18
The floor moved underneath him.
He turned in his chair as a metal platform underneath him revolved and the space station restaurant brought him into view of Traverse II, a breathtaking maroon planet. He sipped a gin and tonic and watched the planet spin slowly.
Across the restaurant, all heads turned to observe the planet.
“It’s beautiful,” a voice said.
Josie.
She sat across from him. Half of her filet mignon was eaten; her fork and knife lay criss-crossed on the plate. Her face was a swirl, but he didn’t mind.
“I told you it was awesome,” he said.
“Yeah,” she said.
He grinned and sipped his drink again.
It was the grand opening of the Café di Galassia, the first planet-side restaurant on Traverse II. Handmade pasta and fine Italian dining in space. He’d had to bribe his budd
