Finally, it was my turn. I'd been listening to all the stories that went before, biting my lip anxiously. Was mine going to be good enough? I took a hefty swallow from my glass of beer—all the wine had long since been drunk. There wasn't usually much call for wine in the outback! But there was still plenty of beer. I cleared my throat...

~ ~ ~

Beyond the dome, the red sky of Mars gradually turned a pale indigo blue as the sun edged toward the horizon.

Despite the fact that he had paid top credit for this booth, the one with the best view, Nao was not giving the sky his full attention. With only half an eye on the sunset, Nao kept glancing across to the entrance, waiting for his guest to arrive. They'd made the arrangement to meet here a fortnight ago, forgetting it was Valentyn's Day and the restaurant would be packed with couples. Valentyn's Day was an old Earth custom enjoying a recent revival, harking back to a romantic past. The hospitality industry had seized the concept with open arms and it was proving popular with the younger crowd.

In fact, this had been the last table available.

He couldn't help a wry smile. Naturally, it had been the most expensive booth, but if it helped him get what he wanted, it was going to be worth the expense.

He sipped his drink then twirled the ruby glass in one hand, the sparkling liquid hardly touched.

~~~

Luca was worried. Gina was not going to be happy. It was too late to book a decent venue for the Valentyn's Day dinner she had hinted at and now they'd have to be content with a fancy meal from the processing unit in his apartment. Not quite the glamorous event she'd be hoping for. As daughter of the Dome's manager, and businesswoman in her own right, Gina was used to the good life.

Perhaps, if he bought a bottle of expensive wine, even a vintage Martian Spritzig if he could find one, he could pretend a cosy dinner for two was what he had planned all along.

He was seated at his console unit, searching the stores for that special bottle, when he got the message.

"Hark! You have an important communication! Congratulations! You are Galaxy Gourmet's 1000th customer. You have won a Valentyn's Day special dinner for two at the Red Planet Cafe! Your table has been reserved for 20:00. Please confirm attendance."

Well, that was a stroke of luck! The Red Planet wasn't the most exclusive restaurant, probably not the one he would have chosen for this important date, but it was better than nothing. Luca frowned. He hadn't actually been online with Galaxy Gourmet at the time of the message, but.... his face cleared. He had browsed there earlier. He'd certainly been a customer often enough to deserve a reward.

~~~

Inside the bubble car, Kobin watched the sun set, the sky that beautiful indigo colour that only appeared on Mars. Although an underground tunnel connected Duo with Prime Dome, he'd allowed himself the treat of taking a bubble car across the surface.

His lips curved in appreciation. Earth above, it was good to be back on Mars. He sank gratefully into the comfortable seat, pleased to be autodriven for once. He rolled his shoulders, still stiff from the long flight home and checked his wristcom again. He didn't want to be late.

Only hours ago he'd been far out in the asteroid belt, piloting a group of miners back and forth between their sites. Then he'd brought a couple of engineers who'd finished their contracts on Ceres, home to Mars. He'd barely had time to catch an hour's sleep before he'd had to shower and dress in a fresh grey pilot's uniform, ready for his meeting with Nao Qin.

Although he was looking forward to the meeting, very interested to hear about the proposition Qin wanted to put to him, he couldn't help feeling a slight twinge of regret. If only Valentyn's Day hadn't been the one day Qin was free. It would have been rather wonderful if he'd been on his way out for a romantic dinner with his lover, instead of a business meeting. Still, they'd catch up soon—before his next trip out—if he had any say in it. And this time he'd insist they go out for a meal, not just a drink or two before sex in his apartment. Not that there was anything wrong with sex in his apartment, he smiled to himself, it was just... sometimes, he wanted more.

He remembered calling his lover, ready with fulsome apologies on his lips to advise of the business commitment, only to be pre-empted. "So sorry, darling. I can't meet you on Valentyn's Day. My mother has arranged a get-together, family only."

So when am I going to become part of the family? Kobin had wanted to ask. When am I going to meet them? But he hadn't. He'd bitten down on the words, not wanting to sound pathetic or needy. Now, sitting in the bubble car, Kobin resolved that he would raise the issue soon. Quietly and calmly, when he wasn't feeling upset.

The graceful arc of Prime Dome came into view above the crater rim, glittering with light against the darkening sky. Good, not long now. He was getting hungry.

~~~

A slight, dark-haired man wearing a grey pilot's uniform entered the restaurant and looked around. A brief discussion with the waitdroid, and he was escorted toward Nao, a tentative smile on his face.

Nao rose politely to his feet, thinking Kobin looked different in the flesh. Although they'd talked over a console unit, this would be their first physical meeting.

With a crooked nose and space-tanned skin, no-one could call the newcomer handsome, but he had an open, friendly look about him that appealed to Nao.

"Ser Qin? I'm Kobin." They shook hands. "I hear you might have a job for me?"

"Yes, I do. Please, have a seat and a glass of wine first."

Nao waited while the other man settled himself. He hadn't been sure, until he saw Kobin, whether he would go ahead with the offer or not. But now, he liked the direct look in the other man's eyes, the brief firmness of the handshake, without the need to play power games. The waitdroid filled their glasses and then activated the holomenu in the centre of the table. "Just let me know when you are ready for me to take your orders, Sers," it murmured politely, and glided away.

Nao waited until Kobin had sipped his wine before speaking. "At present, as I think I mentioned before, I'm employed with a construction company. I've been there for ten years, second in charge of their rare minerals and metals section. It's all been good experience, however, I'm considering whether now might be the right time to branch out on my own. I've been an employee long enough—I'd like a chance to be my own boss."

Kobin nodded, understanding that ambition.

Nao continued. "As part of my business, I'll be looking at hiring a courier ship on a regular basis. I was wondering if you'd be interested in the job?"

Kobin studied the man opposite. "I might be. How regular is regular?" he asked with a smile.

"Unfortunately, I don't have the resources—yet—to hire someone fulltime," Nao returned the smile, "But as long as you give my business priority, you would be free to take other jobs in between."

Nao paused to sip his wine, giving the other man time to consider. "If you think you might be interested, I'd propose a six month trial, with an option to extend if it works out."

"I'm interested," said Kobin, "but I'd like more details before I commit."

"Of course," Nao agreed, pleased. "Just one thing. It will probably mean you are away for a month or so at a time. Do you have a spouse or partner you need to discuss this with?" he asked delicately.

"You're right. I'm not married, but..." Kobin laughed self-consciously. "There is someone... someone I should discuss this with."

"Ah," said Nao. "Someone! I have a someone, too. We're still in that early stage of getting to know each other and deciding how serious we are. You know what I mean."

"I do indeed," said Kobin wryly. If you can call six months 'early' in a relationship, he added silently.

The holomenu tinkled softly, reminding them that they had yet to order.

Both men turned their attention to the menu.

~~~

Luca ushered Gina ahead of him, into the restaurant.

"Welcome to The Red Planet Cafe, Ser and Serra," said the waitdroid. Luca gave his name and they followed the droid across the floor to their table. Luca smiled as he realised they had been given one of the exclusive booths at the edge of the restaurant. The sun had set but the indigo twilight would linger for an hour at least.

He let Gina slip in first and then seated himself opposite.

"May I bring you a drink while you study the menu, Ser and Serra?" asked the waitdroid politely as it activated the holomenu on their table.

"I'd like a bottle of the Martian Spritzig," Luca told the waitdroid without bothering to check the winelist. He smiled at Gina. "I know that's your favourite."

Gina returned the smile. "I'm impressed," she said. "I was afraid we'd left it too late to get a table anywhere, let alone a private booth."

Luca basked in her approval, glad he hadn't told her about winning the competition. True, he'd been pleased enough to accept at the time but now... taking his date out for a free meal, it all seemed a bit pleb.

"I wonder if they have the vat-lobster tonight?" he rattled off one of the most luxurious dishes, as if price was no object, and then turned to study the menu.

He was trying to decide between the vat-lobster with red butter glaze and the vat-chicken with samphire, when someone spoke his name.

"Luca?" The voice was loud and incredulous. He looked up to find Kobin standing there, staring down at him.

Blood drained from his face and for one terrible moment Luca thought he was going to faint. Words dried unspoken in his mouth. He swallowed.

"Kobin? What are you doing here?" he stuttered. Normally priding himself on his quick wits, Luca's brain felt as if it had been zapped out into space. "I thought you had a business meeting," he murmured inanely.

Kobin was staring at Gina, so evidently young and pretty. An angry flush stained his cheeks. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your mother?" he taunted.

"Luca? Who is this?" demanded Gina. "What is he talking about?"

"Uh... I..." But before Luca could finish, another man came across the room and stood next to Kobin. If looks could have killed, Luca would have been a small pile of dust on the floor.

"I thought that name was too unusual. Yes, Luca. Introduce us all, won't you?"

Kobin spun around to stare at Nao. "Sweet gods! You too? What the frack have you been playing at, Luca?"

"Yes, do tell us, Luca!" added Nao. "I'm sure you have a perfect explanation." His eyes glittered.

"You triple-timing piece of canal scum!" snarled Gina.

Luca shrunk back in his seat, eyes wide and mouth working, unable to think a single coherent thought. Three furious faces hemmed him in.

"I... er... I think I'm going to be sick!" Hand covering his mouth, Luca pushed past them all and ran across the restaurant. Ignoring the restrooms, he ran straight out the door and disappeared.

"I'm sorry to spoil your evening, Serra." Kobin bowed stiffly to Gina.

"I'm not," answered Gina, her mouth grim. "Better to know the truth now, before I made an even bigger fool of myself."

At that moment the waitdroid came across to her table with the bottle of Martian Spritzig Luca had ordered.

"I don't feel hungry any more, but I'll take that," said Gina, pointing to the bottle and getting to her feet. "Wrap it to go will you? Oh, and make sure it goes on Ser Verro's account."

She gave a tight-lipped nod to Kobin and Nao and strode out of the restaurant.

"Well, this is awkward," said Nao, looking warily at Kobin, as if he feared he might punch him out.

Kobin met his gaze, the colour still high in his cheeks. "I don't know about you, but I'm damn hungry. Shall we go back to our booth and finish our meal?"

~~~

What god-awful, fracking, miserable luck!

Luca locked his apartment door behind him, and sank onto the couch, dizzy with shock. He still couldn't quite believe it. Kobin and Nao, both there—in the restaurant. As if one of them wouldn't have been bad enough. And Gina! That look on her face. She was never going to forgive him. He was fracked. Absolutely fracked.

He had to get away, at least until they had time to calm down. Hurriedly, he began searching on his wristcom for immediate flights out. An off-world holiday seemed an excellent idea.

~~~

Kobin and Nao ate their meals in silence, each too busy dwelling on Luca and the scene that had just played out.

Kobin looked down at his plate, feeling a vague sense of surprise that it was empty.

"So... do you still want me to work for you?" he asked Nao.

"I don't see why not," said Nao. "It wasn't your fault. You didn't know he had two other lovers, did you?"

"No," Kobin shook his head. Suddenly the anger drained away and he looked miserable. "I thought we were close. I was getting ready to meet his family... what an idiot!"

"No more an idiot than me!" answered Nao. "I bought him a lover's ring." He pushed away the uneaten remains of his dinner. "Still, it's over now. At least we all know the truth!"

He topped up their glasses with the last of the wine, mentally reliving the evening's events for the hundredth time.

Unexpectedly, he gave a small laugh. "You know, I'll never forget that look on his face! Utter terror."

Kobin gave a reluctant grin. "I thought he was going to wet himself!"

They both grinned at each other.

Kobin shook his head, "I still can't believe he was caught out like that. What a coincidence, that we were here at the same time!"

~~~

Coincidence, huh?

He really liked Kobin, thought Nao as he walked home, and he was looking forward to getting to know him better. One day—soon—he would have to tell him the truth. No-one knew better than he that it wasn't good to start a relationship with a lie.

When he'd first began to suspect Luca had another lover, a few weeks ago, Nao had hired a private detective to investigate. And true, it had been a genuine coincidence that the man Luca was cheating with—and on—was the same man Nao wanted to hire as a pilot, but Mars Colony was a small place. There weren't that many pilots.

And to make matters even worse, the detective had discovered Luca was courting one of the wealthiest women in Prime Dome.

Nao had pondered for some time about the best way to expose Luca's treachery. He couldn't help smiling as he walked. He still thought the false competition prize he had arranged to send Luca for Valentyn's Day, was a stroke of brilliance. And worth every credit he'd had to spend on it.

Nao didn't really believe in coincidence.