Gaia crossed her arms. “I don’t know if I want to try anything at all.”
Fate handed her a glass of white wine and instantly transported them both to a quiet terrace attached to a villa in Italy. “I’ve actually found someone for you myself. I think you’ll like him and vice versa. He’s an astronomer. A little older, but with that comes maturity. He’s a bit of a geek, as they say, but these days, it’s a compliment! He won’t run around on you. Plus he’s intelligent and loves the universe as much as you do.”
Gaia scratched her head. “I admit, he sounds interesting. I think that’s the way we should’ve gone about it all along. Please, no more internet dating.”
Fate raised her hand, fashioning her fingers in a strange formation. “I won’t, Scout’s honor. But this date seems very promising. Will you give him a chance?”
Gaia reclined on the lounge chair and took a sip of wine, making it look like she was mulling it over. It might go well…or at least better than the other disaster dates.
They could gaze at the stars together. She knew the humans had named her constellations, and she hadn’t paid much attention to those names for the most part. When they came out at night and twinkled hello, some were actually saying goodbye. The suns that had died long ago were still visible because their light took years to reach Earth—hence the term light-years. But of course, he would know that.
“Okay. I’ll try one more date. If it doesn’t work, I’m done.”
“You can’t guarantee the next one is the last one. If it is, that’s wonderful. That’s all we want. The one. But if it doesn’t work out, don’t give up. Please. You still need a companion, ideally a lover. I know you don’t believe you do, but trust me. Once you’ve experienced the best sex there is, you’ll want to be sexually active.”
Gaia chuckled. “I look forward to it, if I ever get to that point with anyone.”
“So you’re willing to meet the astronomer?”
“I said I was, didn’t I?”
“I just wanted to make sure, because he’s waiting for you in his observatory now.”
Gaia sat up straight and faced her sister head on. “Are you kidding me? You were so sure of my answer that you already set up a date?”
Fate shrugged. “I didn’t know for sure, but I really hoped I could talk you into it. And now that I have, don’t keep him waiting.”
Gaia rose quickly and looked down at her toga. “What should I wear? I’ve been told my fashion choices are last century. Also that my hair is not a good color for dateable women and that my eyebrows are too full or something…”
“Who the hell told you all that?”
Gaia frowned. “The basketball player.”
Fate sighed. “I’m so sorry. Maybe you’re right, and the internet is not the place to find your dates. I’ll scour the earth if I need to. But I think this guy might be the one.”
Gaia nodded. “That’s all well and good, but how do I look?”
“Like a goddess.” Fate smiled.
“But I need to look like a human.” Gaia spied a magazine on a nearby table and strode over to it. She opened the pages and flipped through until she saw someone who looked smartly put-together and adopted her outfit. “Okay, are these clothes all right?”
Fate appraised her from foot to head. Brown leather boots, tight brown pants with a pronounced pouch at thigh height. Plus a houndstooth jacket and a riding helmet.
“Oh wait. There’s one more accessory.” Gaia snapped her fingers, and a moment later she held a riding crop.
“Let me see that magazine.”
Gaia walked over to her sister and handed the open magazine to her. Fate flipped back to the cover and laughed. “This is an equestrian magazine. And I’m sorry, but you look ridiculous. You would look better as yourself in a toga than in this getup on a date.”
“Are you saying I should wear my toga?”
Fate laughed. “No, of course not. Oh my. Let’s get Karma to dress you. She has great taste.”
Before they could call her, Karma showed up. “I hear you need my help.”
“Were you eavesdropping?”
Karma shrugged. “Li’l bit.”
