“Hey, if you’ll just follow me….” I nudge a guy into one of the open seats.
“Yup, and if you’ll just sit right here.” Another one plops down.
“There’s an open table near the corner.” I point to it until the guy with a deer-in-the-headlights look nods awkwardly. “Perfect. Head on over.”
As things slowly start to settle, I do a quick head count and confirm that it looks like the people are pretty evenly matched. Gem’s voice echoes through the speakers, notifying everyone of the timer and how it works, along with a reminder that everyone has to move when it goes off unless they’re wearing the red pin.
“So…I have a question.” I turn around to see a handsome Gage a few feet behind me. Dropping my voice low in hopes of not distracting anyone, I reply, “How can I help?”
“Which table will you be sitting at?”
I blush. “Oh, uh…I’m not sitting at any of the tables. I’m just here to make sure everyone is happy.”
“There’s an open one over there, though.” He points to one that looks almost lonely because it’s been tucked in the corner.
“That was just an extra in case anyone who hadn’t signed up decided to join last minute.”
“Like…me?” he prods with a devilish grin.
I bite the inside of my cheek, positive that the evidence of my entertainment will only encourage him. “And?”
“Well…what kind of host would you be if you didn’t set me up with a potential soulmate?”
“I think your ego could take a hit or two.”
Clutching at his chest, he fakes like I’ve wounded him, so I give him a playful shove and push him toward the empty table. Once we’ve reached it, we both take a seat across from each other.
“Is this better?” I press.
“Much. So tell me…what’s the deal with all this star stuff? I mean, I was at the keynote speaker event––you’re welcome, by the way––but was completely lost. What the hell is a Libra?”
I snort before slapping my hand across my mouth in hopes of quieting my amusement. His eyes crinkle in the corners as he witnesses it firsthand.
“You think I’m joking, Pretty Girl. But I’m not. I don’t even know what sign I am,” he admits in a conspiratorial whisper.
With a gasp, I lean closer. “Ya know, if Gem heard you, she’d be very disappointed. How the hell did you end up on a cruise ship for zodiac sign gurus if you didn’t believe in this stuff?”
“I already told you. My friend found a promo code.”
Another snort.
I can’t hide the smile that is practically splitting my face in two. “Okay, then…we’d better catch you up pretty fast. When is your birthday?”
“July thirty-first.”
Before I can stop it, I grimace. “You’re a Leo.”
Sensing my reservation, he grabs my hand from across the table. “And I take it that’s a bad thing?”
“No, it’s not.”
He cocks his brow.
“Seriously!” I push. “It’s not a bad sign at all. Look.” I flip over the laminated paper, then point to Leo traits. “You’re affectionate, warm, cheerful, generous––”
“I’m also egotistical, demanding, intolerant…,” he adds as he scans the paper.
“Every sign has its positive and negative traits. Here, look at mine. I’m a Cancer.”
His gorgeous, chocolate-colored eyes continue perusing the list while his thumb casually rubs the back of my hand. I’m not sure he’s even aware he’s still touching me, but I don’t pull away.
“Loyal, passionate, soft, caring,” he notes.
“And emotional, stubborn, resentful. We all have our flaws, Gage. Trust me.”
“True.” Pulling his gaze away from the paper, he asks, “So tell me…are these traits accurate for you?”
I consider his question before giving him a hesitant nod. “Most of them. They’re pretty spot-on for Gem too. None of us completely fit into the mold, but after reading and even helping to write some articles with Gem, I can see a little bit of merit to this whole astrology thing.”
“Then tell me this, when I gave you my birthdate, your face scrunched up like you’d smelled something bad. Why?”
This is so embarrassing. How do I tell the guy it’s because I would never fit well with a Leo all because the stars said so? We’re on opposite sides of the spectrum. If I were to give myself over to the zodiac gods, I’d wind up with a Taurus, or a Virgo, or even another Cancer. But a Leo? Our communication would be shit.
That is if I drank the Kool-Aid.
Gage’s laugh brings me back to the present as he points out, “You look like you’re about to take a test you didn’t study for.”
“Sorry,” I apologize.
“Don’t be. However, you have piqued my curiosity with a reaction like that. What’s wrong with a Leo?”
“Seriously, nothing’s wrong with a Leo. At all. We’re just…not super compatible as far as the stars are concerned.”
“Ah….” He leans back in his chair. Gem’s timer has gone off at least two times, but neither of us has moved a muscle despite the single men who have approached our table. Gage simply cocked his head to the side, daring them to interrupt our conversation. None of them have. And I’m kind of okay with that.
“So, who are you compatible with?” he prods.
“Umm…supposedly, there are quite a few signs that would fit the bill, but––”
“Leo isn’t one of them,” Gage finishes for me. “Tell me this, are you hoping to find your forever on this cruise ship? And if you do, what then? All of these people can’t honestly be from Florida, can they? Do you pick up your entire life for a guy you barely know just because the stars aligned? Do you expect him to move for you? I mean, I feel like that’s setting yourself up for failure, but what do I know? It’s not like I’m the poster child for healthy relationships.”
No. I don’t think he is. Call it a hunch, but a few of those negative traits are glaringly obvious when I look at the guy across from me. Arrogant? Check. Stubborn? Check. But even those
