Page 25 of The Lessons

“Just make sure I get an invitation to the wedding.”

~

Josh arrived around six. After a big bear hug and some brief introductions, Paulina, Brad, Josh, and I made our way across the street to Rusty’s, an old-school dive bar that was all dark woods and dim lighting. We’d taken up residence in a booth in the back and were safely ensconced in workplace gossip about who was dating whom.

“You know, I heard the custodian found them coming out of the supply closet together, and his fly was down,” Paulina said as she picked up her phone and held it out at arm’s length. “Smile, guys!”

We all leaned in and smiled.

“A little to the left, Nat. I can’t see your whole face.”

I leaned in further. The fact that she was trying to get me closer to Brad was not lost on me.

“Got it,” Paulina squealed at her screen, remarkably pleased with herself.

“That custodian thing was just a rumor,” Brad chimed in, shaking his head.

“I don’t know. The two of them seemverychummy.”

Josh had been staring across the table at Paulina for a while now. Something had interested him, and I knew what it wasn’t.

“Paulina,” he cut in. A spark glinted behind his eyes. “Gemini, right?”

Paulina looked shocked. “How did you know?”

“Josh knows everything about astrology,” I explained. “Most of the time he can guess someone’s sign just from listening to them talk. He’s a Gemini, too, by the way.”

“Awesome.” She held out her hand and high-fived her Gemini buddy. “That’s amazing! Do Brad!”

Brad looked at me and took a long sip of his beer before turning to Josh. “Go ahead.”

“Hmm… Well, you are out with us, so you’re clearly not a homebody. So that rules out the water signs. But you’re calm, confident. I think you’re…an Aries.”

Brad pursed his lips for a moment and then nodded. “Wow. This guy is good,” he said, looking only at me. “Make sure he doesn’t use his powers for evil. What sign are you, Natalie?”

“LeeLee is a Virgo.”

“A Virgo, eh?” Brad echoed.

I hung my head apologetically. “I’m such a Virgo.”

“She’s atotalVirgo.”

“Wait,” Paulina nudged in. “What does that mean?”

I exchanged a glance with Josh. “By all means.” I gestured for him to go ahead.

“Well, Virgos are known for thinking everything through. They’re also dependable and, most of the time, perfectionists.”

I held up my hand. “Guilty.”

“LeeLee, you are, like, the case-study Virgo, girl.”

“Thanks?”

Brad cut in. “So, are we all well-matched? Or is Heaven Sent headed for a meltdown because of our astrological incompatibility?”

Josh chuckled. “I won’t venture to bet until I know everyone’s rising sign.”

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