Page 69 of Fixer for the Billionaire

But it's for the best.

Pushing aside thoughts of Quentin, I focus on the task for today.

Puddle and Glitter greet me with bright smiles as I enter their office. Their work domain is like stepping into a rainbow if the rainbow decided to dabble in event planning.

The next hour is a blur of Pinterest boards, color schemes, and discussions on the hashtag we've decided to use for the party.

It's all so beautiful. Gorgeous. Jaw-dropping.

I just wish my heart was as happy as my eyes.

As we wrap up the meeting, Puddle hands me a folder with all the details and a list of things to do before the party. "Don't worry, dear," he says. "We'll take care of everything." The co-party planner, with his galaxy-print leggings, looks me up and down as if he's reading the stars written in my coffee and spaghetti stains. "Well, maybe not everything." He draws an air-circle around my face. "You have to take care of this."

I frown. "What's 'this'?"

"The sadness in your face. The dark and stormy clouds that have taken residence in your eyes. The funk hanging around you like an unwanted houseguest. You need to take care of it before the event, sweetie. Or the guests will run away before the party even starts."

I smooth my hands down my wrinkled business blouse and skirt. "I'm fine. Really."

Puddle raises an eyebrow and looks at Glitter, who nods in agreement. "You may fool other people with your 'I'm fine' routine, but not us." Puddle leans in closer. "Darling, you've got the aura of someone who's been binge-watching sad movies in the rain."

Glitter, who's rocking a unicorn horn headband, chimes in. "And eating a tub of ice cream while listening to Adele on repeat."

"Y'all, I'm...good. Just a little overwhelmed with everything," I say, hands still on my blouse.

But Puddle and Glitter exchange a look, then nod at each other.

I shift on my heels, trying not to fidget. "Alright, fine. What do you suggest?"

Puddle pulls out a deck of tarot cards with a flourish worthy of a Vegas magician. "Let's take a peek under the hood, shall we? The Stars and Cards Edition."

Glitter winks at me. "Don't worry, we're not going full mystic on you. Think of us more like your cosmic cheerleaders, armed with glitter and insights."

Puddle shuffles the cards, and my stomach twists in anticipation.

"Alright, pick three cards," Puddle says, presenting the deck to me.

I close my eyes and randomly select three cards from the deck. Puddle lays them out in front of me, and Glitter leans over to read the first card.

"Okay, first card: The Four of Cups. This one represents feeling stuck or stagnant in your emotions," Glitter explains. "Like you're drowning in a sea of feelings and can't seem to swim to the surface."

I swallow over the lump forming in my throat.

"Puddle, look, she's got the Lovers in reverse. Classic case of lovesick blues," Glitter teases, but her eyes are kind.

"And here's the Star, darling. Hope and renewal. See? The universe hasn't forgotten you," Puddle says, with a smile that's equal parts mystical and mischievous. "And from what I can tell, a certain someone hasn't forgotten about you either."

I feel my cheeks heat up as they both give me knowing looks.

A part of me wants to roll my eyes and dismiss their tarot reading as nonsense, but another part of me is yearning for more. More answers to the questions that have been in my mind since the day I let Quentin Anderson into my life.

More insights into the tangled web of emotions and decisions I've been struggling with.

I take a deep breath that feels like I'm inhaling the universe itself, and ask, "So, what's the verdict? Am I doomed to be stuck in this emotional rut forever?" I lick my dry lips, thinking of my convo with Jen at Danity's Seattle reading. "Am I one of those people who are just meant to be on their own?"

Puddle and Glitter exchange a look before Puddle speaks up. "Honey, no one is doomed. The cards are just cards. But what they're really good at is giving us a nudge to look inside ourselves. Sounds to me like you've got a heart as big as a pumpkin patch but you're scared to plant any seeds because you're worried nothing will grow."

She picks up the Star card, holding it up so I am forced to look at it. "This? This is your green light. Your cosmic thumbs-up to go ahead and love, and yes, be loved in return. Love's not a one-way street, nor is it a solo journey. It's a bustling highway, darling. And sure, there might be some potholes, maybe a flat tire here and there, but that's what makes the ride interesting."

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