Page 47 of One True Loves

“Do you still hate your birthday?” he asks, reclining his chair, so it’s all the way flat. He interlaces his fingers across his belly and turns to me.

“Maybe a little less.”

“Just a little? Damnit. I knew we should have hit up poolside bingo.”

I shake my head. “You can’t always be great.”

He laughs and closes his eyes, and I do the same. I know we should get up, go back to our rooms. It’s past midnight, and my dad would lose it if he knew I was out this late with a boy. But I don’t want to move just yet. I’m not ready for this to be over.

“So, you’re a Cancer then. Mmmm.”

I wave my finger above me. “Uh-uh. Don’t do that. I hate when people find out your sign and then they act all smarmy like they can see you naked or something.”

His eyes pop open at that, stricken, so I quickly add, “Plus, you’re a man of science. How can you believe that bullshit?”

“How can you not believe it when it’s so right?” He smiles. “I’m a Virgo, which means I’m incredibly intelligent and organized. I like a plan. I’m a problem-solver. Tell me that’s wrong!”

I roll my eyes. “Okay, so yes, I’m a Cancer. What does that tell you about me?”

“You’re creative and passionate.” He closes his eyes again. “You can be guarded at first, very guarded in this case.” A smilestarts to spread across his face, and I close my eyes so I won’t see it. Those stupid, perfect smiles are affecting me too much. “But inside,” he continues, “you feel things very strongly. You’re sensitive and soft. You just don’t let many people see that.”

I know he’s just talking about astrology, but why do I feel like he’s reading me? Why do I feel like he’s cracking me open again? There has to be a catch. There has to be something wrong with him that I’m not seeing. Because this... I don’t get to have this.

I keep quiet. I’m scared that if we keep going, I’ll be proved right. Something will ruin this night that was nothing like I expected, but everything I was too scared to want.

So, we lie there in silence, and I can hear his breathing getting deeper. I feel peace roll over my body as sleep pulls me closer. But as my mind gets hazy, I can’t help but ask, “What do the stars say about us, huh? Do Virgos and Cancers get along?”

He doesn’t respond at first, and I think he must have passed out. Should I shake him awake? We’re not supposed to be here this late. Finally, though, he whispers. “Oh, they do... they have the potential to be something really great... really special.”

“See? It’s bullshit.”

His quiet laugh mixes with the water rolling against the boat, rocking me to sleep.

Chapter Twelve

I dream that I am waiting for something. No, someone. Definitely someone. My palms are sweaty, and my stomach has that familiar, irritating fluttery feeling. And just when that someone is finally approaching, when I hear that warm laugh, I open my eyes to see... Wally.

“Good morning, sunshine.”

I spring up from the plastic chair, knocking my Pikachu pillow to the ground.

“No. It’s not morning.”

“Oh, it’s morning, little sister.”

I blink frantically, my eyes adjusting to the dim light. The sun isn’t up yet, but it’s definitely morning. Shit.

“What time is it?”

Something passes over Wally’s face, so quick that I barely catch it, and he shrugs. “I don’t know.”

I look him over and realize that he’s wearing the sameclothes that he had on at dinner last night. What’s he doing out here this early? Or did he just never go to sleep? That would explain why he has those deep bags under his eyes that somehow have gotten even darker. They’re a sharp contrast to the wide smile that’s now spreading across his lips.

“You and Alex here have a wild night?” he asks, gesturing to the chair next to me. Alex is stretched out with a smile on his sleeping face. His shirt has rolled up, and his hand is resting on his surprisingly toned stomach. All of the confusing feelings from last night swirl in my chest.

“It’s not like that, Wally,” I say, swatting Alex’s leg, so he’ll wake up and stop looking so frustratingly appealing.

“Sure.”

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