Lunar Love (44)

“Can this thing still support both of us?” I call up to her.

“If not, we go down together!” she yells back.

I grip each bar tightly and slowly climb the ladder, pressing my body against the metal rungs. “Remember when we used to play up here and pretend we were flying to the moon?” I ask, finally making it up the ladder. The treehouse floor is patterned by the shadows of the tree branches, creating a thousand different ever-changing shapes.

“It was just us and the stars and that parrot that would never stop squawking,” Nina says. She leans back against one of the treehouse’s walls. I join her on the floor.

Nina pulls out a little red box from the pocket of her dress. “I got you something. Just a little maid of honor gift, even though there’s technically not going to be bridesmaids.”

“No! Today’s supposed to be about you!” I pop open the lid, revealing a little gold horse charm. “Thank you! It’s so pretty!” I string it onto my necklace so it dangles next to the moon pendant.

“I know you don’t agree with compatibility, but Asher’s the one for me. It’s like you with baking.” When she says the word baking, I think she’s about to say Bennett and my entire body breaks out in a light sweat. “When all the ingredients are mixed together, it tastes as it should.”

I look into Nina’s round eyes, her short dark lashes curled. “You don’t have to convince me,” I say. “I think you two are great together. Why are you even mentioning it? I thought you don’t believe in compatibility or the Chinese zodiac.”

Like Mom, Nina wanted to do something completely different than the family business. Her interest in the zodiac didn’t stick like it did for me. The irony with Mom is that she married someone compatible to her Dog sign.

“But you do. And Pó Po and Auntie do. I know you all worry that I’m going to end up with someone who I compete with all the time because we care too much about our own opinions.” Nina tucks a light brown strand of hair behind her ears.

“Sounds like someone’s been doing research,” I say.

“I may have flipped through one of Pó Po’s zodiac books,” she admits. “It was a little nerve-wracking seeing all those traits laid out like that.”

“And you worry we’ll think that you’ll have to compromise too much and that you’ll be too critical of each other because you’re both Roosters?” I ask.

She angles her head. “Something like that. I don’t want to disappoint anyone, but I also believe that Asher and I, while yes, we have our differences, are supposed to be together.”

“You only disappoint me when you’re late for our brunch dates,” I joke.

She laughs. “But you have to admit that you didn’t agree with our relationship at first,” she says. “I don’t want to feel like I’m betraying my family by not marrying someone who isn’t a match in the way you all believe.”

“Betraying is a strong word. The family just wants you to be happy. That’s what matters.”

“I hope so,” she says.

“The zodiac helps us understand ourselves and our partners. It’s like Pó Po said, life is not all or nothing.” I lift a fallen, waxy leaf and turn it between my fingers. “At first, yes,” I continue, “I was hesitant about the incompatibility. My life’s purpose is to help people find their compatible partners. And I know firsthand how incompatible boyfriends can turn out. But now that I’ve gotten to know Asher and have seen you two together over the years, there’s no question in my mind that you were meant to be.”

“You promise?” Nina asks.

I nod. “Asher’s confident and fights for what he wants. You’re considerate and take the time to make sure things are done the right way. Sure, you might butt heads every now and then, but I see two people who are strong individuals who are even stronger together. If there were blockers that you both felt you couldn’t get past, that would be a different story.”

“Mmm,” Nina groans and leans her head up to face the sky. “You don’t sound like you. You can’t really believe all that.”

“I believe in compatibility, and I want you to be happy. You’re my sister and my best friend. You’re the exception.” I give Nina a light nudge on her knee.

She gives me a small smile. “It must be nice to have guidelines for yourself. Love is so messy.”

I laugh humorlessly. “Want to know a secret?” I draw in a quick breath. “Sometimes I envy your freedom of not being tethered to the confines of the zodiac.”

Nina reaches out to hold my forearm. “Olivia, neither are you.”

I make a disbelieving face.

“You’ve always been determined,” she continues. “You act tough, but you’re a romantic. Love is your oxygen. Maybe you need to put your mask on first before helping others.”

My phone lights up with a text message, and I quickly pick it up. I tap into a text from Asshole, a code name I assigned to Bennett in case anyone looks at my phone when a message comes through. An uncontrollable smile spreads across my face.

We moved up the product launch just so I could use it to find you the best match possible. Get ready for a good time.



“What’s that smirk for? Was it something Asshole said?” Nina asks, her voice thick with curiosity.