Page 36 of Something like Desire

“So, are you going to hook up with Mr. Aries now?”

“No, it wasn’t about that. After tomorrow night, I don’t plan on ever seeing him again. What I did tonight was about me speaking my truth.”

“Okay, if you’re sure. But next time you’re with Zach and you feel that pull, realize that it’s stronger than the both of you. It’s compatibility at its finest.”

“And when I feel that pull, I’ll recognize thatyouthink it’s astrology, and I’ll have the power to resist it because I recognize it for what it is,” I respond. “I’m going to see him tomorrow, yes, but it’s going to be part of a mission... an interaction for a specific purpose. The end of Mom and Nicholas. They don’t even have a good ship name like my parents do. My parents are Raeter. It sounds sleek, right? But Mom and Nicholas? They’d be Racholas. It sounds like a disease or a medicine.”

Maren sighs loudly. “How long have you been thinking about this, Lexi?”

I pause. “Not long.”

“You’re lying.”

“Maybe like ten minutes.”

“What’s your ship name with Zach?”

I bite my lip to stop a laugh from escaping. “I haven’t thought about that.”

“Liar.” There’s a long pause and then Maren clicks her tongue. “I’m waiiiiiting.” And she will. She willnotquit when she’s onto someone.

“Okay... okay, you’ve got me. It’s Zexi. But I’m not planning on hooking up with him. I got out of a relationship a whole two hours ago. But I did spend a few seconds wondering about our name combo. You got me.”

“Zexi sounds a whole lot like sexy, wouldn’t you say?”

“Okay, back to my plan, Maren. Focus. I’ll have this whole thing sorted out before the wedding. I still have time.”

There’s another long pause on the line before Maren finally speaks. “Lexi?”

“Yes?”

“I’m an astrology wizard, not a psychic, but I have a feeling that you’re very, very wrong.”

SIXTEEN

The workday passes in a blur of phone calls and emails because the only thing that’s going through my head right now are the words I need to say when I confront Mom.

I could try something clever, likeI may not be GardenPro6, but I caught you trying to mow someone else’s lawn.Kapow!

Or,I may be a catfish, but you just got caught on MY line, missy.

Or, I could just say something simple, likeMom, I know you thought Nicholas was the key to your happiness, but you being here shows that he didn’t make you as happy as you deserve to be. And I know someone who can.Then I’ll pass her the list of numbers I found to marriage counselors and hope will be rekindled for her reconciling with Dad. Maybe they won’t be a couple again by Gia’s wedding like we originally hoped, but they’ll be on the right track.

When I arrive at Marisol Gardens, I park behind the greenhouse, just like Zach and I arranged. He’s already there and when I pull in beside him, he catches my gaze and gives me a tentative smile.

I need to ignore our spat and get down to business. I roll down my window. “So, today’s the day. We’re ending this thing. How’s your dad doing? Do you think my mom already broke up with him?”

Zach shrugs. “I don’t know. Neither of them has been postinganything, which is kind of weird considering they usually post about the weather and every single meal they eat. I think we really brought out my dad’s bad side at the dance lesson. Now we’re gonna seal the deal.”

I check the time on my dashboard: 5:30 p.m. Mom should be here any minute. Writing to her as GardenPro6, I told her that I’d meet her inside. I roll up my window and turn off the ignition, then step out of the car to walk over to Zach. “Okay, so you wait here, and I’ll come back and tell you how it went down.”

Zach leans his arm out the car window, resting it on the edge of the door. “Are you sure I can’t come inside and film it?”

I shake my head. “No. She’s still my mom and I want to be sensitive. This is our chance for a heart-to-heart moment.”

“I get it,” Zach says, nodding slightly. “Fair enough. So, are you ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” I tap Zach’s car door twice for good luck, then walk along the glass building toward the front entrance. When I get to the door, I nervously inhale a long breath through my nose. Here goes nothing.