She continued. “‘This relationship’s great lesson is to teach both partners how to assert themselves and develop a sense of inner authority. However, they must not direct this assertiveness at each other, but outward.” She paused, then looked up. “You guys should channel your joint intuitive strength into something meaningful—philosophy, social causes, whatever. Apparently, that’s what will hold you together.”
Josh and I exchanged a glance. “What?” we both said at the same time.
Abigail grinned. “Oh, here’s a fun one! Gemini-Cancer and Virgo pairings often keep their love affairs highly secretive.’” She arched an eyebrow. “Fitting.”
I groaned and buried my face in my hands, gripping my hair. “And how exactly is this supposed to help me?”
“Well,” she continued, flipping pages, “your strengths together are philosophical, inspirational, and authoritative. Your weaknesses are repressed, conflicting, and hidden. Best match, work. Worst match, marriage.”
I threw my hands up. “Fantastic. Guess we should just call it quits now because the damn zodiac book says so.”
“There are signs everywhere,” Abigail said, smirking.
I grabbed the nearest pillow and screamed into it.
Josh chuckled, running a hand through his hair. “Okay, can we at least take a pregnancy test before we start overanalyzing the stars?”
“No!” Abigail and I shouted in unison.
Josh held up his hands in surrender and reached for his beer again.
Abigail tapped her fingers on the book’s cover. “You could list the pros and cons of Nick. That’s what I did with Colt.”
“You did?”
“Yup,” Abigail laughed, pushing herself off the couch. “Let me just grab a snack. Chloe and I are hungry.”
I blinked. “Chloe?”
She shrugged. “Yeah, I’m testing it out. It’s the only name Colt and I agree on. Chloe Rae Killian. Or maybe Chloe Faye Killian, in honor of Faye.”
I smiled. “I love it.”
Josh nodded. “Yeah, it’s got a nice ring to it.”
When Abigail returned, she stretched, then clapped her hands. “Alright. Time for pros and cons.”
I groaned. “Are we really doing this?”
“Do you want to figure out if Nick’s someone you have true feelings for or just see if you’re pregnant, decide what to do if you are, and then go on life never knowing because you were too scared to face your fears?” she said, already heading toward the kitchen. “I forgot water, got to keep me and Chloe hydrated.” She grabbed a bottle from the fridge, sat back down, and pulled out a notepad
Abigail clicked her pen, the sharp snap echoing in the quiet room. “Okay. Let’s start with the cons. Get the bad out of the way. Hit me.”
I braced myself, already dreading the list I knew too well. A sigh escaped my lips, heavy with exhaustion. “Uh… he’s controlling. Everything has to be done his way, on his terms. He’s almost too punctual and organized. And he’s secretive.”
Abigail, lounging on the bed, raised an eyebrow.
“We both are,” I admitted, running a hand through my hair. “But did you know I still don’t know what happened to his dog? Or?—”
Abigail’s expression softened, her fingers absentmindedly tracing a pattern on the notepad with her pen, as she drifted into thought. “He’ll tell you one day,” she murmured, her voice unusually gentle.
Josh, sprawled in the armchair across from them, took a slow swig of his beer. “He hasn’t told you about what exactly?”
I crossed my arms over my chest, my gaze dropping to the floor. “I don’t know. Something happened while he was on duty. He keeps a picture of his dog right by his bed, on the nightstand. Never talks about it.”
Josh scoffed. “That’s weird. I told you, Mel. I know you’re all hormonal or whatever, but just get an annulment before it’s too late.”
“Josh, not helping,” Abigail cut in, shooting him a glare. “Okay, what else?”
