“Well, don’t worry about us. I’ll make us all some dinner, and take Prince for a walk with Jessica,” I say.
“No need. Taylor’s already said she’ll go with Jess later.”
“Oh.”
Mom surprises me by moving toward me rather than away from me, standing beside my chair and looping her arm over my shoulders. “You know, when you were born I had no idea how much of a generous, kind-hearted and caring human you were going to be, even knowing you were a Scorpio with Taurus rising. I know it’s not always been easy, but I want you to know I’m proud of you for all you do, but I would also be just as proud of you if you chose a different path for yourself.”
“Mom,” I say and I don’t realize I’m choked up until my next words are stuck in my throat. “You said you’d drop it.”
“I didn’t say anything about Ireland, or pretty blonde Irish girls who look at you like you hold the secrets to the universe.”
“She does not look at me like that.” I pull a face at my mother.
“Oh, she does,” Mom says as she walks out the room, tossing me a look over her shoulder as she adds, “but it’s nothing compared to the way you look at her.”
I stay where I am, leaning back against the kitchen worktop for a long time. Mom leaves. The movie Taylor and Jessica are watching keeps playing. Prince farts a couple of times in his sleep and my sister and Taylor protest and laugh about it until Jessica starts coughing again but still I don’t rush to her. She has Taylor. Then I pick up my phone and I type out a message I don’t want to think twice about.
PISCES SEASON
“Face challenges head on and with confidence. Know you step into your power when you stop seeking others’ validation. Always remember what you deserve in this one wild and precious life!”
Chapter Forty-Four
Maeve
Loncey is here. In my bed. Filling my room with their smoky, sweet smell. Making my sheets warm. Stroking my back with their fingertips.
“You’re awake?” I say and roll over to lie prone next to them. “How did you sleep?”
“I didn’t until approximately three hours ago,” they say with a smile that doesn’t match the statement.
“Go back to sleep,” I say. “Jetlag’s a bitch but a few more hours won’t do you any harm.”
“I don’t want to sleep.” Their hand lands on my back and then curves around my waist and pulls me closer. “Is this okay?”
I tut. “You don’t have to ask me that every time we touch,” I say. “I don’t want special treatment.”
“Well, at the risk of breaking your heart, it’s not special treatment. I would ask anyone that question if I yanked theirbody close to mine first thing in the morning. And if you’d watched my content, you’d know that.”
I pull a face. “You really want me to watch your content?”
“Nah. Just know that I’ve pretty much watched every video you’ve ever made,” they say with what I suspect is a tired smile. “And I have no shame about it.”
“I’ve watched your videos,” I say although I’m not quite willing to admit just how many.
“Just not the ones behind a paywall.”
“No, not those,” I admit.
Loncey closes their eyes and pulls me against them again. “Why are we even talking about this? I don’t care about you watching my content. I care that you’re in my arms. I care that we’re together, right now.”
“Me too,” I say back. “Can I kiss you?”
“Now who’s dishing out the special treatment?”
“I don’t know how you feel about morning breath,” I point out.
