Page 27 of The Ranger

“Yes!” she pinched the bridge of her nose. “Women like a man when he smiles.”

He sighed. “I... express myself in other ways.”

“What about when you’re happy?” Vale asked.

“About what?”

“Anything!” Makama said, eyes wide.

He cocked his head and studied her. “You are worried.”

“Yes, I am. You... well, smile for me.”

His eyebrows shot up.

“Try not to look so shocked,” Vale said. “It’s a reasonable request.”

Markhel frowned.

Vale took to pinching the bridge of his nose too. “Heaven help us.”

Markhel stood. “You are growing frustrated with me.”

Makama took what Markhel interpreted as a calming breath. “It’s going to be okay.” She sighed. “It’s not as if you’re like your brother. I can’t begin to imagine what his will be like for him.”

“No, I am not. Melvale and I are very different.”

“I thought twins were supposed to have similar qualities,” Vale said.

“We do,” Markhel said. “But we are Muiraran, not human.”

“Good point.” Makama went back to pacing. “Tell me, when you see Maida, how do you think you’ll react?”

“I do not know.” And he didn’t. In fact, part of him was dreading their first meeting. Instinct might take over, and he would have to fight it with everything he had.

“You’ve never had a girlfriend, have you?” Makama asked. “No, of course you haven’t, so how would you know how to act around a girl?”

“You are rambling,” he stated.

“I’m trying to make you attractive to Maida, but you’re not helping.”

Markhel shrugged. “I am sorry.”

Vale drew in a shuddering breath. “Well?”

Makama stopped in the middle of the room. “Markhel, what happens when a full-blooded Muiraran such as yourself sees an attractive future mate?”

He went to the window and looked at the street below. “It is different for all of us.” He faced them. “I am who I am, Makama Berg. I can be nothing else.”

She blew out a breath. “If you could be a little less... and don’t take this wrong, but... you’re kinda boring.”

His eyes widened. “Boring?”

“I do believe he took that as an insult.” Vale joined him at the window. “She didn’t mean it.”

“Yes, I did!”

“Makama!”