Page 142 of February

“So, I’m going to need help finding an apartment,” she said.

“I’m the wrong person for that. You’d be looking in the rich part of town. Maybe Sophie. Is she rich, too?”

“Babe, I’m not looking for a realtor. I meant that I want you to go with me when I look at places so I can make sure you like it, too.”

“I can do that,” Bridgette replied. “But can you make sure it has appliances I’ll know how to use?”

“Oh, I cannot wait to take you to my place in New York. It’s going to be hilarious.”

“What? Why?”

“The in-wall espresso machine and you willnotget along.”

“You’ll just have to bring me a cappuccino in bed, then. No soy, though. I drink the hard stuff.”

Monica laughed as they turned the corner and said, “I can buy regular milk for you, but just for you.”

“Then, I’ll figure out how to use the damn in-wall espresso machine for you. Mon, who has an in-wall espresso machine? I mean, a bookshelf, sure. But an espresso machine? What happens if you have to replace it, and the new one you want is a different size? Are you so rich that you just redo the wall every time you get a new machine?”

Monica laughed before she stopped walking and said, “I love you.”

Bridgette stopped and stared at her then. Yes, they’d told one another that they were in love, but neither had said those exact three words yet.

“I love you, too,” Bridgette replied.

“Yes, you would.”

Monica heard that voice and turned to her right to see the fortune teller standing there with a smile.

“You?” Bridgette asked. “Are you following us around or something?”

“Babe,” Monica said, pointing down.

Bridgette’s eyes followed her finger. The fortune teller was out walking her dog.

“Oh,” Bridgette let out.

“Right on schedule,” the woman told them and patted Monica on the shoulder before she walked off, leaving them there on the sidewalk.

“That’s weird, right?” Bridgette asked then. “Like, really weird?”

“I don’t know. I think it’s kind of nice now. Maybe shedoeshave a gift.” Monica pulled Bridgette along.

“A gift? Come on.” Bridgette chuckled. “Like, she sees two people and just knows they’re meant to be?”

“Yes, just like that,” she replied.

“Say that again in about twenty minutes, over and over again.”

Monica laughed and said, “I’m sure I will.”

“Mon?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you really believe that?” Bridgette asked. “The part about people being meant to be?”

“Yes. Don’t you?”

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