Lunar Love

by Lauren Kung Jessen

“First the bakery, now this. Either you’re following me or fate keeps bringing us together,” Bennett says.

Oh for Cupid’s sake! We’re not even five minutes in, and we’re already going head-to-head.

Against my better judgment, a laugh slips out. I can’t be laughing at my enemy’s jokes. It’s a sign of weakness.

“I don’t have to justify myself to anyone who thinks I’m not Chinese enough because they’re uncomfortable with me being mixed race.”

“I can’t argue with that, but you did throw yourself on the ground for me.” “It’s my honor falling for you,” he says sweetly.

“It was nice officially meeting you,” Bennett says. We smile at each other. I’m in denial that I actually enjoyed myself. “It was nice meeting you, too, asshole.”

“Can I tell you something?” I whisper to Bennett. “Okay,” he whispers back. “I’ve always wanted to experience a drive-in movie.” “I hope it’s to your satisfaction.” “Four and a half stars,” I say. “That’s my highest review yet,” he says gratefully.

“When two people find each other and connect…it’s an inexplicable kind of magic,” I say.

“Are you sure? I don’t have anything to exchange for it,” I joke, “unless you like melted slushie.” There’s a glimmer of amusement in Bennett’s eyes as he places the candy into the palm of my hand. “Being here with you is all I need.”

“I laugh so I’m not completely freaked out. We both lied so we could see more of each other,” Bennett says.

I want to glare at him, but if I look at him for too long, I fear I’ll forgive him before he’s even had a chance to say sorry.

“I always do my due diligence. But I actually knew about Lunar Love in a more personal way,” he says. “June Huang, the founder, your grandmother,” Bennett continues, looking me in the eyes, “matched my parents.”

“How did you know I was here?” “I sensed a disturbance in the Force,” he jokes.

“Olivia, you’ll miss out on good people if you believe compatibility is the one and only way to love,” Bennett says. “Trust me on this.”

“Is that a good enough reason for you throwing yourself on the ground?” I joke, trying to lighten the mood. “I would’ve done it for less,” Bennett says earnestly, a small grin playing across his lips. His smile is contagious, and I can’t resist mirroring it. I bite down, blushing.

“One chef was having a bit of drama, and I had to report for friend duty. The food world is small.” “Pea-sized,” Bennett says with emphasis. I let out a laugh. Betrayed by my own heart.

“It’s not easy to keep traditions alive when you’re far from family. But over time, traditions, and the way they’re celebrated, are adapted. Isn’t it great knowing about it and enjoying it in our own way?” she asks. “I don’t know,” I say. “Aren’t traditions traditions because they stay the same?” “Liv, life is not all or nothing, and traditions are better alive in one form or another than nonexistent.”

“Want to know a secret?” I draw in a quick breath. “Sometimes I envy your freedom of not being tethered to the confines of the zodiac.” Nina reaches out to hold my forearm. “Olivia, neither are you.”

“You act tough, but you’re a romantic. Love is your oxygen. Maybe you need to put your mask on first before helping others.”

“I’m only teasing. You look great,” he says. His gaze lingers on me and heat blossoms from my toes up to my chest.

I notice that the updated dashboard emphasizes the designed animal icons. A light pink swipe-through instruction panel pops up with illustrated peonies in the background, introducing me to the latest additions. I’m caught off guard by the use of peonies. Did Bennett think I’d like this feature because it uses my favorite flower?

“I was inspired by your favorite flower,” he says. “I thought it was beautiful and kind of perfect that they symbolize prosperity, good luck, and best of all, love and the rebirth of relationships. So much meaning!”

Bennett looms over me, studying my unamused expression. “I think watching you fall in love is going to be the highlight of my career.”

“I can do that,” I start. “I got you,” Bennett says in a low voice.

“Anything else, my Queen?”

But the biggest curveball of today—and perhaps the most distressing realization—is that for the rest of the inning, all I can think about is Bennett O’Brien and when I’ll get to see him next.

“I think we’ve established by now that while you see the zodiac one way, I see it in a slightly different way. But we’re essentially talking about the same thing.”

“You don’t come off as worried to me,” I admit. Bennett goes quiet for a moment. “I’m decent at compartmentalizing. I want to enjoy this time with you.”

“Right, traditions were meant to be broken,” I say flatly. Bennett holds his free hand up in defense. “I said that in one interview, and you’re taking it out of context. I think traditions are meant to be broken when they’re rigid like rules and run the risk of being lost to history. My way of going about it is probably bolder than you’re used to.”

“What don’t you know random facts about?” I look from the flowers to his face. They’re both quite the sight. His voice is soft as he says, “You.”

“I also know that my worries don’t feel so heavy when I’m with you, and that your laugh is my new favorite sound.” He looks down at the ground and then back up into my eyes. “I also know that I’d like to kiss you. If that’s all right?”

Then I look into Bennett’s eyes, and I feel steady. Stable. And all at once, despite everything I believe in, this is what I know for certain: I want to kiss this man. “Yes,” I whisper.

It’s as though Bennett’s the painter and I’m the canvas; every kiss a stroke of the brush, revealing, little by little, the unexpected masterpiece that is our embrace.

Now Pó Po laughs. “Rival? What is this, high school football?”

“But how do you feel?” she repeats. I watch water droplets collect under the glass lid and drop back into the pan. “Like I don’t want him to fall in love with anyone else.” The realization is like a punch to my stomach.

“You might lie to this man about how you feel, and you might lie to me, but don’t lie to yourself.”

“You don’t have to be compatible with someone in order to love them, Olivia. There is such a thing as attraction that not even a chart or algorithm can explain. It’s an indescribable science.

“The sun is only pretty when it’s rising or setting, but the moon is always beautiful. It’s bold, bright, mysterious, elusive. We only see it in glimpses, catching it here and there from lucky angles.”

“See? Trust me,” he whispers into my ear. I shiver when his breath meets the side of my neck.

“Thank you for sharing all that with me,” he says. “I like knowing more about you.”

He pulls back to look at me, his eyes a shade darker. I memorize the lines and curves of his face. If Bennett’s the ocean, I’m already in too deep. No life raft can save me now. This riptide pulls me farther and farther out to sea until I can hardly see the shore.

He reaches for my hand, our pinkies linking in private.

But here’s something else I’ve learned in my lifetime: you should be with someone who not only makes you happy, but who challenges you.”

“You think I missed that last date on accident?” I eye her doubtfully. “Did you not?” “It’s like I said last time, the matchmaker needs, well, a matchmaker,” she says with a wink.

You’re the only peony for me.”

“How so?” Marcus asks. There’s a long pause. “I fell in love,” Bennett finally says.

“He really sounds like he misses you. What do you feel?” “That it’s real,” I say softly.

“My data-driven mindset will always be balanced by your heart.”

Under the waning crescent sliver of the moon and the navy sky sparingly dotted with stars, we abandon our fears and insecurities, hold each other tightly, and embrace being compatibly incompatible.

“This is me trying to see things from your perspective,” I say. “Likewise,” he says.