have a tug of war going on that causes the star to wobble a bit … blah, blah, blah … gravitational pull … Doppler effect.”
“Thanks.”
LibraGrl: Well, if you’re talking about radial velocity, that’ll be a great opportunity for me to discuss the tug of war between opposing star signs in the dating world. But in order to appear professional, we really should get together and hash out a plan. Unless you’re afraid of me, of course. In which case, you should see if a braver nerd can take your spot on the show from now on.
* * *
DrBananaPants: There is nothing we can accomplish in person that we can’t via text.
* * *
LibraGrl: Ah, so you are intimidated by me.
* * *
DrBananaPants: Obviously not. I’m just extremely busy with far more important things. However, in the interest of ending this inane back and forth, I’m willing to meet you at the benches on 103rd Street at Riverside Park at six p.m.
* * *
LibraGrl: Are we going to have dinner after that? Where should we go? I hear there’s a great new place on Broadway and 107th. Should we meet there instead?
* * *
DrBananaPants: We are going to sit on a bench and spend a grand total of five minutes together and not a second more.
* * *
LibraGrl: I just looked up the name of the restaurant. It’s called The Cove. I’ll meet you there at six thirty.
I don’t actually want to share a meal with Ben, but I do want to make two things abundantly clear to him from the start. The first is that he is not in a position of power between the two of us. The second is that I like to eat while I think.
I ignore his twelve other texts where he tells me that he’s not going to meet me at The Cove and that he will be sitting on a bench in Riverside Park at six instead. He can text me all he wants. I am not losing this battle.
Ten
Ben
Alec: You’re going for supper with her? Don’t you hate each other?
* * *
ObiWan: Yes and yes.
* * *
Alec: Hmm … maybe she doesn’t hate you. It sounds like she pushed pretty hard for a date. You know what they say about opposites attracting …
* * *
ObiWan: I assure you there’s NO attraction between us. I’m going to meet her, have a quick appetizer, go over what we’re going to talk about on the show, and get the hell out of there.
* * *
Alec: If I were you, I wouldn’t be in such a rush. It’s not every day guys like us get to sit at the same table with a gorgeous woman like that.
* * *
ObiWan: She might as well be a man. Honestly, there is no spark whatsoever. Besides, even if there were, she’s an ASTROLOGER.
* * *
Alec: So what? She’s hot.
ObiWan: You date her then. That is if you don’t mind betraying everything you believe in for a chance at sex.
* * *
Alec: Dude, I’d betray my own grandmother for a chance at sex.
* * *
ObiWan: Well, that’s where you and I differ. Gotta go. I don’t want to be late for my non-date.
This is ridiculous. Possibly even more so than my accidental modeling gig. I’m currently on my way to some stupid restaurant to meet a woman I can’t stand because she refuses to answer my texts. I hurry down the busy Broadway sidewalk as the sky grows darker, my sense of dread growing with each step.
The Cove is trendy and loud — the kind of place I avoid like the plague. I walk in and glance around, spotting Serafina at a table for two in the corner. She waves at me in a way that says I won, which she most certainly has not. Just because I didn’t feel like acting like an adolescent, doesn’t mean I lost. It just means I’m an adult. She should take notes on how it’s done.
I weave my way through the tables, taking measured breaths and telling my heart rate to slow down, but it’s really no use. Alec was right. Serafina Lopez is gorgeous. And strong. And, as much as I hate to admit it, she’s smart. Completely wrong-headed, but intelligent, nonetheless. When I get to the table, she smiles. “Hi there, thanks for coming.”
I sit down across from her. “What can I say? I’m a gentleman.” I decide to leave the burden of conversation on her shoulders. After all, she’s the one