Twenty-One
Serafina
“On paper, Howard looks like the perfect guy for you,” Charley tells me while peeling a banana.
“My flesh is still crawling,” I tell her as a full body shiver overtakes me. I swear that lunch yesterday — attempted lunch, rather — almost put me off my own app.
“How ‘bout this guy?” She sits down on the couch next to me and points to the screen on her laptop. “According to our program, you and Chaz Parker are an ideal match.”
I can’t bring myself to look. “What does Chaz Parker do?”
“He’s a chef. That’s perfect for you. You know, because you love to eat and all.”
“What kind of chef?” I demand. “With my luck he works at a restaurant that only serves endangered species.”
“That’s not even a thing,” Charley scoffs. “It says he owns an Italian restaurant. Yum.”
“What’s his sign?”
“Aquarius,” she says. “Which, according to you, is the best astrological match for a Libra woman.”
I make a grabby motion at her to hand over her computer. Then I check out Chaz’s bio. Thirty-three, native New Yorker, loves parties, the Mets, and street tacos. “He does sound pretty perfect.”
I pick up my phone and fire off a quick message to Mr. Parker.
LibraGrl: Hi there, my name is Sarah. The Date for Your Star Sign app just pinged me with your info.
* * *
Chazzzzz: Cool, they sent me your deets too. I was busy at work when they came in, so I didn’t have a chance to check it out. So, you’re a Libra, huh?
* * *
LibraGrl: I am, and you’re an Aquarius.
* * *
Chazzzzz: A match made in heaven! I’m not working tonight. Any chance you want to come down to my restaurant in Little Italy? I could make you dinner.
* * *
LibraGrl: I’d hate to make you go in on your day off.
* * *
Chazzzzz: I love my work, so it’s no bother at all. Plus, I’d like to impress you with my culinary talents.
* * *
LibraGrl: I love being impressed. What time and where?
* * *
Chazzzzz: Noodle on Mulberry Street at six thirty?
* * *
LibraGrl: I’ll be there. I’ll be the tall brunette in the orange sundress. How will I know you?
* * *
Chazzzzz: I’ll be the chef.
* * *
LibraGrl: Lol, good point. Okay, see you tonight, Chaz.
* * *
Chazzzzz: Looking forward to it.
“I’m going to let Chaz cook me supper tonight,” I tell Charley. “What do you think about that?”
After taking another bite of her banana, she says, “Way to get back on the horse, Ser. I really think this might be your guy.”
“Maybe, but I swear Professor Goatee really knocked me off my game.” I yawn and tell her, “I think I’ll take the rest of the afternoon off and have a nap. I’ve been burning the candle at both ends with our app work and Wake Up America! I’m going to need to clone myself if this keeps up.”
“Go catch some zzz’s,” she tells me. “I’ll work for a bit longer and then let myself out. Send me a text tonight and let me know how it’s going.”
I shoot her a thumbs up and drag myself off to bed. I’m pretty sure I’m unconscious before my head even hits the pillow. I sleep for three solid hours and only wake up because my phone starts pinging like a video game. I look at the screen to find a slew of incoming texts from Ben.
DrBananaPants: Our flight leaves at noon on Sunday. The show booked us at the Radisson at Cape Canaveral.
* * *
DrBananaPants: Make sure you bring comfortable shoes.
* * *
DrBananaPants: And make sure you bring sunscreen.
* * *
DrBananaPants: You might also want to bring a sun hat.
Apparently, my nap is over. I pick up my phone and text back:
LibraGrl: I’m from Florida. I know how to dress for the weather.
* * *
DrBananaPants: Oh, okay.
* * *
LibraGrl: What time is your first meeting on Monday?
* * *
DrBananaPants: Not until noon so I should be able to show you around for a bit first.
* * *
LibraGrl: I know my way around.
* * *
DrBananaPants: What? How?
* * *
LibraGrl: My family and I must have visited NASA at least a half dozen times over the years.
* * *
DrBananaPants: Really? You never mentioned that. Did you go to space camp?
* * *
LibraGrl: There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Ben. And no to space camp.
* * *
DrBananaPants: Waltraut said the car would pick you up at eight and then you’d pick me up. That ought to give us plenty of time.
* * *
LibraGrl: Sounds good. Are you bringing your Star Trek figurines? If so, I’ll bring my Harry Potter Lego collection and we can have a battle on the plane.
* * *
DrBananaPants: Ha ha.
* * *
LibraGrl: Come on. That was funny. Anyway, I gotta book, I have a date tonight.
* * *
DrBananaPants: Really, with who?
* * *
LibraGrl: I’m pretty sure you don’t know him.
* * *
DrBananaPants: How do you know if you don’t tell me who he is?
* * *
LibraGrl: His name is Chaz and he’s a chef. Do you know him?
* * *
DrBananaPants: No.
* * *
LibraGrl: There you go. I’ll see you Sunday morning, Ben.
* * *
DrBananaPants: May the force be with you tonight.