“It refers to your current contemplation about how to release your former love so that you can step into this new relationship with both feet.”
Nick and I both snap our attention to a man shrouded inshadow down the line of tables. As we continue toward him, a small table light sitting beside him illuminates his features. The man’s intense stare is focused on Nick.
“Excuse me?” Nick says, eyes narrowing in on the slender man seated behind a black-clothed table.
Much like the woman’s, his is filled with mystical trinkets and multiple decks of cards.
“The cards she drew weren’t the problem. It’s her lack of ability,” the man says. “But you already knew that.”
I blink, thrown off guard by the man.
“Come. Sit,” he says, motioning toward his vacant chairs. “I’ll interpret her reading and add my own twist.”
“No, thank you,” Nick says, continuing to walk past the man’s table.
I can tell by Nick’s posture that the man has him on edge.
“I can help you. If you’ll only listen,” he calls to Nick’s retreating back.
I’m not about to force Nick into anything more tonight. I’d only been kidding before, and he was a good sport for going down the rabbit hole with me. But this man’s mention of Isla is something else entirely. I won’t interfere in this.
Nick’s steps falter, eventually stopping. He doesn’t move, seemingly contemplating what to do. When he turns around, it’s clear he’s decided that the man’s promise of help is something he wants to pursue.
He takes a seat, not looking at me once. It stings a little, but with the subject being Isla, I can only imagine how uncomfortable he is, especially having this discussion in front of me.
“I’ll just be over here,” I say, turning to walk away to give him privacy, but he reaches out, hand grazing my arm.
“No. Stay.”
It’s all he says, but I can tell he doesn’t want me to go. I nod andtake the seat next to him, determined to act as a source of support for whatever’s to come.
The man folds his hands together and places them on the table. “Tell me, what were your cards? Say them in order if possible.”
Nick looks to me, and I search my memory. “Eternal socks, cosmic cheese, chaotic chihuahuas, and something about walruses,” I say, unable to recall the last one in any greater detail.
He takes a deep breath. “Whimsical Walruses,” he says, bobbing his head as if that somehow makes sense.
He takes a few minutes to close his eyes and concentrate. Nick and I share a glance, both curious about where this is going. When the man opens his eyes, they’re a deeper blue than they’d been moments ago.
“Your past was a series of unfortunate events. You lost someone special, only to lose yourself.”
Nick stiffens next to me but remains quiet. The man has so far hit the nail on the head, and I know this is going to be a life-changing reading for him.
“Presently, the one you lost has made a return, but not for long. They need closure that only you can provide, but you’re hesitating.” He stares into Nick’s eyes. “Why?”
Nick swallows, head tilting to the side. His mouth opens, and he’s about to speak, but the man’s hand flies up, stopping him.
“I see it now. They’re not of this world entirely.”
My mouth drops open. This is going beyond a card reading. This man is a gifted psychic.
“You understand things will never be what they were, but you’re struggling with the knowledge that, in a sense, they’ll leave you again.”
My stomach twists, pain gripping my chest at the thought of how Nick must be hurting. Without thinking, I reach out, placingmy hand on top of Nick’s shaking hands. I squeeze, letting him know that I’m here. That I understand.
“But they must go. They want to go. And only you can make that happen,” the man says. “You need to say whatever it is you never had the chance to say and send them on their way.”
“What if I can’t? What if it doesn’t work?”
