arista smiled and puffed out her ample chest, “Because the lonely Imperial guys flock to this bodacious bod of mine and you make heaps of credits.â€Â
Carbine rolled her eyes out of Arista’s view, “Yeah what can I say I’m shallow when it comes to credits.â€Â
Arista giggled, “Yeah well money makes the world go round. Hey speaking of spunky Imps, there’s one down the block with a new Areeba Twelve pointing a gun at a Rebel.â€Â
Carbine stuck her head around the corner to look out the window, “Vince,†she muttered. “So he’s already found another girl.â€Â
Arista grinned, “Don’t tell me you actually went on a date?â€Â
“I don’t know if you’d call it a date. I was going to take him out for a drink when he bought that speeder. He took me to the Flamingo Bar.†Carbine told then ground her teeth again when Arista laughed.
“Oh he’s hot for you then. That Flamingo Bar is only for couples who want to get it on.†Arista said with emphasis on the last threw words as she rubbed her scarf down her shoulders and across her back tauntingly.
“You could have warned me about that place,†Carbine hissed.
Arista placed a delicately manicured hand to her chest, “Me? I never figured you’d go to a bar with a guy. Guess I was wrong.â€Â
“He took me there,†Carbine said punching out each word.
Arista grinned smugly, “I’ll bet he did. Was he any good?†Carbine slapped Arista on the arm, “I’ll take that as a no.â€Â
Carbine crossed her arms, “We didn’t get that far.â€Â
Arista leaned forward in amazement, “Really? That has to be a first for the Flamingo, I hope you got your money back.â€Â
“Oh just shut up,†Carbine growled then looked out the window to see what was going on between Vince and the Rebel.