5. Cassie

5

CASSIE

Turning to face Ms. Fortuna, Halo flicked her black hair over her shoulder and crossed her arms. "I bet no man in your system matches with me," she declared, her tone flat.

"Me either," I muttered, putting my hands into my pockets. My own heart wasn't in this game—not after the hell Franklin put me through.

Ms. Fortuna, clad in an elegant suit, raised a perfectly arched brow. "If Roma, Cathay, and Tanni found their matches through my services, I'm quite certain we can find someone for you as well, Halo."

I watched their exchange, noting the slight tilt of Ms. Fortuna's head, the enigmatic glint in her eyes. Something in the way she addressed Halo caught my attention, and I couldn't help but sense an undercurrent of... what? Amusement? Anticipation? I couldn't put my finger on it, but it made me uneasy. What did she know about the world that I didn't?

"As for you, Ms. Quinn, it's perfectly fine to take your time." Ms. Fortuna's brown eyes rested on me with a gentler expression.

I managed a half-smile, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Maybe I'll take the tests later," I said. "Just... not today. Not right now."

"Of course," she replied, nodding gracefully. "When you're ready, if ever, I'm here to help. No pressure, no rush."

"Thank you," I murmured, feeling a weight lift slightly from my shoulders.

"Hey, what about me?" Matilda piped up suddenly, stepping forward. "Can you set me up?"

Ms. Fortuna chuckled. "My dear, I'm afraid my services aren't calibrated for the elven kind just yet. Come back in a year and a day, when I have time to change the parameters needed."

Matilda shrugged, seemingly unfazed, and wandered toward the door. "No worries, I'll find my own fun," she called over her shoulder.

I watched her go, a knot forming in my stomach. Where was she off to? Something about Matilda's casual departure stirred a sense of paranoia within me. Based on my recent experiences with elves it was entirely justified.

Halo flashed a grin with a dark sardonic undernote. "Wish me luck," she said, though it was clear she felt she didn't need it.

As the door closed behind her, I turned to find Aiden examining the various trinkets and framed certificates on the walls with a detached curiosity. I remained standing, shifting from one foot to the other.

"So how are the wedding ideas coming?" Cathy asked. She was leaning against the desk, flipping through a bridal magazine with a critical expression.

"Not too bad," I replied, clasping my hands behind my back. "It's a lot of planning for something this large."

"True. But going to be one heck of a party! " Cathy's sudden grin sparkled with mischief, and I couldn't help but crack a smile in answer.

"Speaking of which, what is customary attire for these events?" Aiden asked, pivoting towards us from the wall.

"Usually, it's whatever makes the bride look like a goddess and the groom slightly uncomfortable in a tux," Cathy quipped, and I snorted at the accuracy.

"A bit lacking in detail," Aiden said dryly, but with amusement in his eyes. "Any interesting practices? Anything I should prepare for?"

"Depends on the couple, really," I said. "In this case, you can't go wrong so long as everyone knows you're wearing your best."

"My best?" he echoed.

"Your best," Cathy confirmed with a nod, closing the magazine and tossing it back onto the pile. "Though be ready for it to be rowdy, especially if there's an open bar."

"What do these affairs look like?" he asked.

"Imagine a sea of flowers," Cathy started, her hands weaving through the air as if she could pluck the petals from an invisible bouquet. "White roses, lilies, maybe some peonies for good measure."

"Peonies are nice," I chimed in, picturing the lush blooms.

"Tables draped in silk, candles flickering everywhere," she continued. "And in the middle of it all, the couple, dancing their first dance on a floor that looks like it's made of stars."

Aiden nodded, eyes intent, and I felt a little uneasy.

"Not real stars," I hastened to add. "There's a lot of details to organize, as I told you before. And all these details add up to expense."

"Expensive, but worth it for some," Cathy said with a sigh. "It's all about that moment, you know? When everything else falls away and it's just the two of them."

Since I knew for a fact Rey would marry Cathy in a heartbeat if she expressed the desire, I didn't comment.

"When are you checking out the venue? Shay's island?" Cathy asked.

"I'll be flying out of Logan tomorrow. Aiden, since you wanted to go, if there's room, I can try to get you on the same flight."

"Logan? Logan what?" Aiden asked.

"It's an airport," I said, feeling a twinge of something warm at the idea of traveling with him. "I'll check on availability when I get home."

"My thanks," he replied with a nod. "Traveling together would be pleasant."

The door opened, and Halo stepped out, an irritated expression on her face. "Well, that was as fun as watching paint dry."

"Fun?" I echoed.

"Do you want to take your turn, Cassie?" she asked. The sarcasm in her voice intensified. "You can't dodge Cupid's arrow forever."

"Who says I'm dodging? Maybe I'm just... strategically retreating," I countered, trying to match her tone despite the heaviness settling in my chest.

We headed out the door, Aiden shutting it behind us. He waved as he strode toward the small park at the end of the street.

I continued to the car with Cathy and Halo.

"But you can't run from love forever, Cass." Cathy said mildly, unlocking the car with a beep.

"Watch me," I muttered under my breath as we opened the doors.

Cathy shot me a knowing look but didn't press further.

"Let's get you both home," she said, starting the engine.

"Thank you, O my queen," Halo said, leaning back in her seat.

"Thanks Cathy," I echoed, feeling a strange mix of relief and disappointment as we pulled away from MDS.

Aiden gave a small wave from the sidewalk as we passed him, his figure growing smaller until he was just another face in the crowd headed for the park.

I hoped I wouldn't get a call about an emergency any time soon.

"See you later, Aiden," I whispered to myself, even though he was far beyond earshot now.

"Thinking about that airport rendezvous already?" Cathy asked, catching my gaze in the rearview mirror.

"Maybe," I admitted.

"Good," she replied, smiling back. "I can hope. But I'm not sure an elf is the best choice for starting out again."

As the city passed by outside the window, I let my mind wander to the possibilities ahead, wondering whether Cathy was right.