Miranda in Retrograde

14. Libra Season

LIbrA SEASON

Today you’ll find your attention wandering in unexpected directions. The curiosity is natural, but be mindful of where your focus lands, as it will guide your next actions.

My date with Christian ended at a respectable time with a respectable peck on the cheek at the front door, but the emotional magnitude of yesterday apparently has taken its toll, because I sleep through my usual alarm and instead am awoken to my phone buzzing up a storm on my nightstand.

Sleepily, I grope for the device, unsurprised to see that the litany of text messages is from Daphne.

Okay, don’t even think about replying to this if you’re not alone in bed. If he’s there with you give him coffee, but not breakfast. Too much. If he’s not there…

How was it? I want details down to the food orders, and any accidentally-on-purpose physical contact.

Also, he is cuuuuuuuute. Really cute. Like, Ryan Gosling cute.

Also, still a LITTLE mad you didn’t tell me you knew THE Archer. And that he was hot. And also, what is going on with you two?

I groan, tossing the phone aside, and fold my arms over my face.

Way too many questions before coffee.

For a moment I let myself lie here, listening to the birds outside my window as I let my mind wander to last night’s dinner date and…

I realize I’m smiling.

The butterflies that had been a permanent fixture in my stomach all day yesterday had vanished about the time he’d opened the passenger-side door for me. Though I’d been careful to steer clear of both science and astrology talk, there hadn’t been even a whisper of awkward silence, just a pleasant flow of easy topics right up until he’d walked me up my front steps.

As for the kiss on the cheek?

A little unclear as to how I feel about that. Disappointed? Relieved?

Still, I’m pretty sure it had been more of a respectful move slow gesture than it had been about dismissal, because a second date is already on the books.

My phone buzzes again. A little more awake now, I pick it up. Another Daphne text.

He’s more charming than I’d expect, given the circumstances.

I reply to that one.

I TOLD you he was charming.

Daphne: You did not. You didn’t even tell me you knew him!

It takes me a moment to realize we aren’t talking about Christian.

Me: Wait. Archer? Charming is not the word I’d use.

Daphne: I just expected him to be… awkward and weird.

Me: Don’t worry, he has a slew of other negative qualities.

Curt.

Annoying.

Aggravating.

And okay, fine, also sometimes kind of funny. And kind.

But mostly annoying.

Daphne: Did I tell you one of the MoMA volunteers I work with is close with his ex? That actress Willow. She called it off just weeks before the wedding.

I sit up, a little more intrigued than I want to be. I read that. Lots of speculation about cheating or incompatible schedules, but neither of them has said a word about it.

Daphne: Look at you keeping up on your celeb gossip! And not even A-list!

Me: Can I tell Archer you said he isn’t A-list? Actually, never mind, he’ll for sure take that as a compliment.

Daphne: Maybe that’s why they called things off? He didn’t like the public lifestyle?

Me: Your MoMA friend doesn’t know?

Daphne: GASP. Dr. Miranda Reed. Are you… fishing for deets on your neighbor?

Me: No! Merely curious about what makes him so grumpy. So back to Christian…