Page 4 of Moon's Call

Lorelei suppressed a smile as her friends launched into their familiar finding love discussion. The city lights twinkled below, and she found her attention drawn to the Art Deco building across the street. Its geometric patterns played off the moonlight, creating irregular shadows that were far more interesting than talk of potential suitors.

“What about that structural engineer you met at the conference?” Thea nudged Lorelei’s arm. “The one with the dimples?”

“He thought Frank Lloyd Wright was overrated.” Lorelei traced the building’s silhouette with her finger in the air. “Besides, I’m already in a committed relationship with my drafting table.”

“Buildings can’t keep you warm at night,” Isolde teased.

“No, but they can shelter thousands, shape skylines, and last for generations.” Lorelei’s fingers tingled again as she gestured toward the cityscape. “Look at that limestone facade across the street. Those corbels have been supporting that cornice for nearly a century. Show me a relationship that solid.”

“Oh my god, you’re actually serious.” Seraphina laughed. “You’d rather date a building than a man.”

“At least buildings are predictable. Give me the right materials and calculations, and I can tell you exactly how they’ll behave.” The warmth in her palms seemed to pulse in agreement. “Plus, they don’t text at 3:00 AM asking ‘you up?’”

“But don’t you want someone to share your life with?” Everly asked, her expression soft with concern.

Lorelei considered the half-finished designs waiting on her desk in her apartment, the way her heart raced when a project came together perfectly, the satisfaction of seeing her visions rise from paper into steel and stone.

“I share my life with every person who walks through my buildings, who lives in them, works in them, and falls in love in them.” She smiled, genuine this time. “I’m creating spaces for other people’s love stories. Isn’t that enough?”

The women exchanged glances, and Lorelei knew they didn’t understand. How could she explain that the curve of an arch thrilled her more than any first date? That the challenge of balancing form and function fulfilled her in ways no relationship had?

“Well,” Helena raised her glass again, “here’s to finding love in whatever form it takes. Even if it’s reinforced concrete and steel beams.”

The night soon turned into something magical, filled with dancing and laughter. Lorelei’s red dress twirled as Helena spun her around, their heels clicking against the rooftop’s hard surface. The string lights swayed in the warm summer breeze, casting moving shadows across their faces.

“Last song,” Lorelei announced, checking her watch. “It’s already two.”

“Birthday girl gets to pick!” Seraphina called out, scrolling through her phone’s playlist.

A shadow suddenly fell across their impromptu dance floor. A man Lorelei didn’t recognize stood by the roof access door, his stance unsteady. The scent of stale beer wafted over.

“Ladies having a party?” His words slurred together. “Room for one more?”

Lorelei’s architect brain kicked in, analyzing escape routes. The roof access door behind him. The fire escape to their left. Twenty-eight floors down.

“Private party,” Thea said firmly. “Building residents only.”

He stumbled closer, his eyes fixed on Lorelei. “Come on, birthday girl. One dance?”

The ground trembled beneath their feet, a subtle vibration that made the string lights sway more violently.

“We’re leaving,” Lorelei said, gathering her purse. Her palms tingled with that same strange warmth from earlier.

“Don’t be like that.” He reached for her arm. “I just want-“

The tremor intensified. Glasses rattled on the abandoned table. A crack split the air like a gunshot, and one of the decorative concrete posts broke free from the roof’s edge. It toppled, catching the man square in the chest. He crumpled to the ground with a dull thud.

“Oh my god!” Helena’s hand flew to her mouth.

Everly was already on her phone. “Yes, we need help on the roof of The Maxwell building. A man is hurt...”

The tingling in Lorelei’s palms faded as she stared at the fallen post. Something about its trajectory seemed wrong - like it had moved against gravity’s natural pull. But that was impossible.

“I’m calling Marcus,” Isolde said, referring to the building manager. “He needs to know about this safety hazard.”

Seraphina squeezed Lorelei’s shoulder. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Lorelei frowned at her still-warm hands. “Just ready to get downstairs and forget this happened.”

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