“I was talking to Mr. Spock.” I give my cat the live long and prosper signal and he meows back. It’s kind of our thing.
As soon as I reach the sidewalk, I find a spot in the shade to stay out of the already-blazing morning sun. July in Manhattan, with all the concrete soaking up the heat is … well, hot. My phone pings and I assume it’s Serafina running late. She probably read that Libras are always running late so she’ll use that as an excuse. Oh, it’s Gwen.
Gwen: Have fun in Florida! I’ll just be here wearing a clown nose while I scrape tiny teeth.
* * *
ObiWan: Ha! Thanks. I hope you have a great week with the kidlets.
* * *
Gwen: I will. Feel free to say no to what I’m about to ask, but I have to go to my sister’s over-the-top engagement party next Saturday. You wouldn’t want to be my plus-one, would you? Not in a ‘we’re getting serious’ way, but in a ‘I can’t stand the thought of showing up alone because my Aunt June is going to try to hook me up with her chiropractor again’ way.
* * *
ObiWan: Chiropractor? Yeesh. The pseudo-doctors of the world.
* * *
Gwen: Right?
I re-read her text, wondering if she really does mean it in as casual a way as I hope. She can’t think we’re a couple. Not after only one date and some flirty texts. But a family function … hmm.
Wait. Actually, maybe this is the crazy I’ve been assuming was coming. Best case scenario, she’s made an album of what our children would look like already and she brings it along. I’m so going.
ObiWan: I’ll be there in the name of true medical professionals.
The town car pulls up next to me and I see Serafina in the backseat in a pair of sunglasses. She gives me a small wave as the driver jumps out and takes my bags to the trunk. I jog around to the other side and get in next to Serafina, my heart pounding a little. I hope it’s because I’m going to astronomer mecca today, and not because I’m developing a crush on my travel companion.
“All set?” she asks me.
“Yup, you?”
“Hopefully. I didn’t start packing until this morning, so I only had a few minutes,” she says with a yawn.
I stare in disbelief. I’ve been packing for three days, complete with itemized lists of everything I’ll need for every possible scenario including beachwear and a tuxedo (just in case I’m asked to attend a formal function with the top brass — I’m dreaming a little here, but the Boy Scouts are right about being prepared). “I like to make sure I’ll be ready for all contingencies.”
“You Geminis are crazy-organized. I figure if I forget something, I can always buy it there. They do have stores in Cape Canaveral.” She leans her head back against the seat, looking sleepy. And really pretty. Very natural this morning without a lot of makeup and her hair back in a low ponytail. Not that it matters.
“How was your date?” I ask her, as the car makes a right onto some freeway that leads to an airport.
Serafina rolls her eyes. “Awful. I didn’t even make it to the appetizers.”
“Really?” I’m extremely pleased by this news, but only because it proves me right. “Something wrong with the app?”
“No, on paper, he was perfect for me. But there’s no way the app could know the guy was a predatory narcissist who hits on anything that moves, even when he’s on a date with another woman.”
“Huh, maybe you should make that one of your questions,” I say with a wry grin.
Chuckling, Serafina says, “Definitely.” Then, putting on a businessperson voice, she adds, “Are you a creepy sex maniac who kisses and gropes multiple women while on a date?”
I let out a laugh, before remembering I’m not supposed to like her. I clear my throat, then say, “So, when we get to Kennedy, I don’t know if it’s such a good idea that you mention what you do for a living.”
“Why not?”
“Because you probably won’t find a very warm welcome there.” Also, because I’m totally embarrassed to be arriving with a whackadoo, zodiac-loving … gorgeous, gorgeous woman. Stop it, brain! Just stop it already.
“I’m sure I’m the last person you want to go to Cape Canaveral with,” she says.
Is she reading my mind? God, I hope not. Then she’ll know how attractive I find her. And how much I hate myself for it. Good thing I don’t believe in mind readers either. “While the situation isn’t ideal, I’m sure it’ll work out.”
She nods, looking slightly hurt, which oddly enough feels like a punch to the bean bags. “I actually don’t even want to go,” she replies. “As much as this is amazing publicity, I’m still ironing out the wrinkles on my dating app. It’s a massive amount of work and the timing is way off because every day we stay in beta mode means I’m losing thousands of potential clients.”
“What’s wrong with the app?” Other than the obvious, of course, which is it’s all based on nonsense.
She starts to say something, and I can tell she is about to confide in me, but then a look of realization that I’m the enemy crosses her face. “Just getting the algorithms exactly right. I don’t want to launch unless I know it’s one hundred percent ready.”
“Smart,” I tell her, wondering what’s really going on. If I were her friend, I’d tell her the app set me up with someone who’s pretty much perfect for me. But I’m not her friend. I’m the guy trying to save people from being bilked by her.
“It’ll be nice to be in Florida again, though. Sun, fun, and sand in your drawers,” she says with a smile.
“I’ll do my best to skip the sand part. Do you miss it?”
“I miss my family,” Serafina tells me, a wistful look on her face. “My parents, grandparents, and sisters all live in Miami, but I love New York. It’s totally me — so much energy and movement.”
I nod, thinking of how much I don’t like it in the city. You can’t see the stars. Not in a meaningful way. “I don’t think New York is for me, long term. My dream is to join a team at the Cape someday.”
“Really?”
“I’m meant to be in wide open spaces, where I can see the night sky at its finest.”
“Sounds lonely.” I can’t tell if she’s pitying me or not.
“Being alone doesn’t necessarily mean being lonely,” I tell her. “Extroverts tend to believe we introverts have something wrong with us because we don’t want to be the life of the party, or even attend the party. But the truth is, being alone gives me the space to theorize and imagine, which is my favorite way to spend time.”
“I guess I never thought of it that way. I love being with people so much, I can’t imagine so much solitude.”
“A person can be happy on their own.”
Serafina gives me a thoughtful look. “You don’t want to end up with someone? Like in a romantic way?”