Page 25 of Dream Lover
Paula lost again, then Carley took Conner out. We continued this pattern until we were down to Conner and me again. He was smirking at me from across the table. His cheeks were glowing red from the alcohol. I watched him attempting to psyche me out by licking his lips in a sexual nature, leaving me to imagine his tongue moving like that in other places. With me distracted by his tongue and kissable lips, Conner made his toss, and I happily drank up like a loser.
“Good game, baby.” He pulled me in close and kissed me. Fireworks danced behind my eyelids.
“Now the real fun begins. Please welcome Mistress Raven. She’s here to give each of us a tarot card reading about the future of our relationships.”
Mistress Raven was an eccentric woman with hair so dark it glowed a purplish-blue hue under the lights. With a big patterned skirt that flowed to her ankles and a cinched maroon top that hugged her large breasts, she wore lots of jewelry. Thick bangles rattled up and down her arms as she took her seat. The woman wore a ring on every finger and giant hoop earrings. She truly had the appearance of a modern-day gypsy.
The first couple to get their reading was Bruce and Laura. They sat at a booth with her, and she asked each to them to cut the deck of cards and tap one each. The rest of us listened with eager ears, wondering if the woman would have some weight to her words or be full of shit.
I didn’t believe in some silly cards, but the idea behind it was fun, and I was willing to give it a shot.
“For you, the cards have a warning. One of you is carrying a heavy secret, and if you don’t come clean soon it will mean the end of your relationship.”
Both of them looked awkwardly at one another, but I could see the accusation behind Laura’s eyes as she gazed intently at her husband. Whatever he was keeping from her I suspected the damage was already done.
Next was Daniel and Paula. “The cards say you should get a dog together before you try for a baby. See how you care for the dog for two years then you make a baby.” She dismissed them, and Paula was whispering to Daniel, wanting to know how she could possibly know they had been talking about having a baby.
I had to admit it was a good guess.
Rebecca and my brother sat down next in the booth. Mistress Raven went through the same routine as she had with the others, shuffling the cards and having them tap one that called to them.
“The answers you seek are right in front of you, but you are not ready to hear or see them. Denial weighs on your shoulders, Andrew. When the time comes you will do the right thing.” Her gaze shifted to Rebecca. “You aren’t happy when you look in the mirror. Things that keep you up at night eat at your soul. There is a darkness that surrounds you. The cards do not lie, and if you continue on the path you are on, you will hurt the ones who love you the most.”
Rebecca and my brother slid out of the booth. Everyone was quiet. I didn’t think these readings were what Rebecca had in mind when she came up with this challenge. I was sure she thought it would be fun things like how many children she and Drew might have or where they would live.
Carley and Joe went next. To be honest I was afraid of what the woman was going to say when it was mine and Conner’s turn.
My brother was downing more shots and looking grim. Rebecca and Laura had gone to the bathroom with Paula. I wanted to comfort Drew, but I didn’t know what to say to him. I was so lost in my thoughts I had missed Carley and Joe’s reading.
Conner had my hand in his and was pulling me into the booth. I was shaking like a leaf in a tornado when I tapped my card.
Mistress Raven smiled at Conner and me. “Soulmates. Friends. Lovers. Strong foundations for a successful marriage.”
“Oh were’ not…” I started, and she held up a hand.
“The cards see what we do not. Lady Luck likes you. She smiles on you. Both of you.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. Could the cards have been wrong? The reading Conner and I received was the one that should belong to my brother and Rebecca. They were the ones getting married.
10
Quinn
YOU KNOW THAT TINGLY LITTLE FEELING YOU GET WHEN YOU LIKE SOMETHING? THAT’S YOUR COMMON SENSE LEAVING YOUR BODY.
By the timewe arrived back to our room after continuing to drink at the bar, I was drunk and all I could think about was sleep. Conner had the same plan as me. He could hardly hold his head up when we were sharing the sink to brush our teeth.
I woke up late the following day, thankful Rebecca wasn’t a complete bitch and gave us the morning to sleep in before throwing her final challenge at us. It would have been like her to give us a seven am wakeup call. I had missed breakfast and lunch. Tequila hadn’t made my clothes fall off. It made me feel like I’d been run over by a bus ten times.
Conner was awake and showered, waiting for me to get up.
“Good afternoon, sleeping beauty. I have the perfect cure for you. A croissant, orange juice, and aspirin.”
“Thank you,” I muttered as my head pounded. I dragged myself to the bathroom for a shower, hoping I wasn’t going to vomit. White dots were still clouding my vision in the shower. The warm spray of water felt amazing as goose bumps pebbled up and down my arms and legs. I needed to shave but didn’t have the energy. Luckily, I had snagged some hair removal cream when I ran to the drugstore with Conner to grab him some extra toiletries the other day while we were shopping.
I only hoped I didn’t mistake it for my shampoo. I was that out of sorts and hungover. Rebecca would never let me live it down if I showed up for the challenge with bald spots. I finished my shower and got dressed in a yellow sundress that looked great with my tan.
Conner had left a note that he was going to see what time we were supposed to meet up with the group. I graciously ate the croissant and swallowed down my aspirin with my orange juice.
