“Ignore her.” Nora’s face is blazing, but I think it has more to do with her friend’s threat than the sun. “She can be a bit protective sometimes, but you’ll get used to her. Or maybe you won’t…. I guess it depends on how small this boat is and if we’ll be running into each other again.”
“Now that I know you’re not married with a kid, then I think the possibility is pretty damn high. What are you doing tonight?”
Resting her head on Nora’s shoulder, Gem informs me, “I’m going to ignore the whole with a kid comment and assume that you would never be against dating a single mom, but your real hang-up was based solely on the fact that you thought she was married, and you have enough morals to steer clear of someone who could potentially be a cheater. As for Nora’s plans, we work at Polished Magazine and are actually hosting this little shindig, so we’ll be at all the events for the Written in the Stars Singles’ Cruise. Will you be attending the social after the keynote speaker tonight?”
Nora laughs before patting the top of Gem’s head as if she’s a good little Pitbull protecting her owner. “I think I can handle it from here, Gem. Put the claws away.”
Gem’s intense stare stays glued to me, so I throw her a proverbial bone. “I love kids and have zero hang-ups in regards to dating a single mom. You were right. I have a few issues with cheating and felt like she should’ve told me she was off the market before I fake proposed to her, then proceeded to kiss her in front of a stadium full of cameras while being highly intoxicated.”
With a grin, Gem replies, “Good answer.”
“Glad I can put your mind at ease.”
“You know, I’m still here,” Nora huffs, though I can tell she’s more amused than annoyed. She wants her friend’s approval, so if I can win Gem over, I might have a chance to pursue a hot week with Nora since that’s all I really have to offer.
“I apologize. Tell me, if I go to these events Gem mentioned, will I get to see you, or will you be working the whole time?”
“I guess you’ll have to come and find out.”
Her flirtatious smile nearly does me in. “Then I guess I’ll be there. It was nice to see you again, Nora.”
“You too, Gage.”
Mojito in hand, she saunters off, her petite hips swaying with every step, and I’m left reeling at what a small world this really is.
6
Nora
“I think the keynote speaker did great. What do you think?” Gem asks, her brows wrinkled with worry. She’s not usually the anxious type, but I’m a Cancer, and the keynote speaker just spent the last thirty minutes shoving the eclipse down everyone’s throats, along with the specific importance it’ll hold for anyone born between June twenty-second and July twenty-second. And, thanks to my mom and dad’s anniversary being nine months before, my birthday lands smack dab in the middle of that time frame.
“I think he did really well,” I compliment while rearranging a few more chairs at the tables scattered around the room.
“Ya think? So, you’re not freaked out about finding your soulmate or anything? I mean, I know this is a singles’ cruise, and people are here to meet the loves of their lives, but he was a little over the top.” She raises her hand and makes a small gap between her thumb and forefinger.
Laughing, I push her hand away. “Ya think? Thankfully, he also mentioned a loophole.”
“And what loophole is that?”
“You have to be open to having a relationship and finding your soulmate. I’m not.” I shrug. “See? Perfect solution.”
“Nora….”
“Don’t Nora me. It’s fine. I’m fine. Everything is absolutely fine. Let’s just get this next activity set up because the guests are going to finish their drinks any minute and are going to be begging for the speed dating rounds.”
“What about Gage?” Gem mentions with a pointed look.
“What about him?”
“Did you see that he came to the keynote speaker event?”
“Yeah?”
“Did you see that he couldn’t take his eyes off you?”
I roll my eyes. “You’re ridiculous. Call it a hunch, but I don’t think Gage is really the forever type, either.”
“One,” Gem raises her forefinger. “You are one-hundred-percent the forever type. You just need to get over the fact that your brother broke his soulmate’s heart. You still have a chance to be very happily married if you’d put yourself out there. And two,” she raises her middle finger to join her first one in the air. “You have no idea what kind of guy Gage is or what he wants in life. I mean, do you even know his sign?”
“Ya know, funny thing…it didn’t come up during his fake proposal,” I retort before scanning the room a final time. There isn’t a single thing out of place. Two chairs are set across from each other with a set of heart-shaped pins and a laminated information card with questions, zodiac traits, and fun astrological facts typed on each of them.
“Well, it should’ve before you fake said yes in front of a bunch of strangers, which is so unlike you, by the way.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know. Tell me, are we done with this interrogation so I can open the doors and let the guests in? Or…?” My voice trails off as I place my closed fists on my hips, daring her to continue poking the bear.
With pursed lips, she points her finger at me. “I won’t be finished with you until you can open your heart to love and accept what fate has in store for you. Besides, you were so bummed when Gage ghosted you after fake proposing. Why are you acting all weird about a commitment two weeks later?”
“I thought a cute guy was interested in me. What girl wouldn’t want that? However, just because I’m attracted to him and thought it would be fun
