Interview with Zwyk from Rory and the Alien Groom by Jessica Coulter Smith

What kind of job do you have?

I’m not certain of the Earth term for my job. I handle the day to day paperwork for the running of the Terran Station in Kentucky, as well as any special requests that come through, like adoptions.

Describe yourself in three words.

Intelligent. Serious. Gamer.

Who is your love interest?

Well, until recently it was Brittany, but she left me stranded at the altar. Since the wedding was cancelled, I’ve been spending a lot of time with her sister, Rory. The more time we spend together, the more I can see why Brittany would have kept us apart. Rory is amazing. She’s funny, sweet, and she’s just as big a gamer as I am.

Tell us about your first kiss with Rory.

Shocking, for one. I’ve never experienced a kiss like it before. It was the kind that sets you on fire and leaves you wanting more.

How did you and Rory meet?

We actually met through her sister, who was my girlfriend at the time. Honestly, I didn’t pay much attention to Rory back then because I was enthralled with her sister, Brittany. It wasn’t until the wedding was cancelled and Rory showed up on my doorstep that I really got to know her.

Do you have any pets?

No. I’ve never understood why humans want to own other living beings, but I suppose if Rory asked to have a cat or dog I wouldn’t tell her no.

Would you call yourself golden or a bad boy?

I think it’s hard to call a paper pushing, Xbox playing guy like me a bad boy. I’m not sure I’m exactly a golden boy either though. I think I’m too boring for that. Although, Rory doesn’t seem to find me boring.

How about Rory? Is she golden or a bad girl?

Rory is definitely golden. She’s playful and funny, and very sweet. And she’s done everything her family ever asked of her. Going out with me is the only time she’s defied them.

What's your idea of a romantic evening?

Take out from our favorite place, a fridge stocked with soda, and the latest Call of Duty for us to play all night long. Although, Rory tends to prefer games with cutesy dragons. Honestly, I just love spending time with her, even when she makes me play games with purple dragons in them.

What do you like to wear to bed?

With Rory in my bed? I tend to not wear anything. The woman wears me out, and there’s nothing better than cuddling her close, skin to skin, after we’ve been making love until we’re exhausted.

Boxers or briefs?

Boxers. Well, unless I’m wearing the traditional leather clothing of my world. Then I go commando.

Would you share the blurb from your story?

Humiliation burns through Zwyk as he comes to the realization his bride has left him standing alone at the altar. When something seems too good to be true, it usually is. He should have known someone as vivacious as his bride-to-be would never settle for a paper pushing, XBox playing geek like him. While his heart isn’t exactly broken, his pride is wounded, and his confidence has taken a hit.

Rory hates that she had to tell Zwyk her sister has run away instead of marrying him. Well, she hates the pain her sister caused. She can’t exactly say she’s sorry the wedding is off. Maybe now she can make Zwyk see what’s been right under his nose this entire time -- her.

How about an excerpt?

There wasn’t a better way to dive back into things than to play Gears of War 4. His Xbox Live membership had lapsed and his account had been deleted, so he’d have to enjoy one-player mode for now. Hell, he didn’t even know if his gaming buddies were still around, assuming he could find them online after he made a new account. He’d just up and vanished on them three months ago. It was an asshole move, but Brittany had grabbed him by the balls. Well, figuratively, because she’d never gotten close enough to actually touch his balls. They’d kissed, but she’d always shied away when he tried to take things further, saying she wanted to wait for their wedding night. Now he had to wonder how much of that was bullshit. Had she detested him so much that she couldn’t stand to be touched by him?

The game had just finished loading when there was a knock at his front door. Zwyk set his controller aside and went to answer, almost dreading who might be on the other side. If word had already spread about his failed wedding, any number of his friends could be on the other side with an “I told you so” ready on their lips, or worse, a pitying look in their eyes. He almost didn’t answer, but something made him pull open the door.

His eyebrows rose when he saw who stood on the other side.

“Rory?”

She grinned and held up two pizza boxes while she pushed her glasses further up her nose. “I thought you might need sustenance after your trying day. It’s your favorite. Sausage and onion.”

His stomach rumbled and he stepped back to let her in. It wasn’t the first time she’d been to his house, but it was the first time they’d been alone. Was she feeling sorry for him? He’d have thought she’d be with her parents, trying to figure out where Brittany went. But then Rory had always seemed to follow her own rhythm. What was that Earth saying? Marching to the beat of her own drum?

He shut the door and followed her into the living room, where she set the boxes on the coffee table. He grinned a little, thinking about Brittany’s head exploding if she saw such a travesty. It gave him the sudden urge to leave rings and scuff marks on the pristine surface. Juvenile perhaps, but refreshing. It was like he’d been freed from a prison sentence, and if that wasn’t a sobering thought, he didn’t know what was.

“Whatever you just thought, stop thinking it,” Rory said as she opened the first box. “I figure we can just eat out of the box, but we probably should grab some drinks before I kick your ass on the Xbox.”

He blinked at her. Did she just say…

“Drinks?” she prompted then shook her head. “Never mind, I’ll get them.”

He watched, bemused, as she helped herself to his kitchen. She returned a moment later with a disgusted look on her face and two soda cans in her hands.

“Please tell me this is another Brittany travesty and you don’t actually drink diet.”

He coughed to cover his laugh, but he couldn’t deny that she amused him. “I’ll go to the store later and pick up some regular soda.”

“You should get grape too. It’s my favorite.”

He scratched his neck and wondered if that meant she planned to hang out for a while. Zwyk wasn’t quite sure what to make of Rory, but he was just going to go with it for the time being. He couldn’t really think of anything else to do. Retaking his seat on the couch, he grabbed a slice of pizza and took a huge bite before downing half the can she’d placed in front of him. The intro to the game blared from the TV speakers and Rory wiggled her fingers at him, snatching the controller from his hand.

“You eat. I’m going to play.” She grinned at him before turning her focus to the game on the screen.

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Author Bio:

Award-winning author Jessica Coulter Smith has been in love with the written word since she was a child writing her first stories in crayon. Today she’s a multi-published author of over seventy-five novellas and novels. Romance is an integral part of her world and spills over from her professional life into her personal one. When she went on that first date with her husband, she never expected to hear the words “Marry me!” pop out of his mouth - and judging by the shocked look on his face, he hadn’t meant to say them either. But, being the hopeless romantic that she is, Jessica said yes and they’ve been married since 2000.

Jessica firmly believes that love will find you at the right time, even if Mr. Right is literally out of this world. She’s often gazed at the stars and wondered what, or who, else might be out there. Who’s to say that hunky model on the hottest romance bestseller isn’t really from some far off galaxy? Maybe that blue Martian you saw at Halloween wasn’t really in costume. After all, there’s an awful lot of space out there for us to be the only ones living in it.

Author Links: http://www.jessicacoultersmith.com