Page 82 of Ex Somnis

“Mom, I need to know my birth time. And place.”

“Oh,” his mother says brightly. “Are you dating one of those astrology girls?”

Paul makes a strangled noise beside me.

Ridge’s eyes snap open. “No.”

“You know I support you no matter what, honey.”

“It’s not⁠—”

“They’re all a little intense, though. Pretty. But intense.”

“Mom.”

“I saw one online who said Mercury retrograde gave her digestive issues.”

“Mom.”

“And you’re vulnerable to cults.”

“I am absolutely not vulnerable to cults.”

“You bought a haunted doll on eBay.”

“That was research.”

“Sure it was. You know I’d love it if you met someone. Someone kind who takes care of you a little. I don’t ask for much.”

Ridge drops his hand over his entire face.

“Mom. Please. Birth time and place. Yes or no?”

“Oh, of course. Portland. Four forty-four in the morning. You were very late, which I should have known meant something because you have been⁠—”

“Thank you. Love you. Bye,” he mutters quickly, then hangs up.

I have to cough into my fist to smother the laugh trying to climb out of me, but when I look at Jasper, every bit of amusement drains right back out again.

He’s gone completely rigid, blue eyes wide.

“Four forty-four,” Paul says slowly, frowning at Ridge. “I was born at four forty-four too.”

“Holy fucking shit,” Jasper breathes out, but he doesn’t look scared. He looks delighted. “It’s not just fate, it is fate.” His eyes snap to mine, and he grins, a huge, triumphant grin. “I was right. I’m getting good at this.”

“Right about what?” Ridge asks carefully. Then, to me, quieter, “Why does the astrology toddler look like he’s about to ascend?”

“Lennon was born at four forty-four,” I explain what I just realized myself. “So was I.”

His eyes widen slowly. “Okay, that feels… statistically aggressive.”

“Is that normal?” Paul asks.

“Absolutely not,” Jasper says immediately, still grinning like crazy. “But it is an angel number.”

Ridge stares at him. “A fucking what?”

“It’s a repeating sequence.” Jasper reaches for the sheet of paper beside him. “Numbers that appear too consistently to feel accidental. Four forty-four stands for alignment. Stability. Protection. Confirmation.”